2011 Sydney CDI 3-Star

WEG dressage hero, Brett Parbery created history again today riding Carolyn Lieutenant's 'Victory Salute'. Brett and the Salute gelding earned a personal and Australian best score of 71.36% in the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3*. A record 28 horses started in the Grand Prix and 18 scored over 60%.

The always popular Heath Ryan rode his charismatic Rubinstein stallion, 'Regardez Moi' to eighth place in the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* with 63.85%.

Well known and successful Queensland rider, Tor van den Berge rode Cheryl O'Brien's eye catching Hanoverian stallion by Londonderry, 'Laurie's As' to 11th place in the strong Needs For Seeds International Prix St Georges competition with 62.84%.

It's not much fun riding in the rain, although Gitte Donvig did not cop the worst of it. Mary and Rob Hanna's imported 'Port Said 10' was not too happy with the conditions either. Gitte and Port are pictured coping with the conditions in the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3*

Caroline Wagner was a surprise rider of Mary and Rob Hanna's talented Jazz gelding, 'Tango V' in the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* . Upon investigation we discovered that Caroline and Peter Wagner have leased Tango. Having just been together for two weeks they produced some good work and there is no doubt that when they get to know one another, they will be a formidable combination..

Ottille Upshall, one of the strong contingent from New Zealand competing at the Sydney CDI is pictured during the Needs For Seeds International Prix St Georges riding Rebecca Coventry's, 'Shinning Messiah'.

Rachael Sanna rode her own and her mother, Nerida Downs' home bred 'Chatham Park Albert' by Jaybee Alabaster out of Jerez WEG team member, Yardley Aphrodite to second place after the first round of the Hanoverian Horse Society of Australia Five Year Old Young Horse class. Later in the day and despite an injured back incurred whilst clipping her daughter's pony, Rachael rode Bev Edward's 'Jaybee Alabaster' beautifully to take second place in the Grand Prix with again a record score of 70.16%.

Poor Sharon Carroll and 'Rancho Assassin' by Aachimedes copped the worst of the weather this afternoon during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* .

Born again dressage rider, Mark Arthur is making the most of his second coming. He rode his charming Salute gelding, 'Kooinda Saint' to fourth place in the Needs For Seeds International Prix St Georges with 65.84%.

New Zealand rider, Penny Castle produced a very good test during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* to take fourth place with 66.10% riding Julie Brougham's talented, 'Gymstar One' by Gymnastic Star out of Kinnordy Dancing.

Verity Spargo is making a nice tour across the diagonal during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* riding her 'APH Faust'.

As the rain came down the tireless volunteers and some tethered to servitude did their best to maintain the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* dressage arena. Jane Josephs attends the arena as 'Chippy' (Poodle/Jack Russell) dressed for the weather looks as if he would rather be somewhere else.

We are sure Chantal Wigan hoped to leave the wet weather behind in Queensland, but there was no getting away from getting wet in the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* today. Chantal is pictured with her successful 'Ferero' that took fifth place with 65.74%.

Rozzie Ryan and her talented Jazz stallion, Jive Magic' splash through the water during their Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* test. The popular pair took seventh place with 64.27%.

Young dressage rider, Nadia Coghlan makes her way across the sodden arena aboard her Northern Congress gelding, 'Northern Campion' during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* .

Sally Evans' 'A'Seduction' by Aachimedes looks to be walking on water during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* ..

Popular NSW dressage rider and trainer, Blas Lago is pictured aboard Gloreen Goldin's Falkland Victory gelding, 'Northern Xanthus III' during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* .

Rachel McClellan is pictured during the deluge with her 'Kinnordy Daudet' (Danzante imp/Kinnordy Gala) that took 13th place in the first round of the HHSA Four Year Old Young Horse class.

Sally Middleton is pictured aboard her Australian Warmblood, 'Jazz de Roi' (Splendid Jazzabout/Centennial Glenda) during the first round of the HHSA Four Year Old Young Dressage Horse class.

Ann Slatford's well named, 'Silvery' by Santini looks to be coping well with the wet during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* .

Mary Hanna produced a lovely test with her own and Rob Hanna's beautiful, 'Sancette' by Sandro Hit to take third place in the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* with 66.76%.. Mary and the nine year old earned half a London qualification. With that packed in their bag Mary, Sancette and another Grand Prix horse, Umbro fly to Europe in two weeks to train with Kyra Kyrklund and attend the famous Aachen Horse Show to kick off a European sojourn.

Always beautifully presented, Christine Crawford is pictured riding Madeleine Swan's impressive Jazz gelding, 'Jazz Song' in the Needs For Seeds International Prix St Georges competition on the first day of the Sydney CDI conducted at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park NSW.

New Zealand dressage rider, Vanessa Way is pictured riding her 'KV Arvan' by Anamour during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* .

Former South Australian, and now resident in NSW, Lesley Anne Taylor is pictured with her lovely mare, 'Welpe's Countess' during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* .

The always elegant Maree Tomkinson is pictured during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* riding her beautiful Rorspon stallion, 'Rodrigo III'.

Kerry Mack is pictured during the Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* riding her much admired and talented Jazz stallion, 'Mayfield Pzazz'.

Kate Taylor-Wheat closed the 28 strong Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* aboard her lovely 'Oscar B' gelding by Zeoliet.

Clearly Jazz is a popular stallion with Australian dressage riders, as Queensland rider, Merrilea Charles rode her Jazz gelding, 'Jazzaround' to 14th place in the Needs For Seeds International Prix St Georges with 62.52%.

Sixteen year old Jessica Clark was the youngest rider by far in the Needs For Seeds International Prix St Georges. She is pictured riding her delightful Gullit gelding, ''UQG Galahad'.

Well know NSW dressage rider, Claire Sidel opened the 28 strong Australian Sports Commission Grand Prix CDI3* with her 'Roles' by Laurendel Gandalf.