April 2011
Gold Coast
FREE Monthly
Local Horse Magazine “THE MAGAZINE ON THE SCENE”
FREE Online Magazine
www.gclhorsemag.com.au
Over 15 Articles
Cover Photo By: MS Equipix - Mel Spittall Cover Artwork By: Aliza Jane Photography
Nerang Stockfeed Open: Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm Sat 8am - 1pm Ph: 07 55 961 722
For all your pet & stock needs “You own them, We feed them & now Dress them” • Feed • Hay • Chaff • Bedding • Chooks • Baby Chicks • Electric Fencing • Fertilisers • Vet Supplies
Feed for all animals: • Birds • Sheep • C ows • Alpacas • Rats & Mice • Horses • Dogs/Cats • & Much More
Located at Nerang Stockfeeds ADVANCED HORSE RUGS
0415453298
• Supplier of Capriole Rug Range • Free Pick up & Delivery • Rug Washing • Repairs • Custom Made Rugs • Saddle Cloths
For all your pet & stock needs 2
Units 3/4, 12 Hildon Crt, Nerang Qld 4211 (Near Nerang Saddleworld)
From The Editor....
Hi to everyone and welcome to the Gold Coast’s debut “Local Horse Magazine”. It has been a hectic pre production for this edition and I would like to give a special thank you to both Kristi and Wayne for all their work and support. It’s all so exciting at the same a little daunting, but the team has come thru with flying colours and we can only grow from here on. Congratulations to Mel from Tamworth Local Horse Magazine with her first issue in March, receiving excellent feedback and reviews! The Gold Coast Local Horse Magazine will be another “Magazine on the Scene” We want to make sure that we cover as many local events as we can, so if you have an event coming up make sure you let us know.
Happy Easter & Happy Reading, Donna
pg. 43
Contents
Cover Story - Friesians Page....7 Breeds Page....6 Dressage Page....8 Horsemanship Page..12 Polo/Polocrosse Page..16 Pony/Riding Clubs Page..18 Racing Page..32 Show Jumping Page..36 Showing Page..40 Trail Riding Page..25 Western Pleasure/Performance Page..44
Service Directory
pg. 13
Cover Story pg. 7
Equestrian Centres Page..48 Farriers Page..48 Produce Page..49 Saddleries Page..49 Veterinary Page..50
Articles
pg. 15 pg. 26
pg. 46 pg. 25
DEADLINE FOR ARTWORK 12th of each month Printed by: FAST PROOF PRESS (07) 5578 4722
Disclaimer
Gold Coast Local Horse Magazine have taken every care in preparation of this magazine. Therefore it may not be copied in part or whole for reproduction, without said magazine's written authority. While we take every care in the preparation and accuracy of its contents we are not responsible for any mistakes or misprints in any article or advertisement, nor are we responsible for any errors by others. Gold Coast Local Horse Magazine accepts no liability resulting from omissions, errors, misprints or failure to publish any advertisment.
Anazac’s The exquisite Friesian From The Judge at C John Chatterton - Affiliated Horemanship The Sport of Endurance Riding Double Dan’s - Australia’s Got Talent Polo - Sport of Kings, King of Sport 10 Fun Points to Impove the way you sit Trail Riding Using your horse in live shows Bitless Bridles - Fad or Fabulous Racing - $49m Upgrade for Gold Coast Jumping with Anthony Murray Balanced Horse Showing - Grooming Tips from the Top Western - Barrel Racing Veterinary - Bowed Tendons
Page....4 Page....7 Page....9 Page..13 Page..21 Page..15 Page..17 Page..19 Page..25 Page..26 Page..30 Page..33 Page..37 Page..39 Page..41 Page..45 Page..50
Cover Photo: Jeremy Janjic on Jacana TK Owner-Lynn and Dick Jenkin, Tashkent Friesians Photo By: Mel Spittall - MS Equipix Contacts:
Editor: Donna Morton- 0419 029 070 Photographer for Events: Downunder Photography - 0419 029 070 Office: (07) 55 434 878 Ecitor: info@gclhorsemag.com.au Advertising: sales@gclhorsemag.com.au 3 W: www.gclhorsemag.com.au
Australia takes her pen in hand, To write a line to you, To let you fellows understand, How proud we are of you.
The mettle that a race can show Is proved with shot and steel, And now we know what nations know And feel what nations feel.
6
From shearing shed and cattle run,
From Broome to Hobsons Bay, Each native-born Australian son, stands straighter up today. The man who used to "hump his drum", On far-out Queensland runs, Is fighting side by side with some Tasmanian farmer's sons. The fisher-boys dropped sail and oar To grimly stand the test, Along that storm-swept Turkish shore, With miners from the west. The old state jealousies of yore Are dead as Pharaoh's sow, We're not State children any more We're all Australians now!
Our six-starred flag that used to fly, Half-shyly to the breeze, Unknown where older nations ply Their trade on foreign seas,
Flies out to meet the morning blue With Vict'ry at the prow; For that's the flag the Sydney flew, The wide seas know it now!
Australian Representatives Peter McLauglin, Adam McLaughlin, Don Lofthouse, Ray Edwards Host, Colonel Gowar, with Officers from the Sth African Imperial light horse artillery
Anzac Day
The honoured graves beneath the crest Of Gaba Tepe hill, May hold our bravest and our best, But we have brave men still. With all our petty quarrels done, Dissensions overthrown, We have, through what you boys have done, A history of our own. Our old world diff'rences are dead, Like weeds beneath the plough, For English, Scotch, and Irish-bred, They're all Australians now!
April 25th By: Banjo Paterson
So now we'll toast the Third Brigade, That led Australia's van, For never shall their glory fade In minds Australian. Fight on, fight on, unflinchingly, Till right and justice reign. Fight on, fight on, till Victory Shall send you home again. And with Australia's flag shall fly A spray of wattle bough, To symbolise our unity, We're all Australians now.
To Egypt and Anzac On 1 November, 1914, Australia's First Infantry Division and the first four Light Horse regiments sailed for England in a fleet of transport ships. Special stalls were built for the horses below decks and the lighthorsemen worked very hard to care for their mounts and exercise them in the limited space available. Some walers died on the voyage and all of them suffered terribly in the tropics. Each man spent much of his spare time tending his horse. This helped reduce the death rate and strengthened the relationship between them. Plans were changed and the Australians landed in Egypt to complete their training there. They were soon joined by another two brigades - six regiments - of Light Horse. When the Australian infantry left to take part in the invasion of Germany's ally Turkey, the lighthorsemen remained in Egypt. But soon afterwards, they too sailed for Gallipoli as infantrymen, leaving their horses behind. A trooper wrote: "We were hoping that in a couple of weeks at the latest, once more mounted, we would canter gaily along the Gallipoli road to Constantinople (capital of Turkey). We were mostly young and optimistic! We were soon to find what a long, long road it was." The first of the Light Horse arrived at Gallipoli in May. Anzac Cove, scene of the first infantry landing, was already a bustling little port. Hundreds of men swam in the cove, ignoring the Turkish shells that burst over them. As the lighthorsemen clambered to their camping areas up the steep, winding ravine of Shrapnel Gully, Turkish bullets cracked high over their heads. Infantrymen, who were old hands by now, laughed when the newcomers ducked. Very soon, they too were old hands. They quickly proved themselves to be excellent soldiers and readily adapted to the dreadful living conditions at the Anzac front. By August, when a huge attack was launched on the Turks, there were ten regiments of Light Horse at Anzac. The 3rd Brigade - the 8th, 9th and 10th Regiments - was to make a dawn charge across a narrow ridge called The Neck. Plans went horribly wrong and nine tiers of Turkish trenches packed with riflemen and machinegunners waited for the Australian attack. The first line of the 8th Light Horse charged and was shot to pieces. Most men ran only a few yards before they fell. The second line of the 8th went over the top and they too were cut down. The first line of the 10th Regiment went to their deaths in the same way. The second line waited for the attack to be cancelled. Then, through an error, they too charged. In three quarters of an hour 234 lighthorsemen were dead and 138 wounded in a futile action. They had shown remarkable courage and discipline. Never again would these qualities be wasted so tragically.
Monte Pierce
Peter McLauglin
Coolangatta Beach
5
What’s On Calendar Breeds www.wpcs.com.au/qld www.mhaaqld.com.au
April 2011 The DPG Farmcraft Open Pony Breed Show - Boonah Showgrounds
17th April
Ph: 02 667 779 579
Toowoomba Royal
29th - 2nd
May 2011 Boonah Show
Contact: Beth Hern Ph: 5463 1124 Email: boonahshowsoc@westnet.com.au Web: www.boonahshowsociety.org.au
6
21st - 22nd May
To Advertise your upcoming Events for FREE Contact: Gold Coast Local Horse Magazine at info@gclhorsemag.com.au
Breed BreedCharacteristics characteristics The Friesian is most often recognised by its black coat color. Friesian horses also have a long, thick mane and tail, often wavy, and "feathers" on the lower legs. The official breed rarely has white markings of any kind; most registries allow only a small star on the forehead for purebred registration. Though extremely rare, and not accepted for registration in most cases, Friesians are occasionally chestnut. The Friesian's average height is about 15.3 hands, although it may vary from 14.2 to 17 hands tall at the withers. The breed is known for a brisk, high-stepping trot. The Friesian is considered a willing, active, and energetic horse that is also gentle and docile. A Friesian tends to have great presence and to carry itself with elegance. The breed has powerful overall conformation and good bone structure, with what is sometimes called a "Baroque" body type. Friesians have long, arched necks and well-chiseled, short-eared, "Spanish type" heads. Their sloping shoulders are quite powerful. They have compact, muscular bodies with strong sloping hindquarters and a low-set tail. Their limbs are comparatively short and strong. Today, there are two distinct conformation types. The baroque type has the more robust build of the classical Friesian. The modern, sport horse type is finer-boned. Conformation type is judged less important than correct movement, and both types are common, though the Modern type is currently more popular in the show ring than is the Baroque Friesian.
The Today The Friesian today From the latter part of the 20th century until the present, demand for purebreds, particularly the "Modern style" finer-boned, taller, more agile version of the Friesian increased, so breeders have bred both purebreds and a lighter-weight crossbred horse with valued characteristics, resulting in the Friesian cross and Friesian Sporthorse. Friesian horses are popular, and are often used today for dressage competition, pleasure riding, as circus horses and for driving. Friesian horses can do well in dressage competition due to the breed's movement, trainability, appearance, power, and body control.
B r e e d s
The beautiful Friesian Horse is recognised as one of the oldest equine breeds in the world. It is native to a northern province in the Netherlands called Friesland. Although the breed's conformation resembles that of a light draft horse, Friesians are graceful and nimble for their size. During the middle ages, it is believed that the ancestors of Friesian horses were in great demand as war horses throughout continental Europe. Through the early middle ages and high middle ages, their size enabled them to carry a knight in armor. In the late middle ages, heavier, draft type animals were needed. Though the breed nearly became extinct on more than one occasion, the modern day Friesian horse is growing in numbers and popularity, used both in harness and under saddle. Most recently, the breed is being introduced to the field of dressage.
S e c t i o n
The Exquisite Friesian
Due to its flashy appearance, the Friesian has also become popular in the film industry. Though Friesians are of dramatic appearance, sometimes their use in dramatizations of actual historical events is of dubious accuracy, given that the breed as it is known today only came into being within the last 400 to 600 years.
