Ryan takes dressage crown at Equestrian Grand Final
Heath Ryan and Regardez Moi have secured their fourth consecutive Equestrian Grand Final title overnight, eclipsing the field with a strong performance of their tried, tested and ever impressive Freestyle routine.
Ryan and his 19 year old stallion revelled in the big atmosphere of the Grand Pavilion of Melbourne’s Showgrounds, receiving a score of 71.825%.
As well as taking the crown for another year Ryan also walks away with $6,000 in prize money.
“The horse is getting older, but he is getting better in there. It’s one of those wonderful sports where knowledge can outrace age, and Regardez Moi and I are in the race of our life here and at 19 he is going gangbusters.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to be out there performing the sort of moves we do, but usually it’s when you’re at home and it’s late at night or early in the morning when you’re feeling sick or you don’t feel like doing it that you have a brilliant moment. At those times it’s just you and your horse, which is really beautiful, but no one there to go holy smokes that was wonderful. So it’s a wonderful thing to have all these people here to acknowledge it.
“I’m very pleased to be riding him and to have partnered with him through those years. He still has a lot of pizazz left in him and it’s just wonderful to be here tonight on such a wonderful horse.”
Sue Hearn and the 12 year old gelding Remmington finished in second place producing a personal best GP Freestlye score of 70.725%.
“I’m so proud of him, it’s a huge atmosphere here. I’m having a lot of fun with him now he is learning his job, he is coming into the arena knowing what is happening,” she said.
In their maiden Grand Prix season, 19 year old Katharine Farrell and Luxor 118 secured 3rd position scoring 70.125%
“We have come up really quickly, a lot quicker than I thought (and) so far I am super pleased with how it is going.”
The National Youth Development Squad Member proudly finished ahead of her coach Brett Parbery (DP Weltmieser) who finished in fourth place.
“We really are the new kids on the block at this game, I couldn’t be more proud of him, and more happy to be here,” she said.
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