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PSI D&JWTS - Saddleworld teams with Pessoa and PDS to present the Masterclasses

Saddleworld at D&JWTS

There is no questioning the unprecedented improvement in the quality of horses, training, preparation and riding that Australian equestrian sport has enjoyed since the inaugural AEA Dressage with the Stars back in 1998, when Anky Van Grunsven was the visiting guest riding judge.

We have seen a number changes to the way the event is organised, significantly the introduction of jumping classes for young horses of 4,5,6 and 7 years of age.  The annual Australian Championships have produced such greats as Laurie Lever’s Ashleigh Drossel Dan who represented Australia at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and was later sold to international interests.

  D&JWTS Mural
The spectacular D&JWTS Mural
 

At the PSI Australian Young Horse Championships for both dressage and jumping, it is customary for the guest riding judges to give a Masterclass and many astute watchers attribute Australia’s much-improved standard to the cumulative benefits of the lessons learned from the world’s best riders and trainers.

In recent years, Saddleworld’s 44 stores have proudly supported the presentation of the Masterclasses and in 2015; they joined with Pessoa and PDS Saddles to ensure that enthusiasts could take advantage of this very special educational opportunity. The Dressage riders wore a Saddleworld polo shirt with a white saddle blanket embroidered with the PDS logo … and jumping riders wore the SW polo shirt with a navy blue saddle blanket with stylised Pessoa branding.

PDS Saddles Pessoa Saddles

It has been a big year for these well-respected brands and PDS have enjoyed unprecedented interest in the Carl Hester Collection of dressage saddles designed and recommended by the popular, UK Olympic and WEG rider and trainer.

After a scheduled break in the competition program, the enthusiastic audience was introduced to Eva Möller (right) who officiated and rode in the Young Dressage Horse classes to decide the 2015 class winners and Champion of Champions.  Eva is a world authority and expert regarding the training and preparation of Dressage Horses and has been a Bundeschampionat winner and placegetter on several occasions.

Eva MoellerEva’s (right) Masterclass participants were Janina Kletke who rode Bloomfield Farm’s exciting young stallion Versace by Vivaldi. Maree Tomkinson and a  Bloomfield Farm bred horse – Bloomfield Royal Tango (Royal Hit) owned by Sue West). Sharyn McCombe riding Yarramee B Bear, by Fauklands Victory and bred by Peter and Jan Powles Northern Warmblood Stud.  The imported stallion Dornkaart with Ian Smith.  Lizzie Wilson-Fellows riding her own and Moira Kelly’s exciting Jazzabit by Jazz and finally, Rodney Martin riding the exciting and super talented SPH Sonata Hit, a horse owned and bred by Andrea Beatty from Saffron Stables in NSW.

Versace

Versace

Belcam Royal Tango
Belcam Royal Tango

Yarramee B BearYarramee B Bear

DornkaartDornkaart

Lets Jazzabit

Lets Jazzabit

SPH Sonata Hit

SPH Sonata Hit

SaddleworldFrom the start of her Masterclass Eva Möller made it clear that her approach was to think of what the horse was giving and how to improve the performance for competition.  She said, “In Australia, the use of corners is not as good as it is in Europe, ride it as a quarter of a small circle and then you have time to prepare.” Eva asked Maree Tomkinson to use the whip to help with bend and obedience – the difference was noticeable.  “Never forget the uphill tendency, the rhythm and this will improve the carrying capacity of the horse’s hind legs.”

Eva chose just one exercise for each combination and talked through the main considerations of training and competition presentation.  Her advice for Sharyn McCombe and “Humphry” was very helpful for many riders preparing to enter the “big tour” classes.  She explained that the canter pirouettes needed to be quicker, “ride the steps really quick and really short and then out again.  This makes the exercise like bodybuilding and develops the horse’s ability to carry – it must become really natural for him.  Turn the front around the hind legs, Sharyn!”

Eva added, “Training Dressage is all about the consequences of preparation and how you ride. Look, turn and control yourself.”

Throughout her sessions Eva stressed. “The daily work must be done on the lightest of aids. Work in a quick trot and NOT the competitive, big trot.  The quick trot develops the horse’s carrying capacity of the hind quarters and …  use the corners!”

David Sharp and Eva MoellerEva (pictured right with Saddleworld’s David Sharp) was a “stickler” for correct contact and said on more than one occasion, “short reins give a more precise contact and feel.  This helps to get … and keep the horse round and control the rhythm of the paces – quicker for training and everyday work – the horse must react quickly and on the lightest of aids.”

“Every horse has to be worked in his own way and the rider must adjust to get the best result from each horse they ride.”

Eva’s had worked with the 6 riders on the days leading up to the commencement of competition and in today’s relatively short space of time, was able to impart some very helpful hints to assist Australian riders to understand her systematic approach to training. 

A short break to set up the indoor arena for jumping and the 2015 guest-riding judge for the Australian Young Jumping Horse titles, NZ born and European based Daniel Meech, began his Saddleworld Masterclass.

  Daniel Meech
Daniel Meech explains his training system
 

Daniel worked with 4 riders – Olivia O’Connor (Barrabadeen Winchester), Alex Rooney (Bloomfield Royal Nazika), Michelle Brent (El Nino Vicace) and Callum Boszak (Joie du Lys).  Callum is better known to Australian Eventing enthusiasts as his horse, Joie du Lys,was named the 2015 Victorian 5 YO Young Event Horse Champion at the Wandin Horse Trials.


Alex Townsend

Michelle Brent

Olivia O’Connor

Callum Boszak

Daniel quickly identified his style as thorough, uncompromising and in accordance with patient, progressive education to give the horse the mental and physical ability to do his job and progress up the grades. He ensured that the horses were warmed up and familiar with the surroundings before he commenced with basic obedience on the flat, then incorporating trot poles to improve contact and suppleness.  The distances were altered and the horses were asked to canter over and around the poles, using the entire arena. 

David Sharp and Daniel MeechThe spectators could see that this exercise tested the horse’s obedience, connection to the bridle and acceptance of the rider’s influence.  From the pole work, the horses were asked to move to the obstacles where Daniel’s attention to detail and correct basics would certainly have had an impact on the 4 rider’s training philosophies.  Daniel Meech’s advice to the riders,  “Sit up and support your horses – make them feel secure.”
Pictured above right Daniel Meech and David Sharp.

At the conclusion of this session, the audience was abuzz and the later feedback very positive. “Daniel is most welcome to come again, he has a great deal to offer.”

Following the Dressage and Jumping Masterclasses, Saddleworld’s David Sharp said, “Saddleworld understands that education and improvement is the main aim of Australian riders in all disciplines.  As a group of 44 stores, we are keen to facilitate this goal and help to make it possible to give Australian’s access to the best education, the best products and best service and support.”

“We have been very proud to be a part of this wonderful event and acknowledge the positive impact it will have on equestrian sport.”

You can read more about Dressage and Jumping with the Stars on the Saddleworld Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/SaddleworldOFFICIAL) or go to
www.saddleworld.com.au to find your nearest store location.

For all results visit www.equestrianvictoriaevents.com.au/djwts

SaddleworldThe Dressage and Jumping with the Stars Masterclasses united friends and customers of all 44 Saddleworld Stores around Australia, who have felt connected to this important even and will be able to follow progress on the Saddleworld Facebook page - so drop in and “friend” us, to keep up with the latest.