Australian Dressage Championships 29 October – 1 November 2009 Sydney International Equestrian Centre

Nationals News - Day 3, 31 October 2009
Story and Pictures by Berni Saunders

Bates Grand Prix Freestyle CDI-W

In an action packed evening of entertainment the best Australian dressage combinations battled like smiling gladiators.  On the surface, the rivalry was friendly but the stakes are high and everyone was out to win in the countdown for selection to be on the Australian Team for the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in less than 12 months.

Bates Sponsored the all important CDI-W class.

Olympic Judge Stephen Clarke from the UK and Axel Steiner, USA,  joined Australia's most respected judges to decide this all important qualifier.

The outcome hung in the balance until the final ride with many observers wondering if it would be possible for Brett Parbery and  Caroline Lieutenant's Victory Salute to top the spine tingling performance just witnessed by Heath Ryan on his own and Margaret Evans' Rubenstein stallion Regardez Moi, who had the crowd spellbound.

Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi

Brett and his 18 hand mount rose to the occasion and showed everyone that their record breaking ride at the Sydney CDI earlier in the year was all part of the sustainable improvement that is required to be sure of a place for Kentucky and help to ease the disappointment of having come so close to being selected for the Beijing Olympics.

Victory Salute has a truly spectacular piaffe/passage tour with rhythm and expression that is hard to match - this is the big earner in the technical scores and Brett added to this wonderfully engaging music which he and owner Caroline have worked to perfect.

Brett Parbery and the talented gelding Victory Salute

The winning score was 71.000% for the technical work and 76.000% for the artistic presentation and an overall percentage of 74.550%.  Heath and Regardez Moi have maintained the selector's interest and will be looking to ensure some male  dominance for Australia.  They scored 73.250% with Heath's wife Rozzie taking third place on the Dutch bred Jive Magic scoring 68.450%

Rozzie Ryan riding Jive Magic.  She purchased the full brother to Chatham
Park Jac as a 6 week old foal and has carefully trained him on to this level.

The Danish bred gelding Come to Me placed 4th on a score of 67.500% and Victorian rider Charlotte Pedersen is making her wish to be part of Kentucky known.  The elegant bay is a big improver and certainly one to watch.

Brett Parbery, Heath Ryan and Rozzie Ryan show their
appreciation for the support given by the enthusiastic crowd
at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre.

It is interesting to note that both Heath and Rozzie have had the long term support of both Horseland (the main event sponsor_ and Bates Saddles (the sponsor of this class) and the Ryans ride in the Bates Innova Dressage Saddle.  Heath told me the saddle is fantastic and give the rider the precision afforded by an independent and effective seat.  He also rides young horses in this saddle and says "they cannot get rid of him with the deep knee rolls which help him to sit through anything!"

 Horseland - A big part of the Nationals Dressage Championships. 

Full Results