Our equestrian community can be a small world sometimes. With a big heart. And with riders determined to represent their country. As a result, we now have a new bunch of gold medallists and national heroes. Back in the 1990s, there were four likely lads working and training with Heath and Rozzie Ryan. There was Kevin McNab, Boyd Martin and Matt Ryan – and a friend of the family, Andrew Driffield. Heath recalls that they were all “wild and tough” and Andrew was “very much part of the gang”. And over the years, as Kevin, Boyd and Matt went on to compete at major championships, Andrew vowed that he too would one day do the same.
Andrew lobbied for 23 years for equestrian sports to be included in the four-yearly Virtus Global Games for the intellectually impaired, and for the first time this year live competitions were finally scheduled. Not only had Andrew’s wish come true, but then his dream came true and he was selected, along with Sarah Sherwood and Sui Watts.
How they equestrian community got behind them and stumped up the money, how the team prepared for France, how they jumped on borrowed horses and blew away the other countries is an unmatched national achievement. Our Virtus Games heroes came away with team gold, two individual golds and individual silver. You can be sure the tears were flowing on the podium in Vichy. “You’ve got to play the game,” Andrew tells Adele Severs in our Special Feature she has assembled to record this moment for posterity. “You’ve got to be a team person.” What a team, indeed! Congratulations to Andrew, Sarah and Sui and to all involved.
And congrats to Boyd Exell. Our four-in-hand master has made CHIO Aachen his own by winning there for an amazing 11th time. He and fellow Aussie Tor Van Den Berge also made their mark elevating our Nations Cup ranking to fourth. Katrina Lodge brings us a taste of the atmosphere at Aachen and a running commentary on the dressage highlights in her on-the-spot report.
Behind every successful rider there is always a good coach, Heath Ryan notes in his column this month as he has a chuckle over a yarn told to him by Craig Barrett and muses on what he believes should underpin coaching.
In other competition news, Katrina Lodge brings us the latest from the wonderful event that is CHIO Aachen. At the other end of the scale, we catch up with where it all begins for many riders, the annual Victorian Equestrian Interschools Series (VEIS). And in eventing, Olivia Barton looks forward to the year ahead with her mare Hollyander HG, the newly crowned Melbourne International 3DE CCI4*L Champion.
Up at Tamworth at the celebrated NCHA 4CYTE Open Futurity, when the going gets tough, ‘Tuff’ gets going! Amanda Young brings us the story of how long-time cutting horse owners and breeders Tracey and Jason McClurg finally claimed the cherished prize with Yulgilbar Magic Stevie – aka ‘Tuff’ – despite a gap year in his preparation.
Now for some bonus reading for our senior readers and riders – and anyone else who also hopes to mature gracefully in the saddle. Ros Quist, who at 81 is still an active horsewoman and national dressage judge, tells Roger Fitzhardinge she only gets up of a morning because she “can’t wait to get to the stables”. And Susanna Rodell, who is enjoying discovering the thrill of eventing in her 70s, invites EA to match USEA’s novel Century Award to recognise longevity in the saddle. Designed just for “fools like her” she says in her inspiring account.
In Training, Dr Kerry Mack encourages us to get “in the zone” to maximise results at competition, while in Health, Dr Maxine Brain explains in the ins and outs of splint bone fractures. Our Breeding section features Glenhill Sporthorses, where Christan Trainor has taken an unexpected fancy to German Riding Ponies. And, as usual, Suzy Jarratt comes to the rescue for when you want to give your brain a break from the serious stuff and just read about horses in the movies. Her take on Colin Farrell’s latest hit, The Banshees of Inisherin, zooms in on the donkey that steals the show!
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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AMANDA YOUNGHaving previously competed to FEI level in eventing, Amanda Young is now involved in both English and Western disciplines as a competitor, breeder and journalist.
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SUSANNA RODELLSusanna Rodell is a lifelong journalist and horsewoman who has recently returned to Australia from the USA. She has written about equestrian sports for publications such as The New York Times, US Eventing, Practical Horseman and the website Eventing Nation.
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KATRINA LODGEAs a freelance journalist, Katrina is inspired by travel and the stories that can be found when you venture to new places. She also owns and manages a boutique warmblood stud, focussing on breeding a small number of top quality foals each year. If you can’t find her in a horse paddock, you will find her at the beach!
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Publisher
Sunday McKay
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Adele Severs
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David Trounce
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Photography credits:
Boots & Hooves Photography, Michelle Terlato Photography, One Eyed Frog Photography, Roger Fitzhardinge, Andrea Dunn Photography, James Abernethy, Liz Speed Photography, Tina Fitch Photography, Simon Scully, Tracey Jansen, Christan Trainor, Amy-Sue Alston, Sutherland Stables, Pip Crawford, Virtus Global Games, Maxine Brain, Rossi Boots, Karen Smith, Franziska Sack/Michael Strauch – CHIO Aachen, and Stefan Lafrentz/ Libby Law Photography/Leanjo de Koster – FEI.
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