National Dressage Championships

Leasa Stephen from Queensland is pictured with her Gymnastik Star stallion, 'Galanthus' during the Hanoverian Horse Medium Championship.

Mrs Kate Nash, formerly Miss Kate Boyes is pictured riding John Wright-Smith's mare 'Yarra Valley Flemmingha' by Flemmingh out of AEA Sparkette in the Hanoverian Horse Medium Championship. They finished in 17th place overall.

Young NSW rider, Katharine Farrell looks pleased, and so she should, as she rode Jane Farrell's imported Londonderry gelding, 'Luxor 118' for 68.14% in the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia Medium 4B and 65.08% in the 4C for an impressive third place overall.

With all four feet off the ground, successful Victorian international rider, Maree Tomkinson floats across the arena riding Sarah Lloyd's imported Di Maggio mare, 'Debstar LP' to claim the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia Medium Reserve Championship.

Jane Blomfield is one of the strong Queensland contingent competing at the 2011 Bates Australian Dressage Championships. She is pictured during the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia Medium Championship riding 'Sir Anton' by Jaybee Alabaster, that she both bred and owns.

An always busy and always successful, Lizzie Wilson-Fellows is pictured during the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia Medium Championship riding Karen Waterman's imported Sandro hit stallion, 'Sandrels'.

Well known Queensland rider, Nicole Tough canters a lovely corner aboard Ken Dowsett's imported Florestan gelding 'Flavio' on their way to claiming the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia Medium Championship. They earned 69.44% to win the 4B and 67% for third place in the 4C.

Rachael Pen-Dennis all the way from the Northern Territory rode her 'Dilettante' by Follyfields Dinaro to 11th place in the Riders Shoppe Advanced Freestyle with 61.66%.

Well known and successful Victorian rider, Judith Smith is pictured with 'Comtesse' by Cordoba, one of her at least two imported Hanoverian mares. Judy is pictured during the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia Medium Championship. Riders Shoppe Advanced Freestyle.

Brett Parbery sadly without his super WEG partner, Victory Salute at these Championships, still has plenty of fire power. Brett rode 'DP Weltmeiser' by Weltmeyer out of Catherston Debutante and owned and bred by Susan Duddy to win the Riders Shoppe Advanced Freestyle with 73.41%. A little later in the day this combination won the EA Prix St Georges Challenge (for horses 7-11 years) with 68.15%.

Queensland rider, Tracie Ellis is a picture of concentration as she rides her 'Remi Louis Armstrong' by Lanthan to sixth place in the Riders Shoppe Advanced Freestyle with 66.08%.

Cornelia 0'Mahoney came to stay with Rozzie and Heath Ryan for a year four year ago and she is still with the first couple of Australian Dressage. The UK expat is pictured riding her 'Jive Talkin BP' by Jive Magic in the Riders Shoppe Advanced Freestyle.

Amanda Shoobridge, equine reproduction vet and co principle of Revelwood Stud rode the Stud's charming, imported Hanoverian stallion by Florestan, 'Ferrero Rocher' to fourth place in the Riders Shoppe Advanced Freestyle with 67.25%.

Hanoverian stallions were certainly making their presence felt on the third day of the Bates National Australian Dressage Championships. Queensland professional, Tor van den Berge is pictured riding Cheryl O'Brien's beautiful and imported Londonderry stallion, 'Lauries As' that took second place in the Riders Shoppe Advanced Freestyle with 72.16% and later second place in the EA Prix St Georges Challenge.

Susan Barton-Johnson, one of a pair of riders to make the long trip from the Northern Territory to attend the Bates Australian Dressage Championships, is pictured riding her Lutz gelding, 'Amana Valley Rococo' in the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia medium Championship.

Anne Riley is pictured during the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia Medium Championship riding her Houston mare. 'Flowervale Houlana'. The combination finished in 15th place overall.

Victorian rider, Georgina Haythorpe really impressed with her imported German mare, 'Letizia' by Liebeszauber during the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia Medium Championship. They finished eighth in the 4B and a mistake in the 4C saw them slip in the Championship standings, however they will be a combination to watch.

Heath Ryan was, as always a busy man. Heath is pictured with Rebecca Notley's beautiful 'Johnny Depp', by Jive Magic out of Madeline. Heath has really been influenced by the Pirates of the Caribbean! They finished in 13th place overall in the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia medium Championship.

Well known Victorian rider, Fiona McNaught looks delighted with her own and Kristina Chambers' German import, 'Import' by Inselfuerst. They are pictured during the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia Medium Championship.

Heath and Rozzie Ryan protege Breanna Tillitzki is pictured riding Rozzie Ryan's charming Florencio stallion, 'Figi R' in the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia Medium Championship.

Rachael Sanna withstood the national and international assault and produced the winning test riding Bev Edward's 'Jaybee Alabaster', that in the final analysis won the class with some ease on 74.125%. It is necessary to no only be an outstanding rider, you must also have the courage to withstand the pressure and Rachael can.

Jayden Brown from Queensland, was seventh in the Pryde's Easifeeds FEI Intermediate Freestyle this evening, and yesterday was second in the Needs For Steeds Prix St Georges riding his Furst Piccolo gelding, 'Furst Friedric' with and impressive 68.05%.

Well known Victorian breeder, trainer and competitor, Dirk Dijlstra rode the AEA Burong's beautiful, imported Dutch stallion, 'AEA Metallic' by Metall to take fifth place in the Pryde's Easifeeds FEI Intermediate Freestyle with 66.75%.

Judy Dierks never fails to put on a grand performance, and did so again with Andrew and Carol Oatley's talented, imported German gelding, 'Feramo K' by Fidermark. Although a little enthusiastic at the finish they took third place in the Pryde's Easifeeds FEI Intermediate Freestyle with 67.56%.

Western Australian rider, Natalie Wilson is pictured during the Pryde's Easifeeds FEI Intermediate Freestyle riding her Inspiration gelding, 'JC Spiderman'.

Yet another successful Queenslander, Sherydan Ashwood rode her imported Dutch stallion, 'Prestige VDL' by Olympic Silvano to win the Pryde's Easifeeds FEI Intermediate Freestyle with 68.75%.

Talented young NSW dressage rider, Alexis Hellyer rode her successful 'Waca W' by Weltmeyer to second place in the Pryde's Easifeeds FEI Intermediate Freestyle with 67.90%.

With the Rugby in mind, New Zealand made a really gallant assault on the Hamilton Island Freestyle. Vanessa Way produced a super test riding her 'KR Arvan' to music from, Simon and Garfunkel, Fleetwood Mac and The Who to earn 70.50% for fourth place.

Heath Ryan is back on his way up with Regardez Moi that produced his as always entertaining test for third place in the Hamilton Island Grand Prix Freestyle with 71.125%. However, his good performance came with the very sad news that Regardez Moi's breeder and owner, Dr Margaret Evans passed away two days ago. Margaret, who had not been well for some time was one of the country's foremost owners and passionate about her horses. Many would remember that she owned one of the country's most exciting and talented horses in Exellent that was ridden by Rozzie Ryan and Christine Crawford. We will miss her as will the Australian Horse Community.

New Zealand's Loiusa Hill produced a super test in the Hamilton Island Grand Prix Freestyle riding her 'Bates Antonello' for second place with 72.257%. It was a really promising performance from the horse that competed in only his fourth Grand Prix yesterday.