7
What’s On Calendar Dressage www.qld.equestrian.org.au
April 2011 Colleen Kelly Rider Biomechanics Teacher training day and lessons info@colleenkelly.net or go to www.facebook.com/riderbiomechanics to register your interest.
15th to 17th April
NADEC - Official & Associate Dressage (Prep to GP)
8th May
Jimboomba Pony Club - Official Dressage
15th May
Contact: Shelly Homes Ph: 0402 821 322 Contact: 0407 968 777
Surrounding Areas April 2011 Horseland Qld State Dressage Championship - Gatton email: eringoetz@optusnet.com.au web: www.legs.org.au
8th - 10th April
PRARG - Dressage Associate Prep to Advanced Contact: 55 460 669
17th April
May 2011 Logan Village Riding Club - Masters Weekend Contact: Sarah Craddock Ph: 0427 812 918
21st & 22nd May
Tweed Valley Equestrian Group - Official & Associate Dressage
22nd May
Cedar Grove & District Riding Club - Open Dressage Contact: Kristen Heffernan Ph: 0404071123 Email: kristen@safetyequip.com.au Web: www.cgdrc.org.au
29th May
Contact: Keighley Leeson Ph: 0428 536868 Email: keighleymax@hotmail.com
8
To Advertise your upcoming Events for FREE Contact: Gold Coast Local Horse Magazine at info@gclhorsemag.com.au
From the Judge at C Liz Coe
‘A’ level Grand Prix Dressage Judge/Mentor and Judge Educator “Riding is a partnership. The horse lends you his strength, speed and grace, which are greater than yours. For your part you give him your guidance, intelligence and understanding, which are greater than his. Together you can achieve a richness that alone neither can." ~ Lucy Rees My name is Liz, and in this series of articles I would like to take you on a journey from what is the meaning of “dressage” through the training scale and what characteristics of the horse’s way of going the judge is looking for in each movement. What does that 5-6 or 8 mean? I will discuss different phrases such as contact and how it is different from “on the bit”. I will try to highlight what judges comments on your tests actually mean in plain English. Finally, we will provide a section for your voice where you can write in with questions that you may have. So let us begin. What is Dressage? It is a French term which is roughly translated into the word “training”. Its fundamental purpose is to develop, through standardized progressive training methods, the horse’s natural athletic ability and willingness to perform, thereby maximizing its potential as a riding horse and increasing the usable life of the horse. The very spectacular caprioles and airs above ground that is seen by thousands at the Spanish Riding School had its roots in a very practical application: the horses were trained to leap and kick out this way in battle to free the horse and rider of foot soldiers surrounding them. These horses responded to weight and leg signals from the rider, leaving both hands free to wield weapons of war. So the better trained the horse was in response to the rider’s aid, the better the chance of survival for its rider. Dressage is also occasionally referred to as “Horse Ballet”. Early European aristocrats displayed their horses’ training in equestrian parades and displays, but in modern dressage, successful training of the horse from preliminary level to Grand Prix is demonstrated through the performance of “dressage tests”, which is a set of prescribed movements ridden within a 60 x 20 metre arena. Judges evaluate each movement on the basis of an objective standard appropriate to the level of the test and assign each movement a score from zero to ten - zero being “not executed” and 10 being “excellent”(notice I do NOT say perfect!). A competitor achieving all 6s (which means 60% overall) should be considering moving on to the next level. At the peak of a dressage horse’s gymnastic development, it can smoothly respond to a skilled rider’s minimal almost invisible aids and perform the requested movement while remaining balanced, energetic but relaxed and appearing effortless. When you see a lovely test where the horse appears to be performing the test on their own – you are seeing excellent training. This is the ultimate goal of modern dressage; however most of us when starting our dressage career often begin with a test that may look a little more like this one.
Take heart this is only the beginning of your partnership. Remember don’t be afraid of mistakes – every single mistake is a perfect training opportunity you can use to develop towards your goal. Before we go on there are vital points to remember!!! 1.
I am assuming that you ride these wonderful creatures and compete at the competitions because you enjoy riding and love the sport, so remember you are NOT competing for sheep stations it is meant to be fun!
2.
The horse will not go any better at a competition than in your home paddock, in fact my old coach used to say that you lose approxi mately 10% in marks when you compete compared to what you can achieve at home, and she was right! So if the movement is not amazing at home do not expect it to be amazing at your competition
3.
When all goes well the rider deserves the credit and rightly so.
4.
When there are problems the rider must then bear the responsibility as well. Don’t lose your temper at the horse. Your horse, while munching his breakfast hay, does NOT think "I don’t really want to do my novice and elementary tests today so I am going to be very naughty just to make my owner cranky."
5.
Some days the test does not go as planned, and whether you are new to the sport or a former Olympian you need to think that today, in this test, the aids were not quite effective and my horse has not really listened to me. The problem could be something as simple as not getting there early enough to warm up correctly or too much warm up and the horse becomes tired, so you make plans on how you will train a little differently for a better result. Next issue: - The Training Scale
9
Coaches & Trainers Dressage Gabrielle Veitch Email: gabby521@bigpond.com Phone Hm: (07) 5533 8211 Mb: 0438 522 711
Nicole Tough Email: nicoletough@hotmail.com Phone Mb: 0405 916 212
Jacqueline Reed Email: j.reed@bigpond.com Phone Hm: (07) 5533 7450 Mb: 0407 593 241
Ricky MacMillan Email: teddy10@bigpond.com Phone Mb: 0418 758 149
Mariette Van Den Berge Email: mberg@mberg.com.au Phone Mb: 0404 849 396
Terry (Tadateru) Sakai Email: info@equineternal.com.au Phone Mb: 0419 794 293
www.qlddressagefest.com
FOR SALE Registered Palomino Overo Mare - 14.3hh 9 y.0
Paris is a QH (Paint) x TB. She’s capable of novice dressage & jumps up to 1.1m in competition & is schooling 1.2m at home. Has been to PC & agricultural shows. Entered in 2011 Toowoomba Royal Show. Beautiful nature. Foward moving but quiet. Best suited to a capable young rider who’s looking for a fun but serious competition horse. Youtube Wyndhams Barbie Doll. $8500 very negotiable to good home. Call Sarah on 0415 292 120
To Advertise your Horses for Sale Contact: Gold Coast Local Horse Magazine at info@gclhorsemag.com.au 10
.
Hunter Jackets – Navy Check and Chocolate Check Animal Print Gumboots ~ Floral Gumboots The BIGGEST Equestrian Theme Giftware in Queensland
Our Pony and Horse Theme Party Supplies
w w w.hors es r us. com . au
Goodwoods Saddlery Tassie Woollen Show Set
WAS $199
$139.95
Mail Order Hotline Phone 02 9519 8844 Order Online www.goodwoods.com.au Unit 19/1 Hordern Place, Camperdown, NSW 2050 11
What’s On Calendar Horsemanship
April 2011 John Chatterton - Junior Clinic
3rd April
Glen Gough Clinic
9th & 10th April
Quantum Savvy Play Day - Oxenford
16th April
Chatto’s Place, Jai-Lee Lodge, Chambers Flat Contact:- Ali on 0400 065 570
Rathdowney Memorial Showgrounds Contact: Steve Gooley Ph: 0424 025 653
Contact: Denise Niit 0419 750 854
John Chatterton - 2 day Clinic
Rossmore Road Indoor Arena Chambers Flat Contact: Ali 0400 065 570
16th & 17th April
To Advertise your upcoming events for FREE Contact: Gold Coast Local Horse Magazine at info@gclhorsemag.com.au 12
John Chatterton Affiliative Horsemanship These days I am finding that so many people are calling me to help them with a problem horse that has become very switched off, head strong or barging all over them. When I ask them what sort of things they have been doing, they are showing me a lot of dominant body language towards their horse and are telling me that their horse has a bad attitude and I need to be more assertive and higher in the “pecking order” and make my horse move out of my space by using more body language. Horses resent being pushed around, I like to use a method I call Affiliative Leadership. This is where you take the role of being like the mother is to her foal, (don’t forget the foal always looks to its mother for a ‘comfort zone’). Teach your horse that you become its ‘comfort zone’ rather than you being higher in the pecking order or being a dominant leader.
The Domestic verses the Wild Horse A young domestic horse often gets pushed around by an older dominant horse at feed time. As the young horse grows up, it then constantly tries to get higher in the pecking order, often this horse learns to become dominant with the owner. This is where many people make the mistake & get told not to let the horse get away with that and are told that they have to “be the boss”! Many people misinterpret this behaviour as the horse being the leader of the herd, which is not true, he has just become a dominant horse that other horses don’t really want to be around, through incorrect management. Horses don’t fight over grass so this normally starts around feed time. I’ve seen stallions being beaten up for biting and this all goes back to how they were handled at birth. I’ve often seen breeding studs, in the winter time, drop a few bales in the paddock to the mares and foals, which very quickly teaches them to be aggressive, which teaches young horses to fight over food, which then leads them to becoming pushy & barging with their owner. Then the owner gets taught to be higher in the “pecking order” and becomes the dominant leader. The phrase I hear a lot is “we only do what horses do to each other in the paddock” meaning they chase, bite, kick, barge or lay ears back etc. We’ve been made to believe we should become more assertive & teach them we are a dominant leader & to drive them out of our space.
The Wild Horse In a domestic situation, when there is more than one horse at feed time, the second horse will challenge the third horse and so
on. If you buy a mare to include into your herd, she will challenge your horses to be higher in the pecking order and this is not what a true lead mare is all about. A true lead mare in the wild never leaves the herd, she starts off as a filly, comes up through the ranks until she eventually becomes lead mare by leadership and respect rather than by dominance. Horses prefer to be with a calm, easy-going, non-aggressive horse rather than the dominant horse in the paddock. Similar to any hierarchal system, a good teacher does not intimidate their students but rather inspires them. Oppositely, aggression breeds resentment. If you watch a true alpha mare, she is never aggressive and there is no kicking, biting or ears back. Instead she peacefully leads by example. When she decides to move to another spot she wanders off, her foal will follow and the rest of the herd will follow her too, with no resistance.
13
About
John Chatterton John grew up in Paraguay, South America and lived with the Gaucho’s (horsemen) where horses were the only means of transport. In the remote area where John lived the Gaucho was very calm and kind to his horses. They used a lot of psychology to communicate with their horses as they were roaming on thousands of acres with no fences. They realised to keep their young horses calm when handling they needed to handle them in the open, rather than in yards. Their ‘bell mare’ was the key to their gentle method. The premise of John’s teaching comes from this same structure. His 10 Steps never make the horse fearful. Fear is the biggest inhibitor of learning and because of the trust with the horse and the lack of flight response there is no adrenaline in any of the lessons. In a lot of countries, young horses are rounded up into yards and feel they have just been put in a trap, which makes them wary and on guard. The Gaucho’s method was the complete opposite to the way most horses get handled, as John has explained in his book The Ten Commandments. When John first came to Australia, he was staying with some friends in Brisbane, they took John for a drive to the country as he was missing it a great deal. He noticed on properties there where very high solid yards and innocently ask his friend if they were for training “elephants”. His friend said ‘no they are for training horses’. John’s impression was they must be putting a lot of pressure on these horses. John’s method is “Affiliative Horsemanship” which means it is based on a family unit. He believes that horses have a great need for a comfort zone and bases his training method on Affiliative leadership rather than dominant leadership, so that the handler or rider becomes the comfort zone for the horse.
