What exactly is it about Carl Hester that makes him such a natural horseman? He had the whole audience hanging on his every word at his Saddleworld Masterclass at QSEC, where he proved as elegant on his feet as he is in the saddle. He charmed the packed house and relaxed his nervous students by telling a self-deprecating anecdote. A class act by a class rider. His down-to-earth manner made him immediately accessible to all who were in thrall. Roger Fitzhardinge was there and captures the atmosphere – and the lessons – imparted by this British superstar perfectly in his report in this month’s magazine.
Roger also had the luxury of attending a dressage masterclass by the American Olympian Sabine Schut-Kery at EQUITANA Melbourne. He tells us that Sabine’s endearing attitude to take each horse for what they have to offer shone through and also left the audience in awe.
The return of EQUITANA to Melbourne features heavily in this issue. Adele Severs introduces us to two of the standout stars of this four-day extravaganza, both of whom were following in the footsteps of their heroes. Izabella Stone took out the Jumping Grand Prix on her grey gelding, Oaks Ventriloquist, their first GP victory. It was made all the sweeter by finishing ahead of her coach and mentor, Tom McDermott – who only a week before had pipped her at the Australian Jumping Championships!
Skye Liikanen also got to emulate her idols at EQUITANA. The young Queenslander tells Adele that she has a photo of her meeting Dan Steers and Dan James at EQUITANA in 2011 – and here she is in 2022 taking out The Way Of The Horse, drawing on skills inspired by the Double Dans. What Skye achieved with an untrained three-year-old in just an hour a day over four days is a fascinating skill behind a fascinating event.
Elsewhere in this issue, regular contributor Kerry Mack catches up with a good friend of hers from her Pony Club days – Scott Keach, who is now based in Florida. Kerry gets the dual Australian Olympian to share his thoughts on how to make it the top in equestrian sports, and how to stay there. There’s a bit of luck involved, says Scott, but that’s not all.
Speaking of Olympians, Heath Ryan gives a heads up to young riders to plan for the Brisbane 2032 Games. That’s 10 years – plenty of time – to get yourself and a young horse up to Olympic level, says Heath, so long as you start now.
With the spring racing season now behind us, it’s a good time to appreciate how well Thoroughbreds can be retrained and how far racing bodies have advanced in rehoming them. Eventer Murray Lamperd has long had successes with ex-racehorses, yet he didn’t want to put his hand up to become a Racing Victoria Acknowledged Retrainer until he was convinced it was fair dinkum quality-driven. “From what I’ve seen it absolutely is,” he tells us as he relates his own wonderful successes with OTTs and his plans for current Off The Track Eventer of the Year, Secret Mojo.
For those planning their next holiday, Phoebe Oliver chats to solo traveller Kim Bassett about her favourite travel destination, Vista Verde – a Colorado ranch that’s 40km from the nearest traffic lights and the perfect place to escape the rat race.
It all makes for great festive season reading, along with Dr Maxine Brain’s latest advice on foals, Suzy Jarratt’s insights into the making of Dances With Wolves starring Kevin Costner, and Bernard Bale’s interview with Tom Cruise. There you go, ladies! Two hunks who can really ride, all in the one issue.
A happy Christmas from all of us at EQL!
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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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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PHOEBE OLIVERHaving had horses all her life and ridden in nearly every country she has visited, Phoebe has recently combined her love and travel and horses with her background in PR to launch a new business — The Equine Collective.
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BERNARD BALEA British based equine enthusiast, Bernard is a long-time journalist, author and broadcaster. On a personal note, he has also ridden in circus and arena shows on horses trained by his wife!
Published by
EQ Life Pty Ltd
ABN 99142004064
ISSN 1839-034X
Postal address PO Box 1376
Hawksburn VIC 3142, Australia
Phone +61 492 887 961
Email info@eqlife.com.au
Web www.equestrianlife.com.au
Chairman
Robert McKay
Publisher
Sunday Batters
General Manager Content
Adele Severs
Associate Editor
David Trounce
Account Executive
Kerith Laurie-Rhodes
Subscription Enquiries
info@eqlife.com.au, +61 492 887 961
Photography credits:
Mane Memories Photography, Jenelle Christopher, EQUITANA/Stephen Mowbray Photography, One Eyed Frog Photography, Roger Fitzhardinge, FEI – Shannon Brinkman/Liz Gregg/Leanjo de Koster/Arnd Bronkhorst, Michelle Terlato Photography, Izabella Stone, Racing Photos, Eric Knoll, Astrid Chevallier, Alaina Alderman, BMG Photography, Amanda Young, Vista Verde, Moviestore Collection Ltd/Alamy Stock Photo and Paramount Network.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of EQ Life. To the extent permitted by law, EQ Life disclaims any liability whatsoever in relation to any advice, representation, statement, opinion or other matter expressed in this magazine. EQ Life does not accept responsibility for errors in advertisements, articles, unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Riding, training or otherwise working with horses and other animals can be dangerous and may result in harm or injury. Readers of this magazine should not engage in such activities unless they do so safely.
© 2022 EQ Life Pty Ltd. Copyright subsists in this magazine. Except as permitted by law, this magazine may not, in whole or in part, be reproduced, published, adapted, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or in any form, without the prior written consent of EQ Life. All rights reserved.
