The Horseland 2009 Australian Dressage Championships started today, Thursday 29 October in fine but warm conditions. A lot of activity for a first day with exhibitors attending to customers while still setting up their stands.
A good crowd settled in to watch the first of the FEI competition the PrydesEasifeeds Intermediate II with Tor an den Berge from QLD riding Fishermans Friend owned by Cheryl O'Brien taking out the Champions trophy.
The Hwhile the first of the young horse competitions also attracted enthusiastic support
The Hunter Valley Warmblood Stud's 5 year old young horse qualifier was the first of the young horse competitions and presented several extremely talented youngsters which bodes well for the future. The winner was Ecclesbourne ridden by Teresa Grills, second place to Nicola Paff on Pacific Eclipse (pictured).
The intermediate II was a very close competition between Tor and Heath and it was really good to see emerging up and coming riders like Gitte Donvig challenging the more experienced riders. The ground jury was rewarding correct riding with winning horse showed good extensions.
Today’s competition is the lead up competition to the important Hamilton Island Grand Prix CDI-W competition that will be held on Friday and it will prove to be a very closely contested competition at the top level. Several combinations such as Brett Parbery -Victory Salute, Rozzie Ryan on Jive Magic, Kate Taylor-Wheat- Oscar B did not ride in the Inter II today but the form into this event indicates they will provide stiff competition to today’s winners..
It is a high-pressure event for the riders as selection for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA is at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Star competitors will include three time Olympic rider Mary Hanna on Tango V, and 2008 Olympian Heath Ryan riding the black stallion Regardez Moi, on whom he also represented Australia at the FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas last April. Ryan has returned to international competition following a remarkable recovery from a stroke in May this year.
“I have had some health issues so it has been a bit of a low year - however, my problems were highly publicised and I talk to other people who have had even worse things go wrong but no-one knows about them so I just have to get over it. This week I think Brett is the favourite and I am pretty focussed on kicking his b--- and defending my title,” said Ryan with a smile.
Keeping it in the family Ryan’s wife Rozzie will also be one of the favourites aboard the powerful stallion Jive Magic, who after so much success on the small tour has recently graduated to the Grand Prix level.
“Jive is all pumped and so is Rozzie, they are working really well. Jive is always up to tricks, last night he kicked through his stable wall and broke it. I think he is the only horse in nine years to be able to break the stables at SIEC. Luckily he is fine but he is always keeping us on edge,” added Heath about his wife’s testy steed.
2008 Olympic reserve Brett Parbery was awarded the highest-ever score in Australian Dressage at the CDI in May of this year aboard Carolyn Lieutenant’s Victory Salute and is determined not to be on the bench this time around.
“He has been getting stronger and is working better than he did at the CDI so I think I can score better. I am trying to crack into new levels of energy which can lead to mistakes, so I will be trying to get the high revs where I can and also keep it mistake free,” commented Parbery.
The experienced riders will be threatened by the new guard of young stars including Queensland’s Tor Van Den Berge on Fisherman’s Friend, Gitte Donvig (Vic) riding
Port Said 10 and Kate Taylor Wheat on the stunning Oscar B.
Spectators are welcomed at the event throughout the competition so bring the family and enjoy watching these magnificent horses and riders. Competition concludes on Sunday. For a full schedule of events and further information please seewww.dressagensw.com.au
Photo courtesy: Main Event Photography
Related Links
2009 Australian Championships, the Best Interstate Rivalry off the Footy Field
Victory for Parbery at 2009 Dressage with the Stars
Shiraz Black, Champions of Champions at 2008 Dressage with the Stars