Show Circuit Magazine - April/May 2018 by Show Circuit Magazine

SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE DRESSAGE TRAINING WITH MONIQUE PERTZ

SHOWCIRCUIT

NEW ZEALAND’S ULTIMATE EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE

OLIVIA APATU

e u r T e m o C s m a e r D

VANESSA WAY FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

YOUNGEST OLYMPIC CUP

WINNER Briar Burnett-Grant

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EVENT COVERAGE

TAKAPOTO ESTATE

SHOW JUMPING

OUR NEWEST EVENT

LOGAN & GEORGIA THE MASSIE FACTOR

GINNY THOMPSON

SHOOTING FOR

THE STARS

HORSE OF THE YEAR INTERVIEWS AND COVERAGE

DANIEL BLUNDELL HARD WORK PAYS OFF

NO HOOF, NO HORSE! OUR GUIDE TO HEALTHY HOOVES

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WELCOME FROM MY DESK

Once again, Horse of the Year has come and gone, leaving its fair share of dreams come true and a few broken hearts in its wake. To the competitors who made it to the show, whether the result fulfilled your aspirations or not, remember to take pride in your achievement. And if you didn’t have the show you were hoping for – there is always next year! For many riders, the impending winter months is a time to rest, regroup and reset goals for next season, and to reconnect with the other parts of our often varied, busy lives. I found it fascinating to read recently that double Olympic champion Charlotte Dujardin (CBE) struggled terribly with depression after her success at the 2012 London Olympics, due in part to the break-up of her relationship and the potential sale of Valegro. It is a timely reminder to us all that winning, even at the highest levels, is just another stepping stone on the journey. It is so easy to become single-minded in the pursuit of equestrian perfection that the rest of your life can fall by the wayside, but as Charlotte herself learned, you can’t always wait to pick up the pieces that your ambition may have left behind. No victory will ever be as sweet as one shared with those who have helped to make it possible. We hope that you’ll find plenty of inspiration in this issue of Show Circuit, which includes coverage of Horse of the Year, as well as a variety of other shows around the country, and interviews with successful up-and-coming riders across the disciplines, who let us in on a few of their secrets for success. We’re also shining a spotlight on some of this sport’s wonderful volunteers, without whose boundless time and energy our shows wouldn’t be as well-run, encouraging, or entertaining! I would also like to take the time to say a special thank you to Mitch and Kate Plaw who privately funded Takapoto Estate Show Jumping on their beautiful property in the Waikato. This event had an international feel to it, the likes of which we have never seen before in New Zealand. Without the commitment of the Takapoto Estate and their team, including Event Manager Jaime Campbell, this fabulous show would not be gracing our calendar. It was an outstanding achievement for all involved. I would like to also extend my gratitude to our Senior Features writer, Laura Hunt, for her hard work and dedication to our magazine. Laura will be on maternity leave for a couple of issues, and we wish her and husband George all the best for this exciting new chapter in their lives. Winter is now on its way, although the record-breaking warm temperatures we’ve had this summer are set to carry through until May, so what the winter weather will bring is anyone’s guess at this stage. With record-breaking cold snaps across Europe, it could well be a cold one ahead! But the season isn’t over yet, and we will continue to bring you event coverage in our next issue, so make sure your subscription is up to date so that you don’t miss out! Meanwhile, for the eventers and hunters out there, whose season is just getting started, we’ve got some rider fitness tips to help those intrepid folks to stay sound. Until then, make the most of the warm weather while it lasts, and remember to take moment to thank those around you as you continue working towards your dreams.

Sheryll Davies, Publisher

WAIATA PUBLISHING LTD PO Box 1245, Pukekohe, Auckland 2340

EDITOR

Pip Hume pip@showcircuit.co.nz

FEATURES WRITER Laura Hunt

WRITERS

Cailtin Madden Diana Dobson Nicola Smith Pip Hume Rachael Sutton Rebecca Harper

SUB EDITING

Kate Lattey kate@showcircuit.co.nz

DESIGN

Sheryll Davies

PHOTOGRAPHERS Cheleken Photography Cornege Photography Dark Horse Photography Debbie Stevens Elise Ford Photography Eye Witness Photography Kampic.com Libby Law Photography Mac Photography Melissa Edmonds-Whale Michelle Clarke Photography Rebecca Harper Sophie Simson

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MAGAZINE ENQUIRIES Briar Burnett-Grant - FIBER FRESH VEROANA Photo: Cornege Photography

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WEBSITE

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ABOUT SHOWCIRCUIT Our magazine is published bi-monthly. Articles reflect the personal opinion of the author and not necessarily the view of Waiata Publishing Ltd. This publication cannot be reproduced in whole or in part in any way without the publisher’s express written permission. All contributions are submitted at the sender’s risk. Waiata Publishing Ltd accepts no responsibility for loss or damage.

