PSI Dressage and Jumping with the Stars – Fantastic showcase of Australian
talent.
The Australian Young Horse Championships, P.S.I. Dressage & Jumping with
the Stars, is over for another year. The event’s organising committee enjoyed
well-deserved praise for the presentation of the décor and hospitality at
Werribee Park and their efforts to make this a very spectator friendly event.
The final day of competition turned on spectacular Melbourne Autumn
weather, and this attracted record crowds in the Trade Village and the
Mansion Hotel Champagne Bar was very well supported and provided a
convenient place for fans to catch up with friends.
The very best young Dressage and Jumping horses in the land gathered to
challenge for the Australian title in their age group and brought together the
industry’s top breeders, trainers and riders who all see that the future lies in
having purpose bred, well trained and presented horses coming through the
grades and eventually ready to represent Australia at top international level.
At the conclusion of a busy weekend of qualifying rounds and the Saddleworld
Dressage Masterclass presented by Eva Möller (Germany) and Saddleworld
Jumping Masterclass, officiated by Daniel Meech (European based New
Zealander) saw spectators crowd into the indoor arena to watch the final
of the Australian Young Showjumping and Dressage Horse Championships.
The Champion of Champion Young Showjumping horse was awarded to the
athletic 5-year-old mare Yirrkala Ebony by Escudo l. The well-conformed
chestnut impressed the experienced panel of judges and gave Daniel Meech
a great ride, which highlighted her potential to train on to the top level of the
sport. The mare’s rider Rusian Petrov from NSW could hardly contain his
excitement.
Mount St John Stud (UK) and Australian dressage enthusiast Carol Simpson
supported the four-year-old P.S.I. Australian Young Dressage Horse
Championship. The class was won by SPH Renaissance ridden by Rodney
Martin and owned by Andrea Beatty – a NSW base breeder who has been
very successful at this event, over the years. The sire of this lovely bay mare
is Royal Hit and her dam is the imported mare PSI Octavia by Clintino.
The five- and six-year-old Championships were also supported by UK stud,
Mount St John (you can follow their Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/MountStJohn ) and by Australian Dressage judge,
Jillian Cobcroft, who has been a long-time Dressage with the Stars enthusiast.
The five-year-old Championship went the exciting imported mare Donna
Elena, owned by her rider Maree Tomkinson and a group of friends. This
promising prospect was sired by Don Schufro and out of the Bolero mare Beauty Bolrera.
The six-year-old top honours went to the impressive black stallion, Solo Feliz
owned and ridden by Daniella Dierks. Solo Feliz is by San Amour, from
Donna Lara by Donnerhall. The runner-up was Saddle Up Romper Stomper,
co-owned by Saddle Up Saddleworld’s Lyn McCallum and Maree Tomkinson
and trained/ridden by Maree. A 17-hand chestnut by Royal Hit from a TB
mare, which belonged to Lyn’s daughter. Saddle Up Romper Stomper had a
shaky start to his young life as he was rescued from the “Black Saturday”
bush fires and found his way to Maree’s training barn – and the rest is history!
The hotly contested final to determine the Dressage Champion of Champions
was difficult to guess as the 4, 5 and 6 year old class winners were all worthy
of the title. The award eventually went to Daniella Dierks’ outstanding 6 YO
stallion, Solo Feliz whose presence and charisma impressed the judges.
Daniella left Victoria for home in NSW with prizes from International Horse
Breeders, Saddleworld, (follow Saddleworld at
https://www.facebook.com/SaddleworldOFFICIAL?ref=hl) Mal Byrne
Performance Saddlery as well as the coveted P.S.I. Trophy Rug.
The young dressage pony classes received the best entries since being
introduced in 2010 and saw the elastic moving p imported palomino stallion
Noble Dancer awarded Champion of Champions which saw him successfully
defend the Championship he was awarded in 2014 as a 5 YO. Noble Dancer
is owned by Revelwood Warmblood Stud and ridden by Amanda Shoobridge
the stallion is sired by Heidbergs Nanch Nora
.
Saturday evening saw a large crowd of enthusiasts to watch the Grand Prix
Freestyle to Music. Mary Hanna and her consistent Jazz gelding Umbro were
crowned Longvue CDI-W Champions. The competition was strong with high
scores being achieved. Four combinations recorded over 70% including
newcomer John Thompson riding for New Zealand on Bates Antonello.
Runner up was DP Weltmieser owned by Susan Duddy and ridden by Brett
Parbery with third place going to Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina 4.
The organisers are very pleased to have P.S.I. confirm that they will continue,
as the naming rights sponsor of this event and preparations will ensure
another spectacular show in 2016. Fans and competitors said goodbye and
pledged – same time, same place in 12 months time.
For all results visit www.equestrianvictoriaevents.com.au/djwts