NEWS ARCHIVE

Vale - Manhattan  

Australian dressage lost one of its most experienced Grand Prix horses last month, with the euthanasia of Sue and Andrew Hearn’s Manhattan. He was 22.

The beautiful dark bay thoroughbred gelding was given to Sue as a yearling by her vet and close friend, Peter Light, in 1990. His talent, movement and trainability was evident from very early on. He commenced his competitive career in 1993, was training FEI in 1996 and rose through the ranks to perform his first Grand Prix in 1997 as an eight year old.

This was at the Australian National Championships, held in Strathalbyn, South Australia. Manhattan won his first GP in McLaren Vale the same year and never looked back. He was short-listed and reserve for the Australian dressage team at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and was a member of the Elite Dressage Squad when he was shortlisted for the World Equestrian Games in Jerez, Spain, in 2002.

In fact, Sue and Manhattan held a place on the National Elite Squad and the Talent Squad for ten years. This was, at times, quite controversial, perhaps because he was a thoroughbred. Despite being positioned number 55 in the world BCM dressage rankings and the second highest Australian combination, Sue and her boy did not go to WEG in 2002. They did, however, compete for Australia at the European Championships, held at Hickstead in 2003, and went on tour to compete all over Europe.

Manhattan’s trademark was his piaffe, widely acknowledged as the best in Australia during his years of competition. He retired in 2008 to the Hearn’s property “Birrabongie”, where he enjoyed his last years being a real “people’s horse” and the apple of his owners’ eyes.

Manhattan was euthanased after a battle with laminitis. He died in the arms of the people who loved and trained him all his life. He will be sorely missed by the Hearn family and the whole Australian dressage fraternity.

President's Report - April 2011 Competition

Thank you, thank you, and thank you, to the most fantastic committee that I have ever been involved with who made Sunday’s competition just work so well. It was a monumental task in providing the new program to make up the draw, and work out results for the first time with such a large competition. We have had so many wonderful comments and so many happy competitors. So thanks Toni and Paul for your hard work and frustrations to get the job done. Thank you also to Annette, Sylvia, Lindy, Pam, Carol and Warren for all of your support as well, not to forget our scorers, Margret and Mary who just had so much patience.

The grounds again looked a million dollars, so thanks to Peter and the team at Bong Bong, I believe the warm up arena rode very well, but the other sand arenas may need a little tweaking to get them perfect. Even the arena positions being slightly altered weren’t that much of an imposition. 

The catering for the judge’s lunches was just exquisite, mouth-watering, healthy and done to perfection, so thank you Danielle and her mum for such a splendid job.

The Mittagong rural bushfire brigade was again friendly and welcoming on the gates as well as a popular team running the bbq. Thank you to all our members and riders who gave donations to them, there would be nothing worse than no one on the gates and a horse getting loose, so please keep it up, as they are a great brigade to support.

Lastly thank you to all of our members and competitors for your continued support, apologies for the late results on Sunday afternoon and a promise of better things to come. We love your input, so if you have any great ideas or want to bring our attention to anything in particular please let us know.

The club has really been able to turn a corner lately. We have been able to run a few consecutive days without the worry of being rained out. This and the enthusiasm of all concerned really makes the whole process seem worthwhile. We will be holding a dressage club ball within the next 3 months at a venue to be confirmed. Genevieve Wild is at the helm of this event, it’s a chance to get out of those joddies and into some glamorous threads for a change. If there are any members out there who would like to help out in the preparation and running of this event, we would love to hear from you as soon as possible.

Happy riding

Andrew Hearn

Presidents Competition Report - February 2011

Well what a day! The weather was perfect; the Bush fire brigade was in great form, as was the coffee man. The grounds and clubhouse looked a million dollars and the committee worked like trojans before the event and on the day. Thank You!