CONTENTS 42 APRIL / MAY 2018 REGULARS 12 62 124 139

Top Shot Retail | Insider's Shopping Guide New Products Subscribe

22 INTERVIEWS

TRAINING Monique Pertz | Simple and Effective Dressage

EVENT COVERAGE 74 80 82 86 90 92 94 100 104 108 112 116 120

14 18 22 24 26 28 30 34 36 38 42 46 50 54 56 58

104

Lake Districts A&P Show Bates National Dressage Championships Ashburton ESNZ Show Jumping Bruce Forbes Pony Club Teams Event Otago Area Jumping NZNS Showing Championships

HEALTH 128 132 136

Coping in a Crisis No Hoof, No Horse Nicola Smith | Help with Rider Fitness

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TOP SHOT

TAKAPOTO ESTATE SHOW JUMPING

A breathtaking new show jumping venue privately funded by Mitch and Kate Plaw. PHOTO Eye Witness Photography

INTERVIEW

BRIAR BURNETT-GRANT

Cream of the Crop

Briar Burnett-Grant is fast becoming the queen of cool. Her 17 years belie her calmness when going head-to-head with some of the best in the business – whether that be in World Cups or Olympic Cups. By her own admission she’s a perfectionist, and at the 2018 Land Rover Horse of the Year Show she had to call on all her talents to re-write the history books. She has represented New Zealand before but watch out – she has far bigger things in her future, including the Youth Olympic Games.

WORDS Diana Dobson

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“IT ALL STARTED WHEN MUM HAD MINI PONIES COME TO ONE OF HANNAH’S BIRTHDAY PARTIES AND SHE WOKE UP THE NEXT MORNING AND HAD A FIT BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS GOING TO KEEP THEM! IT WENT FROM THERE.”

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IMAGES First image; Kampic.com, portrait image; Eye Witness Photography

History-making Olympic Cup winner Briar Burnett-Grant likes to write down two sets of goals each year – the ‘realistic’ and the ‘unrealistic’. They’re carefully penned into a discarded school book and she keeps them quietly to herself. This year she flipped it all on its head, nailing all three of her ‘unrealistic’ goals aboard Fiber Fresh Veroana. “It’s crazy!” said the teenager from Taupo. “The major list went to plan, but my unrealistic list is just things that I really want to happen but that I think probably won’t.” It has been an unreal season for Briar, who became the youngest-ever to win the Olympic Cup when she took it out in a nail-biting jump-off against Aussie raider Clint Beresford on his very careful and well-performed Emmaville Jitterbug. “Everyone was making bets before the start and I looked at the entry list and suddenly thought ‘wow – there are so many in this and they are all so good’.” // BRIAR’S STELLAR SEASON In January, when Briar was finally old enough for a World Cup start, she and stable star Flash – as Veroana is known at home – came out with a stomping double clear to win the class. “It has been an incredible season,” she admits, recalling that they also won the North Island Premier League crown together. But as brave and fearless as Briar looks as she flies over New Zealand’s biggest courses, that hasn’t always been the case. She followed older sister Hannah into the horse world, but her parents Karen Burnett and Dave Grant were not at all horsey at the start. “It all started when Mum had mini ponies come to one of Hannah’s birthday parties and she woke up the next morning and had a fit because she thought she was going to keep them! It went from there.” Briar was seven when she started riding lessons. “Fridays were my favourite day of the week. When I finished school I would go my riding lessons and then have McDonald’s. I loved Fridays!” she laughs. Eventually Karen caved and bought her a mini pony who had previously been at the RDA. “Little did we know they had sold her because she was too much of a handful, and so naughty. Hannah would get on to help and she would be dropped off it too, but that pony did end up teaching me how to stick on.” Things turned a corner when the Robson family loaned her Mr Skywalker, and while they had their ups and downs, Briar had a ball with him. “He was my first serious pony. Hannah was in the spotlight then, so I would just go off and do my thing at shows.” // THOSE PONY DAYS Karen remembers those days well. “Briar would be off in ring three or four doing her 90cm on Mr Skywalker. She has always being quite capable and fiercely independent. She is also a bit of a perfectionist and works very hard at something until she is good at it.” Hannah has always been there to help her little sister too. “I used to be so afraid to jump even the smallest oxer, and was never going to jump anything high,” she recalls. “Hannah would make little doubles for me at home and I would just sit there crying. I went from so scared to fearless.” The about-face came when she inherited Mighty Maximus from her sister. “He made all the difference and is such a special pony.” He’s now enjoying his retirement at their Taupo home. Briar rode in her first Pony Grand Prix not long before her tenth birthday, and enjoyed a number of other ponies, including the consistent Kabo Silver. She was also loaned Millbrook for one season by Lily Tootill. “We ended up with the wild card entry into the 2013 Pony of the Year class. The week before HOY, I was studying Lily’s rounds on her and suddenly realised I had been doing it all wrong. I would hold her but realised you had to let her go – it was such a shock.” Changing her technique clearly worked, as the two took out the coveted Pony of the Year crown that year. “Winning that class is every child’s dream and was a complete surprise to everyone. I had three in the class and I thought if any of them would win it would be Maximus!”

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// FLASH FORWARD In early 2014, Briar was heading to a young rider camp on Kabo Silver when he went lame, so Hannah kindly loaned her horse Ngahiwi Telephonic to her sister, and so began the transition onto hacks. Fast-forward a few years to the arrival of Flash. The now nine-yearold strawberry roan gelding is by Indoctro out of Strawberry, and was bred by Ike and Kylie Unsworth. “The minute I sat on him, I just fell in love. He has been a bit of a challenge, but I love him. We have done a lot of hard work over the winter. He is going from strength to strength and has matured a lot over the past year.” However, two seasons ago Briar didn’t even think he would be a Grand Prix horse, let alone one that could start in a World Cup or Olympic Cup. “He would go fast and not listen, and I felt he was at his maximum, but he would always try his heart out.” Now he backs off to the fences and listens to his rider. “It seems the bigger the fences, the better he goes. I think he just grew up.” // CALM UNDER PRESSURE Briar’s mum Karen says her youngest daughter is good under pressure – “Meanwhile I feel sick!” she admits, as she recalls the Olympic Cup victory. “We were happy she was coming back for the second round. And then she was in the jump-off and we were happy to get second. We just didn’t think she would be able to beat Clint!”

