The Boneo Park/Peter Horobin Saddlery Equestrian Festival on the 6th February 2010 was certainly not the first time I have met Brett Parbery.  In the course of covering Dressage events I have spoken with him about horses and their training and care on many occasions, but this day would allow me to take in another side of one of Australia’s most talented and successful riders.  I found the opportunity to watch Brett Parbery, the Coach and Instructor a special insight, which enabled me to better understand, why he is so successful – he is a real horseman and has a great eye for training horses along with a special gift in communicating his ideas to all levels of riders.

I have spoken with Brett on a number of occasions after he has won various competitions and he has always spoken of the team behind him – people like Prydes Feeds and the help he has received from this company getting his horse’s diets just right.  He is also dressed by ANKY Australia and took part in the Fashion Parade in the evening program of the Equestrian Festival.  Peter Horobin was very proud to say that Brett rides in one of his saddles, so when he and Victory Salute represent Australia at the World Cup final later in 2010, he takes a message of our overall professionalism to the rest of the world.

Brett’s afternoon session was structured as a rider’s clinic and the first combination into the ring was Matthew Archibald riding a young chestnut that showed some youthful inexperience in some losses of balance in particular – the head carriage and frame.  It was great for most of us in the audience to be able to watch such a training session – as these are the problems that we all are faced with.  With the worldwide aversion to horses ‘too deep’, Brett’s advice and exercises were very relevant.  

Brett worked with Matt to develop a good rhythm in the trot, walk and canter and tested that the horse’s response was the same on both reins.  In this basic part of the work Brett asked Matt to ensure that the horse was allowing a uniform bend through the body.  

“The transitions must be “through” in and out of various paces and within the paces.” Brett said to Matt.   I felt that at the end of the session we could see the horse with more swing through the body and a compliant and soft way of going.

01/16 

   

The next rider was Jayne Luxton riding Remi Romanic - by Rotspon out of Remi Limited Edition by Lanthan - bred by Cheryl O'Brien from Remi Stud in Queensland.  Jayne has had great success with this attractive black horse and had a great result at the Victorian Dressage Festival in December 2009 at Elementary level.

Brett started with the same basic work as with Matt. “Thoroughness” and uniform bend were the focus in the initial stages of the work.  Brett added a couple of layers to the work – in keeping with the horse’s more advanced stage of training.  He spent some time helping Jayne to get her horse’s back loose and swinging and used bending and straightening exercises at the trot to develop the longitudinal suppleness.  The canter work focused on helping to develop the collection and Brett did this by asking Jayne to put her horse on a small circle and to ride him forward and back using the outside rein to control the outside hind leg – the driving leg!”  He also explained that the rider needs to support the bend by controlling the shoulder and balancing the horse’s frame.  By the end of this session, Jayne’s lovely horse was looking more like a ‘medium’ level competitor and in the right balance to think about the changes.

The next combination was the talented Georgia Haythorpe and the equally talented and delightful Jaybee Calista by Carbine, who must be the prettiest warmblood on the small tour circuit.  She is feminine, light and seemed to try her best to get it right.  Brett explained that he would spend more time on the canter as this horse was more advanced and was competing at Prix St George/Intermediate 1.  

He confirmed that the essence of the canter segments at this level of work was the collected canter and he worked with Georgia to develop the pirouette canter.  This is a highly collected canter – of the same quality that the rider should obtain in order to prepare and commence a canter pirouette.  But, rather than performing the pirouette, the pretty chestnut was asked to move a little more forward into a collected canter … then back to the more collected steps.  Brett explained that this work enhances the half passes.

Georgia’s first attempt at the canter half passes today lost the bend.  Brett’s advice was to develop the bend by controlling the shoulder.  “When you lose the bend, go back onto a straight line and establish the bend by control of the body that you have already experienced through control of the shoulders and control of the hindquarters.  When you have re-established the confidence and obedience to these aids, go back to the half pass … in training you may only be able to ask for a few steps until the horse is strong enough to maintain the uphill quality, both forward and sidewards.  Do not over face her, work to build the skills.

From the development of collection in the canter Brett and Georgia progressed to flying changes … The mare performed the 4 times and 3 times with ease and expression.  “Ask for a little more collection and we’ll try some 2’s.” encouraged Brett.  Calista had no problems with this sequence.  “Has she done 1’s?” asked Bret.  “No” replied Georgia.

“I think she could do them, her balance and acceptance is very good, let’s give them a go.  Take her onto the ¾ line and ask for a change then back – tic, tac!”  Jaybee Calista got it right.  “Great, what a good girl, leave it there Georgia.” Said Brett.

“The best reward is to halt and get off; she has done well so give her the reward!” Brett said.  He was very pleased with this lesson and Georgia was all smiles.  I am sure that the owner of the horse was also happy and I will be sure to send a link to this report to John and Bev Edwards and Carbine will, no doubt, get a big pat for his good efforts too.

Brett’s way of teaching was as good as I have ever witnessed, he was so clear and concise with his instructions and spectators got the feeling that it all flowed nicely for the riders and simplified their daily task of structuring the work.

All of Australia is so proud of Brett Parbery who has taken the ‘home-bred’ gelding Victory Salute to the top and now looks set to represent us at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, USA, later this year. 

It is a great story as FEI rider and judge Caroline Lieutenant bred the horse, but when Sam (Victory Salute) grew and grew and only stopped when he reached 18 hands, it was clear that the diminutive Caroline would have to find a longer rider to take on the talented gelding.  Brett and Caroline have a great time working on freestyle tests and the WEG performance has been a long term goal that brings together the years of good basic training and attention to detail.

Well done Brett and good luck from all of us.

Story & Pictures Berni Saunders