Hubvibes July Issue

FREE

NEWS & VIEWS FROM THE SADDLE HUB

1ST IS

SUE

DEALS

JULY 2016

SEE FOR INSIDE DET AILS

From the Editor Saddle Skills Nutrition and Health Young Rider of the Month Industry News Saddle of the Month

Katie Umback Riding to RIO Page 4

2 FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

4 RIDING TO RIO

7 SADDLE SKILLS WORKSHOP

9 EMMETT MUSCLE RELEASE THERAPY

11 TRAVELLING IN STYLE YOUNG RIDER OF THE MONTH

13 SADDLE FIT CHECKLIST

14 NEW SAFETY CODE

15 NUTRITIONAL ADVICE

16 YOUNG RIDER OF THE MONTH

NEWS & VIEWS FROM THE SADDLE HUB Editorial & Advertising Enquiries: Penny Newbold: 0402 095 863 The Saddle Hub Sales Enquiries: Fiona Todd: 0414 760 067 Graphic Design: Joanna Reid: 0408 773 851 Published by The Saddle Hub PO Box 13 • Tintenbar NSW 2478 Phone: 0414 760 067 • Email: info@thesaddlehub.com.au www.thesaddlehub.com.au

PROUDLY SUPPORTERS

Great Saddle Bargains at

HUB DEALS

For more saddle information, select a saddle and click.

$1,500

$1,595

$1,400

Windsor Royal 17.5”

$1,500

Bates Innova 17.5”

$1,700

$1,300

$750

$650 Vicky Ward Classique Turnout 16.5”

Kent & Masters S Series Jump 17”

Crosby Jump 17”

$1,900 $1,700

$1,250

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

$1,500

2

Ambassador Dressage 15.5”

Bentley Show 15”

www.thesaddlehub.com.au

Lemetex 17.5”

Welcome to The Saddle Hub’s first issue of HubVibes!

We are very excited to be able to bring this new publication to the equestrian world.

Why an E-Zine I hear you ask!

Whilst we freely admit The Saddle Hub was created to pay a rather large vet bill, our motto was, and still is, “you can have anything you want if you just help enough people get what they want”. Well the vet bill has been dealt with, the mare is doing fine and is getting ready to embark on her showjumping career. Still, The Saddle Hub’s goal remains to give to and to help others.

With that in mind, in June we donated money raised through saddles sold to the Riding for the Disabled Association, we are actively sponsoring and supporting many various equestrian clubs and we are also assisting the Queensland Young Riders on a journey to Europe. Reading the applications we have received for our Featured Young Rider of the Month has been a real joy.

Check out HubVibes July’s Young Rider on page 16.

Another of our new projects is the Hub Services Directory. The Saddle Hub website is very fortunate to have many, many visitors to our website each month. June saw us nearly reach 40,000 hits and it continues to grow! With this traffic in mind, you will see the launch of the Hub Services Directory onto our website. This is aimed to gain an audience for the many equestrian businesses that exist out there. The positive feedback we have been receiving from our followers has shown us there is an overwhelming need for a central directory for equestrian services. Go to page 7 for more info if you would like to take part.

Finally, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to have a read! We look forward to growing the magazine and bringing you more of what you want to see. Think something is missing? Want to contribute?

Email us at info@thesaddlehub.com.au.

Enjoy and happy riding!

Fiona and Penny - The Saddle Hub Team

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

One of the things we get asked about regularly is saddle fitting. We are not fitters here at The Saddle Hub, we simply rehome preloved saddles. One of our major goals for the next 12 months is to roll out Saddle Fitting Clinics across Australia. The aim of these clinics is not to turn you all into saddle fitters, but it is to help you assess your own saddle, the fit on your horse and what to look for and to know

when you need to think about changing your saddle or calling in a qualified fitter. Our first one is kicking off on 27 August at the RDA Centre, Ballina NSW. Have a look on page 7 for more details and keep your eye out for updates on a clinic coming to your area.

3

With Olympic fever nearly upon us, there has been much debate about who will be marching for the Australian equestrian teams in the opening ceremony in Rio on August 5th in just a month’s time.

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

The team that doesn’t quite receive the same profile as those teams marching on that day, but that arguably carries with it a level of inspiration and dedication equal to (and then some!) their able bodied counterparts, are the Paralympic Equestrians.

4

Riding to

RIO

Not that this lower profile in any way phases 43 year old para-equestrian, Katie Umback, who suffers from an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis.

