As we well know in the equestrian world, you never get anywhere standing still. Here at Equestrian Life we have entered an exciting new era in our endeavour to bring you the best in equestrian journalism, news and information from around the country and around the world.
With the retirement of my father, Robert McKay, after 13 years at the helm of EQ Life, we have joined forces with the dynamic Australian-owned Propel Group Pty Ltd. It is a perfect fit for all involved, and we are proud to be part of the stable. Our team remains the same, as does our promise to bring you Australia’s leading coverage of all the equestrian disciplines and all things related to owning a horse. The only change you might see is that our team will clearly be better dressed and outfitted for working with horses!
Of course, Heath Ryan is a stalwart contributor to our team, and his column continues to pull no punches. This issue, we also see another side to Heath as he spearheads fundraising for our team picked for the Virtus Global Games in France. Get on board!
Our cover story features Olympian Shane Rose, who was thrilled to be back competing at Adelaide, and even more thrilled to bring home the Adelaide International CCI5L* on long-time partner, Virgil. Shane has a number of quality horses that might get him to Paris, but having Virgil in his “back pocket” is pretty satisfying!
We also catch up with two other eventers making headway on either side of the country. West Australian teenager Ellie Gough has just won her first CCI3*S class with her Warmblood cross, Don J’Amee, while Victorian OTT enthusiast Sophia Hill and 11-year-old Thoroughbred Humble Glory finished third in their five-star debut at Adelaide.
Coming from a family representing seven generations on the land, quiet achiever Megan Bryant’s innate work ethic is paying off. Roger Fitzhardinge follows her journey from Cowra to recently winning the five-year-old championship at DJWTS on her homebred black gelding, Dankesohn MBE.
Just home from her international adventure is German-based Aussie Simone Pearce. Over the moon at her surprise invitation to the FEI World Cup Final in Omaha, Simone tells Adele Severs how proud she was of stallion Fiderdance and what they’ve achieved together in less than a year.
Para dressage riders kicked off their campaign for the Paris Paralympics with a show of force at the Leader Equine Dressage Spectacular at Boneo Park, where Bridget Murphy was on the ground for us and reports on the stand-out performances.
In show jumping, Edwina tops-Alexander is no stranger to the Olympics. Dawn Gibson-Fawcett checks in on her at the fabulous Longines Arena in Doha, Qatar, where Edwina confides that she would love to go to her fifth Olympics and has “two very good horses” that could be in contention.
Helen Chugg and Amanda Madigan also know a thing or two about producing great show jumpers. Roger Fitzhardinge reports on their latest star, Diamond B Vivienne, who was judged Champion Jumping Horse at the Sydney Royal. They say, “tell a gelding, ask a mare and discuss it with a stallion”, says Roger, and Viv was definitely one that needed asking!
In our other regular sections, Dr Kerry Mack shares her insights on how to improve your self-management at competitions; veterinarian Dr Maxine Brain explains the challenges of treating a common cause of hindleg lameness; and Suzy Jarratt delves into the hits and misses of the movie flop, All the Pretty Horses.
And in a special heads-up feature for winter, we bring you the lowdown on rugging – the range, the materials, the layers, and all the factors that determine what’s right for your horse. For those of us south of the tropics, it is essential reading!
Enjoy!
Sunday McKay
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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DAWN-GIBSON FAWCETTStarting out as a newspaper reporter in Australia, Dawn went on to found Dawn Creative Media which now has clients in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.
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BRIDGET MURPHYBecoming involved in Para Dressage in 2018, Bridget and her equine partners have achieved much success in a short space of time. A keen competitor, her long-term goal is to represent Australia on the international stage.
Published by
EQ Life Pty Ltd
ABN: 99142004064
ISSN: 1839-034X
Postal address: 53 Cremorne St
Cremorne VIC 3121, Australia
Phone: +61 492 887 961
Email: info@eqlife.com.au
Web: www.equestrianlife.com.au
Publisher
Sunday McKay
Manager Content Creation
Adele Severs
Associate Editor
David Trounce
Enquiries
info@eqlife.com.au, +61 492 887 961
Photography credits:
Michelle Terlato Photography, Roger Fitzhardinge, Stephen Mowbray, Katherine Jamison, Cornege Photography, Dirk Caremans/Hippo Foto, Christophe Taniére/FEI, Swingle Tree Photography, Gallant Media, One Eyed Frog Photography, Amy-Sue Alston, Leanjo de Koster/FEI, Shannon Brinkman/FEI, Lena Saugen Photography, Stefano Grasso/CHI Al Shaqab, Waylib Photos and Massimo Argenziano/FEI.
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.
© 2023 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.
