On the Road to the World Breeding Championships - Part 2 Briana Burgess

29-year-old Briana Burgess will represent Australia at the Longines FEI/WBFSH World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses at Ermelo in the Netherlands this week.

In part 2 of an exclusive rider interview series, Equestrian Australia caught up with Briana to find out more about how her preparations are going and what some of her expectations are going into this important event.

What horse are you campaigning at this event and how has its form been of late?

“Gerion who is a six-year-old KWPN Jazz gelding owned by Rob and Mary Hanna. He has been in training with me since he was a four-year-old, so it has been very rewarding to be able to be a part of this talented young horse’s development and see it come together in this way.”

What does it mean to compete at this event for both you and your horse ?

“We are very pleased that Gerion has qualified for and been accepted to compete for Australia at the WYHC. It is very rewarding for myself and the owners Mary and Rob Hanna to see his development since a four-year-old come together in this way.

It is a privilege to be able to attend such an event along with other world class young horses, riders and trainers and see what the future has to offer for our wonderful sport.”

What sort of preparations have they been going through in readiness?

“As always health and general care and management of our sport horses is number one. Naturally we are training daily in preparation for the show in conjunction with my trainer Helen Langenhanenberg.”

What are your performance expectations at the event?

“Of course we want to have the horses performing to the best of their ability, however they are still very young and for most horses it will be yet another learning experience at a big show with atmosphere etc. The aim for these youngsters is to show them to the best of their ability while in the same moment having a positive competition experience, as this is only one of many shows that they will compete at in their life.”

How are you generally enjoying life abroad and how do you feel your career in the saddle is progressing towards the bigger picture goals you have?

“I am very happy in Germany and with running my business here with Dressage training and sales. We have wonderful horses, clients and staff. It’s a team and we all work together for success. This is very rewarding.”