You can find more information about John at w w w.johnchatterton.com.au
14
It has been a hard slog and a little long winded but Dan Horsemanship” got to show off their excepTalent” judges – Brian McFadden (Australia’s tralia’s Got Talent Alumni” and last but not least
finally the boys, Dan James & Dan Steers, “Double tional horsemanship talents to the “Australia’s Got Favourite ex pat Irishman), Danni Minogue “AusKyle Sandilands (the infamous shock jock).
The first initial audition was held at Stadium Australia, Sydney last October. At this time no one was advised if they were in or out, so the boys had to wait for the call, which came as a high just as they were finishing off their performances at Equitana, Melbourne. The next step was in March this year to venture back down to Sydney town. The venue, Sydney Theatre to show Australia and the judges, just what a horse/s shouldn’t do! Well for a start “Ari” you need to know that doing the horsey thing (manure) in Kyle’s dressing room is not the best way to win friends or votes! OK lets get down the the nitty gritty, well for all you horsey folks you would understand that presenting your horse to the unknown sometimes is a little daunting, well we are proud to say that as much as we would of liked to show the horses the stage, which was by the way only 9m x 5m, they took it all in their stride! They have performed in many places, but this was something special and unique and they were absolutely awesome. Now for the tricky bits….. well next time, Dan and Dan take to the stage for Australia’s Got Talent, we will definitely make sure that our whips are a touch shorter, so as to not take out the overhead lighting and cables???? Whoops! The boys had only laying upside display to wow “NUTS”!!!
2 minutes to cram “ Double Image” sitting on a bean bag, both horses rearing, “Ari” down performing his hat trick and then the boys finished off with whip cracking the judges and the audience. They had a standing ovation and everyone just went
So in menY E S ’s ! ! ! ! After the Sydney OpSteers, Erin Animals Now the
tioning the above, maybe we should share with you all….. yes, drum roll….. 3 “The Double Dans” are in!!! A first for Australia’s Got Talent! audition, the boys and their stallions spent some time in front of the famous era House filming out takes. The team was supported by their strappers Pia Sheen and Ally Love (Canada). Also a special thank you to Donna Morton, Downunder who offered our act up to “Australia’s Got Talent”. long wait, the boys the next
and their horses are on hold for audition to be held in Sydney. WATCH THIS SPACE FOR UP DATES!
Lets make sure we give them our votes and support our Local equine entertainers!
www.double-dan-horsemanship.com.au 15
Queensland Polo Association Calendar 2011 Date
Club
Event
Goal Rating Chukkas
Venue
APRIL 1-Apr
QPA
Beginners Day Clinic
Doomben Racecourse
2/3 April
SEQPC
Willowcroft
2
4
Willowcroft Polo Fields
9/10 April
SEQPC
Willowcroft
2
4
Willowcroft Polo Fields
16/17 April
Biddaddaba
Autumn League for Beginners
Graded 2
4
Biddaddaba Polo Fields
SEQPC
Ashling Anzac Cup
2
4
Ashling Polo Fields
23/24 April 30-Apr
Easter and Anzac Day No Games
MAY 1-May
SEQPC
Ashling Anzac Cup
2
4
Ashling Polo Fields
7/8 May
SEQPC
Ashling Anzac Cup
2-4
4
Ashling Polo Fields
14/15 May
SEQPC
City Motor Auction Group Tournament
2-4
4
Alsace Polo Fields - Veresdale
21/22 May
Biddaddaba
Biddaddaba C PC Ladies Tournament
Graded
4
Biddaddaba Polo Fields
21/22 May
Biddaddaba
Biddadaba C PC 4 Goal Tournament
Graded
4
Biddaddaba Polo Fields
28/29 May
Downs PC
Neil MacGinley Tournament
Graded
4
Clifton
28/29 May
SEQPC
Willowcroft
4 Goals
4
Willowcroft
JUNE 4/5 June
Downs PC
Downs Shield
Graded
4&5
Clifton Showgrounds
11/12/13 June
GYMPIE
Frank Sherred Tournament
2 Goal
4
Gympie Polo Fields
11/12 June
SEQPC
Ashling
4 Goal
4
Ashling Polo Fields
18/19 June
Downs PC
Cooke/O'Leary Tournament
Graded
4
Clifton Showgrounds
25/26 June
GCPC
Gold Coast Polo Club Tournament
Graded
4
Gold Coast Polo Field
JULY 2-Jul
QPA
COLTS TOURNAMENT
Doomben Racecourse
2-Jul
QPA
COUNTRY vs CITY
Doomben Racecourse
2-Jul
QPA
STATE OF ORIGIN
Doomben Racecourse
3-Jul
SEQPC
Yellow Cab
9/10 July
Biddaddaba
Harcourt's Beaudesert Family Tournament
16/17 July
GYMPIE
Gympie Mary Valley Classic
23/24 July
GYMPIE
Dowling Cup
2
4
30/31 July
GCPC
Guanaba Cup
Graded
4&6
TBC
4&6
Graded
4
Biddaddaba Polo Fields
Alsace Polo Fields - Veresdale
0
4
Gympie Polo Fields Gympie Polo Fields Gold Coast Polo Field
AUGUST 6/7 Aug
SEQPC
Custodian
6
4&6
6/7 Aug
Biddaddaba
Biddaddaba C PC OVERFLOW TEAMS
Graded
4
Biddaddaba Polo Fields
Canungra
13/14 Aug
QPA
QPA GOLD CUP STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
Graded
4&6
Willowcroft / Bromelton
20/21 Aug
SEQPC
Kooralbyn
27/28 Aug
GCPC
Ron Hunt Memorial
4-10
4&6
Willowcroft
Graded
4&6
Gold Coast Polo Field
4-10
4&6
Ashling Polo Fields
SEPTEMBER 3/4 Sept
SEQPC
Ashling
10/11 Sept
Biddaddaba
Biddaddaba C PC OVERFLOW TEAMS
10/11 Sept
SEQPC
Mercedes Benz Tournament
17/18 Sept
QPA
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Various Beaudesert Fields
24/25 Sept
QPA
AUSTRALIAN OPEN
Doomben Racecourse
Graded
4
4-10
4&6
Biddaddaba Polo Fields Alsace Polo Fields - Veresdale
OCTOBER 1/2 Oct
Biddaddaba
Biddaddaba C PC Tournament
Graded
4
Biddaddaba Polo Fields
15/16 Oct
Biddaddaba
Biddaddaba C PC Tournament
Graded
4
Biddaddaba Polo Fields
Please note these calendar dates can change without warning at anytime. To confirm an event please contact the club directly.
16 32
Photos By:
Article By: Queensland Polo Association Queensland’s Polo playing season is very dependant on weather, usually starting in March and continuing through the cooler months to October annually avoiding the wet season in Qld and the hotter months. Each of the Qld clubs hold a variety of tournaments during the year with practice chukkas on a regular basis. The Queensland Polo Association has 7 affiliated clubs, they are; Biddaddaba Creek Polo Club, Brisbane Polo Club Inc, Downs Polo Club Inc, Gold Coast Polo Club Inc, Gympie and Mary Valley Polo Club (Sunshine Coast Polo Club), Maleny Polo Club and South East Qld Polo Club. If you are new to the sport of polo and would like to learn how to play polo many of our clubs hold coaching clinics during the year accommodating beginners to advanced players. You can even hire horses and purchase ‘Trial Memberships’ for a minimal fee which provides you a 28 day membership giving you ample time to discover the ‘excitement’ of polo. If, after the 28 day trial, you want to continue to play Polo, as many of our Trial Members do, you can then upgrade your membership to either a Senior Playing annual member or Junior Playing annual member only paying the remainder of the membership fee. It is compulsory to hold a playing membership from an affiliated club if you intend to play polo in Australia as this covers the player for Public Liability Insurance on receipt of payment.
The QLD Polo Association have an online membership registration system which gives clubs and members the ability to view their membership status online and to update details at any time. Your memberships are activated instantaneously. Polo is played in 5 States in Australia: QLD, NSW, SA, VIC & WA. There are approximately 50 Clubs throughout Australia, each club affiliated to their State Polo Association overseen by the Australian Polo Council. In the scheme of equestrian sports Polo is known to be the King Of Sports. Polo is an equine sport designed to be fast, skilful, social and entertaining. The Polo field length varies between a maximum of 275 metres and a minimum of 230 metres. The width also can vary between a maximum of 180 metres unboarded & 150 metres boarded. Polo is played with two teams usually with 4 players a side. The game is divided into 6 or 4 periods called ‘chukkas’ each lasting 7 minutes with a 30 second overtime available.
Polo is played with a ball and each player on horse back has a ‘mallet’ to hit the ball. Players play off ‘Handicaps’. All registered players in Australia are rated on a scale of –2 to 10 (the higher the better). The handicap of the team is the sum total rating of its players and their handicaps. Players usually start on a -2 Handicap depending on their ability. Each of the four team members plays a noticeably different position. Since polo is such a flowing game, the players may briefly change positions but usually return to their initial position. No 1 is the most forward offensive player. No 2 is just as offensive but plays deeper and works harder. No 3 is the pivot player between offence and defence and tries to turn all plays to offence. No 4 or the Back is a defensive player whose role is principally to protect the goal. Any time a ball crosses the line between the goal posts it is considered a goal regardless of whether a horse or a mallet causes the ball to go through. The teams change ends after every goal scored. The team that scores the most goals wins. The fundamental nature of the Polo is teamwork. If you would like to experience the heart thumping excitement and the feeling of participating in a Polo team we would love you to contact us; Proudly Sponsored By: Queensland Polo Association Mobile: 0458722753 PO Box 731, Beaudesert Q 4285
Magic Millions Ph: (07) 5504 1200 Fx: (07) 5531 7082 info@magicmillions.com.au www.magicmillions.com.au
17
Contacts
Pony Clubs
Mudgeeraba Pony Club Nerang Pony Club SECRETARY SECRETARY Name: Liz Lloyd Name: Dianne McIntyre PH: 0451 671131 PH: 0416 221 332 Email: mponyclub@hotmail.com Email: secretary@nerangponyclub.com
Oxenford Pony Club Southport Pony Club PRESIDENT SECRETARY Name: Russell Lynch Name: Diane McIntyre PH: 0414673578 PH: 0416 221 332 Web: www. myoxenfordponyclub.com Email: secretary@nerangponyclub.com
Tallebudgera Pony Club Twin towns pony club SECRETARY Ph: 5533 9626 Name: Jacque Lovegrove PH: 0430 794 749 Email: secretary@tallebudgeraponyclub.com.au Web: www.tallebudgeraponyclub.com
Riding Clubs
Currumbin & District Horse Club NADEC SECRETARY TREASURER Name: Kirsten Stanford Name: Gayle Blums Email: secretary@cdhc.com.au PH: 040928780 Web: www.cdhc.com.au Web: www.nadec.net.au
Tweed Valley equestrian
SECRETARY Name: Name: Keighley Leeson PH: 0428 536868 Email: keighleymax@hotmail.com 18
Kids
ne r o C
r
Si tting Pretty!