“THE MINUTE I SAT ON HIM I JUST FELL IN LOVE. HE HAS BEEN A BIT OF A CHALLENGE, BUT I LOVE HIM. WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF HARD WORK OVER THE WINTER. HE IS GOING FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH AND HAS MATURED A LOT OVER THE PAST YEAR”

IMAGE Cheleken Photography

But she did – and all she wanted to do to celebrate was have Thai takeaways on the way home. Briar has previously ridden for New Zealand as a youngster and did consistently well in the FEI Children’s International, going on to ride in the final, and this year will represent New Zealand at the Youth Olympic Games in Argentina in early October.

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// SUPER SUPPORTERS When Briar is competing, she shuts out the rest of the world. Her coach Jeff McVean calmly and quietly walks the courses with her – she always walks the big ones twice – and gives her a few key words, and that’s it. “But I didn’t feel good about the Olympic Cup,” she recalls. The rest of HOY hadn’t gone too well for her, and she wasn’t sure it was the right time to make her debut in the show’s most prestigious class. “I almost didn’t start in it, but I figured I just needed to suck it up and put the rest of the show behind me.” School remains a focus too, and true to form Briar is keen to ace her final year. University, however, is not on the cards. “I want to take Flash to Australia at the end of next season,” she explains. Her idol has long been top Kiwi show jumper Samantha McIntosh, and Briar was chuffed to receive a congratulatory message from the star after her Olympic Cup win. The McVean family have also been key to her success. “Jeff is like my second dad with the way he acts when things happen…but I did make him cry with that win. It’s still sinking in – it’s so surreal. I will be on cloud nine for a while!” Her new bright red Olympic Cup jacket, which is presented to the winner, and garland hold pride of place in her bedroom. What now for the young champ? “I will have to set the same goals for next season and be consistent,” she says. There won’t be any new horses joining the stable. “Mum has given me the strict ‘no more horses’ chat, so I am definitely holding onto what I have.” Her family are everything to Briar, and it was incredibly special to have all her sisters on hand for her big win. “I am lucky to always have Mum and Dad at shows. At the start Dad hated the horses, but now he loves them!” C

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INTERVIEW

VANESSA WAY Eight out of Nine

Winning eight of the nine classes she contested and taking home two Horse of the Year titles was a fitting culmination to Vanessa Way’s highly successful 2018 season. Along the way, the Taranaki rider amassed numerous honours at regional championships, and collected two titles and a reserve at the Bates Dressage Nationals in February. WORDS Pip Hume IMAGES Dark Horse Photography

steady approach to rebuilding a solid team after a difficult time is paying dividends for Taranaki equestrian Vanessa Way. “It was a very hard decision not to stay in England after the London Olympics, where I was based with Carl Hester,” Vanessa explains. “It was such a bad year; my dad had died and Mum wasn’t well. In addition, Arvan was lame with an injury to the deep digital flexor tendon inside his foot and the chances of him ever returning to a Grand Prix career were slim at best. “And financially the sport is incredibly expensive over there! While it can be depressing to compare the amazing facilities, services and competitions that are accessible in the UK to those we have in New Zealand, at least over here we can have a nice lifestyle and a good team of horses.” Vanessa’s experiences of riding and competing at the top level on both sides of the world have made her even more determined to assist other riders. “When I was away I missed my friends and family – I am very family-oriented – but then I really struggled when I first came home. I missed the degree of support and the freedom from the day-to-day responsibilities that I enjoyed in Carl’s yard. It’s incredibly hard work, but Carl plans all of the detail – the riding, the shows and the logistics. It’s also a very fun, happy place to be and I was continually inspired. “I have missed that level of support and mentoring, so it’s something I try very hard to pay forward.” That positive influence is evident in the results being achieved not only by Vanessa, but also by others in her close-knit group of friends and supporters. Friend and neighbour Abbie Deken, who won the Dressage Horse of the Year title in 2017, has continued her good form achieving scores over 70%. Lucarne Dolley, who has also trained with Vanessa for a number of years, continued her run of success at Young

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I’m trying to be cautious and patient about stepping up to Grand Prix with Andreas as he was a late starter in the competition arena and I need to make sure he is strong enough.

