Brett Parbery is arguably one of Australia’s most successful dressage riders. Brett has won nine Australian Championships and competed on three Australian teams. He will compete in seven classes, on four different horses over the four days of the 2013 Australian Dressage Championships.
With Australia’s best due to compete at the Nationals this week, we asked Brett about his preparations for the event.
How have the preparations been like for you going into this year’s Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships?
Brett: The preparations this year have been flawless. There are no excuses this year, as the horses are sound and healthy. I have had a great run into the championships and couldn’t have asked for better preparation.
What does your training program look like the week before the championships?
Brett: A couple of days out you just want to keep the horses fresh. At this stage you can’t train them anymore, it’s a matter of keeping them happy and wanting to do it.
What characteristics do you look for in a young/new horse
Brett: First and foremost is temperament, the mechanical ability, for them to be able to handle the work, the way they move, the X-Factor - some horses just have presence, and the ‘click’ between a horse and a particular rider
Which achievements are you most proud of this year?
Brett: This year I haven’t travelled overseas as much, which has enabled me to stay and focus on my family, my business and producing my horses. I was able to stay at home and have had a solid 12 months preparation – the longest since 2008.I don’t have a Grand Prix horse at this stage so I have been putting in time over the last 12 months developing a replacement to ensure I have a strong Grand Prix horse. Furstin Friendship is improving all the time and continues to be an exciting horse for the future. I’m proud of Weltmiesser winning the championships at the Sydney CDI 3- star, Aber Hallo 29 winning the NSW State Dressage Championships and Zeppelin is growing steadily.
What you would like to achieve in the future?
Brett: I’m not focussing on competing at Normandy. The plan after London was to stay home for a while and produce the next group of horses. Travelling is hard on the family. Weltmiesser will be my next Grand Prix horse closely followed by Aber Hallo and I would like to have Zeppelin and Good as Gold at Grand Prix by 2015.
Photo © Franz Venhaus
Related Links
Riders Put Through Their Paces Ahead of 2013 Australian Dressage Championships
Fern Wright Returns to Defend Title at 2013 Australian Dressage Championships