2005 CDI Sydney

Dramatic Intensity in Sydney CDI Grand Prix Freestyle

May 1, 2005

The much-anticipated CDI gala Freestyle evening was given even more dramatic intensity this year, principally by the judicial indecision of the EFA Grand Prix the day before. Each of the five judges had a different winner, with FEI Foreign judge, Eric Lette giving Sue Hearn’s Thoroughbred, Manhattan by Twenty-Four Karat an impressive 68.33%. At the end of the competition this ever-improving horse settled into third place with and overall percentage of 64.91%. North American judge, Lilo Fore had Heath Ryan and Greenoaks Dundee in first place with 66.67%. That Clyde Wunderwald’s big, imported 10 year-old gelding by Duntroon eventually won the competition with 66.12% was no surprise, as he continues to improve and produce more relaxed and correct movement to add to his scope. Australian judge, Susie Hoevenaars had Ann Serrao’s Copernicus gelding, Centaur, first with 66.45% and the delightful chestnut rested finally in second place with 65.75%. Australian O Level judge, Mary Seefried gave Kelly Lane and Amoucher her winning vote with 66.87%. The imported and talented gelding by Archipel eventually took third prize with 65.04%. And lastly, New Zealand’s Kathinka de Monchy had the dominant Australian dressage force of the new century, Crisp and Ricky MacMillan in first place with 66.67%. Amazingly Crisp, who certainly was not ‘on song’ in the Grand Prix, finished in fifth place. This fact in itself was indeed remarkable as, since Crisp arrived from Germany to join the Sydney Olympic team in 2000, he has never placed fifth in a Grand Prix in Australia and has earned the right to represent his adopted country at the last five World Cup Finals.

This was news and it spread like wildfire. Horses are not machines, even the outstanding Consul gelding. There was quite a sense of nervous tension amongst the standing room only crowd, present to witness a possible ‘changing of the dressage guard’ in the Hamilton Island Grand Prix Freestyle. Out in reverse order of grand Prix placing, Sue Hearn and Manhattan applied the pressure with some lovely work, rather ironically executed in part to “We’re having a heat wave”, for 69.40%. Crisp and Ricky have over the years become a popular combination and the attentive and appreciative crowd was even more so. Was this the end of a fabulous career? Heavens no! Ricky once again produced a super test with Crisp executing his point grabbing passage/piaffe as well as ever. Just to prove the point, Ricky went ‘one handed’ for the passage pirouettes and most notably for some beautifully executed tempi changes down the centre line, with Ricky all the while fixing her charming smile on the judge at C, Mr. Lette. The music, the choreography and the test earning an unbeatable 74.70%. Eric Lette enjoyed the test sufficiently for an artistic mark of 83.25%. It was felt that Greenoaks Dundee at the beginning of his Grand Prix career was not yet ready to topple the reining World Cup winners. Heath as always produced an entertaining test with Dundee much happier in his work and the music, the dramatic mix from ‘The Patriot’. His final score a well deserved 70.30%.

By Anna Sharpley

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