Rider level, taking that title this year as well as the Level 6/7 Horse of the Year title. “We have a really amazing, supportive group, and we all help and support each other as equals,” Vanessa says. Each of her three horses has his own character and individuality. Her most advanced horse is NRM Andreas, who she rode to victory in the Level 8 Horse of the Year title. However, Vanessa explains that his journey to the upper levels hasn’t always been easy. “Andreas is a challenging character! To ride, he’s just so clever. His canter work has taken some time – when I got him he had a history of locking up and taking off – but I think we’re nearly there now. I’m really pleased with how he’s coming along. “I’m trying to be cautious and patient about stepping up to Grand Prix with him as he was a

late starter in the competition arena and I need to make sure he is strong enough. We will do some Grand Prix classes over the winter and just see how it goes.” “He’s very sweet with us, but he will always challenge anyone new. Just recently I had someone try out as a working pupil, and I sent her out to bring him in. He just stood there in the paddock – he wouldn’t move for her! He’s also a bit of a goof and very clumsy, standing all over people’s feet, but he’s not at all nasty.” NRM Arion has had a great season, culminating in winning the Prix St Georges class at the Horse of the Year. “Arion has a really charming nature, he loves people! He was an orphan foal and is special to me as he’s the last of the KH line bred by John and Nicky McGrath. “In the arena he’s an over-achiever and tries to

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give 150% but he worries and can be a spooky wee guy. Occasionally he has been totally overwhelmed – it’s like stage fright and the most horrible feeling, like there is no-one home! “When mistakes happen it’s all about giving him the benefit of the doubt and not being too quick to correct him. He will compete at Level 8 next season.” Vanessa’s third horse, NSC Pronto, was the Level 5 Horse of the Year champion. He first caught her eye on TradeMe, but he was unfortunately already sold. However, he stayed in the back of her mind as she searched for a horse for sponsors NSC Saddles, and eventually the timing was right and she was able to purchase him. “Pronto is by Prestige, who I absolutely adored when he was with Lisa Blackbourn. When I first saw Pronto he was quite plain and didn’t have much in the way of a trot, but he could canter. “He wasn’t a great success at first. He had been

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It wasn’t until I taught Pronto to piaffe that he suddenly found the ‘trot button’! through several riders and I kept getting feedback about him that wasn’t great. But I kept entering him into competitions and taking him into the arena until he got the message, and he’s been perfect ever since.” Vanessa says that Pronto has developed into a bomb-proof ride that she can put anyone on. “I can wind him up or wind him back, but it wasn’t until I taught him to piaffe that he suddenly found the ‘trot button’!” she laughs. With an eye to the future, Vanessa also has some promising youngsters waiting in the wings. “I’ve got a five-year-old also by Prestige, called Timbermill Prequel. He’s similar to Pronto and also doesn’t have that big flashy trot but they are horses that develop as they go up through the grades. He will probably come out next season at Level 3.” Vanessa doesn’t have room for her other young horses on her home property, and says that Judith Matthews is unbelievably good to her, retaining Vanessa’s two youngsters by Benicio until they are old enough to be started. There’s also a rising four-year-old bred by David Wooley, by Fürst Romancier, just around the corner with local rider Mandy Littlejohn. Over the past few years Vanessa has also enjoyed the unwavering support of Tony and Beth Bielski, who attend her competitions and mentor both herself and her team, supplying them with lots of nutritional goodies. While she is now based on the other side of the world from his yard, Vanessa says that she is lucky to also continue to enjoy Carl Hester’s support and friendship. “Carl was over last year, and will be back again next year to run his eye over my horses. I’m very lucky to have that; we always have a lot of fun and a lot of laughs! “This year I will catch up with him in July in Brisbane where he is taking a Masterclass, and I’m also going over to the World Equestrian Games with him. Before that we’ll spend a few days holidaying at his cottage in Spain, then we’ll go back to his yard for three weeks of riding before heading to Tryon. “In between Carl’s visits, Abbie Deken is my eyes on the ground, and I also value the good, honest feedback that we as riders get from our dressage judges. I always look at their comments and take them on board! “My absolute ultimate dream is to get right up there on the world stage. To do that, I need to be scoring 80%+ in the Grand Prix.” C

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INTERVIEW

BILLIE ROACH

A A Passion for Showing Showing is a way of life for the Roach family, who are no strangers to success in the show ring. Youngest daughter Billie has had her most successful season yet, culminating with a win in the Large Show Pony of the Year at Horse of the Year with Linden Fine Art. WORDS Rebecca Harper IMAGE SHOWCIRCUIT

ourteen-year-old Billie Roach was bitten by the showing bug at a young age as she followed in the footsteps of her older sister Chloe. The Cambridge teenager started out at Pony Club, first riding in the Pleasure section at HOY and then riding in the Open Showing section for the first time in 2012, at the age of eight. She has competed at the show every year since then. She had two ponies competing at HOY this year, Linden Fine Art and Linden Just a Dream, both leased from the Linden Riding Pony Stud, and was thrilled to take the title in a highly competitive line-up of quality ponies. “I thought she did a really good workout, one of the best she has done. My goal was to come here and win, but you can’t be confident – it’s stiff competition out there in that 14.2hh class. “I don’t normally get nervous going into classes, but standing in the line-up I got quite nervous when they started calling out the placings because there were a lot of good ponies in the line-up. It was really exciting for me to win.”

I LOVE MY PONIES AND LOVE THE THRILL OF IT. I COULD NEVER BRING MYSELF TO SELL MY PONIES AND DO SOMETHING ELSE. Nina, as she’s known at home, is a six-year-old by Kolbeach Holly’s Masterpiece out of Royalwood Cameo (both imported from Australia). Chloe rode her in her first year under saddle as a fouryear-old and won the Rising Star title at HOY that year. Billie has had the ride for the last two seasons. “She’s Dad’s favourite, he refers to her as Darling. She’s the sweetest pony to deal with, but a bit tricky to ride; she’s very very sensitive, so you have to be gentle with her.” It appears Billie and Nina have a good understanding, if their results are anything to go by. “She always likes to have a good play. If she’s a bit fresh she likes to do a bit of ‘dolphin diving’. She also loves rolling, on the lead, any opportunity she gets.” Billie has a string of titles to her name but says the highlight of her riding career has been travelling to Australia three times, competing as part of the New Zealand Showing team at the Equestrian Australia Show Horse and Rider Championships. Last year was particularly special, as it was the first time she had taken her own ponies over.

