Australian International Grand Prix dressage rider Briana Burgess is based at Equestre Domaine des Grand Pins in Vidauban, South of France, having lived in Europe for 18 years, mostly in Germany. Briana began her career as a working student beginning with Dutch trainers Johan and Penny Rockx and then spent three years as a working student under Monica Theodorescu gaining invaluable experience there with everything from riding, grooming, horse management and stable management. She then went out on her own, beginning to train horses and sell horses in Germany.
During this time, Briana found her Grand Prix horse La Scala through Patrik Kittell, who she trained with successfully for three years, reaching 5* Grand Prix level and was selected for the WEG in Caen, France, although an unfortunate injury three weeks before the event stopped Briana and La Scala competing. Briana represented Australia at the World Young Horse championships in 2017 on Gerion who was at that time owned by Mary Hanna, where they achieved 4th and 9th placing. Briana has also spent a lot of time in Australia and Johannesburg, South Africa, teaching and holding clinics.
How did the dressage journey start and progress to where you are now?
Horses have been a part of my life since a young age. My grandfather had an interest in horses and bred Arabians, he had carriage horses, thoroughbreds etc however the horses were for pleasure and not as a profession. I began at a local riding school. When I was nine years old my parents bought me a pony that was owned by a family that were involved in showing however the pony was very green and only 8 weeks under the saddle. So probably not the best match but I sure learnt a lot!
Who have been the most influential?
Every person I have trained with has played a significant role. From my beginning with Johan and Penny, Monica had a huge influence on my riding and general horse knowledge and work ethic. Without a doubt the training and experience I gained by working with Patrik was invaluable and of course so many others. It’s what I love about working with horses and dressage, you never stop learning and improving and you are able to meet wonderful capable and experienced people along the way that really know their craft. I also love watching and listening to people involved with other disciplines- in my way of thinking the key is to stay open minded.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
5-year-old Vivo owned by Triple A Horses of Qatar. He is a gelding by Viva Gold.
I am so lucky to have the most wonderful owners! They are so enthusiastic, positive and passionate about their horses and the training. I have horses in training from Qatari owned Triple A Horses, the owners are wonderful and really take time to invest in quality horses and they trust me to train them and bring them on. The owner also competes herself and her children are riding now and doing well. I’m very proud to be a part of their team. Triple A Horses has a now 5-year-old gelding “Vivo” by Viva Gold who we have high hopes for. He has a wonderful character, a very dynamic mover. He is quite special.
I also work together with Parnaz Stable’s, run by Grigorii Nazarov. Parnaz Stable’s is an international Sport horse training, competition and breeding barn. Parnaz Stables operates with leading bloodlines for both Jumpers and Dressage horses and have an extensive breeding program with 60 broodmares. They have hand selected top stallions such as Millenium, Glamourdale, Sandro Hit, Cornet Obelensky and Diamant de Semily and have already produced 3 licenced stallions, two for dressage and one showjumping stallion. Parnaz Stable’s is the owner of the mare I am currently training and competing “Donaunacht”. Donna as she is known in the barn is an 8-year-old Trakehner mare and is a horse I have a very strong bond with. She is a wonderful mare who was already selected as a 5-year old to represent France at the World Young Horse Championships and is now well on her way to Grand Prix. We are excited for her future in the sport.
Who do you train with?
At the moment, I have focused on training and building up my owners/clients’ horses. I have young horses through to the age of 8. However, they are now far enough along in their development that I will start working closely with select colleagues as the goal will be to start them internationally next year.
What do you love about dressage?
I love the relationship and the bond that we get with our horses. It’s an aspect I believe which isn’t emphasised enough. My horses are my big loves and my best friends first and foremost. To work with horses requires patience, time, knowledge, a well-developed skill set and trust. These are aspects we can always improve upon, fine tune. We need to figure out what each individual horse needs to bring the best out in them. The process with horses and dressage requires a lot of self analysis and reflection. Always striving to learn and be better. To me it’s clear how over the years training and especially horse management have improved. It’s everyone working together and it starts with the breeders, the riders starting young horses under saddle etc. I see horse sports as a collaborative effort, there is always an evolution.
What is your training philosophy?
I am very much focused of course on the training scale, on understanding and being able to ride and train correct basics. To me this is always the gap I see the most. Take time to learn and understand the training scale, to not skip steps because you are ambitious and have a desire to compete at a certain level. I am really focused on correct rider position. Take your stirrups off learn to have an independent seat, learn where your body needs to be on the horse and how to use your body effectively. All too often I see that the position has too little emphasis from riders and trainers. A lot of the time the answer is for many to buy a new saddle with a knee roll made to ‘hold’ the rider in place. This is not correct.
Proudest dressage moments?
I have many highlights, but the thing that makes them the best moments is the moments where I really feel both myself and my horses have performed the best they could for their capability at that time. Two stand outs for me where I felt this in particular was after the GP 4* with La Scala in Compiegne and at the World Young Horse Championships with Gerion. I found that moment just so magical as I had had Gerion in training since a 4-year-old. He was not the easiest of young horse at all, he really took time and careful management to get him to that point. After we finished the first round on 8.9 and 4th place it was two years of work coming together. He gave me everything that day and he trusted me completely. These are moments that mean something to me as a rider, and being able to share them with everyone that is involved, groom, trainer, owners etc.
What do you think it takes to get to Grand Prix in dressage?
Of course you need the education yourself as a rider, you need a support base around you. You need the horse, but to me this is where it gets interesting. Bringing horses to GP level really is then not only a question of ability of both horse and rider but the quality of the partnership between them. All of the GP combinations have exceptional and special relationship with their horses. We see it all the time. Perhaps a successful GP horse is sold on, however money cannot buy that special relationship. It takes time. These relationships and bonds between horse and rider- the way they communicate together cannot be replicated.
What advice can you give to someone who would like to buy a young horse?
When buying a young horse please assess your own ability and skill set realistically. Training young horses successfully requires a very experienced rider. If you are not that far along, make sure you have a support system around you with a trainer that can assist. As for attributes of the horse, the first thing I look for is rideability and character. When I go to try young horses, the first thing I look for is what feeling does the horse give me when I ride him? Is he searching for a connection with me? Is he willing? I feel the back when I sit, I look for a soft swinging back from nature, I want to feel that he is light in the connection. Conformation is important. I was to have a feeling that the horse has a natural “uphill” tendency. I want to see straight legs and even, well-shaped hooves. For me personally, I always look at their eyes, like people they are a window in their characters.
What are your principles for the management and training of young horses?
I start working with young horses at the age of 4. I will have a training programme that incorporates longing and riding. The longing I believe is very important for the young horse to find the contact and balance themselves without the rider on their back. To learn the rhythm and voice commands. To have discipline. Every horse is different I assess physically and mentally what they need and adjust the programme accordingly.
Can you share with us the highs and lows of caring and training young horses?
Of course, there are high and lows with young horses. For me they are like little kids. They have a willingness to learn, they learn quickly. Then comes the 5-6 years age – I liken it to the teenage years. They are growing and changing, they are getting more physical strength, they like to test the boundaries. I always let the horses tell me where they are at, unless I feel the young horses are ready I am not so interested in competing them. I like to take them to a few small outings and competitions so they gain confidence and experience. Step by step. They are all different. Some are ready sooner than others.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
In general, just to be positive, kind and respectful. Stay humble.
Want More?
If you enjoyed meeting Briana you might like to view more dressage rider “chatting with” interviews here. You can keep up with Briana’s progress and visit her instagram page here