Patience pays off for Robbie McKinnon in the Prix St Georges
The Open Prix St Georges saw a win to Robbie McKinnon with nine-year-old SPH Fortino (Bluefields Floreno x Donna Carina), the 2022 Champion of Champions at Dressage & Jumping with the Stars. The pair won today with an impressive score of 76.765%.
“Robbie McKinnon rode a truly wonderful test,” says Roger Fitzhardinge, who was ringside for today’s action. “On speaking with her at its completion, she was not so concerned about the marks at all, even though she was very pleased to see such high percentages. She rode for her own self and the horse’s confidence.”
“He’s a very sharp horse and he hates to make a mistake,” says Robbie. “When he makes a mistake, he gets quite worried and it is difficult to get his mind back on the job for the next movement. As a consequence, some of his previous tests have shown a little tension in a few moments. I had every intention of competing and competing well at the NSW State Championships, but for the couple of days prior he felt like he was trying too hard and going to get himself a little in a tangled from doing this… sort of like a show jumper that over-jumps fences and might make a mistake.” Listening to her horse, Robbie didn’t compete at the States and her patience clearly paid off in producing the winning test today at the Nationals.
The impressive score included marks of 79%+ from the two long-side judges. Robbie felt that some these marks likely came from the fact the horse is now more fluent, confident and consistent in the frame and tempo. The frame and consistency into the bridle are particularly evident for judges viewing from the long-side positions.
“I have to say I’m over the moon with this horse,” continues Robbie. “He is such a tryer and we really look forward to seeing him move towards Grand Prix. Of course, he’s been well-bred and we have an absolute affinity between us, and having my mother (Alison Soster) involved in owning him as well makes it a really great family affair.
“We absolutely adore this horse and are very pleased to see him gaining further confidence in the arena, where he was sometimes a little shy and concerned. It was a great outcome, and I have to say it was a very beautiful class with a lot of very good riders and good horses. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Second place in the Prix St Georges went to Matthew Dowsley and 10-year-old gelding TS Firestorm, scoring 74.324%.
“The very imposing gelding, by Foundation and owned by Cheryl Smith, did an exceptionally fluent test,” observes Roger. “To watch Matthew ride this horse is an absolute pleasure: every corner, every positioning, every marker… everything comes up in absolute seamlessness. This horse is gaining better and better balance and more and more engagement, and is now able to really start to flow in the medium and extended paces. With great improvement in the canter, the changes – which were a little difficult for him a year ago – were seamless today and no mistakes at all during the test. Matthew was super pleased with his horse, and very pleased to place as well as he has in such a strong field at the Australian Championships.”
Third place went to Matthew Lord riding Cheryl O’Brien’s rising 10-year-old stallion Remi Vigneron, scoring 73.618%.
“Remi Vigneron for Matthew Lord, one of the up-and-coming horses in this group, showed a seamless test with a very consistent, uphill frame, and very elastic paces. Perhaps just lacking a little bit in the collection and the activity,” says Roger.
“It was an outstanding class to say the least, and to think you have to get over 70% to finish in the top seven horses is quite something,” continues Roger. “I think that must be close to an Australian Championship record for the number of percentages over 70% at this level. Exciting for the future of Australian dressage!”
The Prix St Georges Pony went to TMH Bogart, ridden by Kerri-Lee Ryder to a score of 66.059%. Second went to Paradise Valley Cocktail for Caitlyn Porter on 65%.
Greatly missed today in this class was the beautiful Seawynd Colorado, a talented PSG pony who tragically passed away from a sudden and severe colic episode on Wednesday.
Bradgate Park Amadeus shines for Sharon Potter in the Intermediate II
Sharon Potter on Bradgate Park Amadeus, by Ampere, won the Inter II today on a score of 67.441%.
“Amadeus is a very young horse at this level. Sharon who was well known for her beautiful mare Bradgate Park Delilah, who she took almost to Grand Prix; this was her only other horse at this level prior to Amadeus,” explains Roger.
“Sharon has come on in leaps and bounds with this beautiful gelding, and again a mistake free test, showing good expression in the piaffe and passage with good balance throughout.”
Sharon Potter and Bradgate Park Amadeus. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Matthew Dowsley – who is actually Sharon’s coach – again placed second, scoring 66.559% with Kylie Riddell’s 10-year-old gelding Fribaldi.
“A magnificent uphill black gelding, who is new to the level as well. They were trending on nearly 74% coming into the first piaffe, when Fribaldi decided it was time for a break and chose a lovely square halt rather than piaffe! This brought his score from trending on 74% down to 63% with no transition mark and with a poor beginning to the piaffe. Despite this, the horse showed great expression and, again, beautifully ridden. Scoring 66% with probably a couple of zero marks in the mix is a solid effort and this combination shows promise for the Grand Prix. It’s about building strength and confidence and willingness, and this horse seems to have it all.”
Third place in the Inter II went to Ellyn Parker and Rosalee with a score of 66%.
You can rewatch the action from the Inter II via ClipMyHorse.TV.
Para Equestrian & Virtus Equestrian
The top-level Para combinations were in the action for the Grand Prix tests today, while Inter A and Novice A tests provided options for those newer to the sport or with more inexperienced horses. It’s great to see events now offering a full suite of levels for Para and Virtus riders, providing a pathway through the grades and the opportunity to gain exposure at these big competitions.
Maddison Cooke and her horse, Byalee Magic II, achieved a score of 67.816% to win the Grade II Grand Prix A, while Amylie Hines and EA Exquisite achieved a score of 58.556% to win the Grade III Grand Prix A. Chelsea De Jonge and Don Dancier achieved a score of 67.350% to win the Grade V Grand Prix A, with Stuart Drysdale and Quality Street 3 second with a score of 60.171%.
Kellie Tinworth and Augustine KT won the Grade I Inter A on 63.021%, while Brooke Neville and her horse, Checklist D, achieved a score of 65.533% to win the Grade IV Inter A. Sandi-leigh Norris and Finch Farm Cosmique Cavall achieved a score of 67.500% to win the Grade V Inter A, with Heidi Ford and Rikaardt H securing second place on a score of 67.202%. Stuart Drysdale and Amalfi 20 finished third.
FEI-level rider Kirsty Van Loon and Nero R achieved an impressive score of 70.417% to win the Grade IV Novice A, while Tracey Crittenden and Florentyna TLC won the Grade V Novice A.
In the Virtus classes, Kyle Chapman and his horse, Chapplehurst Mozique, won both the Grade IV Novice B and Grade IV Intermediate A test.
The action continues Friday at SIEC – stay tuned!
Results and draws from the Australian Dressage Championships can be found here.
Live stream schedule (times may change):
Friday (18 October)
8.30am – Howden Equine FEI Intermediate A
10.00am – FEI Under 25 Intermediate II
1.15pm – Assistance Dogs Australia FEI Grand Prix
Saturday (19 October)
9.00am – Howden Equine FEI Intermediate B
11.00am – Agnes Banks Equine Clinic FEI Grand Prix Special
12.30pm – Dressage NSW FEI Under 25 Grand Prix
2.00pm – Leader Equine FEI Intermediate I Freestyle
Sunday (20 October)
10.00am – Howden Equine FEI Intermediate A/B Freestyle
11.45am – Eloquence Equine FEI Under 25 Grand Prix Freestyle
1.00pm – Equestrian NSW FEI Grand Prix Freestyle
Tune in live and free here or watch on replay via ClipMyHorse.TV.
