Dressage and Jumping with the Stars

After two rounds of the PSI Young Dressage Horse Championship, Cathy Crittenden finished in sixth place with her wonderfully well behaved and free moving 'Solletico' (Domingo/Shakedown Lass).

Deborah Oliver and her 'flash' 'Flash Dance' (Rituel) held on to fourth place after Round 2 of the competitive PSI Five Year Old Young Dressage Horse Championship.

A busy (so when is he not?) Heath Ryan took second place in the PSI Five Year Old Championship riding Susie Duddy's 'DP Weltmieser' (Weltmeyer/ out of Catherston Debutante, the dam of DP Christopher).

Gitte Donvig rode Mary and Rob Hanna's imported black stallion, 'Shiraz Black' (Sandro Hit /out of a Donnerhall mare) to claim the PSI Five Year Old Championship.Christoph Koschel rode the age group finalists and declared 'Shiraz Black' "a beautifully educated horse with an outstanding up hill canter", for which he received a 9.5. The judges declared the stallion 2008 PSI Champions of Champions Dressage Horse.

Melissa Froesch won the Six Year Old class against the clock today and finished first in the Championship. Melissa is pictured during the final ride off in the indoor this afternoon, after which 'Glenara Bollinger' was declared Champion Of Champions Young Showjumping Horse. The talented mare is by Warlord II on whom Melissa claimed the 2002 title, out of her super-successful mare, Miss Cognac.

Emma Smith finished fourth overall on the Four Year Old Showjumper Championship with her impressive stallion, 'Ego Casablanca' (Camelot Ego Z/out of an Aachen mare).

Russell Johnstone's Five Year Old 'Sarino Miguel' (Lowha Nigano) improved as the competition progressed, as can be seen from this photograph. Russell rode his 'Gold Park Goldflush' by TEP Clover Flush to take second place in the Four Year Old Championship.

Adam Johnson finished seventh overall riding his 'Touch Up' (Woodleigh Don Juan/Mandana) in the Five Year Old Young Jumper Championship.

Junior rider and first time DJWTS competitor, Megan Joyce had a successful outing with her versatile 'West Side Rhythm'(Remi West Side Story/our Star). The mare bred by Alison Crombie finished a very creditable mid field in both the Five Year Old Dressage and Jumping Championships.

Brett Hickey with the AEA Burong's talented 'AEA Orox' (Orame/ AEA Xena). The gelding went on to win the Five Year Old Campionship..

Janette Stradzins' 'Cerando' (Cessano II/Feiderspiel) ridden by Anthony Kelly was another to improve as the Five Year Old progressed Progressed..

Erin Pitt with her 'Cavallo Park Apollo' (Nazeeri/Thumpers Star) competing in the second round of the Five Year Old Young Showjumper class.

During a wonderful Master Class conducted by Jurrgen and Chrostoph Koschel, Christoph rode Judy Peel's 'Sunbury Lodge Playwright'.

Des Russell's imported Quattro B stallion out of a Clinton mare, "Valhalla 3' , ridden by Jamie Kermond, is demonstrating in this jump just why his owner has great hopes for him. Valhalla finished third overall in the Six Year Old Championships.

Ingrid Kimpton, Well -known in eventing circles came to DJWTS and gave the showjumpers a bit of a lesson. Ingrid rode her 'PS Monet' by Matisse that is by Fred Astaire out of a jumping line of Thoroughbreds. The careful chestnut were second in the first Six Year Old Qualifier, third in the second and second the round against the clock, for second place overall.

Adam Prime and his 'Saddle Up Darn Good' (Lavareen Darnley/Girly) took overall fifth place in the Six Year Old Young Jumping Horse Championship.

Charlotte Pedersen was the crowd favourite (just ahead of the ever popular Heath Ryan) last night for second place in only her second Grand Prix with Susannah Clarke's imported 'Come To Me' (Come Back II) witn 63.75%. Although Charlotte might not appreciate being photographed in this rather casual pose, it demonstrated the confidence she has in the horse and his willingness to work. No spurs no whip and in a snaffle bridle and 'Come To me was doing some pretty fancy stuff during his exercise session today.

Gina Montgomery is another in the now increasing line of successful Hack riders to step across the dressage line. Gina and her outstanding, 'Wallmeyer' by Weltmeyer out of a Matcho/ Brentano II mare was purchased by Gina and Lisa McDonald in Germany last year. Gina and Wallmeyer were part of the PSI Master Class conducted by regular visitor, Ulf Moller.

Samantha Bartlett from Upper Pakenham with Nicholas McClelland's 'River Lights' (Regardez Moi/Pashris) in the second round of the PSI Young Dressage Horse Championship.

Christine Crawford had both an eventful and successfully few days at DJWTS. Christine is pictured clearly enjoying the ride on her 'Nevesfelde Wilfred' (Weltmeyer/Harvest Madagascar). The gelding bred by Maurie and Jane Bruce finished third in the PSI Six Year Old Championship.

Sara Mc Donald and her 'Adlanta Rose' by Rotspon out of the successful FEI mare, Adloo Georgia, during the second round of the PSI Six Year Old Championship.

Kyle Burton took second place in the second round of the PSI Six Year Old Championship with her 'Flowervale Ferraza' (Olympic Ferro/out of a Valuta mare).

Cheryl Fort and her 'Rendezvous' (Regardez Moi/out of a Ludendorf mare finished fifth in the PSI Sis Year Old class.

Heath Ryan rode Clyde Wunderwald's 'Greenoaks Weltman' (Man About Town/out of a Weltmeyer mare) to win the PSI Six Year Old Young Dressage Horse Championship.

Holly Stansfield-Smith looks to be enjoying every moment with her Small Tour campaigner, 'Argentina II' (Aaries/Robina)

Crowd favourites both. Kerry Mack gives her wonderful stallion, 'Mayfield Pzazz' (Jazz/out of an Amulet mare) a well deserved pat as they leave the arena after the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Grand Prix Freestyle. Pzazz was sixth in both the Grand Prix, and the Freestyle.

Another popular Victorian combination, Renee Pedretti and 'Sunbury Lodge Thomas' (Fame of Wondaree/Hollywood Smith) head off across the diagonal during their Grand Prix Freestyle test.

Regular and popular visitor and indeed sponsor, Dr Ulf Moller from PSI (Performance Sales International)

Young Showjumper Judges, Brian Cheffers (Australia/Belgium), Sue Coman and Melanie Landmeier (Germany).

The senior half of the popular Koschel duo, Jurgen Koschel.

Many readers may remember Jodie Barns in the hack ring. She too has made the successful and elegant transition to the dressage arena. Jodie is pictured with her 'JC Spiderman' (Inspiration/AEA Safety Haven) which took second place in the KB Finance Solutions Prix St Georges,(63.25%) and third place in the Inter I Freestyle (63.65%) .

Alycia Targa made it an impressive double, winning both the KB Finance Solutions Prix St Georges and Inter I Freestyle riding Jane and Maurie Bruce's Neversfelde Kudu.

German rider and trainer, Melanie Landmeier gave an impressive and informative Jumping Master Class. She rode the three age group winners to determine the Champion of Champions. Melanie is pictured riding Georgina Cattermole and Reiner Kramer's 'Bellaire Cannavaro'. The imported stallion by Contendro 1 out of Freiherr mare was declared Champion Four Year Old Jumper with Alex Wright in the saddle, and was sixth overall in the Dressage Championship ridden by Georgina. His efforts earned him the Ester Bellis Trophy donated by The Horse Magazine for the best performed horse in the Dressage and Jumping combined.