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| Return to Events Index | *Day 1 (video) | Day 2 | |
| ASPR Victorian Pony Dressage Challenge - 4th Aug 2007 | |
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2007 Victorian Pony Dressage Challenge. National Equestrian Centre, Werribee 4th and 5th August. By Julie Wilson. "Bigger is not necessarily better". To many readers this fact does not have to be proved as most of us realise that "it is not the size of the horse in the jump, but the jump in the horse" that counts. The only thing that was "bigger and better" at the second annual ASPR Victorian Pony Dressage Challenge was the number and performance of the ponies in attendance. In 2004 the ASPR was launched with the assessment of ponies (of any breed or crossbred) done in collaboration with the annual ACE (Australian and Continental Equestrian group). Each year European assessors are brought out to Australia to grade breeding stock, foals and riding horses. Australia has a wonderful foundation of pony breeding, mostly for the show ring, but show ponies can and are now able to do more. Movement and trainability are assets, whether you are going for a Pony Hack Championship or an Advanced Dressage Championship. In the rest of the world ponies are being bred for competition, incorporating, movement, athletic ability and pony qualities. In Europe these ponies have their own division and are also able to compete in open competition. Some may think that this all sounds a great career path for a show pony, which hasn't made it. But surely beauty and performance are not mutually exclusive. Why not have a pony that is both beautiful in looks and performance. Are you not multiplying your chances of success not to mention your competitive opportunities? There is no specific, type or breed required for registration, "the essential requirements are, an excellent temperament, relaxed and trainable demeanor, with good rhythm and swing to their movement and with sound and correct conformation." Prettiness is not a factor in assessment, but no one wants to breed a plain pony and really there are very few out there. As with humans, beauty is not and ends in itself, or at least should not be, but it is no burden to carry in the competition arena either. "As well as the assessment for the Stud Book, the ASPR also registers non inspected ponies for its Performance Club". Once in Australia, jumping ponies were popular and jumping classes for "Ponies and Galloways" were conducted at Sydney Royal. It is to be hoped that jumping ponies make a revival, but there is a great interest in Australia, echoing the enthusiasm in Europe, North America and Great Britain, for dressage ponies. The ASPR "is the only registry in Australia that assesses ponies 148cm (14.2hh) and under on an international scale, regardless of type or breed, for their movement, temperament and sports potential". The improvement in presentation was quite marked this year with the performance of the 100 odd ponies entered, entertaining and for the most part of a high standard. It is to be hoped that this tend will continue and who knows, we might even export our dressage ponies back to Europe! The question always arises as to whether or not adults should ride ponies? The answer has to be yes, as the ponies have to be trained and educated for their young riders. Also if you are a small adult, you might prefer to ride a pony. There is nothing a horse can do that a pony cannot. At this stage, Victoria is the only state to allow ponies to compete in Open dressage competition. Become an EFA member and lobby for your ponies. For more information contact the ASPR website. www.australiansportspony.homstead.com | |
| Downloads |
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Sport Pony Highlights.wmv (4 MB) |
| Some highlights from Saturday night! | |
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aspr results.xls (57 KB) |
| Full Results |
| The Gallery |
The Anglo colt Willowmere Preview looked impressive during the Stallion Parade.
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The Riding Pony Stallion, Falconhurst Four Seasons, returned to competition arena after a year of Stud for duties both here and in the USA.
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Recently arrived in Melbourne, the multi Royal Show Champion Dartmoor stallion, Skye Mist Banjo's Ballad, was a good addition to the Stallion Parade.
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Rose Proenik and Gobbie Ozzborn took third place in the Hygain Preliminary Freestyle. However, their talents extend further than the dressage arena, with an impressive display in the Pharmapet Six Bar, where they were also second.
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Sophie Scott rode Springbank Ringmaster for fourth place in the Hygain Preliminary Freestyle dressage competition.
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Riding to some excellent and fun music, Bobby Rankin and Willowood Park Whisper placed second in the Hygain Preliminary Freestlye.
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Erica Muhlebach and Elmvale Top Cat worked well to take fourth place in the Hygain Novice Freestlye.
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Sophie Whitworth rode Zachariah Silver Royal to win the Hygain Preliminary Freestyle.
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Jacqui Lewis and her Arabian, Lady Cleopatra competed in the Hygain Novice Freestyle.
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Emma Copley and Imperial Corona have not long returned from a successful trip to the NSW Young Rider Dressage Championships. They continued their success here, winning the Hygain Novice Freestyle, however Sophie Whitworth and Zachariah Silver Royal were only a point behind in their Bananas in Pyjamas costume.
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Ellen Sherwood and her New Forest Pony, Kapeta Kip, had a busy evening. They placed third in the Hygain Novice Freestyle, then they were joined by sister Kate, and rode to a Abba theme,to win the Hygain Pas de Deux. This was followed by Ellen riding the stylish jumper Kapeta Kip and very careful, Kapata Honesty in the Pharmapet Six Bar.
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Emma Gittoes rode the Imported LJS Minks Delight to win the Hygain Elementary Freestyle. This charming Riding Pony was imported as a foal on his mother, the beautiful Sufton Royal Rose. Minks Delight proved he was not just a pretty face, by jumping 1.25m to win the Pharapet Six Bar.
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Showing lots of flare, Norm Clark and his impressive Welsh Cob Stallion, Barnon Imperial Jack won the Hygain Medium/Advanced Freestyle.
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Melissa Blackman riding Talkin All that Jazz and Rebekah Carolan with Dunelm Sculpture joined forces to put on a good display in the Hygain Pas de Deux for third place with a "Happy Days" theme.
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| Photographs Supplied By | |||||||||
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Julie Wilson Equestrian Photography PO Box 167 Warburton Victoria 3799 Phone 03 59 662668 Mobile 0408 547 378 juliewilson@bigpond.com http://www.jwep.net |
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