Previously an eventer and dressage rider, in 2005 Katie was told she would never ride again and would be totally disabled within ten years. For seven years she was out of the saddle completely, until a new autoimmune medication alleviated her symptoms enough to start riding again.

A & H Photography

Since then, Katie has defied the odds and exceeded all medical expectations having now been named on the Australian Paralympic Equestrian Team with her “one in a million” partner, the 12 year old Danish Warmblood gelding, Gronskovlunds Marquis (aka “Spunky”). Katie will be competing alongside fellow teammates Sharon Jarvis, Emma Booth and Lisa Martin in Rio in September.

Of course without the right four legged equine partner, Katie knows she wouldn’t be where she is today and (unsurprisingly!) she has nothing but total love and gratitude for the charismatic “Spunky”. “We have a great connection, friendship, bond and understanding Credit Julie Wilson

On making the team, Katie says the feeling is a surreal, emotional mix of excitement and relief “I have dedicated my life and worked my butt off with countless hours of training and competition to get this far and (I’m feeling) a huge sense of all that work paying off. It still hasn’t sunk in!”

of each other and I could trust him with my life. He adjusted very quickly to the way I ride and is extremely patient with me, never taking advantage of my weaknesses. I ride very differently to an able bodied rider because I have 70% of my body in numbness and partial numbness and a significant loss of strength in my limbs.”

Due to this loss of feeling, Katie struggles with consistency in her aids and, as a result, she has learned to ride predominantly to sound, the foot fall and timing. “The way I ride can be very confusing to a horse but Spunky never Continued on page 19

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

It hasn’t been an easy ride though. Even after the new medication had taken enough effect to enable Katie to get back in the saddle, she then had to reteach her body how to ride in a way to compensate for the damage and disability the Credit MS had left her with. This Moostar Photography was and continues to be a very frustrating process, which Katie says is a daily challenge, dealing with muscle spasms, cramping and pain in addition to her training and competition schedule. “When it comes to riding a horse, the loss of feeling and strength I have in my body makes it extremely difficult and frustrating at times but I don’t let it stop it me, I just keep finding ways to improvise. Also the daily chronic fatigue is challenging because I only ever have a very small amount of energy to use on a daily basis. I have to choose very wisely each day in how I’m going to spend that energy because once it’s gone, it’s gone.”

5

6

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

How well does your

Saddle Skills Workshop

know enough to spot

THIS WORKSHOP WILL:

saddle fit? Do you where it might be

causing your horse

• Show you how to recognise signs of problems in your horse, even before you check the saddle.

fort or even pain? This

• Provide you with a basic understanding of the saddle’s construction and what might be wrong with it, before it goes onto the horse.

workshop is designed

• Help you to check your own saddle off the horse you can bring it along to the workshop.

to be an easy way to learn the essentials.

• Show you how to recognise whether a saddle fits a horse by going through a simple checklist.

There’s no heavy tech-

• Get you practicing saddle fit checks on horses hands-on really is the most effective way to learn!

anatomy lessons and

• Show you the principles of how the saddle should sit on the horse.

all the named parts

• Guide you in identifying some of the more common problems involving saddle fit on horses.

straightforward

• Offer suggestions about rehabilitating your horse’s back after it has experienced saddle fit pain.

enjoyable learning!

Present by Jane Clothier, of The Balanced Horse.

Contact The Saddle Hub for more information.

restriction, discom-

enjoyable, informative

nical talk, no lengthy

no having to memorise of the saddle - just information and

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

7

Dressage Saddles

$6,250

Devoucoux Loreak 17”

Mal Byrne Atelier Excel 17.5”

$2,000

$3,750 Stubben Maestoso DeLuxe 17”

$1,500

$1,300

$2,995

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

Defiance Force 17.5”

Equipe Emporio 16”

$2,800

Zaldi San Jorge 17.5”

$3,150

8

$3,200

$3,750

$5,250

Passier Optimum 17”

For more saddle information, select a saddle and click.

www.thesaddlehub.com.au

Windsor Esquire 15”

What is Emmett Muscle Release Therapy?

Emmett Muscle Release Therapy is a unique alternative body therapy created by Ross Emmett, an Australian senior Bowen therapist with over thirty years’ experience in using body work to treat animals. Emmett therapy is gaining a broad global following and credibility across the globe and is currently being taught across 20 countries.

for injury. David Glover from Glover Dressage and Emmett Muscle Release Therapy has used this therapy on horses, humans, dogs and goats and across all disciplines of riding and even the riders themselves.