Kids
Improve the way you sit with these 10 fun points
Cor
By Colleen Kelly and Kelly Tombs
ner
So you want to learn how to ride? There are many things to learn, and the learning never stops. Even when you have been riding for twenty years, you will still feel like you have more to learn. When you are getting started, there are a number of things that are key points for success. If you can get these basics under control, you will have a lifetime of enjoyable and most importantly SAFE riding ahead. If you have ever been to a trail riding school where you hire a horse for an hour, they have probably taught you to kick to go, pull the reins to stop, pull his head to go left, and pull his head to go right. When you have your own horse, or a horse you ride regularly, there is a much easier and kinder way to communicate to your horse what it is that you want. These basics are things you can work on and get better at no matter what level you ride. Even a Grand Prix dressage rider can improve their balance, and many include these types of exercises in their riding routine everyday. Lets look at the top ten points you can work on.
1.
H ow t o h o l d th e re i ns
How do you hold the reins? Do you hold them like you are playing a piano? Or like you are carrying a cup of hot chocolate – with your thumbs on top? The rein should be gripped between your thumb and the second finger, quite firmly, so it doesn’t slip through your hand. It should run down through your hand, and out between your little finger and your 4th finger. And…make sure your little fingers aren’t open and point out, or you could hurt them!
2.
H ow t o Tu r n
Turning is actually much easier than you may realise. Horses have a really good sense of where you are, and are very much affected by little movements in your body. Try for yourself, walking at a nice march, then, rather than pulling on the rein to turn, just look where you want to go. If you want to turn right, look over to your right. Exaggerate it if you don’t get a response straight away, turning your shoulders as well. It’s very important not just to pull on that inside rein!
3.
H ow t o s i t
Why don’t you get one of your friends on the ground to help you out here! Ask them to have a look at your belt and make sure it’s level to the ground. It’s important that your tailbone feels pretty heavy. Leaning back or leaning forward can be quite dangerous. Have a look at your helmet, and make sure it looks level to the horizon.
4.
Sh o u l d e r s
It’s so hard to know if your shoulders are level! So, let’s just forget about it! It’s much easier instead to concentrate on your elbows and make sure your elbows are level to the ground. It’s so much easier than trying to get your shoulders level. A great way to improve all of your upper body is to pretend to lift someone or something onto the horse. With the sport of vaulting (gymnastics on horseback) we lift other riders onto the horse, this is amazing for fixing your posture, especially your shoulders!
5.
Fe e t stra i g h t
Keeping your feet straight keeps the horse straight. Imagine you’ve got skis on your feet, and you need to keep them level and straight. Or, you can imagine that you’re a push bike rider, and that the stirrups need to be on the balls of your feet. This will become more and more important as you do advanced sideways work, as the advanced riders help their horse go sideways by pressing on that stirrup a little.
6.
L e an i n g fo r wa rd
Leaning forward might be OK in jumping (so long as your heels are down), but if the horse stops suddenly you can get flung forward! A great tip is to learn to stand up in the stirrups. Standing up FULLY straight up and down, just like you would when you’re standing on the ground. And, make sure your toes don’t point out. If you’ve seen people point their toes out, then have a look at the top eventers. They sure don’t point their toes out, or their spurs would be on all the time. Turning your toes out makes you lean forward even more.
7.
L e ve l s e at bo n es
Are you a bit confused about where your seat bones are? You are not alone! If you know where your tailbone is, and you know where you pubic bone is, then there are also the other bones that you sit on, on the left and right. If you want to know if they are level, imagine you are wearing a belt. Is the belt level from back to front, and left and right. If your seat bones were torches, where would they point? Would they point down to the ground? They should! Or would they be shooting out behind you? When you are on a circle where would they point? Would they point down or would they be blinding the horse in the paddock next door? It is interesting once you become aware of these, how much you can improve your riding by fixing this alone.
8.
Be n t e l bo ws
Ever been told to keep your hands still? Well to help that happen you need to learn to have soft, loose elbows. A great exercise is to sometimes do rising trot holding the saddle. That will help your elbows move, and keep your hands still. But make sure you’re safe when you do it!
9.
Se e w h at yo u r ch est d o es t o th e h o r s e
Try this out…walk your horse around and drop your chest, sitting sort of “lazy and slumped”. You’ll soon feel the horse’s two front feet get heavier than the two back ones. Then raise your chest again, and you’ll feel the two back feet get heavier. It’s amazing! When weight is on the two front feet it’s called “on the forehand”. When weight is more on the back feet it’s called “engaged”. Engaged is good…on the forehand is bad. And you can so easily fix it by seeing how much your chest affects the horse!
10 .
Cl e an yo u r t e e th o n o n e fo o t.
Last by not least, and exercise you can do every night. Clean your teeth standing on one foot with the other foot out in front of you! It’s an exercise that’s come from the very best people in the world to help with your balance. And the trainer that trained the United States Dressage Federation Horse of the Year does it every morning and every night…so why not try it?
Good Luck, and enjoy your riding. Come and watch some of the clinics coming up in your area! Colleen Kelly and Kelly Tombs are both Official Trainers with the International Society of Rider Biomechanics. Kelly is based on the Gold Coast and Colleen conducts clinics Worldwide. You can follow them on www.facebook.com/colleenkellyriderbiomechanics and www.facebook.com/postureseatbalance .
7
19
April 2011
What’s On Calendar Pony/Riding Clubs
Oxenford Pony Club - T-Shirt Hack Show
10th April
Currumbin District Horse Club - Unofficial Dressage & Hack Day
10th April
Mudgeeraba Pony Club - Gymkhana
17th April
NADEC - Showjumping Competition
30th April
Ph: 0417 840 367
Contact: Kirsten Stanford email: secretary@cdhc.com.au Contact: Liz Lloyd Ph: 0451 671131
Contact: Shelly Homes Ph: 0402 821 322
May 2011 Oxenford Pony Club - Gymkhana
2nd May
NADEC - Official & Associate Dressage (Prep to GP)
8th May
Jimboomba Pony Club - Official Dressage
15th May
Oxenford Pony Club - Senior Rider Sporting
21st May
Southport Pony Club - Official Combined Training
21st May
Ph: 0417 840 367
Contact: Shelly Homes Ph: 0402 821 322 Contact: 0407 968 777 Ph: 55 478 003
Ph: 04160 13081
Southport Pony Club - ODE Championships (Open)
22nd May
Ph: 04160 13081
Oxenford Pony Club - Gymkhana
Ph: 0417 784 0367
20
22nd May
What’s On Calendar Pony/Riding Clubs Surrounding Areas April 2011 Fassifern Horse & Pony Club are hosting an Open Sports Day
9th April
Cedar Grove & District Riding Club - Open Jump Training
10th April
PRARG - Dressage Associate Prep to Advanced
17th April
Boonah Show grounds. Contact: Melanie Fedrick dmfedrick@bigpond.com Contact: Inger Beulah Ph: 0488 721 775 email: ibeulah@bigpond.com Contact: 55 460 669
PCAQ Easter Camp 18th - 20th April Cedar Creek Pony Club - Open Sports Day
24th April
PRARG - Saddlery Market
23rd April
Cedar Grove & District Riding Club - Open Show Jumping
24th April
Contact: 0413 399 309 Contact: 55 460 669
Contact: Inger Beulah Ph: 0488 721 775 email: ibeulah@bigpond.com
May 2011 Beaudesert Pony Club - Zone Campdraft Gymkhana (TBC)
7th & 8th May
Fassifern Vaulting Club - Vaulting Competition
8th May
Kooralbyn Pony Club - Open Hack Show
14th May
Boonah Show
20th - 22nd May
Logan Village Riding Club - Masters Weekend Contact: Sarah Craddock Ph: 0427 812 918
21st & 22nd May
Tweed Valley Equestrian Group - Official & Associate Dressage
22nd May
Cedar Creek Pony Club - Open Sporting
28th May
Cedar Grove & District Riding Club - Open Dressage
29th May
Waterford Pony Club - Zone 2 Formal Day
29th May
Contact :
Contact: Cheryl Harris Ph: 07 5544 6474 Email: khpcinc@hotmail.com Web: www.freewebs.com/kooralbynponyclub Contact: Beth Hern Ph: 5463 1124 Email: boonahshowsoc@westnet.com.au Web: www.boonahshowsociety.org.au
Contact:
Contact: 0413 399 309
Contact: Kristen Heffernan Ph: 0404071123 Email: kristen@safetyequip.com.au Web: www.cgdrc.org.au Contact: Elle Hagarty Ph: e.m.hagarty@live.com.au
21
PRARG’S NEW & USED SADDLERY MARKET Easter SATURDAY – 23rd April
(By popular demand two markets will be held in 2011)
Club Grounds Cnr. Olson & Teviot Roads, North Maclean BE THERE FOR BARGAINS AND FUN!!! Clubs and individuals are invited to gather gear, riding apparel and other ‘horsey’ items to sell or swap in a market type atmosphere. Trade displays welcome. A perfect way to raise money for your respective groups or yourselves. Sell as an individual or as a group. Refreshments available Vendors to be in position by 7am and to stay until 11.30am or unless sold out BOOKING FEE - $15 PER SITE (Sponsors no charge) Pay at the Gate (Sell from your car, float or truck or bring your own equipment) Only one vehicle per site on grounds Sorry, only photographs of horses for sale.
Enquiries - (55) 460 669(Regina)/Chris 55 477 314 or prarginc@iprimus.com.au
Tamborine Mountain Ph: 5545 3505 www.horseridingqld.com
Bring Your Own Horse
• Overnight accommodation available for you and your horse or bring your own horse for the day. •Rainforest and mountain trail rides for all ages and levels of experience on quality, well cared for horses. • Qualified, friendly instructors. • Children's pony rides and pony parties. • Fully licensed restaurant and café.
Open 6 days a week (Closed Mondays) Bookings essential
40 22
Cnr Tamborine Mt Rd & Cedar Creek Falls Rd, North Tamborine
Rider of the Month
Niesje Lovell.... Age:
18
Clubs:
Tallebudgera Pony Club
Horse Details: Esscort Dominator "Ed" 7yo Bay Warmblood Arab gelding,16.2hh. Selection 64 "Nigel" 12yo chestnut TB gelding, 16.3hh Disciplines: Showjumping/Pony Club How Long Have You Had This Horse?: We bred Ed and he was a stallion till 4yo...we have 4 foals from him. Nigel was bought from Billy Raymont and we have had him for 4years. How Long Have You Been Riding?: Since 6yo, my first pony was Miss Liffi ,a cute 13.3hh palomino mare with heaps of pony club experience. Winning lots of ribbons on her, she gave me the taste of competition and having a go. Second horse was Enchanted 14.3hh beautiful liverchestnut mare, rather a fast quick turning mare who loved to do everything from swimming in our dam to State level Showjumping, Dressage and Eventing.' Whinney ' 16.1 Bay TB gelding, he was my next horse who came off the track, who I competed D grade at the State PCAQ Showjumping Championships 2006. Ed and Nigel are my competitive horses now, I have been to the nationals in Pony Club and Interschool with these two horses. And I am training three of Ed's foals, Rain ,Duell (4yo) and Dexi (3yo). Highlights:
Competing at Horsley Park, Sydney at the 2009 Pony Club Nationals and placing 8th overall in the Junior Showjumping on Nigel. At the 2010 Gold Coast Show, jumping 1.6m ! to win the 6 Bar Junior competition on Ed. Being Captain of the QLD Interschool Equestrian Showjumping team at Nationals 2010.
Goals:
Always to have fun, and to put effort in to do my best. This year for 2011, I am taking a gap year before starting Nursing/Midwifery and am planning to travel to Europe for 3-4 months to experience and work in the international horse world.
