The Intermediate 2 competition was the first class for the 2001 Australian National Dressage Championships.  The Sydney International Equestrian Centre certainly looks very different without the 10's of thousands of people who filled the stands just a little over a year ago in the purpose built Olympic venue.   Although the feeling was very different iw is a wonderful facility and the only complaing is that you have to sit in an watch without any shade or opportunity to get away from the elements.

Not all of the horses which were presented at the trot-up took part in this competition notably Limbo and Mary Hanna and Rachael Sanna with Yardley Aphrodite.  I am sure that these riders felt that their horses did not need the experience and therefore conserved them for the main game which was the CDI-W (World Cup) events.  The class began at 12.30 and went through to 4.30.

HP (Holstein Park) Finagin is by Falkrich and from Lorander and as his name suggests this is Holsteiner blood. 

There were mistakes in the 2 times changes and the ones lacked lightness.

HP Finagin is only 9 so has much time to consolidate ... it was a great score of 62.63% which gave them 3rd position.

Kaleb is from the TB mare Kelvin Lass.  Like my Kaliber, this is a hot but talented horse and with a lesser rider than Rozzie this horse may not be doing Grand Prix.

The real weakness in todays test was the horse's inclination to spook at the pot plants and arena edging, so deep correct corners were hard for Rozzie to achieve, and of course affected the mark.

They finished with a score of 57.90%

Tivoli is such a light and 'airy' mover with beautiful natural self carriage - what a bonus... There was some loss of balance and bend in the half passes and he tried to compensate by becoming a little too deep - and this would have been costly!

The test  showed great potential but lacked the polish that experience brings.

Well done Carolyn and Tivoli 56.00% on such a young horse gives you tons of room for improvement.

Mighty Heights is such a gentleman and always tries his best.

The horse has a varied and successful life.   From racing, eventing at the top level,a cabaret performer, Paralympic Representative and the recent Champion at the RDA National CChampionships.

Mighty Heights is a thoroughbred by Favoured Bay - he is owned by Robyn Brown and Karin.

The Piaffe/Passage was very weak and I could not see the first Piaffe at all.  These movements make up a big part of the mark,  and this would explain the score of 50.88%

This horse has lovely sefl carriage and posture which is a tremendous advantage.

There were some nice parts in the test and all riders who have reached this level understand just how difficult it is to get to the top.   It is a real achievement to have qualified for this class!

Well done Janet ... and good luck in the future!

Kaz - like so many of Kassiber's progeny has a wonderful trot and really excels in the trot work.  The test could have been more forward.

As the whole test lacked impulsion the judges penalised for this in most of the marks and it was very costly - a score of 50.88% was not up to the usual standard for this combination.