“All horses respond really positively to the technique.

As the Emmett technique is a gentle technique, you can work on a horse or rider and then see them work immediately. As the feedback is

Glover Dressage and Emmett Muscle Release Therapy

8 Humphries Road Jimboomba QLD Ph: 0458 022 400

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

Fundamental to the Emmett technique is an understanding of the body’s response to light touch. The Emmett “points”, which are unique body points, have the ability to create effective muscle action through memory re-calibration. As the tight muscles relax, the muscle obtains a higher blood flow and works more efficiently with the lymphatic system.

Muscle release therapy can be used daily, weekly, on a fortnightly basis or as needed

David Glover

immediate, more fine tuning work can occur then. I find the most satisfying outcome is to be able to be at a competition, conduct the first assessment and moves, and then as the competition progresses be able to continually and gradually adjust and improve the performance. At this year’s Dressage Sydney CDI I was able to work on three Grand Prix combinations. All the horses loved the treatment and it was really rewarding to watch the continual improvement across the competition.”

9

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

Providing quality built and designed floats for the Australian equine community.

10

www.loganfloats.com.au Contact James on 0438 850 440 or email: james@loganfloats.com.au 250 E ast B oundary R d E ast B entleigh 3165

Why not take the kitchen sink?

Gone are the days when camping at horse shows had to also mean leaky tents, sleeping bags and getting by on the bare minimum. These days five star luxury is only a few dollars away and the kitchen sink is now considered just one of many show camping essentials whether for a weekend away or months following a show circuit.

Custom float designer James Deacon from Logan Floats Australia “we are not the cheapest floats on the market but our floats offer market leading travel design solutions from the US that simply aren’t available anywhere else in the country”.

The custom options are limited only by your imagination, even customising your divider

TRAVELLING IN padding colours to bright pink is available should you so desire!

Australian eventing royalty agree that Logan Floats offer quality second to no other, as it is the float of choice for the likes of Megan Jones, Shane and Nicky Rose and the Tinney family.

James is happy to discuss your travel requirements any time on 0438 850 440.

Come and have a chat about how we can help you find a home for your pre-loved saddle, or check out the saddles we currently have available.

We can also answer all your questions about our HUB SERVICES DIRECTORY and HUBVIBES E-zine.

JULY AND AUGUST TRADE STALLS

Brisbane CDI...................................................................... 14-17 July Gatton World Cup Showjumping Championships.......... 28-31 July

Queensland State Dressage Championships........... 26-28 August

See you there!

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

Where to Find Us

Made from aluminium, the components are super strong where they need to be and super light where you want them to be. Unique spray-on flooring is designed to actively draw

away urine on long trips to prevent the floor from becoming slippery and unpleasant. Insulation is also a popular option, making long trips more comfortable for the horses and camping more comfortable for the humans.

11

12

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

An extract from our blogs…

How often should I check my saddle fit?

As a horse ages and change their work program and diet etc, their body shape changes. Just like wearing a pair of shoes that don’t quite fit can cause you ongoing discomfort, which can lead to long term and even permanent damage to your feet, an ill-fitting saddle can cause the same damage to your beloved four legged friend.

The ASFA 15 Saddle Fit Checks 5 Horse Behavioural Checks 1. Does he wince when you touch his back, or try to kick, bite or is generally not happy when you groom him or saddle him up?

2. Is he cold backed when mounted?

3. Does he generally resist your aids or does he go with False Collection?

4. Does he have muscle loss, dry spots, broken or white hairs?

5. Is he difficult to shoe or resists raising his legs?

5 Saddle Checks 6. Does your saddle tip you off balance either forwards, backwards or to one side or does the saddle just not feel right?

7. Is there less than 2 fingers clearance along saddle panels to his spine?

Discomfort caused by a saddle can lead to “naughty” behaviour (which, if not corrected can lead to dangerous behaviour such as bucking and rearing), resistance, crookedness, uneven gait, stiffness, lack of willingness to stretch and move forward and can limit jumping bascule and scope.

9. Is your saddle new and has not been fitted?

10. Has it been more than 6 months since your last Saddle Fit?

5 General Checks 11. Has your horse recently come into work?

12. Has your horse’s diet recently changed?

13. Has your horse recently recovered/ recovering from an injury or illness?

14. Is your horse new?

15. Are you sharing a saddle with other horses?

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

The ASFA (Accredited Saddle Fitters of Australasia) recommends that in general, saddles need to be fitted at least every 6 months to ensure correct fit, however if you are unsure, a good start is checking in with the ASFA Saddle Fit Checklist provided.