My Favorite Thing About Riding: Great friendships made over the years .Love the team spirit .Never stop learning . It gives me variety , from going on a lovely relaxed ride on our property to competing at National level when the pressure is on. Mentors:
Mum and Dad, Ron Easey and my horses. 23
Funny
HANG ON Nearly Got it!
P h o to C om p e t i t i o n
Congratulations to Kath Galloway Cash trying to get that last little bit....
2nd Place
1st Place 3rd Place
Gold Coast Local horse magazine is running a photo competition each month. Entries close on the 12th of each month.... For our May Edition we will be taking entrants for “THRILLS & SPILLS�. Please email all photos to info@gclhorsemag.com.au with your name and contact details and who took the photos. Be sure to put a caption with your photo. The top 3 photos will be displayed in the April edition and the winner will receive a $50 voucher produce voucher. This is an amateur photo competition (no professional photographers please) See website for Photo Competition Rules. www.gclhorsemag.com.au
May Edition
"Thrills & Spills" END OF YEAR GRAND FINAL
24
The winner from each months competition will go into the end of year GRAND FINAL. There will be 2 Winners, 1 winner will be judged by the readers and the other winner will be judged by Gold Coast Local Horse Magazine. Keep checking here for details..... GRAND FINAL WINNERS will be announced in our DEC/JAN edition along with the winning photos...... Great GRAND FINAL Prizes to be won........
A Few Tips for Safe Camping on Trail Rides www.trailridingaustralia-inc.org As you are aware this year there is a 5 day break at Easter and TRA have organized a stationary riding camp from Blackbutt in the Brisbane Valley. See the website for more information. This will be a chance to ride in some very beautiful country side. Secondly it will be chance to provide support for the community of Blackbutt and surrounds who suffered so much during the recent floods. Some readers from the Boonah area have contacted me regarding having a training day. I would be available to conduct a training day in the area at a suitable venue such as a show ground. You would need to have a group of at least 15 riders. You can contact me to arrange this on my e-mail address. With the Easter camp this brings me to an important training time for your horse. Can your horse be kept behind an electric fence when you are not riding? I have seen some terrible scenes in the middle of the night when owners have thought that their horse was electric trained. To solve this problem you need to get your horse accustomed to an electric fence and for the horse to respect that there is a current that passes through that little wire and it bites. If you do not have a fence unit most stock feed stores carry portable units. Besides the unit you need at least 4 pig tails (post) and electric tape and a fence tester. The cheapest is a piece of grass held in your hand, this will tell you if it is working or you can buy one. Set fence up at home in your horse’s yard or paddock. Roughly 12 feet by 12 feet. Place the horse inside the fence and turn the unit on. With you on the outside of the yard, lead your horse around and get him to touch the fence. Be prepared for him to pull back quickly. You will then find that your horse will not go near the fence. Some people will say this is cruel but it is not. It is far crueler to have a horse that cannot be yarded at night running wild around a show grounds or onto the local roads. This also applies to portable panels, train you horse at home to be contained behind these. I have seen many horses put into panel yards at night for the first time and by midnight chaos reigns. When we go on trail rides we want it to be an enjoyable experience for you the rider and your horse. You want to go again and you want your horse to want to go also. Whatever you ask your horse to do out on the rail away from home you should try and expose him to those things at home in his comfort zone. If you want to join TRA rides to experience Trail Riding you can contact the Beechmont and District Trail riders on 55331061 This club rides on the 1st Sunday of the Month Or Mudgeeraba and Hinterland Trail Riders This club rides on the 3rd Sunday of the month. Email jmbatty@bigpond.com Or stick49@bigpond.com. On the1st May and 2nd May which is the long weekend The Mudgeeraba Club is holding a working bee in the am of these days and education sessions in the pm. If you are not a member you are welcome to attend these education sessions and the cost will be $10.00 per session. These sessions will be held at our new club grounds on Worongary Road opposite the Gilston School., Oval at the traffic lights at the school. Safe Riding For further details contact Graeme Sleeman Stick49@bigpond.com 55590078 0400941389
25
Using Horses in Live Shows.
Personally my first experience riding a horse in a live show was in 1989 in the Blue Mountains. How hard could it be? I thought. What the lovely pony clubber teenage girl failed to tell me was that "Mandy" (The horse on loan to me that I had to ride amongst school children) hated school bags. She used to be kept in a paddock next to a primary school and some of the rat bags used to try and hit her with them. So, although my character didn't have a school bag, "Mandy" thought the back pack I was carrying looked very much like one but only after I was sitting on her back. She bolted and so did I. She didn't stop....but I did. This piece of unfortunate history is something I always remember when casting horses and riders into my arena productions around Australia. I'm sure you can image the horses and riders that turn up to be part of one of my Troupe Drill routines or Kelly Gang members and other horse action sequences. I just can't take the risk of having a horse and rider not in control out there so the selection process and rehearsals are vital to ensure a safe passage thorough all performances of my live shows. Also consider that appart from 30 or 40 horses and riders out there in the Arena I also have 150 dancers, 80 singers in a choir, World War 2 veterans in vintage cars, CWA ladies and a number of other groups and organizations too numerous to mention. All up - there can be as many as 600 people out there on the arena and our horses and riders have to perform in a designated area a safe distance away from all of these people. That's a challenge and one we can't fail in. I'm very happy to say that of the 30 Arena Spectaculars I've produced we've only had minor horse related incidences that has seen a rider come off in practice as horses sort out whether or not they want to be put in such an unnatural environment as a piece of theatre. But all the hard work is worth it because at the end of the day people love to see horses in live shows. They look great, cover large distances quickly and tug on heart strings when the formations are spot on. Overlay a beautiful music score and you leave the audience wanting more. The riders too love to be part of these shows as they form life-long memories, make new friends, challenge themselves and share a unique experience with their horse. Go Well.... and if ever you voluntarily jump off a bolting horse....don't do it where there's a tree. It hurts! Mark Eady, Creative Producer Ozworks Creative and Entertainment
www.ozworks.net
26
Out & About on The
www.downunderphotography.co
gold coast
Bitless Bridles –
Fa d or Fabulous?
For thousands of years the use of bits has been common place and, in a lot of disciplines, mandatory. As we have continued to discover more advanced ways of caring for our horses, the use of bits still strangely remains the norm. This is despite the facts we know about the damage they can cause to the mouth and teeth of the horse, not to mention the psychological impacts through abuse of the bit. It’s not really until we are on the receiving end of some head tossing or shaking, bucking or some severe pulling that we start asking questions about our choice of gear and sadly even then we miss the most common cause of the horse’s reactions – the bit. So what’s the answer? A bitless bridle of course! There are many styles available now but one that has been around for several years (and is made in Australia) is the NoBit Bridle™. Originally developed for the Australian market. Probably the most common reason people switch to bitless riding is for the welfare of the horse. While owners may be getting good results from a bit, they believe that the horse would be happier without that metallic intrusion into one of the horse’s most sensitive areas. We spend so much time and effort fitting our saddles, looking after their feet and maintaining the cor-
The NoBit Bridle™ is now used all over the world on thousands of horses. rect feeding regimes to ensure our horses are comfortable and healthy, but then we tend to overlook such a crucial area of the horse – his mouth. Even the lightest of contact on the reins has impact on the bit, causing pressure to the bars of the mouth, not to mention contact against the teeth or on any remnants of wolf teeth, causing discomfort and in some cases outright pain.
will be doing when working bitless. What you may find is that he is more relaxed and happier in his work because the bit is not there anymore. In fact, this is something we see often, even with bad pullers, along with improved balance and performance through a more natural head and neck position. The NoBit Bridle™ is not just for pleasure riders either. Many forms of competition allow the use of bitless bridles and it is starting to become common to see them at events as more and more riders look for better options for their horses. They are being used by riders as young as two years of age and on horses performing show jumping, cross country, endurance and even thoroughbred and harness racing. We also see a lot of dressage riders training bitless to help refine their work, even though to date bits are still mandatory in this discipline. Thankfully overseas, National versions of the FEI are trialing bitless bridles in competition dressage so we may soon see a change in Australia as well. So while bitless riding may still be classed as a fashionable fad by some, the choice to try bitless is for sound valid reasons for the wellbeing of our horses and not just for good looks! Written by: Nicole Rosevear
The second most common reason people make the transition to bitless is “behavioural problems”. Many bit related problems are hard to diagnose because there doesn’t seem to be any logical connection between the bit and the behaviour. All too commonly we reach for a stronger or different bit when our horse shows reluctance to stop or perform to our standards. Just think about how much money you have wasted on the eternal search for the perfect bit. Making the transition to bitless is easier than you may think. Provided your horse is yielding well to pressure then the NoBit Bridle™ should work well with your horse, regardless of age, breed, discipline or your experience level. Because the horse’s reactions are instinctive and are based on the halter training (learning to give to pressure) that we give them from a young age, there is little or no retraining required for the majority of horses to understand and make the change from a bitted bridle to the NoBit Bridle™. And to you it feels just like a normal bridle, except that less effort is usually required to get the same result.
30
Will you still be able to achieve a correct frame, contact and collection while using the NoBit Bridle™? Absolutely! Collection is something your horse will naturally achieve in the paddock, he does not need a bit to be able to perform something he does naturally. As riders we really need to replace the term “on the bit” with “working into the bridle” as that is what your horse
www.nobitbridles.com
Oxenford Valley STOCKFEEDS We Supply All Your Stock Feeds, Pet, Vet & Rural Supplies.
Including Lauke Mills, Prydes, Mitavite, Barastoc, Riverina, Allora Grain & Milling, Goldmix Norco, Thunderbird, Coprice, Organic Chook Food, Bonnie Supercoat, Herbs, Hay and Chaff.
Let our experienced customer service team look after you!
1 / 141 Old Pacific Hwy, Oxenford QLD 4210, Australia Ph: 07 5573 1273 Mob: 0408 153 839
DOUBLE STRENGTH
From
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR PLAIN OR GARLIC
An Unpasteurised NATURAL HEALTH SUPPLEMENT
RETAINS ‘MOTHER OF VINEGAR’ . RESTORES NORMAL PH BALANCE HELPS GOOD BACTERIA . KILLS BAD BACTERIA . H E A LT H C H O I C E F O R C H A M P I O N S
Available Sizes: Features and Benefits:
Open Sky Awning – 1250 210cm Deep x 125cm Wide
Open Sky Awning – 2000 Quick ‘n’ Easy Erection • High Quality 210cm Deep x 200cm Wide Cotton PVC Material (Waterproof, rot and mould resistant) • Improved Finish Edges are Open Sky Mosquito Net - 2000 finished with a Heat Welded Seam Tape • 210cm Deep x 200cm Wide Sturdy Locking Mechanisms (The Cam-locks Open Sky Awning - 2500 on the telescopic legs are now Metal and 210cm Deep x 250cm Wide include a revised travelling rubber block for the legs) • New Legs to Stand-On (The Aluminium Open Sky Mosquito Net - 2500 210cm Deep x 250cm Wide legs are now all anodized) • Protection from the Elements (Heavier Duty travel bag offers maximum protection in between uses) • Enhanced Accessories (The Mosquito Net (accessory) now comes with additional tie-down points and a mudflap on the bottom)
W em
ak
en
oc
la
im
s!
Open Sky Awnings come with 1 Year ‘no fuss’ warranty!
