While we find ourselves entering the lunar year of the rabbit, every year is the year of the horse for equestrians. As Heath Ryan reminds us, this is a great year to have a crack at getting into the final Olympic selection trials early next year. And if you want to put your hand up for the big time, you have to get out of bed early. Every day.
Heath did just that recently, heading off at 2am on a five-hour drive to Bong Bong racecourse for the annual Bowral Dressage Club competition. Heath is not complaining about the drive, he is well aware competitors all over the country travel much further to chance their luck. He just points out in this month’s column what a high level of dedication is required to be a serious dressage competitor. And yes, the competition at Bong Bong was “very interesting”, he says, with several contenders showing possible Olympic potential. See who he thinks might be in the running.
Another grassroots competition that has produced many an Olympian in the past is the Avenel Horse Trials. Adele Severs brings us up to speed on the eventers who stood out at the country Victorian classic that returned in a big way this year after a two-year layoff. These grassroots meetings are the backbone of our sports and offer that important level of competition for green riders and horses as well as the more accomplished.
For further insight as to who’s new on the horizon, we analyse the Victorian Youth Dressage Championships. Adele has an in-depth interview with Maddison Growcott, who epitomises Heath Ryan’s work ethic: her team of two horses and two ponies competed in no less than 17 tests with great success. Dana Krause gives a rundown of who else made an impression in the U-25 Grand Prix and why everyone loves the atmosphere at Boneo Park. Sticking with the youngsters, Adele also previews Dressage & Jumping With The Stars, the must-attend annual showcase for the young horse classes.
Roger Fitzhardinge gives us a heads up on the changes to the Novice dressage tests this year – out with the old and in with the new, he says.
We have a huge Training section this issue, kicking off Stefan Wolff’s first clinic here in two years, and Roger gives us his ringside observations of what we can learn from the master of the German training system. Expat Tristan Tucker is happy to tell Adele all about the astonishing success of his TRT Method, while also sharing his insights on how to deal with paddock anxiety in our horses. Kerry Mack unpacks what the walk is all about – and recounts the remarkable story behind its origins in training. And in a fascinating new series, Mim Coleman draws on her riding and corporate backgrounds to strike a new vocation. “Like the deftness and energy of the tango, two elements of my life met on the dance floor and together they ignited something fabulous,” she says. Be inspired by her new philosophy of ‘Courage, Compete, Courage, Repeat’!
In Health, Dr Maxine Brain discusses cardiac murmurs – and don’t stress, they are not all bad. In Lifestyle, there’s plenty to enjoy once you take your boots off. Californian TV comedian Kaley Cuoco tells Bernard Bale how she is seriously into showjumping, while Suzy Jarratt takes us along for the ride on the making of the (mostly) true story of The Horse With The Flying Tail!
Ride on!
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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DANA KRAUSEAn EA judge and FEI-level young rider, Dana Krause is currently undertaking an Arts/Science double degree at Monash University. When she’s not studying, she spends every moment she can with her beloved Prix St Georges level dressage horse, Taittinger.
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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!
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MIRIAM COLEMANDressage enthusiast, blogger and keen photographer, Mim Coleman provides an insightful and witty commentary on Tasmania’s close-knit equestrian scene.
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Photography credits:
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