Ribbons for Romariz mean Bublitz is beaming

Leon Gray-Lockhart | 4th February 2010

ELTHAM’S Tracy Bublitz, and her hot equine protégé Romariz have continued on their winning way, taking top awards at recent national competitions.
It was at the Dannevirke A&P Showgrounds on January 15 that the pair once again tasted the sweet air of success, as Bublitz Estate Romariz was declared the reserve champion in the Trogan Equine Supplies Champion Suitability Horse competition at the New Zealand Horse and Pony Show.
“I was absolutely rapt,” says Tracy, Romariz’ breeder, trainer and leader.
“Last year, she was classed as young stock, being under four years. This year, being in the over four years bracket means that the competition was that much harder.
“The horses are much more confident, having had long histories of training, so winning in this field shows that a horse really has serious talent.”
Winning in suitability categories certainly was a theme of the pair’s performance in Dannevirke, with Romariz taking firsts in both the Led Horse suitable for Hunter and Led Horse suitable for Show jumping fields.
“We only entered two suitability classes and won them both.”
As well as suitability classes, Romariz entered a number of novice hunter competitions, managing to take second in the Novice Hunter, any weight (0-2 wins) class and take third in the Novice Hunter, any weight (0-5 wins) class.
“This was her first season under saddle, which is an adjustment for her.

She still gets a little spooked by other ponies but she’s doing well.”
Tracy has been pleased with Romariz’ progress under saddle and her early successes in this venture bode well for her future in dressage; Tracy’s calm but focussed training regime to date arming her with a wide array of necessary skills.
“Judges in these competitions are looking at a lot of things. Good manners, picture perfect calmness and the ability to remain steady and confident in the ring, while surrounded by others moving around.
“The execution of the walk, the trot and the canter should all be the right pace, and just generally look elegant.”
Tracy has her own performance history and experience in show jumping, but not so much as a breeder or a trainer. Hence, any successes that Romariz and her other horse, Bublitz Estate World Legacy have confirm the quality of her knowledge of breeding and training methods.
“I’m lucky to have the support of excellent sponsors and also my old coach, Floss. She trained me to Grand Prix level show jumping and has years of experience to call on.”
So far, World Legacy has tasted her own successes, including being named Best New Zealand-bred Warm blood at the Egmont A&P Show late last year.
“World Legacy is a bit younger, and still has a little way to go in her training. However, she’s got the breeding and she will get there.”
For Romariz, Tracy’s focus is to continue to build up her experience in ridden classes and to keep working her towards Working Hunter classes. The next major outing for the two will be the Masterton A&P Show on February 18.
“We’ll just stick with what we’re doing, building up her muscular strength and her jumping abilites,” says Tracy.