Brett Parbery and Victory Salute were superb in the Grand Prix Freestyle to take home the Horseland Australian Dressage Championships late last month.
Victory Salute stole the show. Ridden so beautifully by Brett Parbery, Carolyn Lieutenant's 18hh Salute gelding floated around the arena to victory. However, it was not an easy win. Heath Ryan ensured it was a show-down for the blue ribbon.
The good scores started coming early, Kate Taylor-Wheat and the lovely Oscar B were third into the arena and showed what promise they have for 66.05%, Maree Tomkinson was impressive on the young Rodrigo III; a few mistakes from the handsome 9yo kept the score down 62.40%. Blas Lago and Northern Hector were having a ball and performed a very harmonious test for 66.50%, Queenslander Tor Van Den Berge and Fisherman's Friend danced to Michael Jackson and showed what huge promise they have 65.650%.
Rozzie Ryan and Jive Magic took the lead after a powerful and exciting test for a score of 68.450%. Charlotte Pederson and Come to Me performed beautifully to music from "Carmen" but did not surpass Rozzie, scoring 67.50%. New kids on the block, Queensland's Emma Flavelle and the exceptional mare Northern Meara, looked to be a little too ambitious in their choreography and floundered at times but they will be ones to watch in the future, with 62.30%.
Next into the arena was the penultimate showman, Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi. In his own words he did "a blinder of a test," and the crowd exploded in cheers and applause. Heath takes the lead with 73.250%.
Gitte Donvig was next into the arena and was thrilled with her test on Port Said 10 throwing her arms around him at the final halt, 66.850%.
For all the excitement that comes with watching Heath Ryan, there is a zen-like calm that comes with watching Brett Parbery; it is poetry in motion. His timing was perfect, his horse bright and focused executing all his work elegantly on cue. At the final halt the crowd roared - and the judges agreed, giving 74.55% (scoring 81% for artistic marks from Brit Stephen Clarke).
"We are having a blinder of year," said Brett at the presentation "we are putting in a lot of hard work with our focus on Kentucky." After thanking the sponsors, owner Caroline Lieutenant, his 'A' Team, and event organiser Toni Venhaus, Brett asked everyone to spare a thought for dressage personality Lindy Wright who recently passed away. "I wanted to do this tonight for Lindy," said Brett.
Heath commented that he had "done a blinder of a test and I can't believe that Brett did such an amazing job to beat me. The aim is to get 3 Australian riders over 70% in international competition and we are getting there, it is just so exciting."
The Gow Gates FEI Intermediate Freestyle was won by Jessica Greenlish (Qld) and Riverndell Parador who seemed competely unphased by the big atmosphere perforing a very professional test. Second to Roger Fitzhardinge and Weltsohn who were so fun to watch. Roger was enjoying himself so much that he encourged the crowd to clap during his test - which everyone was more than happy too happy to do. Only Weltsohn took fright and the crowd collectively decided that the applause was best saved for the end. 68.02% 2nd place.
Third place went to Ros Tippett from Western Australia and Broadstone Dramatik 66.850% and 4th to Victoria's Clare Porz and Candi Ca 66.60%.
The talented Concordence ridden by Daniella Dierks got a little tense in the atmosphere and did not do his best test, 59.850%, Diamantina 4 pulled a shoe in the practise arena and unfortunatley Maree Tomkinson was forced to withdraw. Kaz Roe and For Joy did a lovely test for 66.550% for 5th place.
Earlier in the day the Needs for Steeds Prix St Georges was a close contest with Maree Tomkinson (VIC) on the beautiful Diamatina 4 winning the competition just ahead of Roger Fitzhardinge (NSW) on Weltsohn, Jenny Gehrke (Qld) on Gitane in third place.
Kate Taylor-Wheat (NSW) on World Star was declared the Champion in the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia Medium Championships with Champion Mary Hanna (Vic) on Shiraz Black Reserve Champion.
South Australian rider Hannah Newland on Peace Train won the Capricorn/Soiltex Advanced Freestyle ahead of Sharon Jarvis (WA) in second place, Gina Montgomery (NSW) in third place.
The 6yo Young Horse Qualifier was won by Victoria Welsh and her own gelding Brentanus (Brentano II), 2nd to Gary Lung's Weltmeyer gelding GB Winchester and 3rd to Carolyn Henley's Rotspon gelding SS Rob Roy.
On Sunday Matthew Dowsley (NSW) won both the Wagner's Saddlery Novice classes on the beautiful Sandro Hit stallion San Jose and was therefore crowned Novice Champion. Reserve Champion was awarded to Nicole Tough (Qld) on Flavio. Nicole was runner-up in the 2D and =3rd in the 2C. Victoria Welsh on Brentanus placed 2nd in the 2C.
Mary Hanna and Shiraz Black won both the Equestrian NSW EA Advanced 5B and 5C and was crowned Advanced Champion, reserve to Kate Taylor-Wheat and World Star who placed second to Mary in both classes. Robbie Soster and Robali Razzamatazz placed 3rd in both classes.
In a nine-horse field The Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix Special was won by Charlotte Pederson and Come to Me 63.208%, second to Heath on Ann-Marie Lourey's Byalee Magic 63.167% and 3rd to Victoria's Hayley Gilbert and the Jazz mare Odiana K on 59.750%.
The Equestrian Australia - Australian PSG Challenge Final was won by Queensland's Jenny Gehrke on Gitane 68.632%, 2nd to Lizzie Wilson-Fellows (NSW) and Lets Imagine 66.842% and 3rd to Victorian Clare Porz on Candi Ka 66.263%.
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