Heath and Regardez Moi win the 2014 Sydney CDI Grand Prix Freestyle
A few weeks ago at Albury International Horse Trials Alison Duthie interviewed Heath Ryan who, tongue-in-cheek, talked about being ‘old’
Well, maybe being older than some is not such a bad thing when you can be in the top 10 in the CCI3* at Sydney International Horse Trials one weekend then win the Grand Prix Freestyle and the Grand Prix Special at the same venue during the Sydney CDI the following weekend
Last night Heath won the Sydney CDI Grand Prix Freestyle crown for the sixth occasion (previous wins were in 2012, 2008, 2007, 2003, 2000) which is more than any other rider. It is also the 18 year old stallion Regardez Moi’s fourth victory in the Grand Prix Freestyle at this event (previous wins were in 2012, 2008, 2003).
On Friday Heath and Regardez Moi were first out in the Grand Prix Special and their score of 68.41% proved unbeatable. He also competed with Regardez Moi’s son, the nine year old Utopian Cardinal, who placed fifth with a score of 65.16% and is emerging as a horse for the future. The previous weekend at the Sydney International Horse Trials Heath finished seventh in the CCI3* on another of his talented young horses, Aspire R (below), a great achievement for back-to-back weekends in anybody’s book
As always he gives credit to his horses and last night he said of Regardez Moi
“He’s been the most amazing horse. I was involved with breeding him so I’ve had him since he was conceived and he’s 18 now. “I don’t know if I’ll ever have a horse as magnificent as this ever again in my life, the odds are I won’t. “If I was sensible we’d retire while he’s doing so well but we’re not going to because he just loves it and I love riding him.
Heath and Regardez Moi on their way to a win the Grand Prix Special
“We started off together as a bit of an embarrassment to everyone but we’ve grown and it’s been a wonderful journey. I do suspect that in years to come we’ll be an embarrassment as we go over the hill, because we are going to continue to come back”
Oh we do hope so ................
And here is how the master did it at both events
