It’s finally on. After so many twists and turns, ambushes and crashes, heroics and heartbreak, the Australian Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian Teams are locked in and ready to roll at Paris 2024.
Our EQ Life team is in full Games mode this issue: Heath Ryan – whose running Dressage and Eventing leaderboards proved so popular – brings you his verdict on the selections and their prospects, and we also catch up with Eventing team member Chris Burton. Remarkably, Chris was also short-listed for the Jumping team. The Olympic equestrian competition runs from 27 July to 6 August at Versailles, where the Para Dressage riders will also compete from 3-7 September. Speaking of which, Grade I Para Dressage rider and history buff Stella Barton reveals in her interview with Roger Fitzhardinge that she has long dreamed of riding on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles, considered the most illustrious riding venue in the world.
Adele Severs interviews two other top Eventers – Queenslander Andrew Cooper and West Australian Kenya Wilson, with the latter sharing what she learned on a competitive adventure in Europe. Andrew Cooper, meanwhile, if he isn’t busy enough running two horse properties with wife Madeline in Queensland, took time out to win the CCI4*L class at Melbourne International 3DE on Pepper Jack and also have his other horse, Sharvalley Thunder, short-listed for the Games.
Still on the Olympics, Amanda Ross gives us a rundown of how one prepares for being called up, from having yourself and your horses ready to how to travel with them and, crucially, how to keep them well fed. And for those who were overlooked for selection, Kerry Mack draws on her psychology training to make sure you have a soft landing – there is no such thing as failure if you gave your best!
Olympics aside, stable life goes on. Sandi Palmer proves a Paint gelding can mix it with the best by winning the CCN1* at Camden, while Dan Steers continues his Training series on The four Pillars of Horsemanship with the secret to balance. In Health, Dr Maxine Brain explains the difference between two commonly confused winter ailments; while in Lifestyle we find an insurer that really understands horse owners, and film buff Suzy Jarratt takes us inside the Australian colonial setting for The Artful Dodger.
Good luck to our Olympic and Paralympic teams – and good luck to us all keeping up with the all the late-night marathon viewing!
The EQ Life Team
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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DAN STEERSOne half of the Double Dan Horsemanship equation, Dan built on his skills as a farrier from the ground up to become a world-renowned entertainer and practitioner of true horsemanship.
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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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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.
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