Our long lost correspondent, Penelope Shortly, has turned in a cracking report on the Asia Pacific World Cup Final held at Werribee Park in Victoria, Australia.

This event is definitely the top of the list for those who love a good social event combined with the best young dressage horses in the country and it also combines the top horses in the country - so all in all I suppose this event had Penelope's name written all over it and we thank her for the following report.

CDI-W PACIFIC LEAGUE FINAL - MELBOURNE, 18th & 19th NOVEMBER 2005
Written by: Penelope Shortly - roving correspondent for jumpingaround.com

Nine horses contested the World Cup Final in Melbourne held over two days during the fabulous show Dressage and Jumping with the Stars. This show is mainly a Young Dressage and Jumping horse show and incorporates the World Cup final - a wonderful two days showing off the very best horses in Australia!!

Champion of Champions in the Young Dressage Horses was the beautiful mare Donner Carina, by Dormello out of a mare by Donnerschwee and ridden by Judy Dierks - wife of Clemens Dierks who has done so much for dressage in Australia.

Winner of the Grand Prix was Greenoaks Dundee, a gelding by Duntroon out of a Hanoverian mare (sorry, this is all the information I could get re his breeding) imported and owned by Clyde Wunderwald and ridden by Heath Ryan - a wonderful ambassador for horse sports in Australia who is rapidly becoming a legend in his own lifetime. Dundee scored 67.958%. All five judges had him in first position - not surprisingly as this horse is a wonderful mover and showed some very good work that was at times marred by a tightness in the neck and the head behind the vertical. I'm sure a softer outline would see this horse achieving over 70%.

Second was Port Said 10 with a score of 64.750%, another gelding, by Phoenix out of Blutenpracht, imported by Rob and Mary Hanna and ridden by Mary. Mary is possibly Australia's most experienced Grand Prix rider and trainer - I can't remember how many horses she has trained to Grand Prix. Port Said's canter work was spoiled by a tension creeping in and some snatchy steps behind, particularly through the changes. His trot work was lovely, some very good piaffe in particular, and some breathtaking extended trot. He's such a nice looking horse with a beautiful kind eye - we all hope that with experience (he's still very new at Grand Prix) he learns to relax and lets us see the work he's capable of showing.

Third was the absolutely gorgeous mare Cinderella. Cinderella is by Carbid out of St. Pr. Wakonda, and is again an imported horse, owned by Claudia Harper and ridden by Matthew Dowsley. She scored 64.0%. This is a WOW horse (give me a good mare anytime) who looks capable of scoring way way up high, but not today. A very big atmosphere and a big spook spoiled the test. She looks as though she could really buck if she could get away with it. Matthew's skilled riding prevented any major hiccups and he nursed this exuberant mare through some difficult moments. Her talent for piaffe and passage is undeniable and with the extra flair she shows in her trot work (not to mention Matthew's improved and much softer riding) this mare will soon be unbeatable in her home country.

Fourth was the great big Australian bred Thoroughbred gelding Manhatten, by Twenty Four Carat out of Miss Tense, owned and ridden by Sue Hearn. Manhatten scored 62.250%. His forte is his transitions in and out of piaffe - absolutely no loss of rhythm and the impulsion maintained. Today he looked a little flat and I have seen him work much better, with much more oomph. It's been a very big couple of months for these Grand Prix horses and perhaps Manhattan was feeling the strain.

Fifth was Sunbury Lodge Thomas, Australian bred gelding by Fame of Wondaree out of Hollywood Smith, owned and ridden by Renee Pedretti. Renee is a young rider and has had this horse since he was a baby. She's done an absolutely super job with him - his score today was 59.917 and up against these imported and/or seasoned horses (not to mention riders) that's an excellent effort. Thomas had a few mistakes today, which would have dropped his score, but mention must be made of his beautiful one-time changes. Without the hiccup in the middle, his one-times would have scored a 9, perhaps even a 10. They are straight, big, expressive, flowing - everything that makes dressage beautiful to watch. Renee is such a good rider - I'm sure she will have learnt from that costly mistake and will make sure that it won't happen again.

So there are the top 5 horses and riders for the Grand Prix and the positions did not change for the Kur on the Saturday night. Greenoaks Dundee was again the winner with 69.558%, second to Port Said 10 with 67.750%, third Cinderella, 67.525%, fourth Manhattan, 65.525 and fifth Sunbury Lodge Thomas with a score of 64.025%.

And with a Judges' Clinic the following day with Hanne Valentin everybody was totally "dressaged out" - what a great weekend full of beautiful horses, beautiful people, wine and food. Bliss.

Long live Dressage and Jumping with the Stars!!!!!