Gordon Dressage Group (GDG) held its ‘Dressage for All’ demonstration last weekend at Tillyoch Equestrian, Milltimber.
More than 100 people watched native breeds demonstrate dressage movements under the experienced eye of list 3a judge, Viv Graham. The combinations ranged from a Clydesdale to a Welsh Section D showcasing the level of success these breeds can have in dressage.
The demonstration saw Welsh Section D ‘Rocco’ and Nicky Heale showcase their talents following a successful trip to the Native Dressage Championships. Nicky bought Rocco in 2012 having recently been backed. Working at Prix St George (PSG) he is also training at Grand Prix (GP). Nicky said: “I was delighted to be involved in this demo – we need to show the talents of native breeds. Rocco has exceeded my expectations by far. He is still learning and every training session he gets better and better. He is qualified to do PSG and is working on movements towards GP at home. He is my dream pony.”
Jackie Corsie’s Highland pony Brodie of Drumgarioch was also watched by the audience. He has been competed up to novice level in dressage and at the Scottish Regionals, in the dressage to music class. Their aim is to compete at the higher levels and to try and qualify for the Native Pony Dressage Championships.
Full Clydesdale, Commander, owned by Charis Gray, drew many admirers. The six-year-old is a full Clydesdale and currently stands at 17’3. Charis said: “As a four-year-old I took him out to do some dressage and he did so well it became a bit of an addiction! We do ridden Clydesdale classes as well as dressage and he seems to really enjoy being out and loves an audience! He can do everything a ‘regular’ horse can do and I have high hopes for him. I aspire to one day wear a tailcoat on him but most importantly we have fun, I adore him, he’s my horse of a lifetime.”
The coloured breeds were represented by nine-year-old Millie Lawson on her skewbald mare Dakota – a 12hh Dartmoor cross. Milly and Dakota compete in all Pony Club activities including competing at Interbranch last year. They were part of the youngest team there, coming fourth in the showjumping and third in the dressage. They enjoy all three disciplines, dressage, showjumping and cross country. Piebald gelding Duke (Splash of Class) showcased a fantastic stamp of a traditional Cob. Duke displayed his wonderful paces which has helped him qualify for Royal International Horse Show last year and this year.
Finally, seasoned campaigner, Champagne Bubbles, showed his experience at the demo. A 14-year-old overgrown Welsh Section C who was bought from the Aberdeen Mart as a foal for £50 by the Tait family. He joined the Gammies when he was six, and mother and daughter Elizabeth and Carmen now share the ride on him. During his eight years with the Gammies, he has been part of the FEI International Pony Squad for three years, representing Team GB on six occasions achieving many top 10 placings against some of the top ponies in Europe. He has competed at nine consecutive British Dressage (BD) National Dressage Championships and several BD Winter Championships from Prelim to Open/Gold Medium. He has also won the overall Open Dressage, the overall Music and the Elite class at the Pony Club Championships and the Elementary Championship at the Riding Club Championships.
Chairwoman Julia Lyon from Gordon Dressage Group, said: “We were delighted with the turnout of the demonstration. As a club that supports all levels and breeds of horses with a passion for dressage, we wanted to showcase our local success stories and educate any riders on what dressage is all about.”
GDG is the largest dressage orientated riding club in the North East of Scotland. It has been established for over 30 years and provides opportunities for horse and rider combinations to enjoy their sport.
