From the flamboyant to fluffy, dressage gets its spring on

ABOVE: Justine Greer and Dirk T van Sessing. Picture: SHARLENE PHILLIPS/ONE-EYED FROG

SPRING is in the air and with the Olympic dressage watched and rewatched, inspiration has flourished.

New, young horses and ponies are out and about in the dressage arenas all around the country.

Boneo Park’s August competition held over two days had it all.

Horses ranged from Justine Greer on the flamboyant Friesian Dirk T van Sessing and Andalusian Valentinos Erico Torreluna piloted by Petra von Natzmer, to some charming fluffy ponies ridden by talented youngsters.

The event was also attended by Para trail-blazers Anne Skinner and Joanne Formosa, with Anne competing on Ballangeich Run Filou and Joanne on Ashquar Riley.

Anne represented Australia at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics and 2004 Athens Paralympics, while Joanne Formosa who won a gold medal at the 2012 London Paralympics.

ABOVE: Joanne Formosa and Ashquar Riley. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

The first day champions included Furstin Wilmina K ridden by Jasmine Abernethy in the preliminary section.

In the pony preliminary two very smart young ponies had a real tussle for the sash and showed that studs are focussing on breeding quality dressage ponies.

In the end Cassandra Fasan Jones’ German Riding Pony SPB Uno finished just two points ahead of Paige Clarke’s Welsh/Riding Pony Alpine Park Hot Chocolate.

Justine Greer and Dirk T van Sessing took the elementary championship and Jessica Sharp’s Kingsfield Arlington was the elementary pony champion.

Harney Park China Girl ridden by Rhonda Thomson was the advanced winner.

On the second day, Furst Elegance ridden by Heather Currie took out the novice championship and Mickhaela Bray’s consistent Ellanbrae Benito Gold was the medium winner.

Dallas Mills and the equally consistent Redwood Desire were the small tour champions, Justine Greer was back in the winner’s lineup with Yarramee Fonzie for the Grand Prix sash and Fern Wright’s Fawks Lord Of the Dance won both his tests to be awarded the pony novice championship.

ABOVE: Petra Von Natzmer and Valentinos Erico Torreluna. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

ABOVE: Dallas Mills and Sorrella Sunrise. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

ABOVE: Leisa Kompe and Goldview Gatsby. Picture: ONE-EYED FROG

Results

View and purchase ONE-EYED FROG images from this event

Stories on The Regional’s website are free to read and always will be.

If you enjoyed this article you can show your support by joining our mailing list (either by filling out the form below or sending us a message).

We'd also get very excited if you put a "like" on our Facebook page.