Have horse, will travel? Years ago, William Matthew took an equine gap year as a teenager and left Perth for the dressage scene in Europe. He is now training with none other than Isabell Werth in Germany – and possibly brushing up on his French in anticipation of a visit to Paris next year. At age 20, Queenslander Hope Beerling wanted a taste of dressage in the United States and took a job with Catherine Haddad Staller in New Jersey; she is now making a great impression with a young grey mare by Vitalis. At 29, Hayley Frielick booked a one-way ticket to the US, and is now kicking goals in eventing on an ex-Queensland racehorse in horse heartland, Kentucky!
Adele Severs talks to these three enterprising expats to find out what motivated them to step out of their comfort zones, and their aims and ambitions. Yes, you can rise through the ranks in Australia, but if you want to work hard and mix it with the best overseas, take the plunge, they say!
And as Heath Ryan observes, overseas is also where the action is just now. It’s do-or-die for our eventers in Ireland, Maree Tomkinson pulls off a coup in Germany, and our Virtus Global Games team is in France, thanks to the support of our equestrian community. Bravo! Heath also runs his discerning eye over our new national selectors.
Of course, you don’t have to leave the country to prove your mettle. Adele checks in on Rohan Luxmoore and his latest project, six-year-old LH Valentino, with whom he hopes to bring up through the eventing grades as he did with his five-star horse Bells N Whistles. And we meet Molly Lines who has won her first start at four-star eventing with an OTT she has partnered with since she was 13.
In Training, Dr Kerry Mack examines common issues we all experience and reminds us to “think about simple things first” instead of blaming the horse. Great advice for all of us across all disciplines. In Health, our other inhouse doctor, veterinarian Maxine Brain, enlightens us on the various causes of choking in horses and the appropriate treatments.
One sport that you can’t learn overseas is campdrafting. Far removed from the classic Olympic disciplines, it still showcases uniquely Australian skills – and it now shares the same platform, the illustrious grounds of Willinga Park. Roger Fitzhardinge was there for the sport’s richest campdraft, and talks to the legendary Pete Comiskey after his extraordinary performance.
Speaking of Roger, the veteran photojournalist, commentator, judge, competitor, physio (you name it!) retired from riding when his enthusiasm to be in the saddle waned. Roger says he turned to “sailing, swimming, enjoying great food and drinking champagne, and it was… like heaven”. Then a stranger walked into his life! I’m sure you will enjoy meeting Roger’s new friend as much as he is!
Also in our Lifestyle section, Suzy Jarratt amuses us as usual in her Horses in the Movies series, this time on Ladyhawke, a fantasy film that not only put Rutger Hauer and his riding skills on the map, but revived interest in the elegant Friesian horse. One Dutch Friesian breeder was so grateful to Rutger for promoting the breed that he presented him with one!
From one fantasy to another, our Property feature showcases the dreamy five-star equine resort of Al Shaqab in Doha, Qatar. Dawn Gibson-Fawcett recommends it as the ideal stopover for horse lovers and takes us on a tour. Set on almost 100 hectares, this horseshoe-shaped paradise features facilities, stables and horses that have to be seen to be believed. “It’s a hard job, but some horses have to do it,” notes Dawn as she meets some pampered Arabians munching on premium hay flown in from Kentucky.
Happy riding and enjoy this winter reading,
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.
Published by
EQ Life Pty Ltd
ABN: 99142004064
ISSN: 1839-034X
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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:
Digitshots, LL Foto, Jo Thieme Photography, Roger Fitzhardinge, Stephen Mowbray, TRT Method, Jon Stroud/FEI, Michelle Terlato, Shannon Brinkman/FEI, Susan Stickle, Mid-Atlantic Dressage Festival, Boots and Hooves Photography, Tazzie Eggins, Equisoul Photography, Julie Wilson, Andrea Dunn, Mohamed Tinakicht/CHI Al Shaqab, Frank Sorge/CHI Al Shaqab, Stefano Grasso/CHI Al Shaqab, Jay Town/Racing Photos and Dr Maxine Brain.
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