VITALITY HEALTH STRENGTH
COME ON DOWN – Mon to Fri 8.00am - 5.00pm and Sat 8.00am - 12.00pm Opposite Lock Gold Coast: 2/26 Spencer Road Nerang QLD 4211 Ph: 07 5596 4886 Fax: 07 5596 6885 Email: info.goldcoast@oppositelock.com.au
RING US FOR A FREE BROCHURE FREECALL 1800 255 288
31
Easter Family Fun Raceday Saturday 23rd April Gates open 10am. FREE kids entertainment and activities 11am - 3pm
Prime Ministers Cup Raceday Saturday 7th May Gates open 10am.
Celebrate the start of the Winter Racing Carnival with an action packed day full of incredible racing, fashFamilies will flock to the annual Gold Coast Turf ions, music, entertainment and glamour! Club’s Easter Family Fun Raceday on Saturday the 23rd of April for a day of free entertainment, activities Featuring over $1 million in prize money! and chocolicious fun! Including * $300,000 Group 2 AD Hollindale Stakes * Eggs, eggs and more eggs with the Cadbury Easter * $175,000 Prime Ministers Cup Egg giveaway! * Special visit from the Easter Bunny Fashions On The Field * Kids Fashions On The Field Competition Off the track the ladies and lads will be strutting their * Pony rides stuff to win a sensational basket of prizes worth thou* Petting zoo sands! * Jumping castle Registration is FREE to enter and will take place on the * Face painting day. Join in the fun, or come and watch the breathtak* Sumo wrestling ing fashions on show! * Craft tent Categories are * …and much more! * Best dressed female The excitement kicks off at 11am with pony rides, a * Best dressed male petting zoo, face painting, jumping castle, sumo wres- * Best hat/fascinator tling, colouring in competitions and more. There will Plus a dedicated FREE Pamper Precinct where you also be a children’s Fashions On The Field competican indulge in mini massages, hair and makeup touch tion, with prizes awarded in the 0-5, 6-10 and 11+ catups, plus get all the latest beauty advice from the proegories. fessionals! What’s more, there will be a very special visit from the Dining and function packages have been released and Easter Bunny, and the ever popular chocolate easter selling fast – contact functions on 07 5538 1599 for egg giveaway! more information. The big kids will also be thoroughly entertained, with General admission is $15 (Kids under 18 free) an exciting racing program throughout the day. A free courtesy bus will operate from Tweed Heads General admission is $10 (Kids under 18 free) through Surfers in both the morning and afternoon A free courtesy bus will operate from Tweed Heads through Surfers in both the morning and afternoon.
32
gold coast racing huge untapped potential $49 Million Upgrade For Gold Coast Turf Club THE TRUE TOURISM POTENTIAL OF AN UPGRADED BUNDALL FACILITY AND HOSTING OF THE SUMMER MAGIC MILLIONS IS YET TO BE TAPPED Bob Bentley, Chairman of Racing Qld Limited: In the short time that Racing Queensland Limited has been in operation (since July 1, 2010) it has had the unique opportunity to look at the industry as a whole. As part of the amalgamation of the three codes, Racing Queensland Limited undertook a review of all racing venues in order to make better use of the available facilities for the benefit of the entire industry and to secure the future of racing in Queensland. The multi-million dollar Industry Infrastructure Plan was about using existing industry venues more strategically, creating new multi-use facilities and modernising racing operations. If implemented, the Industry Infrastructure Plan would deliver an upgrade of facilities located in key racing areas such as the Gold Coast. However, from the beginning RQL has been clear that implementation of the Plan would rely on securing funds
from a number of sources in redirected wagering tax already committed by the Queensland Government, the scrapping of the proposed Logan Greyhound facility and the sale of Albion Park Raceway. Currently, progress on the Industry Infrastructure Plan has been held up due to the former Queensland Harness Racing Limited board mounting legal action to prevent the sale of Albion Park. It is unfortunate that a few people chose to take a course of action to thwart the delivery of the Industry Infrastructure Plan that stands to benefit so many throughout the racing industry in Queensland. Feedback that was provided and collated late last year indicated widespread industry support for the implementation of the Industry Infrastructure Plan. This has been conveyed to the Queensland Government, which no doubt has a range of pressing issues that have stemmed from the recent catastrophic occurrences witnessed in many parts of Queensland.
www.magicmillions.com.au 34
www.countrypark.com.au
What’s On Calendar Show Jumping April 2011
www.qld.equestrian.org.au
NADEC - Showjumping Competition
30th April
GCHG - David Quick Clinic Ph: 0407971188
9th & 10th April
Contact: Shelly Homes Ph: 0402 821 322
May 2011 GCHG - Jump Club Ph: 0407971188
36
28th May
Starting A Show Jumping Career with Anthony Murray & Ellie Pajovic
Hi, in this issue we hope to provide a little insight in what to look out for when choosing a mount for show jumping, but first a brief introduction to who we are.... Together, (under the careful eye of our one year old son!) we run a breaking and training yard near Jimboomba, catering to start horses for all olympic disciplines and taking horses on for training & competing in show jumping and dressage. We provide instruction both private and clinics. Anthony is also a certificate III course designer & judge and has ridden at world cup level over the years.
Finding a Horse for Show Jumping
There are various different aspects of the horse that combine to make the show jumper we want. Some of these points have stronger weight than others and these vary in priority between riders. For example, it is often found that a horse with a good temperament and poor conformation may be quick to learn and more obliging to train and so will progress faster than a horse with naturally good conformation and scope (ability to jump) but not such a good work ethic. On the other hand, the first horse may progress faster but its ability may eventually be compromised by poor conformation and not allow it to progress to a higher level. This is just an overview on some things you may consider next time you go to look at a new horse, or may even answer a few questions your current horse poses...
Temperament:
The horse of choice would preferably be calm but quick to learn. By “calm” we mean relaxed enough to be able to process information quickly without becoming upset or hot. It is important for the horse to be able to think quickly and react to our aids as there is always another jump not too far away to get organised for!! If a mistake is made on course it is a good asset if the horse is able to cope with the necessary adjustments and continue on to complete the round to their best ability. In other words, we would say a horse that will cope with training pressure. We would hope that the horse would be brave but not uncareful. A brave horse is a bonus as it will obviously give you an advantage over the more difficult obstacles. Some horses can appear to be spooky and unfocused around the arena but are not so concerned with the actual jump. This should hopefully improve with training and experience. The horses’ braveness should not compromise how careful it is going over a jump - it must be brave, yet careful and have respect for the jump so as not to touch it.
Types and Breeds:
Although throroughbreds and warmbloods are often the mounts seen to dominate the show jumping scene, almost any horse can jump - it is after all an essential natural movement to survive and escape in the wild. There are many types that show the ability to go to some level of jumping. More and more cross breeds are appearing and bringing different attributes to the sport. Again it is important to find a type suitable to you and your present level of experience.
Breeding:
Breeding cannot guarentee you a world class show jumper but genetics are worth considering especially if buying a young horse not yet under saddle or free jumping.
Conformation:
As mentioned before, there are always exceptions to the rule - temperament, intellect & ability can exceed conformation but generally a horse that is better put together and built for the sport will find its job easier and is more likely to have a higher degree of soundness. The back end of the show jumper is important as this is where the ability to spring lies. Starting over the top of the back, the lumbosacral (LS) joint - where the spine meets the sacrum - needs to be well positioned. This joint enables the engaged horse to carry the weight off the forehand and shift it onto the hind quarters. This allows the forward and upward motion and supports the front end of the horse in the stretch, particularly over spreads. The further back behind the point of hip the LS joint appears the more stress that is put on the joint. If you were to draw a line from the point of hip to point of buttock to stifle and back to point of hip again it would be most preferable for this shape to be a equal lateral triangle (equi-distant between each point). The more “crouch” the horse can get the more spring it can produce. If the distance from hip to stifle is smaller less spring can be compressed and therefore less power is produced and less jump is made. For the same reason it is important that the hocks are strong and spring loaded too. A horse with a lower stifle is preferable. It would be expected that a horse with a higher stifle may be compised in scope in the higher levels as it restricts the height and width a horse can clear. Hooves should appear healthy and the straighter the line from the fetlock through the hoof (pastern hoof axis) the better. The horse needs the best hoof care possible with regular good farriering. A horse with better hooves will be happier in his work and sounder in his career. A majority of problems with hooves can be at least improved if not corrected. If you are concerned about the hooves of a horse you are hoping to buy ask a farriers advice and keep in mind that you may have to be patient with the correcting process. A horse with a good sloping shoulder is an advantage. Generally these horses give you a smoother ride with a better canter - a good canter is paramount in a jumping horse. The horses anatomy moves as one motion from the shoulder to the knee and as the horse rolls its shoulder back the fore leg lifts. A good angle allows a better roll back of the shoulder, allowing a higher lift of the knees. This will enable the horse to more easily “tuck” its front legs out of the way. A straight shoulder blocks the movement of the fore leg and can create concussion.
If you are unsure about going to look at a new horse yourself it is often a good idea to ask your instructor if they are available to see the horse with you, or even take a video for a second opinion. Always remember... It is most important overall to choose a horse that you are comfortable with. Hopefully these pointers may have helped shine some light on things to consider, or at least have been of interest to you if not now maybe in the future...
37
Coaches & Trainers Jumping Anthony Murray & Ellie Pajovic Larkbeare Farm Equine Services Breaking-in / Training, Instruction & Farrier work Specialising in the breaking-in & training of performance horses for all disciplines
0400 931 148 or 0438 868 436 corri06@hotmail.com (Logan Village, SEQ)
FOR SALE Registered Palomino Overo Mare - 14.3hh 9 y.0
Paris is a QH (Paint) x TB. She’s capable of novice dressage & jumps up to 1.1m in competition & is schooling 1.2m at home. Has been to PC & agricultural shows. Entered in 2011 Toowoomba Royal Show. Beautiful nature. Foward moving but quiet. Best suited to a capable young rider who’s looking for a fun but serious competition horse. Youtube Wyndhams Barbie Doll. $8500 very negotiable to good home. Call Sarah on 0415 292 120
GOODWOODS SADDLERY NEW SEASON SPECIALS 10% - 50% OFF EVERYTHING Tassie Woollen Show Set 1200 Denier Ripstop Combo Featuring reinforced shoulders Made from 1200 denier ripstop fabric waterproof & breathable. Available in navy blue. 225gm fill and body 175gm in neck. Sizes 4’9” to 7’. With full shoulder gusset.
$99.95 WAS $219.95 2 for $185 3 for $265
& satin lined neck. Fully bound. Available in the famous colarcheck colour. Guaranteed best fit. Sizes: 5’6” - 7’
$139.95
NZ Ripstop Lined Canvas Combo
Made from 16oz Ripstop fabric. Waterproof & Lined. Sizes 4’9” to 7’.