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“Both ponies went really well and got to compete in two classes each, and I did my rider class as well. I worked at Cambridge Stud to fund one of my flights. It was a big investment.” The family admits the show ponies are a labour of love, requiring a huge financial investment and time commitment - but they wouldn’t have it any other way. “We literally do not do anything else - no holidays, no nothing. Horse shows like this are our holidays - we put everything into it,” mum Lisa says. The girls’ father Paul usually comes to shows as well and loves watching them ride. Several years ago the family spent nearly five weeks travelling around the South Island in the horse truck with their ponies. They enjoy spending the time away together and try not to take themselves too seriously. “You’ve got to have a sense of humour. We have a good time,” Lisa says. “The show ponies are a lot of work because you’re always keeping them clean and tidy. You’re not just worrying about whether they are performing, they have to look the part as well. “For me, I love a pretty horse and a well-conformed horse, and enjoy seeing them ridden nicely.” Billie has ridden many different ponies over the years, both owned by the family and for other people, and Lisa says it has helped her be adaptable in her riding. “Riding ponies for other people makes me work harder,” Billie says. “I don’t want to let them down and try really hard for them.” She is extremely dedicated, riding before school every day and sacrificing time with her friends. “I try to work them all every day. I don’t spend much time with my friends or play other sports because I’m always riding and looking after my ponies.” Lisa says Billie normally can’t wait to get out in the ring and compete. “She loves the game,” Chloe adds. Despite all of the successes and the buzz of competing, Billie is reluctant to talk about her achievements, and says even if she couldn’t compete, she would still want to ride. “I love my ponies, I think I love them more than I love the sport.” While she is focused when it comes to going in the ring, and aims high, Billie is happy to help out and encourage younger riders, or even get on a troublesome pony. “She was out helping the little kids with their work-outs the other day,” Chloe says. “We get as much pleasure out of winning as anyone else and we work hard, but we enjoy spending time with the ponies and the people,” Lisa says. Billie’s favourite pony is Willowcroft Grand Mikardo, who she won the 13.2hh Saddle Hunter Pony title on at HOY last year. “I guess it’s because we own him, but he is just the cutest little pony and so sweet. He has always been my best friend.” Long-term, she would like to move to Australia and ride show horses. “In some states you are allowed to ride ponies as an adult. I would love to ride them forever. I will definitely stay in New Zealand until I’m 17, but would love to go over there and work for a show stable.” She wanted to thank the Linden Riding Pony Stud for the lease of the ponies over the years and also Amanda Berridge for her help, with Nina particularly. “She understands her really well and is very good at helping me ride her.” C

04 - Ice - ShowCircuit.pdf 1 27-Feb-17 3:21:24 PM

CMY

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

INTERVIEW

FIVE

I LOVE WHAT I DO. FOR ME IT IS ALL ABOUT THE HORSES. I UNDERSTAND HOW THEY LEARN AND THAT IS MY FOUNDATION

minutes with DANIEL BLUNDELL WORDS Diana Dobson IMAGE: Cornege Photography

Daniel Blundell grew up in Auckland on the North Shore, in a “completely non-horsey” family. He discovered pony rides at the local school fair and spent the day following them around, only to discover that the ponies lived just down the road from his home! He went on to take lessons on them, and at age 10 made his debut in the showing ring. By age 13, he’d decided it was time to go show jumping, and while his father did his best to convince him not to ride, Daniel ended up at Pony Club anyway, riding for everyone else. In the years since then, he has made horses his life – competing, training, and doing stunt double work. // WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED? I just love what I do, so motivation isn’t a problem really. Having good horses keeps me motivated, and you really do need good horses. Athena NZPH is just eight so there is a lot more to come from her, and Lavello would be the best horse of my career so far. // WHAT DOES A NORMAL DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? I am usually up at 6:30am and on my first horse by 7:30am I ride several horses for clients and then teach in the afternoon. I have some great students and really enjoy teaching because I understand how the horses learn. That’s the foundation of it all. // WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT RIDING? I just do…and I don’t even know why. I have a real affinity with horses. I spend hours on YouTube watching the best in the world compete, and try to pick out horses like mine and watch how they ride them. I am always looking to improve what I do. // TELL US ABOUT YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR Winning the Premier Stakes and the Tom Gadsby Memorial Trophy is the best so far, but I am most proud of producing Athena NZPH and others to a good level. I enjoy my work with Wayne McCormack and Equine Films. It has taken me all over the country. It is fun training the actors – it can be challenging but it is all about the horses. I enjoyed working with the young horses at NZPH too. // WHAT IS IT LIKE WORKING WITH HORSES IN THE MOVIE AND TELEVISION WORLD? I have worked with Equine Films since I was about 17, off and on. I don’t like going on set as much as I like the training for it all. My work includes lots of fighting, falling off and getting horses to rear. My favourite so far would have been the Shannara Chronicles - I really enjoyed working with the cast. There are a few more in the pipeline but usually I am not allowed to talk about them! // WHO HAS BEEN MOST INFLUENTIAL ON YOUR CAREER? There have been so many people while I was growing up. I did a lot on my own so have had to do a lot of problem-solving in my head, which I think helps me today. I train with Jeff McVean when I get a chance. He is great – he is always there if I need to ask him about a class or a horse.

