Owned by Carolyn Lieutenant "Sam" was ridden by Australian Brett Parbery, together they reached the highest level ever attained by an Australian combination in the international Dressage arena. At the 2010 World Equestrian Games the pair went on to achieve 9th place in the Grand Prix Freestyle – the best ever result by an Australian Dressage combination.
Sam and Brett Parbery are the record holders for the highest score in a Grand Prix in Australia; in 2010 they were Australian Dressage Champions.
Sam also represented Australia at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Hong Kong with Georgia Bruce winning two bronze medals. Georgia was only 1% away from the gold medal position. Even more remarkable is the fact that Georgia had only been riding Victory Salute for four weeks.
It was on the International stage that Sam shined, representing Australia in the FEI World Cup Final placing in the top 10. They went on to create history as the most successful Australian based combination ever to compete abroad with a 2nd at the CDI 5* World Dressage Masters Show in Hickstead, 9th at the World Equestrian Games in Lexington, Kentucky, USA and a 10th placing at Aachen CHIO.
The 15-year-old gelding - who stood 18hh - was bred and owned Carolyn Lieutenant, and was by the imported Dutch warmblood (predominantly holsteiner) stallion Salute and out of Esprita, a mare by the French anglo-arab sire Victorieux, and out of a thoroughbred-percheron cross mare.
The most successful Australian-bred dressage grand prix horse of all time, Victory Salute, recently succumbed to laminitis. Sadden by the loss of his great partner, Brett commented, "As with every facet of Sam's life, he was a champion to the very end. He fought a brave and noble fight and showed incredible courage during all treatment. His loss leaves a giant hole in our hearts as he was not only a great dressage horse, but the most loved character of our stable. He will always be my number 1’.
