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Heath Ryan Claims his Second Consecutive Dressage Grand Final Title

Published on Sunday, November 18, 2012 in 2012 Equitana

The 2012 Be the Influence Equestrian Grand Final closed in spectacular fashion late Saturday with the crowning of this year’s dressage champion.

Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi (pictured) have continued their winning streak at this event taking home the title for the second consecutive year. The combination’s test received a score of 71.750% and was met with loud applause from the large crowd which had gathered in the Grand Pavilion at Melbourne Showgrounds for the final night of Grand Final competition.

“It’s been a wonderful moment for me and I’ll remember it forever,” a delighted Heath Ryan said following his victory. 

Things didn’t go to plan for Heath in the beginning and as he explains, a gesture to the enthusiastic crowd was interpreted as a cue to start the music which could have proved costly.

“A couple of little kids were screaming their heads off and you’re not supposed to do that but I couldn’t just ignore them so I waved and as soon as I did the sound person thought it was my signal to start the music.

“The music started and I was miles away so I had to gallop flat out to get to the front gate and come down the centre line as though I’d meant it and I thought to myself, I’ve really messed up this time,” Heath said.   

Spectators were treated to an evening of close competition which heated up as the eventing went on. Current Australian dressage champions Maree Tomkinson and Diamantina IV set the bar high after they came out after the half time break and scored 69.950%.

Top qualifiers for the Final, David Shoobridge and OO Seven, came out next and got the crowd excited with an upbeat soundtrack which included the recent hit Gangham Style. Their test fell just short of Maree and Diamantina’s score and their 69.850% saw them finish in fourth place overall. It was then time for Mary Hanna and her London Olympic mount Sancette to take to the arena and in their first Grand Prix on home soil since the Games the combination scored an impressive 71.250%.

“Regardez Moi was really challenged by the field. Mary did brilliantly, Diamantina is just awesome and David Shoobridge and OO Seven are a new combination on the scene and they really gave us a run for our money,” Heath said.

Before competition got underway spectators were treated to a special presentation from the cast of War Horse and a demonstration from six-time Olympian and world renowned dressage trainer Kyra Kyrkland.

The Be the Influence Equestrian Grand Final is a multidiscipline equestrian event which spans three days and sees a different Olympic discipline contested each day. Beijing silver medallist Shane Rose was crowned the winner of the Exhibition Eventing title - also for the second consecutive year - while West Australian combination Alison Rowland walked away with the title in the Jumping.

The Be the Influence Equestrian Grand Final will return in 2013 at EQUITANA Sydney from 7-10 November.

Story: Equestrian Australia

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