There’s something about horse breeders. They are a breed unto themselves, the professional matchmakers of equine high society devoted to producing the best sport horses to take us wherever destiny beckons.
The technology of breeding today is so sophisticated you would think there is no room left for chance, but intuition and experience still play crucial roles. Welcome to our September Breeding Feature, where we learn about exciting new imported stallions as well as the proven sires and mares at Salisbury Dressage, Ryans Horses and Mayfield Farm, and hear from leading AI specialists, International Horse Breeders.
While we will always ponder how to weigh a stallion’s influence against the mare’s, David Shoobridge – who by his own admission stays up far too late studying bloodlines – judiciously sums it up by saying, “You can’t have one without the other.”
After the horse, it’s the rider who makes the difference, and our cover story is about an Australian Olympian kicking goals in Europe. Recently relocating from Gestüt Bonhomme near Berlin to the Ritzinger Family’s yard in Bavaria, Simone Pearce has long paid her dues at the FEI/WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championship for Young Horses. This year on board the Westphalen gelding No Limit she broke through to nail silver in the five-year-old final, remarkably the first Australian medal at an international championship-level dressage event! As she puts her hand up for Paris 2024, she tells Adele Severs in an extensive interview she’s really liking her move to Bavaria: “It’s a little bit more similar to Australia.” Laid-back, as it were.
The Olympics are always Heath Ryan’s bag as he gives us the rundown on who’s knocking on the stable door for Paris. Beyond Paris, of course, is Brisbane 2032, and Adele brings us up to speed on Mary Nitschke – incidentally a protégé of the Ryans – as she dares to dream that far ahead.
A solid indicator of which world powers will dominate dressage at the Olympics are the FEI European Dressage Championships, says Roger Fitzhardinge, who runs his eye over the entrants for this huge competition about to get underway in Germany.
So, sniff the spring breeze with us this issue. From essential tips in Training from Kerry Mack to Suzy Jarratt’s popular Horses in the Movies series and veterinarian Dr Maxine Brain’s Health insights, there’s plenty of dismounted reading. And when you’re back in the barn topping up the feed bin, consider the advice from feeding expert Colin Price on what should be in that bag you’re tipping out. He speaks from experience.
Other great Australian stories include David Paradice’s journey from Scone to world polo power broker; Kaitlin Labahn-Meyland’s enduring partnership with champion show horse Rolex II; and Bridget Murphy’s firsthand account of how our Para Dressage riders stormed Hartpury’s International Dressage Festival. And late news flash: Jodie McKeone has just nailed a medal at the FEI Para Driving World Championship for Singles, another Aussie first!
Heads and saddle up, folks, there’s so much equestrian news waiting for you!
Love, Sunday
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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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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Sunday McKay
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