If you notice any changes or answer yes to any of the ASFA 15 Saddle Fit Check Questions you need to consider getting your saddle checked.

8. Does the saddle seem to have uneven pressure through the panels down behind your horse’s shoulder or along his back?

13

Courtesy Sydney Morning Herald

Mark and Juliana Waugh

New Safety Code to Regulate the Horse-riding Industry

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

In 2009 Sarah Waugh, an 18 year old student at TAFE’s Western Institute, suffered a fatal fall from a Thoroughbred ex-race horse while undertaking a course to become a jillaroo.

14

Sarah was an inexperienced rider who lacked the skills and knowledge to deal with the horse to which she was allocated. In 2014, the Sydney District Court ruled that she should never have been placed into such an indisputably dangerous situation, convicting and fining TAFE NSW $300,000 for failing to provide a safe environment for its student.

Sarah’s family has since successfully lobbied the NSW government to introduce a new draft safety code to regulate the horse riding industry, with a special focus on controlling the exposure of beginner horse riders to unsuitable horses and dangerous situations.

This is the first time any such government regulation has been applied to the industry as a whole.

Consultation on the new draft NSW Horse Code of Practice closed on 30 June 2016 and it is planned to be in effect by the end of the year. The code’s implementation will only be voluntary, meaning that technically a breach of the code itself won’t result in any fines or charges, although, as in the TAFE case, any breaches that directly result in injuries will still be open to prosecution.

“This code of practice will assist workplaces to prevent horse-related accidents and fatalities by ensuring that people working with beginner riders are adequately trained,” Mr Dominello, Minister for Innovation and Better Regulation said.

We certainly hope so.

If you would like to check it out, the NSW Horse Code of Practice can be found at: http://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/ assets/Uploads/Draft-horse-code-ofpractice-for-consultation-2.pdf Or go to the NSW Department of Finance, Services & Innovation at: https://www.finance.nsw.gov.au/

Regular contributor Kimberley Garlick is a nutrition and rehabilitative pilates specialist with tips to keep your body in peak condition and improve your riding performance.

Why eating and drinking will help you to perform better in the saddle.

Good nutrition fuels your body like jet fuel in a V8 Super Car. Food and fluid choices affect your cognitive behaviour and body function.

Eat and drink the right stuff and you will have optimum reaction time, temperament, composure, memory and energy to compete at your best.

I am sure if I was talking to you about your horse’s nutrition I would be preaching to the converted but it is often forgotten that your four legged friend also requires you to be in the best shape possible.

Sugary drinks are not an alternative; they not only affect the waistline but also create havoc on our hormones and insulin levels. The increase of dopamine (the feel good hormone), gives the highs but with that you’re bound to

Breakfast is essential for any athlete as it prepares the body for the day. Your energy levels can be directly affected by breakfast and you should try to have a low GI (glycaemic index) option.

Weetbix, natural muesli, yogurt, berries, eggs, multigrain toast and avocado are all great options. It is all about slow releases of sugar to the blood stream to give you long lasting energy for both brain and body.

Continued on page 18

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

My number one recommendation is to increase your water intake and reduce all sugary drinks. A lack of water to the brain causes poor focus, decreased memory, increased brain fatigue, headaches, increased anxiety and aggression along with poor sleep. Your brain is 85% water and I recommend a minimum of 2 litres per day

on a normal day and much more on hot demanding days. If you suffer cramping, get headaches, notice you haven’t gone to the loo or that your urine is bright yellow it is highly likely you are dehydrated. Rehydrate immediately with just room temperature water to avoid brain fog and worse case scenario renal failure.

have the lows and this can cause massive mood swings, anxiety and poor decision making. Water is cheap and your mind, waistline and muscles are going to thank you.

Nutrition is a minefield and many have specific dietary requirements but generally the basics still apply. Nutrition is about feeding the systems of your body.

15

YOUNG RIDER OF THE MONTH JULY H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

16

Best advice for other young up and coming riders: Just ride every movement and don’t get frustrated over small things. But mostly just love your horse.

Congratulations Tia,

you’ve won a $50 gift voucher from

Name: Tia Gotterson Age: 14 Discipline: Dressage Horse/s: Dyrring Park Cristiano Past achievements: 2015 Young Rider Squad Future goals: To take Cristi to grand prix

If you are a young competition rider and would like to be considered for HubVibes Young Rider of the Month email us your answers to the same questions we asked Tia, along with a great pic of you and your horse.

