Hawkesbury Dressage Results
28th February 2010
Exciting results from SIEC today, despite weather conditions that went from pleasant in the morning to a sweltering mid-30s midday to a very black rolling thunderstorm by mid-afternoon. Needless to say, both Copabella's horses were scheduled during this latter period.
Both Cyrano ridden by Susanne Soendergaard, and Conspiring ridden by Anna Dalton, presented in the Elementary classes and yes, Susanne may have had a small advantage. Our ex-FEI star Cyrano, now a venerable 19 years old, was recently officially downgraded from Advanced to Elementary, enabling Susanne to compete officially at this level.
And did he strut his stuff or what! The pair received 72% in the 3A, including two nines for their simple changes, as well as an eight for paces, to finish a close 2nd behind Amanda Shoobridge. How's that for a 19-year-old!!! They also finished 3rd in the 3C with 65.75%. Conspiring, our up-and-coming star, also collected very creditable scores and complimentary remarks in both tests, finishing 6th in the 3A with 66.9% and 7th in the 3C with 62.25%.
Today was also a timely reminder of the importance of having an administrative system which encourages and enables less experienced competition riders to gain valuable miles on horses who already have the experience. In the States, for example, no rules prevent any rider from taking a Grand Prix horse into the equivalent of a Prep test. Except that you can guarantee that any experienced rider who does so is going to be something of a laughing stock.
Photo: Susanne Soendergaard and Cyrano at SIEC today. More photos in the Dressage file in the Gallery.
