If we need reminding that the Paris Olympics and Paralympics are getting closer, consider this – we are getting to the midway point of the qualifying periods for the Australian team. The window is getting smaller!
The contenders have a fair idea who they are, but if they don’t, they only need to check in on Heath Ryan’s evolving top 10 shortlists! While the list is unofficial, Heath’s sharp eye and personal Olympic experience put him in good stead to share his observations. His lists for eventing and dressage are already attracting much discussion and correspondence, and he is inviting more! If you think he is not reading the market correctly, drop him a line – but be prepared to back up your case. As Heath says, Australia is littered with riders who have thrown their lives at riding for Australia and then been brutally burnt at the final cut.
All eyes are now on the next Olympic and Paralympic selection qualifier, the Australian Dressage Championships at Boneo Park. Nine of Heath’s top 10 dressage contenders will be there, plus those who were bumped from the list after Brisbane CDI. They will be pushing to get back in, along with some outsiders that Heath believes are capable of challenging. This added selection pressure makes for a high stakes atmosphere at Boneo Park, and Roger Fitzhardinge also offers us a preview, with a particularly close eye on the horses.
Our cover story this issue features Jamie Winning-Kermond who has nailed two of Australian show jumping’s biggest comps, the GDP Classic Grand Prix and the Willinga Park Grand Prix, both on her mare Tulara Stolensky. “I seem to have good success with Tulara horses,” she tells Adele, as she also elaborates on the teamwork behind their success and the overall supportive spirit of the jumping community.
That sense of equestrian community can be an embracing experience anywhere in the world, as young West Australian rider Emily Reudavey discovered when she headed overseas to chase her dreams. She found her true vocation as a groom for Simone Pearce, and has become an indispensable member of her stable in Germany. Emily opens up to Katrina Lodge not only about her friendship with Simone – and whether she prefers Millennium or Destano – but also the huge responsibilities and logistics her work entails.
Back home, we learn from pony enthusiast Toni Webb that the dressage world is starting to wake up to the Welsh Cob. Toni has had plenty of success with her two Welsh Cobs, both of whom are scoring in the high 60s and mid-70s. Her enthusiasm is catching, and she has high hopes for the Cobs as well as crosses with Warmbloods that she is breeding.
With foaling well under way, our resident vet Dr Maxine Brain discusses one of the most prevalent pregnancy issues, endometritis, and how it can be managed. And our Training section this issue is chockers, with Roger Fitzhardinge taking us through the simple change, Kerry Mack unpacking the short side and Rohan Luxmoore sharing his insights with Adele on how to introduce young eventers to water jumps.
After training, there’s plenty of reading for your entertainment. Movie aficionado Suzy Jarratt looks at the rustic Icelandic award-winner, Of Horses and Men; David and Victoria Beckham tell Bernard Bale how much they and their children love riding around the world; and Phoebe Oliver has a fascinating interview with an adventurous English rider who has built a unique riding and cultural experience in Egypt from scratch.
Issue 94 marks my last edition as Publisher of Equestrian Life. Over the last 12 years I have loved creating and building Equestrian Life. The greatest joy has been interacting with all of you, our readers, and being the first to bring live streaming to equestrian sports in this country. It’s been a real privilege. Thank you to all of you for what you have done to help grow Equestrian Life in Australia. Happy and safe riding!
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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PHOEBE OLIVERHaving had horses all her life and ridden in nearly every country she has visited, Phoebe has recently combined her love and travel and horses with her background in PR to launch a new business, The Equine Collective.
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BERNARD BALEA British-based equine enthusiast, Bernard is a long-time journalist, author and broadcaster. On a personal note, he has also ridden in circus and arena shows on horses trained by his wife!
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KATRINA LODGEAs a freelance journalist, Katrina is inspired by travel and also owns and manages a boutique warmblood stud. If you can’t find her in a horse paddock, you will find her at the beach!
Published by
EQ Life Pty Ltd
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ISSN: 1839-034X
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Phone: +61 492 887 961
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Publisher
Sunday McKay
Manager Content Creation
Adele Severs
Associate Editor
David Trounce
Enquiries
info@eqlife.com.au, +61 492 887 961
Disclaimer:
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