Phenomenal Crowds arrive for the 3rd Annual QLD Festival of Dressage.
With double the number of last year’s audiences returning for more of this unique dressage platform, the 2009 QLD Festival of Dressage did not disappoint. From start to finish, the day was literally alive with excitement as spectators packed into the Pine Lodge Equestrian Centre for a complete extravaganza of all things ‘Dressage’.
In the words of the owners of host venue, Pine Lodge, "It has taken the equine industry 30 years of operation to fill the gallery and it was overflowing!" and it certainly was, with keen spectators lining up from 6:45am for the 8:00am opening.
Developed and produced by a passionate volunteer committee, the Festival is a showcase event of major proportions and is an all-inclusive day of dressage training demonstrations, educational seminars and crowd-pleasing entertainment. Not only is this distinctive event created to fundraise and raise the profile of Dressage as a sport in Queensland, but is designed to share the skills of the professionals directly to the greater equestrian community.
The Main Arena stands were overflowing with audiences keen to absorb the undisputed knowledge imparted from key professionals and equestrian sport dignitaries such as Mary Seefried, Carlos DeCleermaecker and Elizabeth Owens. With the inclusion of these luminaries, combined with the talents of leading riders, coaches, judges, members of the QLD State Dressage Squad and equine industry professionals, the dressage enthusiast wanted for nothing during an extraordinary array of ridden demonstrations which covered everything from warming up and riding the ‘new’ dressage tests, the influence of the rider’s position, retraining the ex-racehorse, what the judges are looking for in a Freestyle, the unique ‘Expert Panel’ discussion, to the highly anticipated Master Class with Australian-based German Master and Queensland State Coach, Carlos DeCleermaecker.
Running concurrently with the Main Arena demonstrations was the series of educational presentations from the ‘Magic Millions Sport Horse Sale’ Seminar Centre. With carefully selected industry professionals on hand, the seminars were standing room only with spectators keen to soak the knowledge provided by a selection of equine veterinarian, dental, hoof and nutrition specialists giving presentations on advances in technology in keeping horses sound, happy and healthy in their work.
The Festival is not only about learning and the organisers took every available moment to ensure something was always happening - Delighting everyone, surprise prize draws were announced regularly throughout the day; the Fashion Parade in the Garden was again a huge hit, the breathtaking Stallion Parade left many awestruck with the majesty of Queensland’s leading performance sires, and of course, the extensive Trade Village provided many happy shoppers with the opportunity to purchase the latest products at Festival-Only’ prices.
With the excitement and enthusiasm from this year’s attendees still resonating in the air, the Festival committee has already earmarked another riveting event for 2010.
Ongoing news and information on the 2010 QLD Festival of Dressage will be listed as it develops on the official website at www.qlddressagefest.com. A gallery of photos from the day will be listed shortly and as always, the Committee is keen for your feedback and input on what you want to see, so please list your thoughts on the feedback form which will go live within the next few days.
In closing, and in the words of Festival Manager, Nicole Tough, “To all the spectators, we hope you were inspired to join your local riding group; to pencil whenever the opportunity arises; Don't criticise the judges - become one!; Help set up and take down arenas; If we all do a little bit - then dressage is the winner! We would like to thank everyone for loving dressage as much as us, and we hope everyone had a wonderful day! We'll be here again next year and we hope to welcome you back for 2010!"