I thought the whole day ran very smoothly and professionally as the day was always going to be big with the enormous amount of entries that came in. There were very few complaints and a lot of happy faces. Good food and coffee make a big difference, and thank you to all those who donated to the rural fire service. It makes a difference to them and the worst thing would be to see some ones horse running out onto Kangaloon Road so well done guys. 

Some exceptional tests were ridden with Jim Collin on Bellissimo Stud's mare Fraunmeyer in the Novice 2A.  being one of the outstanding tests with 82%. A 10 was given for one movement and a 9 for rider. This test can be seen on you tube with the following link Http://WWW.youtube.Com/user/jensymes1#p/a/U/0/YbzQMy1z_f0 This is seriously worth watching as it is a regular, active, accurate and relaxed test with 3 superb paces, there’s not really a lot more you can ask for in a novice test. Well done! 

Congratulations to Local rider Robbie Soster, who not only won the Preliminary 1B on Lindy Babbs horse Lady of Grace with 74% but also won both the advanced 5B and Prix St Georges on Robali Razzamatazz, and new to the Southern Highlands, Rodney Martin cleaned up at Medium level by winning two high scoring tests on Weekend Feeling. Great work to all winners and place getters on the day as the quality of horses and riding is really getting up there. 

Hoping Kerri Wilson is feeling a little more comfortable after the accident on Sunday. Our thoughts are with you. 

Last but not least we have a Bowral Dressage Club Page on facebook that is really useful, not only can you join as friends of the club, but you can make suggestions and information regarding competitions can be put up and made available by anyone.I have put up some photos of the day on Sunday, so go there and join as a member of the group              http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=115373238142 

Happy Riding,

Andrew Hearn

Our photographer, Georgie Beresford now has a range of lovely photos from the comp on Sunday 6 February.  Visit Georgie's website http://georgeberesford.shutterfly.com/  to view photos or contact Georgie on  024869 3784  or  0466 526 655  or email at gbnle@bigpond.com

February 2011 - At a recent BDC committee meeting important issues relating to our competitions were resolved. All competitors are advised to inform themselves by downloading an important notice regarding these changes here.

September 2010 Championships

Championship Results Available Here

Photos are available by clicking on this link

http://www.moments4ever.com/src/partner/client/event/login/index.cfm?EVENT_ID=16959

BDC would like to thank our generous sponsors for their support of this competition.

From the President...    

Hi all,

I would just like to introduce myself to the members of Bowral Dressage that I haven’t met yet, and say hi again to all of those friends that I have made who have been part of the club for years. It is exciting to be back and once again part of Bowral Dressage, and part of the hard working and enthusiastic committee that have once again been elected to make dressage in the Highlands more user friendly and to continue making the Bowral Dressage club one of the best and most highly regarded in Australia.

The Southern Highlands now has a great reputation for having some of the finest horses and riders in the country, and with our home grounds at Bong Bong now established with the sand arenas and with  the enormous amount of help from the committee and some members, I look forward to the challenge of continuing to expand the club. 

The long range weather forecast looks like a dry day for our championships on the 19th September, and hopefully the coldest of winter has past, so it’s time to get out on those horses and work towards the best test possible on the day.

I look forward to seeing you all at the championships and I wish you all the best of luck for the day. 

Regards Andrew.                           Andrew & Sue Hearn

Bowral Dressage Club Annual General Meeting

Wednesday 11 August 2010

A big thank you to all those who attended. We now have an ever bigger fresh-faced committee thanks to generous offers of help from various members. A full committee list and contact details can be found on our committee page.

BDC 2010 Young Rider Championships Report

Full Results and Championship Results now available here!

What a great Junior/Young Rider Championships BDC held on July 4!

The early birds (greeted by BDC President, Katrina Stuckey) arrived to a frosty white competition ground at Bong Bong, which was followed by a gorgeous  sunny and windless day.

With over 100 tests to be ridden in seven Championship levels, family groups soon started to fill the ( new to us) float parking area to the right of the gate. They could also admire the window display of championship rugs and rosettes and the trophy in the window of the Wyreera pavilion which had the canteen and cosy seating areas inside.

