The Prix St. Georges event at a high level competition such as the National Championships is, for keen watchers of the progress of the sport, a very interesting experience, as it is the first of the 'international'  tests, and is a good indications of the grand Prix horses of the future. 

At Prix St. Georges, the better horses have proven their acceptance of the training, they are sound, they have stood up to the travelling and will probably be training some of the movements they will be required to do at Grand Prix.  It is still a very long way to good Grand Prix, but the talent and aptitude will be evident in the Prix St. George.

The first six horses were of particularly lovely quality and their work clearly demonstrated correct training which observes the principals of ... rhythm, relaxation & looseness, acceptance of the hand, impulsion, straightness and collection.  These factors being the key focus of the 'German Training Scale'.  Horses who appear not to have been trained along these proven guidelines, often appear to be pulled into an outline and lack the softness and looseness that gives the higher marks.

Maurice Bruce must be congratulated for his wonderful ride on his beautiful mare Neversfelde Kudu.  It is great to see her back, as a little over twelve months ago she spent a little too much time in the clover paddock, and foundered.  Maurice and Jane were very worried about the long term effects of this, but fortunately they got on to the problem before any long term damage was caused.

The class began at 9.00 and was conducted on arena 1A in the main Olympic area.  I have managed to include a picture of all of the horses in this class, but as they are taken 'on the run' and not posed, they are of varying quality, but they will give an idea of how they went.  They are pictured in order of their ride.

Belinda is a young rider and did a pretty good job - the horse lacks looseness through the back due to resistance into bridle.

They scored 53.85% for 26th place.

She is owned by Zoe Andrews who would have been delighted with the test.

Note the half steps in the picture above during the warm up !!!

Bo is a Thoroughbred by Knighthood.

Today the test lacked suppleness and swing and horse became too deep.  They scored 54.85% for 24th place.

The highlight was the great big flying changes with no hesitation.

The test was accurate and correct but lacked the softness and flow that brought higher marks.

They scored 58.20% for 13th place.

They scored 56.70% for 17th place.

He is by May Sherif, who also sired the great Matador ... who was a crowd favourite ridden by Kyra Kyrklund ... and Andiamo trained by Sweden's Otto Hoffer. The horse went on to have great success with Sven Rothenberger when he rode for Germany.

They scored 57.70% and came in on 14th place.