WAS $199
2 for $260 3 for $360
SHOP ONLINE! www.goodwoods.com.au Mail Order Hotline Phone 02 9519 8844 38
$69.95 WAS $98.95
2 for $129 3 for $180
Unit 19/1 Hordern Place, Camperdown, NSW 2050
Maximising Your Horse’s Potential for Movement www.balancedhorse.com.au All horses experience stresses upon their bodies as a result of the work we ask them to do. To cut a very long story short, this is because they aren’t biomechanically designed to carry our weight. This gives us a responsibility to ensure that their bodies are properly maintained and that the constant stresses they experience don’t eventually lead to a permanent compromise in their movement. Equine Positional Release is an approach derived from osteopathy that works on the horse’s muscular and skeletal systems. It works extensively on vertebral realignment, as well as addressing shoulder and pelvic imbalance, including rotation. By stimulating the sensory receptors found in joints, muscles and tendons, it’s possible to help the horse achieve skeletal realignment and release of tension throughout its whole body. Importantly, the work removes the layers of compensation issues that inhibit your horse’s movement. This is when earlier physical problems have caused the horse to adapt in their overall balance, with the result that another area of their body becomes overworked and stressed. These more recent problems can then lead on to further compensation, and so on. To help with this, the bodywork has a built-in ‘re-education’ aspect, so that the horse’s body not only realigns, but the horse’s awareness takes on board the fact that the realignment has happened. There is no point in correcting problems in the body, if the horse continues to move in the ‘wrong’ way. What many owners like about this approach is that it’s so remarkably light, despite being profoundly effective. Used after an extensive assessment of the horse’s posture, range of motion and way of moving, this method of joint realignment and soft tissue release can address a very wide range of issues. The rewards are considerable: postural improvements, improved biomechanical function, faster recovery from injury and, most importantly, a horse who is able to move better. Jane Clothier works on the Gold Coast and hinterland, providing bodywork for horses and saddle fit checks. She also runs a one-day workshop, ‘Saddle Fit Essentials for Horse Owners’, at venues in the region.
39
What’s on Calendar Showing/Agricultural April 2011 Oxenford Pony Club - T-Shirt Hack Show Ph: 0417 840 367
10th April
Surrounding Areas May 2011 Kooralbyn Pony Club - Open Hack Show
14th May
Boonah Show
20th - 22nd May
Contact: Cheryl Harris Ph: 07 5544 6474 Email: khpcinc@hotmail.com Web: www.freewebs.com/kooralbynponyclub Contact: Beth Hern Ph: 5463 1124 Email: boonahshowsoc@westnet.com.au Web: www.boonahshowsociety.org.au
40
Grooming Tips - From the Top Show groomers share secret techniques for making their horses stand out on show day.
Every top show groom has his or her own bag of tricks out of which they pull some secret technique to make their horses stand out. Here's a list of tips to help you shine on show day: • For really white socks or stockings, dust the legs with baby powder, corn starch or French white chalk. • To cut down on static electricity in the mane and tail, use dryer sheets. One wipe-down through the hair will help eliminate static. • Rub a dab of baby oil along the bridle path to get rid of that chalky, just-clipped look and make it shiny. • For breeds that show with a patent-leather shiny hoof, fill in any old nail holes with a spackling compound that matches the colour of your horse's hoof. For a black foot, the colour of the compound won't matter. To polish the feet, use the wax-based, cake shoe polishes to add a deep luster to the foot while protecting it from the drying effects of hoof lacquer, which can be applied over the shoe polish. • When you don't need to pull the mane, use thinning shears to shorten it without having the chopped look of scissor cuts. • Clippers can give you the effect of a pulled tail, without having to pull out hairs. Run the clippers carefully along the outside of the dock and down about 4 to 6 inches, just up to the point where the hair begins to crest over. Thin the hairs along the top of the tail and blend longer hairs to gradually blend into the shorter ones. • To make your horse shiny mix your shampoo in water and add baby oil. • Wash your horse a couple of days before the show so the oils of the coat have time to work to the surface for a natural shine. Keep a light sheet on to keep the coat clean until show day. • If you choose not to braid a horse's mane, lay a dampened towel over the neck to help the hairs lie down smoothly. • Keep a wrap on your horse's braided tail - temporarily - so that it arrives at the show grounds with the braid intact. • Apply only one coat of hoof oil or dressing if arena footing is deep. The oil will collect dirt, but the judge will know that you made the effort. • Instead of using rags to wipe down your horse, purchase inexpensive knit gloves (available at most Chemists or hardware stores) and apply the product directly to them. When you are finished, they can be washed. • For coarse tails, use a hot oil treatment in addition to your regular equine conditioner to soften the hairs and make them flow. • Clipping excess hair to show refinement of the socks, fetlocks, tail, bridle path, ears, muzzle and jaw. If you clip the inside of your horse's ears, place cotton inside to prevent hairs from entering the ear canal and also to deaden the buzz of the clippers.
• On some colours, darkening the colour of the legs using ravens oil, enhances the coat colour and finish. • Darkening the muzzle and ear region to simulate a ‘summer’ face/coat, done with specialised makeup or chalk and baby oil (my preferred method, easy and cheap!) • If you like the sleek, shiny look on the face, try using Brylcreem instead of baby oil. This wonderful men's hair product creates a natural shine that sets off your horse without making him look oily. It only takes a little bit to add polish to your horse's face. •
Dyeing the tail of the bay horse to eliminate sun bleaching and to show a nice gloss to the hair. Flaxen and palomino horses often need a stronger method of cleaning to eliminate urine stains if a tail bag has not been used. Sard Wonder Soap or Sunlight Soap in the bar, works amazing on white tails and socks.
59 41
www.showhorsedesigns.com.au
Please visit
Horse Clipping
www.secretstrands.com.au
to view our new arrivals and gallery.
Heather Crack
TM
Ph: 5546 3276 / 0408 193 131 42
Australian Arabian National Championships Tamworth 2011
What’s On Calendar Wesetern/Performance April 2011
www.nationalrodeoassociation.com.au www.prorodeo.asn.au
National Finals Rodeo 7th - 10th April Contact: Ticketek Ph: 132 849
April 2011
Surrounding Areas
Barrel Racing - Canungra Show Grounds
2nd April
Contact: Katrina Pugley
National Finals Rodeo 7th - 10th April Contact: Ticketek Ph: 132 849
Barrel Racing - Gympie Horse and Rodeo Grounds Contact: Katrina Pugsley 0403 649635
9th April
Barrel Raceing - Toorbul 17th April Barrel Racing - Toogoolawah Showgrounds 17th April Contact: NBHA Ph: 0448 995 049
Roma Bull Ride 22nd April Barrel Racing - Harlin Jackpot 23rd April Contact: Jenny Moore 0417 786935
Emerald Easter Sunflower Festival Rodeo 23rd April Barrel Racing - Harlin Open Event 24th April Contact: Jenny Moore 0417 786935
Roma Rodeo 24th April Barrel Racing - Woodenbong Jackpot 30th April Contact: Andrea Reid
May 2011
St George Rodeo 1st May Beaudesert Rodeo 7th May Barrel Racing - Gympie - Open Event
7th May
Barrel Racing - Gympie - Jackpot Open
8th May
Barrel Racing - Rathdowney Showgrounds - Jackpot Open
15th May
Barrel Racing - Nambour Showgrounds - Open Event
29th May
To Advertise your upcoming Events for FREE Contact: Gold Coast Local Horse Magazine at info@gclhorsemag.com.au 44
The EXTREME sport of
Barrel Racing
Its fast paced, its an addiction for speed!! Barrel Racing is an Event in which three 44 gallon drums are used. These barrels are set up and run in a clover leaf pattern. It is the rider’s choice to begin with a left hand or right handed course. Depending on the arena the barrel course may differ in size. The rider that is able to execute the correct pattern in the fastest time wins. The Goal is to turn as tightly as possible around the barrels while keeping your speed throughout the pattern without knocking a Barrel down, if this does occur penalty or elimination will be the outcome. A horse for barrel racing needs to be controlled, willing, calm and intelligent. Barrel Racing horses have great temperaments, soft eye, and speed and agility. The most popular breed for the sport is the American Quarter horse which is Shorter bodied yet stocky and versatile type; this is ideal because they are bred for speed yet also can shut down the speed quickly to get around the barrels. Barrel Racing becomes a passion creating a very big addiction that many of us love to do, It is like no other sport, where every hundredth of a second counts. It is the relationship that the rider and the horse share that ultimately lead to success. National Barrel Horse Association (Affiliated with America) which is situated in South East Queensland region, is a great way to get started into barrel racing. Whether you’re an experienced Rodeo competitor, Jackpot competitor, a pony club rider or starting Barrel Racing NBHA is perfect for you. The NBHA is a 4 D format which gives all competitors a chance at a division. The format encourages everyone to learn, and succeed and build their skills and work towards other higher divisions, while still staying competitive and having a chance at winning money or prizes. The Divisions work by 1D-Riders with the fastest time of the day , 2D These are the competitors ½ second slower than the overall fastest time , 3 D These are the competitors who are 1 second slower than the overall fastest time, 4 D These are the competitors 2 seconds slower than the overall fastest time. The NBHA is also the only Barrel Racing Association in the Country to be able to offer their finalist to go and compete in the USA NBHA world finals in Georgia to represent Australia. For Barrel Racing enthusiasts interested in seeing these barrel events and these Associations grow and become widely available, means it is essential to support them at every opportunity available by either becoming an member or competitor, promoting the club, fundraising and assisting in the running of events, donating to the club etc . THIS SPORT CAN AND WILL BECOME BIGGER AND BETTER AS IT GROWS EVERY YEAR. National Barrel Horse Association Contact details: http://nbhaaustralia.webs.com Email: nbhaaustralia@hotmail.com Written by: Courtney McGeechan
45
The National Finals Rodeo
Cowboys t a ke H a t s Of f T o G ol d Coast Con v ent i o n a nd E xh i bi t i o n C en t r e ORGANISERS of the re-scheduled 2011 National Finals Rodeo have dipped their wide-brimmed cowboy hats to the crew at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. After the planned January finals were postponed because of the Queensland flood emergency, 400 tonnes of dirt and over 500 tonnes of cattle and horseflesh created a mountain of work that suddenly had to be moved to later in the year. It was a monumental logistical and re-scheduling task, but thanks to the Convention and Exhibition Centre and major supporter Jupiters the rodeo will go ahead from Thursday 7th to Sunday 10th April. Australia’s top 120 rodeo stars will saddle up to compete in six events - Bareback Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc Riding, Team Roping and Bull Riding. It will run at the same time and in the same precinct as the 2011 Australian Surf Life Saving Titles, something sure to provide a massive economic boost for Broadbeach and the Gold Coast. Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC) General Manager Adrienne Readings said the much-anticipated Rodeo was expected to be a returning hit among local Gold Coasters and interstate fans who make an annual trip to the Sunshine State especially for the event. “After some delay due to circumstances beyond our control, we are pleased that the National Finals Rodeo is back up and running for what we anticipate to be another successful year. “Each year the Rodeo adds to our growing list of diverse public events attracting thousands to the venue and adding significant economic boost to the surrounding area,” she said. Other National Finals Rodeo supporters include Gold Coast Tourism, Queensland Tourism, Broadbeach Alliance, RACV Royal Pines Resort, Ford, Australian Outback Spectacular, Tyrells Wines and Fourex Gold. Adult tickets start at $19 children’s tickets at $12 and family tickets start at only $50. There are also three, four and five session passes and tickets are available now at www.nfrgoldcoast.com.au, www.ticketek.com or at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre ticket office on 07 5504 4181.
