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Rasputin is only 9 years old, and it was a huge undertaking to bring him to the Nationals and mix it with the experienced campaigners, when he has just started out at this demanding level.

He did a great job in this test but showed his lack of experience in the Kur and Special.

Rasputin is such a charming stallion who Emma purchased through Kyra Kyrklund.

Emma is in the very enviable position of having three Grand Prix horses - Magritte (an Imported stallion) and the gelding Jahnus (by Jaguar who is now in NZ).  They stayed at home to give Emma the opportunity to concentrate her full attention on Rasputin.

They scored a fantastic 60.20% for 9th position and obviously have a really great future.

This horse has  heart of gold - he always tries his best and gives 100%. 

While there were no major errors - the parts of the test where the marks can be gained were weak.  The canter pirouette were nicely positioned but the canter itself lacked jump.

The tempi changes were swinging and the piaffe lacked suspension and definition - which of course affects the transition mark as well.

This horse is quite new to Grand Prix and will have lerned lots from being part of this event.

Stilton is such an expressive mover and in the past this expression has been on the edge of tension - with tension often overriding the performance.

The 2001 Heath and Stilton are truly an 'international act' and it now seems very likely that they will be on a future Australian team.  Nobody could say that Heath would not give his best and be able to perform to the crowd, now could they!

Always exciting to watch - Heath Ryan and GV Stirling Stilton.  Heath has been working close with Harry Boldt and the benefit of this world renowned expert's opinion and assistance is quite obvious.

Heath scored 64.44% for 4th place and they seem to have the potential for further improvement!

Limbo looks great, and his carriage is exactly how the judges like to see a Grand Prix horse positioned - light and off the forehand.

It was a polished performances with no major faults.  The weakness is the swinging passage/piaffe tour and the lack of suspension and energy in the piaffe.

It is interesting to note that Dr. Deiter Schüle had Mary and Limbo first with 275 marks. His next highest mark went to Yardley Aphrodite with 266, making Limbo his clear winner.

Limbo and Mary finished in 5th position with a percentage of 64.10%

He is very well trained and this makes up for some weakness and lack of 'schwung' in the extended paces.

HP Finagin is Holsteiner bred by Falkrich from the mare Lorander.

It was a very strong performance for a score of 63.46% and 6th place.

In fact Kaleb does not find the work of Grand Prix that difficult at all ... he finds the arena edging and pot plants far more of a worry, and his spooky temperament can spoil the straight lines along the side, and the corners  - such a pity as this is meant to be the 'easy' bit!