From The Horse’s Mouth

PUBLISHER’S LETTER

With Fiona Todd

And that’s a wrap!

Delivering Dreams 2020 has come to a close and we have not just one, but two very worthy scholarship recipients. In this issue we introduce you to our awardees and our nine amazing finalists. The HorseVibes Delivering Dreams Scholarship is designed to help riders who are committed to constantly refining and improving their equestrian skills, who have a heart to give back to their community, and who are prepared to do what it takes to achieve their goals. Read their stories, be inspired, and take the opportunity to put your nomination forward in Round 1 of the 2021 Delivering Dreams Scholarship.

On the subject of scholarships, Geoff McLean reports on this year’s Remi Scholarship and it’s very worthy recipient. Our collective hats are off to the amazing Cheryl O’Brien for putting this together every year and enriching the life of one lucky rider. Cheryl is one of those people whom I greatly admire.

Well, this issue is the last for 2020, and how fitting that after what has been a horrible year for our readers, our equestrian business friends, and the wider community, it’s the biggest and brightest issue we have ever put together!

We turn the spotlight on Olivia Hamood, one of my favourite show jumpers. She’s someone who has worked hard to establish her family’s brand and to produce horses of exceptional talent who consistently perform at their peak.

Charlie Brister has plenty of great lunging advice in the second of his three part series, as well as putting 20 carefully considered questions to Wallaby Hill’s Alex Townsend.

Editor Amanda Mac talks to Alex and Leigh Crabb from Burilda Park about their popular mindfulness training program. And heads up, we have a subscription to their online program to give away to one of our lucky Equestrian Hub platinum members!

Larissa Bilston gives us the low down on feeding the older horse in our regular nutrition feature, and learn how Victoria Ferguson helped badly injured ex-racehorse Aussie Bob to come back from the brink and enjoy a new lease on life.

Regular columnist Christine Armishaw has a few things to say about whips and spurs, and also talks Training Tips with endurance rider Rebecca Radny. Bec is the consummate professional in all things endurance! to check out Equathon. Owned and operated by Alex and Rebecca Watson (you may remember Alex as an Olympic pentathlete), Equathon is a fabulous riding holiday destination tucked away on Queensland’s glorious Sunshine Coast.

And in her Life After Racing column another of our regular contributors, Jo McKinnon, chats to Rebecca Farrow about her stunning OTT horse Stage Presence, aka Percy, and his successful transition to the show ring.

November being the month of the Melbourne Cup and all things Spring Carnival, it seems fitting that the amazing Winx and Hugh Bowman are N. G. Quinlan’s Perfect Partners. We also feature the majestic Thoroughbred as this month’s breed article.

Have you ever considered what goes into making a bespoke saddle? Master saddler Ian Lancaster mounts his Tackbox to talk about his craft, while Victorian Young Rider Phoebe Roche shares the story behind her success.

But there’s so much more to enjoy! Don’t miss the Saddle Review, Culture Corner, and, gracing our pages for the last time, The Horse Listener. We hope that they enjoy their new stable. Plus, if you’re a bit stuck when it comes to choosing the perfect gift for your equestrian buddy, the Equestrian Hub team are more than happy to share what’s on their Christmas wish lists this year.

And finally, to all our wonderful readers, advertisers, and contributors, thank you for the part you’ve played in helping make HorseVibes the great publication it is today. I’d like to wish every one of you a fantastic Christmas and New Year (well, it has to be better than 2020, right?). So, as usual, pour your favourite tipple, relax and enjoy, and we’ll see you all on the other side.