The perennial dilemma for ambitious Australian equestrians is whether or not to head overseas for a shot at the highest level. We’re so isolated from the sharp end of elite competition that sometimes we have to go to the mountain. It won’t come to us.
Boyd Exell is a world-class Aussie who had to leave to achieve. He had little choice as a four-in-hand driver, given the logistics of competing abroad with a large team of horses and crew. Having just nailed a record sixth World Championship title in Italy, the boy from Bega made the right move 30 years ago. Sure, it’s not an Olympic discipline, but it has a huge following abroad for what Boyd describes as “the most fun you can have sitting down”. Boyd reminds us that he is still the dinkum Aussie, returning most summers for the beaches and water sports. The best of both worlds!
Pratoni del Vivaro, the second leg of the FEI World Championships where Boyd triumphed, was also the scene for our eventers, including Hazel Shannon on WillingaPark Clifford and Shenae Lowings on Bold Venture. The rugged, hilly course proved challenging, but Hazel and Shenae were both proud of their tough Thoroughbreds, showing again that OTTs have an important role in eventing. From a team perspective, however, Pratoni delivered a few surprises, as Heath Ryan analyses in Ryan’s Rave.
One of our great dressage riders, Maree Tomkinson, took the leap to Europe at the start of this year and hasn’t looked back. In an extensive interview, she tells Roger Fitzhardinge of the joy of sharing her horses with Emma Booth in para dressage at the FEI World Championships, and of competing Friday IV and Fürst Deluxe in Europe. She also opens up about why she relishes European competition and discusses what Australia could do to lift its dressage game. Call it Maree’s “Euro Vision” if you like, it makes for informative reading and we can all learn.
The NSW Dressage Championships also gave us insights into the state of dressage in Australia. Roger was there fresh from Herning and brings us his thoughts on the horses that show real FEI potential.
Willinga Park has finally unveiled its stunning jumping stadium after several Covid delays. Adele Severs was there for us and reports that the four days of competition at Jumping@Willinga was an event that warrants being on the international agenda. One young show jumper who couldn’t make it, however, was Jacob Wells – he was otherwise fully committed. As Michelle Terlato reports, the rising star from Victoria has a residency at Stal Tops in the Netherlands. Producing young horses in the back yard of the Global Champions Tour is an opportunity too good to refuse.
Returning to the perceived divide between Australia and Europe, our breeders are showing us that the northern hemisphere no longer has the monopoly on world-class horses. Glenhill Sporthorses are at the leading edge of reproductive technology, as principal Christan Trainor explains, producing modern athletes from the best bloodlines, all on our home soil.
Likewise, Australians breeders are bringing the famous Lipizzaner into the 21st century, as Nikki Harding reports. Australian Lipizzaner enthusiasts have established a world-first database to maintain integrity in the ancient lineage, and the Europeans are jumping on board.
Elsewhere in our October Magazine, we remind you that uplifting as spring is, it’s a time to be alert on the health front. Kerry Mack warns of the risks of too much mud exposure, while Dr Maxine Brain reminds us of yet another foaling issue.
For more cerebral reading, Adele introduces us to the unique equine paintings of Brooke Major, who also breeds top-flight horses, while Suzy Jarratt lifts the lid on Antonio Banderas’s riding skills in The Mask of Zorro. What more do you want?
Enjoy the ride – enjoy the read!
Robert McKay AM
Contributors
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HEATH RYANNational equestrian personality, international dressage and eventing rider, Olympian, judge, coach and breeder, Heath is never backward in offering his unique insights into the sport and industry.
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ROGER FITZHARDINGEAs a judge, coach, competitor and commentator, Roger’s passion to tell the real stories behind the horses and horse people shines through in his unique brand of equestrian photojournalism.
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DR KERRY MACKGrand Prix dressage rider, coach and Mayfield Farm stud principal, Kerry draws on her learning as a qualified psychiatrist to approach training from the cerebral perspective as well as the physical.
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DR MAXINE BRAINDr Maxine Brain is an equine vet dedicated to achieving optimal equine health and performance with her team at Kilmore Equine Clinic, which she founded.
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MICHELLE TERLATOMichelle Terlato owns and rides horses and has exhibited her unique photos at Dressage & Jumping with the Stars, Melbourne International 3DE and the Australian Show Jumping Championships.
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SUZY JARRATTSuzy has a rich background in newspaper journalism and radio broadcasting in NSW and nationally, and last year won an international award for equestrian journalism.
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NIKKI HARDINGInvolved with Lipizzaners for the past 15 years, Nikki is the co-founder of global database, LipiData, the stud book register for the Lipizzaner Association of Australasia, and owner of a young stallion.
Published by
EQ Life Pty Ltd
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ISSN 1839-034X
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Phone +61 492 887 961
Email info@eqlife.com.au
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Chairman
Robert McKay
Publisher
Sunday Batters
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Adele Severs
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David Trounce
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Kerith Laurie-Rhodes
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Photography credits:
Massimo Argenziano, Simon Scully/Australian Jumping, Willinga Park, Ginette Snow, Michelle Terlato Photography, LL Foto, Roger Fitzhardinge, Krisztina Horvath – Hoefnet, Kerry Mack, FEI – Christophe Tanière/Leanjo de Koster, Split Seconds/Alamy Stock Photo, Tracey Jansen, ffire Photography, Maxine Brain, Brooke Major, Oz Shotz Photography, Rachel Walker Equine Photography, Therese Hübner & John Borys.
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