Competitors and spectators from every state in Australia gathered in Victoria at the sensational Boneo Park Equestrian Centre for the 2012 CDI Boneo Park Equestrian Festival last week. Perfect weather set the scene for a brilliant 4 days of competition in Australia. Judges, competitors and spectators all agreed that it was a truly magnificent event
, world class facilities and hospitality which would compare most favourably with the best, anywhere in the world.
The Grand Prix class was always going to be hotly contested as it acted as one of the final chances for Australian based riders to gain a pre-Olympic qualifying score. Husband and wife duo Heath and Rozzie Ryan from NSW had a neck and neck battle for the championship. Heath and his stallion took out the Grand Prix class before Rozzie turned the tides in the Freestyle to leave them on equal points going into the Grand Prix Special. A brilliant winning test by Rozzie in the Special ensured that she was the eventual winner of the Big Tour Championship on GV Bullwinkle with Heath and Regardez Moi reserve.
The Small Tour Championship saw a sensational three days for the stunning mare Adlanta Rose and Victorian rider Sara McDonald who took a clean sweep of all classes. Runner up in the Small tour championship was Glenquarry and Camilla Parker.
The young horse classes provided the perfect opportunity for riders to showcase their horses before the upcoming Dressage with the Stars championships. In the 4yo class the winner was Australian warmblood Just one Wish (by Jive Magic) and Denise Rogan from NSW. The 5 yo was again a strong class with the winner Georgia Haythorpe on the stunning imported gelding Der Beste. In the 6yo class the winner, from NSW, was Australian bred Jive Matrix C (by Jive Magic) and Jodie Newall.
A capacity crowd was in attendance for the highlight of the event, the Rudolf Zeilinger masterclass, and the German dressage master did not disappoint. The audience watched in amazement as each horse and rider were transformed. Rudolf also wowed the crowd when he rode the magnificent recently imported stallion OOseven (by Rubinstein). This stallion is truly world class and a very exciting addition to the Australian dressage scene. A feature of the masterclass was the performance by Danish Olympic team member Lone Joergensen and the masterclass finished with a magnificent pas de deux, performed by both Lone on the Grand Prix horse Ostra and Rudolf on the extravagant stallion 00seven.
Rudolf Zeilinger said he ‘could not believe the difference in the 12 years since his last trip to Australia.’ He commended the quality of the horses, the riding and in particular this fantastic venue for this event. A brilliant end to a brilliant show. We wait with anticipation for next year’s event.
Photos © Chris Baggot
Related Links
Scores 2012 CDI Boneo
Zeilinger to Give Masterclass at 2012 CDI Boneo Park
Bechtolsheimer Amazes with Masterclass at Boneo Park in Australia