Tests were ridden and parents and instructors chatted to the riders while a wonderful ambience engulfed Bong Bong. Friendly competition reigned to see who would be the various Champions.

Three grass arenas complimented the three sand arenas. This meant all tests were ridden by 1.40pm ready for a 2 pm presentation.

And now the good bits.... Who are the Junior and Young Rider Champions for 2010?

The Aquaman Irrigation Junior Preliminary Champion is Mia Kroopin riding Imoan Sadaq with Audrey Weston riding Ep Murphy as Reserve Champion.

The Capricorn/Soiltex Young Rider Preliminary Champion is Rebecca Weal riding Yalarra Crusader with Toby Farraway on Rum’n’Coke as Reserve Champion.

The Excel Performance Plus Junior Novice Champion is Monique Lowe riding Inshallah Challenge with Jasmine Clark and Kamilaroi Matador as Reserve Champion.

The Double D Solutions Young Rider Novice Champion is Natasha Burt riding Canopy Grove Bit of Heaven with Lachlan Tudgey on DJ as Reserve Champion.

The Horsewerks Junior/Young Rider elementary Champion is David McKinnon riding Woodside Lumiere with Mary Bokey on Breezy McCue as Reserve Champion.

The Peter Rocca Arena Grooming Medium Champion is Rachael Smith riding Madison Park Mountbatten with Amy Reilly on Gundaroo Calypso Dancer as Reserve Champion.

The Centennial Vineyards FEI Small Tour Champion is David McKinnon riding CJP Donner Kohl with Jessica Clark on Uqg Galahad as Reserve Champion.

The Horseland Franz Maringer Young Rider Perpetual Trophy was awarded to the Bowral Dressage Club member who had the highest individual score in any test at the Championships. This went to Mia Kroopin on Imoan Sadaq with a score of 73.182.

Congratulations to all of the winners and thank you to every competitor who came along to Bong Bong to support this important day of dressage.

A big thank you to the judges and their pencillers (especially the two probationary judges who left grooming duties to cover for a missing judge) as well as all the volunteers, parents and BDC members who did a marvellous job in organising the event beforehand and doing things innumerable during the event.

Safe riding everyone,

Peter Rocca

Young Rider coordinator

BDC would like to thank our generous sponsors for their support of this competition.

April 25 Competition Report

Jan Chesterfield Evans and Domenca

The weather was kind to us on Sunday. There was heavy rain in Sydney, Camden, and Nowra, but no rain at Bong Bong, which was a blessing. Several riders mentioned how good the grounds and sand arenas were, which is a credit to Mark Dowling.

Congratulations to all of the competitors, particularly to place getters and everyone who did their personal best. Thank you to all who helped on the day: judges, volunteers, and fellow committee members.

As President, I would personally like to thank the many members and affiliates who helped make such a big competition (indeed, on a numbers scale we are now up there with the DC) such a successful day: Christine Stewart, Ali Soster, Anne Coombs, Monique and Sue Lowe, Katherine Howard-Olsen, Pam Bice, Mary Madeley, Lia Csengodi, Brian Morrissey, Kim Spencer, Steve Aspinall, Deb Fairbairn (who turned up even though she was at Death's door!), Chris Kerr, Fiona David, Jacqui, Maddison and Charlize Van Monfrans, Pam Morrissey, Pam Hawkes, Beatrice Basquil, Amanda Byrne, Jo Sjeosdsma, Kathleen Bokey, Mr Cheryl Beckett, Mim Poolman, Ros Camplin, John Wasiliev, Rachel Hunter, Sue Henshall, Robyn Targa, Christine Gee, Olivia Isherwood and Robbie Soster. 

If I have left anyone out, I'm sorry. The list of helpers for this comp was enormous. Last but not least, a big thankyou to Jan Chesterfield Evans, fellow committee member and the club's volunteers co-ordinator.

