He did.

The World Equestrian Games (WEG) was held last week in Tryon, North Carolina, USA. The WEG brings together the international equestrian sports of dressage, show-jumping, eventing, endurance, reining and vaulting. The WEG is the penultimate international competition for dressage riders; only the Olympic Games hold more prestige.

The NSW South Coast horseman was one of four Australians who rode the Grand Prix test for the team competition.

Before leaving his base at Willinga Park, Bawley Point, Parbery set a goal to score 70+ per cent, saying he would be ‘over the moon’ to make it into the Grand Prix Special.

On the day, Parbery rode a harmonious and flowing test on DP Weltmeiser, scoring 70.11 per cent from the five judges and cheers of “Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie, Oi Oi Oi” from the grandstand.

The Australian team finished eighth in the standings with Kristy Oatley riding Du Soleil on 71.58 per cent, Mary Hanna on Boogie Woogie on 68.32 per cent, and Alexis Hellyer on Bluefields Floreno the discard score on 67.36 per cent. Podium positions went to Germany, the USA, and Great Britain.

The top 30 individuals from the Grand Prix test go on to represent their country as individuals in the Grand Prix Special test. Unfortunately Parbery wasn’t one of them; his score saw him into the 32^nd spot.

Parbery was over the moon anyway.

“For the Australian team, 8th place overall with an average of 70% is wonderful, I'm thrilled with that,” he said.

“Sometimes what happens at these events is that you leave a little disappointed, as you feel you didn't perform to the standard you reach at home.  At WEG I was thrilled for DP Weltmeiser and I to come out on the world stage and deliver our absolute best.

“Yes there are small details that probably could have picked up a mark here and there but overall it was a very good representation of where we're at.”