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// WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME? No idea! I recently made the move back to Auckland from Hawke’s Bay – I loved it down there but it was a professional decision. I worked in Germany for three months a couple of winters ago and enjoyed it, but it is not an easy road and you need to be able to make a living doing what you love. // LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR TRAINING METHODS WITH YOUNG HORSES Coming from a very diverse riding background, I think I am quite different to everyone else – especially those in the English riding game. A real turning point for me was working with Equine Films. They are very Western-based and I saw just how consistent they are with their training methods, so I have brought that over into the English style of riding. I am strict on myself and my horses – sounds and words mean one thing and one thing only. So if I say whoa, they stop. You need to be strict and clear on what you want from your horse. Your voice is one of your best tools but people tend to use it in the wrong way. I was riding Athena at a show in a hackamore when it snapped during the warm-up. She is a pretty hot horse, but I knew if I just took my time and said whoa, she would stop. People tend to talk to their horses all the time but it just doesn’t mean anything. You must be careful and clear.

// FAST FACTS • Where do you live: Auckland. • Who would you like to have dinner with: Nick Skelton. • What is your occupation: Full-time horse trainer, rider and coach. • Your favourite food is: Laksa, washed down with an Asahi beer. • What music are you listening to: All types of music. • If you could have any horse in the world (apart from Athena NZPH) it would be: Big Star. C

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Beating the odds

TAKAPO T O E S TAT E SHOWJUMPING

WORDS Diana Dobson

Maurice Beatson’s list of achievements is long and impressive, and at 64, he has no regrets. His career highlights include World Equestrian Games, Olympic Games, World Cup finals, multiple New Zealand titles and much, much more. // A FORMIDABLE RECORD Alongside his international successes, Maurice is a five-time winner of both the Olympic Cup and the World Cup (NZ) Series, and can lay claim to three National Show Jumping Championship crowns, four Norwood Gold Cups, multiple Horse of the Year puissance classes and North Island titles, and four Nationwide Cups – a prize actually named for one of his own star performers. He has also been an administrator, riders’ rep, chef d’equipe, trainer, and has captained New Zealand in many a trans-Tasman clash. // TELLING IT LIKE IT IS Maurice Beatson is known as a straight-shooter – what you see is what you get. He’s humble, grounded, a gracious loser and the first one to remind you that while you may be the winner today, everyone will start at the bottom again in the next class! He comes from a line of riders. His father George was a top jockey in his day, winning the Grand National Steeplechase and at one stage holding New Zealand’s show jumping height record. His mother Joan was also a rider, and his uncle Tom was a former president of the NZ Equestrian Federation. Bessie Fullerton-Smith, who donated and for years presented the Olympic Cup, is Maurice’s great aunt. While he may be eligible to receive the pension on his next birthday, Maurice won’t be hanging up his boots any time soon. His first taste of wearing the silver fern was when he was 19 and rode for New Zealand at a three-day event in Melbourne. However, shortly afterward he made the move to show jumping, and in 1988 was in the team for the Seoul Olympic Games. His victory in the Commonwealth Cup at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1992 remains a highlight of his career, and he also won the International class at Hickstead. In 1994, Maurice competed at both the World Cup final in ‘s-Hertogenbosch and the World Equestrian Games team at The Hague, both in the Netherlands. He competed again at WEG in 2010 in Kentucky…but that’s a whole other story.

be honest, a life of riding horses is the highlight for me.” When he and My Gollywog won the Olympic Cup in 2013, they created history as the oldest combination to have taken out the crown. “Horses are a great leveller, you know.” // THE FUN SIDE OF BREEDING Maurice’s passion for breeding started in 1988 when he saw Frenchman Pierre Durant ride to gold aboard part-trotter Jappeloup at the Seoul Olympic Games. “I came home from the Olympics and decided to breed myself a trotter for show jumping.” The result was his very successful My Gollywog – a bouncy dark brown gelding who was by Ironclad, out of a trotter. “We’re cutting back on the breeding now. We started out with our Gisborne bloodlines with Wishing Well and diversified into the Holstein bloodlines, which have been good. The Thoroughbreds just aren’t popular amongst the jumpers,” he explains. “It is only the odd extra special Thoroughbred that actually does show jump well.” Every horse that he and partner Sally Clark – who won an individual silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games – produce is for sale. “We have sold some very nice horses that have gone on to do well, but that is the game.” They are both excited about their latest home-bred star Gold Locks – a family effort with son Jamie – who is by Lansing out of Goldilocks, who competed at World Cup level. “She was a lovely strong horse, and Gold Locks is like her mother but a lot better. This is the fun side of breeding your own horses.” Gold Locks was a popular winner of the Gold Tour Horse Grand Prix at the new Takapoto Estate Show, and Maurice was full of praise for the event, saying the sport is “incredibly lucky” to have the Plaws. “This is only the beginning of Takapoto,” he said, comparing it to the likes of Hickstead, Spruce Meadows, Tryon and Elysian Fields. “We are very spoilt to be amongst it now.” The couple has a 3000-acre farm halfway between Dannevirke and Woodville. They are both thankful that the census doesn’t call for a head count of horses, but are happy to remember some of the stars they have bred, produced and competed aboard over the years. From Jefferson Junior to Minalinka, Nationwide, Goldilocks and a few others, most are buried on the farm, each with a special tree to mark their final resting place. My Gollywog is currently seeing out his retirement years on the property.

THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF TAKAPOTO. YOU CAN COMPARE IT TO THE LIKES OF HICKSTEAD, SPRUCE MEADOWS, TRYON AND ELYSIAN FIELDS. WE ARE VERY SPOILT TO BE AMONGST IT NOW.

// SUCCESS AT HORSE OF THE YEAR Maurice isn’t sure when he first competed at HOY, but thinks he was probably 12 or so. It remains his favourite show, purely because of the titles. “Every class is important when you get older,” he says. “Though to

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

IMAGES Top: Kampic. Portrait: Eyewitness Photography. Main image: Cheleken Photography

INTERVIEW

MAURICE BEATSON

// NATIONWIDE FLUKE Nationwide may have a cup named after him at HOY, but he didn’t have the most auspicious beginning with former HOY show director Kevin Hansen. “Nationwide dumped Kevin three times at Taihape, and he came out of the ring and said he would sell him,” remembers Maurice. “I bought the horse for $800 and he went on to twice win the Olympic Cup – it was bloody flukey really.” He says the horse needed a lot of work, and he spent the winter doing flat work. “He started to go well and we won our first Grand Prix at Carterton A&P Show in 1982, so I felt there was always a chance he could win the Olympic Cup that year.” He never took Nationwide offshore though, saying he was “a little too temperamental” for that. However, he was fast and very handy in a jump-off, and Maurice rode him through to his retirement. “He was not the easiest horse to ride but he was pretty awesome and won Grand Prix classes right through.” // FOUNDATIONS ARE FUNDAMENTAL Both Maurice and Sally are strong believers in setting the right foundations – it is an ethos they drum into their many students. “The sport is always changing, as is life, but the basics are still the same. Flat work and basic horsemanship are critical. A teenager with three ponies doesn’t need a groom – they need to learn about all the little things that can happen, and that can only come from doing it themselves.” They are happy to share the knowledge they have built up over the years while competing around the world.

“It is important for us to keep on sharing that, and for people to keep asking so they can learn. Those foundations only come with a lot of hard work - unless you are very lucky!” // NEVER SAY NEVER Maurice hasn’t completely discounted heading offshore to compete again, but says it often becomes a catch-22. “You don’t go unless you have the right horse, but the trouble is as soon as you get there they all want to buy it, and that is when the price is best. You are torn between the devil and the deep blue sea.” For now, he’s happy to continue winning on New Zealand soil, sitting on an eye-watering 196 Grand Prix wins over a career that is admired by many, and unlikely to be rivalled by any. // FAST FACTS ABOUT MAURICE • Won five Olympic Cups (2013, 1991, 1986, 1984, 1983) and placed second eight times • Won four Norwood Gold Cups (2009, 2000, 1993, 1987) • Won four Nationwide Cups as the rider with most points at HOY (2009, 2003, 1992, 1991) • Rode for New Zealand at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games • Rode for New Zealand at the World Equestrian Games in 2010 in Kentucky and 1994 in The Hague • Rode for New Zealand at the World Cup Show Jumping Final in 1994 • Won the FEI World Cup New Zealand Series in 2012-2013 • First represented New Zealand in eventing as a 19-year-old. C

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INTERVIEW

The smaller shows are such fun– they are more personal and you get to laugh and joke with the kids there

N A M E N A E K D O A GO WORDS

Diana D

OTOS bson PH

kampic.c

Blake Keane is one of the true good guys of the sport of show jumping – and you would be hard pressed to find anyone that will argue against that fact.

he farmer from Gisborne is the calming influence at the gate at many shows around the country, and as the call steward to the main arena, he’s generally the last person to exchange words with a rider as they enter the ring. It could be for the biggest class of their lives, or it could be the first of many that day. Whatever the situation, Blake is almost always there, with a smile and a bit of encouragement for the riders, and he has become something of a legend in the sport (whether he wants to be or not). The job of the gate steward is to ensure that the right combination heads into the ring at the right time, to make sure the next ones are ready and that the class runs smoothly. If the steward is not on their game, everything can quickly plunge into chaos! Blake has been volunteering at shows for 47 years, but stewarding is a role that he somewhat fell into, rather than directly volunteered for. “I was working at Tiniroto, and Syd Kent asked my boss to send a man down to help at the Horse Society Show being held in Gisborne,” he recalls. Blake duly turned up to assist, and was picking up rails when he was

