IT has been an exciting year for dressage on the Far South Coast. The Far South Coast Dressage Association (FSCDA) has held eight competition days this year from March through to October.
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The club membership has continued to grow and entries at the monthly competition days have also steadily increased culminating in a record of over 100 entries for the Championship weekend held from November 30 to December 1 at the Bega Showground.
Riders travelled from Canberra, Cooma, Moruya, Narooma, Mallacoota, Wyndham and the surrounding districts to compete under three Equestrian Australia E Level judges, Cathy Padgen (Agnes Banks), Gill Rickard (Young) and Pip Collins (Bemboka). Local equestrian Sheridan Zuev (Verona) presided over the Dressage Trail Classes held on Saturday. The club were most fortunate to be able to secure the services of such highly accredited judges and was appreciative of their efforts. The riders certainly benefited from their experience.
Saturday was the fun day with the Club offering Dressage Trail, Prix Caprilli, Freestyle and Pas de Deux classes along with the Preparatory Championship.
Young club member Jade Moxey and her mare Miss Dalliance were in excellent form on the day scoring the highest percentage in Prix Caprilli, Preliminary Dressage Trail and the Novice Freestyle. Jade and Dallie have proved to be an almost unbeatable combination all year.
Belinda Mackintosh and Kracka who made the trip down from Cooma were in close pursuit with a runner up in the Preliminary Dressage Trail, winning the Preliminary Freestyle and taking out the People's Choice award for Best Overall Freestyle or Pas de Deux.
Husband and wife team Lucie and Paul Phelan were a close second for the People's Choice award for Best Overall Freestyle or Pas de Deux with only one vote separating them from Belinda.
Jess Coleman rode Artistry in the Dressage Trail receiving 86.21 per cent which was the highest percentage across all levels for the two days competition.
The Southern Farm Supplies Preparatory Championship was a closely fought contest. One of the early favourites, Narooma's Elsa Dawson and Let it Rain had a momentary lapse of concentration in the Preparatory B which saw them exit the arena mid test resulting in an elimination. It was a shame as they were placed second in the Preparatory C.
Ultimately there was only one point separating the first three overall place getters with Trish Hayes and her Waler mare Clayton Little Lola declared Champion, from Jess Coleman and the not so Rowdy Jo Runner Up Champion, and the club's youngest rider Paige Moxey a close third with her new pony Brampton Halloween (Harry). Paige and Harry are certainly a force to be reckoned with in the future as Paige is only six-years-old and Harry four, the combination having only been together for a couple of months.
Saturday night the 2013 Presentation Awards and Christmas Party were held. It was a great night with catering ably coordinated by master chef Les Hayes.
The FSCDA will break over summer with the first event for 2014 on March 30 at Bega Showground. Details along with all the results and photographs from the weekend can be found on the club website www.fscda.com.au