Here is what Amanda Byrne had to say about the day:

“Hi Terry
I just wanted to congratulate the committee on a wonderful day of dressage yesterday. I had a lovely time and despite the ominous weather it turned out just perfect. My new horse had a terrific first day out. The organisation was first class and the food was yummy.

Thank you so much.

Amanda Byrne
P.S I am also very impressed with the communication via email. WELL DONE”

And here is what judge Tinika Bliss said:

"Congratulations to the BDC committee on such a successful day. It seemed very well organised despite any last minute hiccoughs of which there are always some, no matter where you go! Many thanks!"

And Elizabeth Lamaro:

"Thank you for an excellent competition and prompt results. We will definitely be back! " 

Nicole Hewitt from All Creatures photography took some terrific photographs. See them on www.all-creatures.net  Some examples are shown on the Competition Photos page on this website under the LATEST NEWS heading.

We look forward to seeing you at the next competition on Sunday 6 June. Don’t forget to get your entries in by 12 May, and if you haven’t done so already, have a go at entering online. I hear that you will get a pleasant surprise. Also, please fill in the box that asks for volunteers on the day. As our competitions get bigger, so does the demand for volunteers.

Katrina Stuckey
BDC Club President

BDC Wins at the Victorian Young Rider Championships

BDC Young Riders David Mckinnon and Robbie Soster recently represented NSW at the Victorian Young Rider Dressage Championships with great success. The competition was held at the Victorian National Equestrian Centre in Werribee from Sunday the 3rd until Saturday the 10th of April.

David and Woodside Lumiere competed on the Wednesday in two Elementary tests and an Elementary Freestyle. After a hectic warm up with the NSW Chef de quip Jenny Carrol, owner Mark Dowling, partners mother Ali and partner Robbie, all barking different instructions from each end of the arena, David remained composed and completed his first test, the 3D, with a score of 66% and a first place! He then finished a neat test in front of quite a crowd in the Freestyle to receive a fourth place.The last test Dave rode, the 3C, was a breath taking test! All his crew literally holding their breath and not willing to say anything, until the test was over, then erupting with a big cheer. Everyone was very pleased when Dave won the test with a 70%, which then meant he received the Elementary Champion!!! At the conclusion of the championships, Dave had received the highest score by a male rider and was awarded the best male rider award! Robbie rode three different horses over the duration of the week. Her two FEI horses, Robali Razzamatazz and Viviano, competed in the CDI-Y competition. Razzamatazz placed second in both the individual and the freestyle test only 0.4 % behind the winner. Viviano put in two calm and accurate tests for third place in both tests. Viviano also competed in the Inter 1, again doing one of his best performances. He won with a 67% much to Robbie’s surprise! Robbie’s newest team member, Robali Odyssey, competed in the Novice competition and the Novice Freestyle. Only just qualifying for the competition, after one outing prior, the new horse put in a sterling effort. He placed fourth in the 2D with 63% and won the 2C with a 70%! These scores and placing’s made him the Reserve Champion Novice horse! Odyssey did a beautiful freestyle to atmospheric Australian music, and placed third with an amazing 77%!! Robbie was also selected to ride for Australia with her friend Alexis Hellyer, in the Trans Tasman Derby against NZ. This is an event held in Australia every second year, where two Aus riders and two NZ riders ride four loaned horses for half an hour and then compete at what is basically a Medium test but with out flying changes. After some challenging rides Australia won the derby! So after many hard months of training, these two BDC riders showed a very high standard. Young Riders is a fantastic opportunity for riders under 21 to develop skills for the open arena, and still have a fun and enjoyable time. It creates opportunities, such as being selected for NSW teams, squads and the chance to attend clinics with high profile trainers.  It is also a great way to meet new people that share the same passion!

For information on up and coming Young rider events and clinics, contact Peter Rocca, the BDC YR co-ordinator.