46 68
47
Equestrian Centres
Advertise Here for as little as $49 per month
all corrective shoeing over 25 Years experience & 0418 180 602 / 5504 6829
master farrier
Dane Batten & 0439 765 780
48
1252 Artwork by AQUA [PD] - www.aqua-pd.com.au
master farrier Iain Batten
1252 Artwork by AQUA [PD] - www.aqua-pd.com.au
Farriers
Nerang Stockfeed For all your pet & stock needs
Open: Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm Sat 8am - 1pm Ph: 07 55 961 722
Units 3/4, 12 Hildon Crt, Nerang Qld 4211 (Near Nerang Saddleworld)
A d ve r t i s e H e re Bu s i ne s s Ca rd Listing Fo r a s L i tt l e a s $ 4 9 pe r m o n t h
.
Goodwoods Saddlery Tassie Woollen Show Set
WAS $199
$139.95
w w w. h o r s e s r u s . c o m . a u
Mail Order Hotline Phone 02 9519 8844 Order Online www.goodwoods.com.au Unit 19/1 Hordern Place, Camperdown, NSW 2050
49
Veterinary “Bowed Tendons” Why, How & What To Do
By: Gold Coast Equine Clinic systemic medication (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory Why are tendon strain injuries so common? Horses carry a greater proportion of their weight through their forelimbs so the flexor tendons are frequently placed under loads close to their functional limits during maximal exercise or competition. This makes them susceptible to overstrain injuries. Commonly injury results from an accumulation of repetitive forces which eventually overload the tendon causing tearing of the tendon fibers. Although less common, tendons may be injured if they receive external injury from a blunt force while under a heavy load such as an interference injury during galloping or racing. These injuries often have accompanying skin and soft tissue bruising/contusion overlying the region of tendon damage. Although the precise mechanisms causing tendon strain are not fully understood factors that contribute to injury include foot balance/shoeing, conformation, bodyweight, track conditions, fatigue, competition distance and training regime.
Diagnosis
Recognition of clinical signs associated with tendon injury allows early diagnosis, (typically reducing the severity of the injury), facilitates prompt treatment and often results in an improved long term outcome. Signs of inflammation include swelling or a change in profile of the tendon (“bowed tendon”) (Fig 1), and heat and pain on palpation. Lameness is not always apparent or it may be transient and mild and does not necessarily correlate to the severity of the injury. If any of these signs are evident they should be evaluated by your veterinarian immediately. Ultrasound evaluation may be required to detect the presence of a tendon strain. (Fig 2 and 3)
Treatment
The aim of treatment is to reduce inflammation to minimise further damage and promote healing and decrease the amount of scar tissue formation. Scar tissue is weaker and less elastic than normal tendon tissue and is susceptible to re-injury. Initial inflammation is controlled by
drugs) and physical therapy such as icing (20 mins three times daily) and pressure bandaging. Graded exercise programs have a dramatic improvement in the prognosis for return to competition compared to pasture turnout alone and are an important component of the rehabilitation process. Early unrestricted turnout may result in re-injury of the tendon as the damaged fibers cannot withstand any sudden heavy loading. A controlled exercise program gradually loads the tendon in increasing amounts which stimulates and improves healing of the tendon. Other treatments aimed at improving the quality of healing of the damaged fibers include shockwave therapy or injections directly into the lesion (damaged area of the tendon). Intra-lesional injections include Stem Cells and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP). Recent advances in stem cell research have led to the development of new collection and processing techniques for stem cells in horses. This new technique, developed by Medivet Australia, means that the procedure can now be completed in one day and can be done at approximately half of the previous costs. We can now collect adipose (fat) tissue from the rump of the horse and isolate very large numbers of mesenchymal stem cells form this tissue. The cells are then re-injected into the tendon (or ligament) via ultrasound guidance. PRP therapy uses a component of the horse’s own blood (the platelet) which contains growth factors and proteins that stimulate and improve healing to form a stronger better organized tendon. The technique involves same day blood collection, sample processing and injection into the injured tendon. These procedures are used widely in leading clinics in Australia and the USA and are available at GCEC. For more detailed information regarding tendon and ligament injuries and to determine the best treatment options for your horse, please refer to our website or call to speak to a veterinarian.
Fig 2 Cross section of a tendon showing a core lesion
Fig 1 Obvious change in profile of the back of55333081 the Phone: Email: westernsaddler@bigpond.com leg Web: www.westernsaddles.com.au
50
Fig 3 Corresponding ultrasound image of the core lesion of the tendon in Fig 2 Left
Veterinary Dr Charlie McCormack BVSc & Associates Dr Paul Robinson BVSc Dip ACVS Dr Matthew Morahan BVSc
New Equine Surgery & Clinic
• Fully Equipped Surgical Facility • Poor Performance Evaluation • Lameness Examination • Digital Radiography
Ph: 07 5570 2988
• Diagnostic Ultrasound • Video Endoscopy • Shockwave Therapy • Stem Cell Therapy • Prepurchase examinations • IRAP Joint Therapy
15 Ken Russell Court, Bundall E: info@trackvet.com.au W: www.trackvet.com.au
GOLD COAST EQUINE CLINIC The Gold Coast Equine Clinic is a new veterinary centre created specifically for horses. Located close to the Gold Coast Turf Club and adjacent to the Magic Millions sales complex, the GCEC is the only equine veterinary facility on the God Coast. From this base our equine veterinarians service an area stretching from Brisbane in the north, west to Beaudesert and south across the border into Northern New South Wales. The new clinic is equipped with full surgical and diagnostic facilities including sterile and non sterile surgery theatres, padded recovery room, large undercover work station and crush area, lameness trot-up area as well as overnight stabling. These new features are complimented by our diagnostic equipment including video endoscopy, digital radiography and digital ultrasound. This enables our vets to diagnose and treat horses on site in an efficient and professional manner, utilising modern and practical facilities and state of the art equipment. Our surgical suite is equipped with the latest anaesthetic and patient monitoring equipment enabling us to conduct a full range of surgical procedures from complicated arthroscopic and orthopaedic surgery through to routine gelding operations.
51
www.equissage.com.au
2011 MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FORM OFFICE USE ONLY RENEWAL?
YES
NO
MEMBERSHIP NUMBER:
NEW MEMBERSHIP?
YES
NO
GOLD CARD APPLICANT?
YES
NO
Cheques to be made payable to QUEENSLAND ENDURANCE RIDERS ASSOCIATION INC
52
CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP & COST: ALL FEES QUOTED INCLUDE GST AT 10% AND INSURANCE. CLASS
TOTAL
GOLD CARD
www.aera.asn.au/gera
Palomino Gold Help ensure your Palomino Looks a Million Dollars!! Palomino Gold is the world’s first supplement formulated specifically for Palomino horses! Extensive field trials with leading Palomino breeders and show exhibitors have shown that when fed as directed with a ‘white’ feed diet, Palomino Gold minimises the risk of dark ‘smutty’ patches in the coat, giving a healthy golden coat with uniform colour. Palomino Gold contains 5 individual supplet pellets, blended at an optimum ration to correct low or inadequate levels of important nutrients, without any excesses which can lead to unwanted dark smutty patches and coat colour variation. Palomino Gold is the ideal supplement to put the gold back in your Palomino’s coat.
1800112227
www.kohnkesown.com John Kohnke Products P.O Box 3234 Rouse Hill NSW 2155
info@kohnkesown.com
53
Websites & Design Specialising in visually attractive equestrian design
From
Available Sizes: Features and Benefits:
Open Sky Awning – 1250 210cm Deep x 125cm Wide
Open Sky Awning – 2000 Quick ‘n’ Easy Erection • High Quality 210cm Deep x 200cm Wide Cotton PVC Material (Waterproof, rot and mould resistant) • Improved Finish Edges are Open Sky Mosquito Net - 2000 finished with a Heat Welded Seam Tape • 210cm Deep x 200cm Wide Sturdy Locking Mechanisms (The Cam-locks Open Sky Awning - 2500 on the telescopic legs are now Metal and 210cm Deep x 250cm Wide include a revised travelling rubber block for the legs) • New Legs to Stand-On (The Aluminium Open Sky Mosquito Net - 2500 210cm Deep x 250cm Wide legs are now all anodized) • Protection from the Elements (Heavier Duty travel bag offers maximum protection in between uses) • Enhanced Accessories (The Mosquito Net (accessory) now comes with additional tie-down points and a mudflap on the bottom)
Open Sky Awnings come with 1 Year ‘no fuss’ warranty! COME ON DOWN – Mon to Fri 8.00am - 5.00pm and Sat 8.00am - 12.00pm Opposite Lock Gold Coast: 2/26 Spencer Road Nerang QLD 4211 Ph: 07 5596 4886 Fax: 07 5596 6885 Email: info.goldcoast@oppositelock.com.au
www.annieminton.com.au
FOR SALE
Kara Kar 2 Horse Extended, 3 yrs old always kept under cover. Fits large and small horses with adjustable chest bars. Sides open with removable clears, saddle & bridle racks inside, electric brakes and very light weight and easy to tow $8500 ono Contact: Aleisha 0403498743 or 55337127 Brand New 2 Horse Deluxe Angle Load with all the bells and whistles Metallic two tone paint in Silver and white, padded dividers, mag wheels, rocker roller supspension, drop down side windows, swing out saddle tack box, inside above rug rack, pop up vents and back strut doors, fully lockable. Great little float! $14,000 ono first to see will buy! Contact: Aleisha 0403498743 or 55337127 Isuzu Truck FRR550 and 5 horse Gooseneck - The Complete Package Isuzu crew cab FRR550, 1998 model with 2 custom made removable tack boxes, pioneer custom fitted stereo with bluetooth, 163,146klms + 5 horse gooseneck with living, kitchenette, shower and gas hot water system. More photos available on request. Price $90,000 Ph: Danny 0418755816 or email danny@moongamba.com.au
5 Polocrosse Horses For Sale.0 · 2 x HAYDON RAYGUN out of Edenhope Sam Mare 3 y.o and 4 y.o · Beautiful chestnut by T’bred out of Edenhope Sam Mare 7 y.o · T’bred Mare played A grade 12 y.o , suitable for dressarge (very smart) · 7 y.o. Mare by Riveria Knight Opera out of Edenhope Sam Mare All horses are beautiful to handle, well educated, bred to play polocrosse or campdraft. Please phone Danny 0418755816 email: danny@moongamba.com.au
www.4280.com.au PROPERTY ID: 445680 220 Green Ridge Rd , JIMBOOMBA
Make an offer!!
Versatility PLUS! Horse lovers, dual families, families with teenagers, truckies, home business… The list goes on! There are so many ways to enjoy this property and improve your lifestyle.. Outside you have over 3 acres, fully fenced and partitioned into paddocks. It’s perfect for horses, and ideal for other livestock. Why not become a Llama farmer?! The property also features a dam, shelters, large shed, chook enclosure and nearly completed dressage arena. There are 2 dwellings. The first is a 3 bedroom, 1 bathroom brick home, with full length rear verandah overlooking the property. It also has combustion heating and R/C air conditioning. The kitchen is functional but it would be a great starting place to do a makeover and add your own personality. This unique property also has a separate granny flat, with its own bathroom, sep bedroom and open plan kitchen/living area. Also heaps of storage and water. All these features wrapped up in one bundle, located just a stone’s throw from the town centre. How could you go wrong??
Call today to arrange an inspection
Bernard Hussey 0414 962291
Features include: • over 3.25 acres, fully fenced with dam • 3 bed brick home with A/C & combustion heating • Sep self contained granny flat • Close to town, shops and schools • Motivated seller, must be sold
55
ww.sharpelabscom.au
7