Brett Parbery has Flawless Preparation for the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships

By: Hanna Brooks

Brett Parbery and Aber Hallo (photo: Franz Venhaus)

Brett Parbery is arguably one of Australia’s most successful dressage riders. Brett has won nine Australian Championships and competed on three Australian teams, in addition he has held the Australian record for the highest Grand Prix score at an event held in Australia. 

He will compete in seven classes, on four different horses over the four days of the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships. With Australia’s best due to compete at the Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships this week -we asked Brett about his preparations for the event.

Here’s what Brett had to say...

How have the preparations been like for you going into this year’s Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships?

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?

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?

• 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.
• The ‘click’ between a horse and a particular rider

Which achievements are you most proud of this year?

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 is it like to compete at The Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships and/or the Sydney International Equestrian Centre?

It’s great to compete at the biggest event in Australia. It’s a significant event and each year the competition is getting stronger and stronger. The SIEC is a world class venue that is trying hard to meet the requirements of the dressage community.

Which horse and rider combinations will be the ones to look out for at this year’s Saddleworld Australian Dressage Championships?

The medium field in general will be very strong. I’m looking forward to seeing Tor Van Den Berge and Janina Kletke as I think they will score well. Rozzie Ryan and Heath Ryan are always strong. Mary Hanna and Sancette are always exciting to watch.

What you would like to achieve in the future?

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.

Brett Parbery will be competing in the following classes at the Championships:

• Thursday 24 October - the Needs for Steed Prix St George Championships
• Friday 25 October - the Mulawa Performance Intermediate Championships
• Saturday 26 October - Gow-Gates Intermediate Freestyle
• Sunday 27 October in the Birds Equisport Novice 2C Championship, the CSG Medium 4B Championship, the CSG Medium 4C Championship and the Equestrian Austral Prix St George Stars of the Future

Quick Links

• Find out more about the Saddleworld 2013 Australian Dressage Championships
• Dressage horses for sale on HORSEZONE
• Dressage STALLIONS AT STUD on STALLIONZONE