We can’t wait to hear from you!

Help Get the

QLD YOUNG RIDER SQUAD to Europe!

Many are reaching the peak of their sport and are ready to be exposed to some of the best training and competitors in the world.

Enquiries: Stephanie Neergaard Ph: 0433 707 818 stephanie.neergaard@live.com.au

PURCHASE MERCHANDISE Donate $25 via “Go Fund Me” and automatically go in the running to win a share of $2,500 https://www.gofundme.com/dqyreuropetrip

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

We need your help to turn our dreams into reality.

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES PACKAGES AVAILABLE SPONSORSHIP AVAILABLE

17

FREE TRIAL

New Pilates Room Deal 10 week program

$69

Limited Lifetime Access

For more information click this link:

pilatesroomwithkimberleygarlick.com.au Continued from page 15

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

Your metabolism requires refuelling often. Eating small meals about every 3-4 hours is ideal. Good snack ideas are almonds, yogurt, apples, bananas, natural muesli bars or good protein bars.

18

Lunch options can be as simple as sandwiches or wraps, use avocado instead of butter with proteins such as chicken, tuna, lean meat with as much salad as you like.

Try to limit your deli meats and cheeses.

Dinner can become arduous for the busy rider and their digestive system. To create less work for you and the digestive system eat as

early as possible and avoid high fat stodgy food. Keep it simple when you are time poor and experiment when your time is ample. Many people fall apart when their dietary recommendations are too complicated. So here are some simple dinner suggestions, small serve of protein with salad or vegetables or a stir-fry with basmati rice. Try sweet potato as a replacement for potatoes.

Avoid pasta, normal rice, bread, creamy sauces and deserts. To help decrease your sweet cravings try brushing your teeth straight after dinner and you will no longer want that ice cream.

Your dinner choices affect

sleep, morning moods, and tomorrow’s energy.

All of your well thought out training and planning can fall apart at the seams if your nutrition isn’t right. It doesn’t have to be expensive or fancy. The biggest change is to increase your water intake and decrease your sugary drinks then go from there. refuelling often. Eating small meals about every 3-4 hours is ideal. Good snack ideas are almonds, yogurt, apples, bananas, natural muesli bars or good protein bars.

Kimberley Garlick Dip Nutrition, Dip Rehab Pilates

Continued from page 5

A & H Photography

objects nor stops trying for me, he never gets hot headed or confused, he just keeps on going around doing his thing, cool as a cucumber until I get things right.”

And to the doubters of the Paralympics?

“Until you have had your health or use of your body taken away from you, you have no idea or understanding of the guts and determination it takes just to get through daily life, let alone being an Olympian, so when critics say that Para Olympians are not as good or real as able bodied Olympians my answer is that, having lived in a normal body and then a disabled body, I know that we are in fact harder, more determined and just as good, if not better than an able bodied athlete! We are all faced with such adversity with our bodies and health that it gives us an inner strength an able bodied athlete does not possess. Just because we are disabled in some way, we are no different to an able body athlete when it comes to our sport, we are just as good but in a different category.”

She has certainly paid her dues and no one can argue that Katie has the inner strength,

Next month in Breeding season has arrived!

In honour of this fact, HubVibes will be featuring:

Katie would like to thank everyone who has supported her in her Rio campaign, including her sponsors K9 Horse Products and STAMANOL, and in particular her Dad, her partner, all her family and friends, with special mentions to Les Friend, Peter Turner, Tristan Tucker and Joy Charlton.

….

We will also have our regular features including August Young Rider of the Month, latest Hub Deals, Health & Nutrition for Riders and, our latest monthly addition, “Hub Heroes: 5 minutes with ?” (who will it be?).

And we couldn’t forget that little show • Tips for preparing your mare for foaling going on in Rio in August! Keep an eye out for our “who’s who” snapshot of the Olympic Equestrian Team with a rundown • Stallion Profiles and a Breeders of what’s on and when to watch.

Advertising Feature

H U BV I B ES M AG A Z I N E

• The pros and cons of chilled semen verses frozen semen

tenacity and mental toughness of an Olympian.

There is also no doubt she will be a strong ambassador for Australia at the Games in September and we wish her, and all of the Aussie team, the very best of luck.

19

NEWS & VIEWS FROM THE SADDLE HUB Published by The Saddle Hub • PO Box 13 • Tintenbar NSW 2478 Phone: 0414 760067 • Email: info@thesaddlehub.com.au www.thesaddlehub.com.au