Top Aussies Keen to Compete at Riding With The Stars

Top Aussies Keen to Compete at Riding With The Stars

The chance to be part of an invitational that brought together some of the best combinations in the Southern Hemisphere was just too good to miss for top Aussie dressage riders Brett Parbery and Rozzie Ryan.

The two will be part of the stellar line-up at the inaugural Riding With The Stars at the Claudelands Arena in Hamilton next month (February 12-13).
Parbery and Ryan will go head to head with top Kiwi dressage riders John Thompson, who has his sights set on selection for the Rio Olympics, and Jody Hartstone among others.

Australian Caroline Wagner has had to withdraw due to injury. Six combinations will compete against each other with freestyle to music tests.
Parbery is no stranger to New Zealand shores, but has never competed here and he’s looking forward to it immensely.

“It is the first of its kind and I just had to be part of it,” he said. “It is a brilliant concept.”

Parbery is sitting handy for Rio selection for Australia, and twice before has been the Olympic reserve.

He’s bringing his youngster PPH Zeppelin, a nine-year-old chestnut who he describes as the gentle giant of their stable.

“He’s a really striking horse,” says Parbery, who placed ninth at the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. “I have big raps on this horse . . .. he is green now, but I think he will go a long way. The freestyle will be ideal for him.”

It is to Parbery’s base that most Kiwi riders head when competing in Australia.
“I have a lot of good friends in New Zealand and am really looking forward to this event.”

Ryan, who is married to top Australian Olympian Heath Ryan, is also very keen.
“We are very excited about the trip,” says Ryan, who last competed in New Zealand in 1989.

She will be bringing Jarrah R, who is a relatively young grand prix horse.
“I thought a short overseas trip would be really good for him.”
Jarrah did his first grand prix in May 2015, and competed in the Australian World Cup final the same year.

“He is quite sensitive but very sharp and he has developed into a real swan. He loves h is work and is super smart to train.”

Riding With The Stars runs over two nights – Friday (February 12) features a $16,000 prize pool for Australasia’s top showjumpers and dressage riders, while Saturday (February) stars the sassy Wilson sisters and their Keeping up with the Kaimanawas Show.

Organisers are promising “edge of your seat” equestrian entertainment that will set a new bar for any similar entertainment.

“It will be a light and sound show spectacular that has been especially choreographed to fit the equestrian action,” says event director Andrew Hansen.
He’s over the moon with the latest announcement.

“It’s fantastic to have the calibre and experience of Brett and Rozzie, who are bringing their own horses across the Tasman and competing against the best of the Kiwis at our inaugural event.”

What: Riding With The Stars
When: Friday, February 12 and Saturday, February 13, 2016
Where: Claudelands Arena, Hamilton
Tickets: selling fast through www.ticketek.co.nz

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