AUSTRALIA'S dressage riders are preparing to show the country what they are made of when they compete in this year's Performance Sales International Dressage and Jumping with The Stars.
The event will be held from tomorrow to Saturday at the Werribee National Equestrian Centre where 200 horses will compete in the coveted Australian young horse championships, young jumping horse championships, Wagner's Prix St Georges Cup, grand prix and the grand prix freestyle events.
Dressage riders have been developing a good reputation within Australia and through the rest of the world as a dominant force, and will be given the opportunity to prove their skills at the three-day event.
Beijing Olympian Heath Ryan said Australia is a serious contender in competitive dressage and said events such as this one supported Australian riders and encouraged the growth of the sport.
"Event organisers took an unusual role this year by backing home-grown riders and home-grown administration and that proved hugely successful," he said.
"Riders who are based permanently in the northern hemisphere don't impact back here.
"The young riders need to see top riders as much as they can and go out after them or get mentored from them."
Dressage veteran rider and one of the judges at this year's competition, Susie Hoevenaars, said riders need to learn from more seasoned competitors if they want to reach their full potential in world dressage.
"We've come a long way, we still have a long way to go," Ms Hoevenaars said.
