New Zealand-born and now Queensland resident, Anita Scampton and Faulkaneer (Falcon x Sapphire) did a great job in the FEI classes as well, even though she had her top hat blown off by the gale-force winds in the Hamilton Island Grand Prix where she finished 13th with 58.208%. She also placed 9th with 58.927% in the DNSW Inter II, and 10th in the Bates GP Freestyle - CDI-W with 59.75%.

Jackie Hill had a bit of a time of it after getting stung by a Spitfire caterpillar and suffering lesions, swollen bits and other nasty repercussions. Not to be kept down, she and Snowy River Redwood (Stirling Liberty x Deep River) got it together to place 15th in the Hamilton Island GP with 54.083%, 14th in the DNSW Inter II with 54.293% and managed to secure a ride in the Bates GP Freestyle - CDI-W where she scored 58.3% and 12th place.

Young rider Alyssa Webb riding UQ Galahad (Gullit x What a Thrill) did a great job by coming 2nd in the FEI Young Rider World Cup Qualifier with 64.1%. She also placed 10th in the Swish Horse Intermediate Freestyle with 61.425%, and 21st in the Holiday Inn, Rooty Hill Inter I on 59.7% (there was less than 1% between the 14th to 21st placegetters in a full class of 30 horses) – well done Lys and Gilbert.

Jaybee Farm’s resident rider, Melissa Hughes and the handsome chestnut stallion Jaybee Leuwin (Leonardo 68 x Domedin) also put in a sterling performance. They scored 9th in the Swish Horse Inter Freestyle with 61.850%, 11th with 61.4 in the Holiday Inn, Rooty Hill Inter I, and 13th in the Mitavite Prix St Georges Championship with 61.85%. This is Mel’s first dressage Nationals, she is on the Qld State Eventing Squad, and should be ecstatic with her and Leuwi’s results.

Dutch import Arian Nijhuis and her stallion Olando (Farrington x Yolanda) impressed the judges and spectators alike with their performances. They placed 5^th in the Holiday Inn, Rooty Hill Inter I and 8^th in the Mitavite PSG Championship with 62.550%. Even though Arian might have been a little disappointed with her score in the PSG, she did a great job and will be a force to be reckoned with as she proceeds up the FEI ranks.

Denise Rogan riding APH Romarn (Rocadero x Eibe II) have made a successful comeback in the arena at recent Queensland events after some time off when Denise broke her ankle in a freak accident earlier this year. They placed 12^th in the Holiday Inn, Rooty Inter I with 61.15% and by all reports, did an outstanding job in the Mitavite PSG to score a disappointing 62.45% giving them a 9^th placing.

(photo to come - sorry Denise!)

Liz Owens and Class Action II (Graf Landau x Winter Solstice) competed in the Mitavite PSG where they placed 31^st with 55.55% and Holiday Inn, Rooty Hill Inter I with 57.95% and 24^th. Unfortunately the electric atmosphere of the indoor arena got the better of this mare on this trip.

Naomi Strong on Northern Vanderbilt (Falkland Victory x Northern Caterina II) placed a very credible 25th in the Advanced Championship but sadly didn’t get a chance to strut their stuff in either the PSG or the Med/Adv Freestyle where they were on the reserve list.

Tor van den Berge, head rider at Jaybee Farm who rode Bev and John Edward’s stallion, Jaybee Alabaster (Alabaster x Gloria) and Jaybee Allegro had a corker of a weekend. Tor and Bastie placed 2nd in the PSG Championship with 67.2%, and was Reserve Champion in the EFA Advanced Championship on a countback. They also represented Queensland in the PSG Challenge (a State-selected class for horses competing at PSG level under the age of 10 years; Bastie has not long turned 7!), where they did an incredible job to place 3rd with 63.1%.

Tor also rode Jaybee Allegro (Aachimedes x Fourwinds Freda) in the Precision Print Elementary Championship where they finished up in 11^th position, and 24^th position in the International Horse Breeders EFA Novice Championship, which is a wonderful result considering this mare hasn’t had that many outings.

Tracey Round on Beluga (Benito (Imp) x Fire Grate) also represented Queensland in the PSG Challenge where they placed 7th and 60.95% – a terrific effort considering this was their 3rd test of the day. Tracey asked me to thank Prydes Easifeeds for Billy’s performance as she said she didn’t think Billy wouldn’t have made it through three very demanding classes without their quality feed. She also placed 9th in the EFA Advanced Championship and 19th in the Mitavite PSG Championship with 59.5% in a full class of 34 horses.

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Pictorial reports of the event compiled by Berni Saunders

© Cyberhorse 2006 Tracy Mayhew