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asked to relieve the gate for Olympic show jumper Charlie Matthews, while he went off for a smoko. “I’m still relieving him – he never came back!” The Horse Society Show grew to include the Poverty Bay A&P Show, and the list of shows seeking out Blake as their steward just kept getting longer. This season he will spend 35 days calling at shows, down five from last season, but still clocking up thousands of kilometres travelling between events. It’s all voluntary, although sometimes he is given petrol vouchers or a small thank you present. And the time he spends with riders, mothers and other support crew probably qualifies him for a psychology degree of some sort! While he doesn’t do the job for recognition, Blake has received the Show Jumping New Zealand Personality of the Year award, and in 2011 he was awarded the David Ross Memorial Trophy at the Horse of the Year Hall of Fame dinner for his outstanding volunteer service to the show. Blake, who has never competitively show jumped but used to ride at

rodeos and loved the hunt field, has been the backbone of HOY for many years. He would turn out with the Hansen brothers to clean the grandstand at 4am before the show each morning. He is also better placed than most to predict who will take the titles, after carefully watching them throughout the season. He has many stories to tell, but only relays the good ones, keeping to himself those that make him question his involvement in the sport. His calming words have many times proved vital, but they’re not always what the rider wants to hear. “Some just need a good strop up,” he says, “while others need to have a little more belief in themselves. It’s amazing what can happen when they do.” One of his top tips is to put your bio for the ring announcer on a different coloured piece of paper. “It will be sure to stand out!” He’s got a long list of those he has helped and enjoys having ongoing banter with. He remembers with pride Amanda Wilson’s Pony of the Year win on Showtym Viking, and Tegan Newman’s too, on her Kaimanawa pony Watch Me Move. “Tegan was one of my special riders, and she’s gone on to do very well in the racing world,” he says proudly. The name Joanne Denton makes him smile, as he remembers the lightning speed at which she once came out of the stands, went to the truck and got changed, then leapt back onto her horse after hearing her named called for a team event. “I get a great kick out of Elle Phillips and Emma Watson, and I have an ongoing joke about who is buying the ice creams!” he laughs. “I’ve lost plenty of chocolate bars to the eagle eye of Amanda

I will keep helping at shows until my voice goes or they get sick of me and throw me out Steele. Then there are Olivia Dalton, Briar Burnett-Grant, Steffi Whittaker, Emily Hayward, Nakeysha and Natalia Lammers – there are just so many great kids out there.” One who is very dear to his heart is the late Melanie Purcell, who died from cancer in 2011, at just 24 years old. The last time Blake hunted was with Melanie. “She was just one of those natural kids – I met

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Use Farmassist on just about anything! her when she was 10 and right up until she went at 24, we were the best of mates.” He has seen huge changes over the years, both in the sport itself and at the shows. “The smaller shows are such fun – they are more personal and you get to laugh and joke with the kids there. It is mainly the pony riders and mums who I help I guess – for some reason I can kid them up the garden path, and make them believe me so that they believe in themselves.” He’s not adverse to using a little bribery, nor a good dose of Rescue Remedy – the former for the rider and the latter for the mum! Blake says that his ability to encourage people in self-belief is probably a gift he inherited from his own father. “I left school early, at the bottom of the class,” he admits. “My last report said my academics were ‘limited’. I asked Dad what that meant and he said I was doing all right.” He didn’t read a book until he was 31, when he happened to pick up one about how to buy a house without a deposit. He bought his first house not long after finishing the book, and has had around 300 houses since. Blake has two children of his own – Debbie, who was a keen competitive rider, and Danny, whose preference was always for a different type of horsepower. Blake still rides with his wife Di, who was also a keen show jumper and hunter in her day. “I will keep helping at shows until my voice goes or they get sick of me and throw me out,” he says. “It is a walk in the park to manage those at the gate. I understand the riders and they know what I expect from them too.” But the very best part of the job is when it all comes together for someone, and he gets to watch a fairy tale unfold. “There is magic in believing.” C

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INTERVIEW

e thMASSI E factor WORDS Caitlin Madden

PHOTO kampic.com

Off the back of two titles at the East Coast Performance Horses National Young Horse Jumping Championships in Hastings in December, 23-year-old Logan and 20-year-old Georgia Massie are raring to go for the rest of the season. There is never a dull moment on the family farm in Dannevirke for Logan and Georgia Massie. The siblings have 12 horses on the property, six of which are show ready. The other six, says Logan, are a mash-up of young ones, hunters, broodmares and cousins’ ponies, which all combine to keep everyone busy! Georgia has been back in Dannevirke for the summer, but during the university year, she and one of her horses are based in Palmerston North, where she is in her final year of a Bachelor of AgriScience at Massey University. Logan, on the other hand, is based on the farm where he works as the stock manager. It’s a job that has kept him happy since returning from his last stint in Europe working for Irish show jumper Cian O’Connor. // GETTING THEIR START No matter what, though, there is always time for horses. "It's been that way since we were young," Georgia recalls, "probably starting when we were three or four years old. Mum Brenda enjoyed hunting, and being brought up on a farm made taking up riding inevitable. They each started on a lead rein pony, with Logan’s ponies handed down to Georgia once he’d outgrown them, and they both spent plenty of time at the local pony club. For Logan, things started to feel more serious when he got his pony Kickin’ the Clouds. “I had some okay ponies when I was young, and then I got my grey pony Kickin’ the Clouds. When I got her she was only doing metretens and metre-twenties, but we moved up through the grades to Grand Prix pretty quickly,” he says. The combination was very successful, winning the Pony Grand Prix series, National Pony title, Junior Rider of the Year and Pony of the Year – all in 2011! “That pony probably made me and Georgia move from doing a bit of everything to focusing on the show jumping,” Logan admits. Georgia says she only began to feel competitive once she started on horses when she was fourteen, and the siblings have both been getting ever more successful since.

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<< Georgia & DOUBLE J KELVIN won the 5YO Style class and the 5YO 1.10m Horse Breeders Final at Takapoto Estate Show Jumping Logan & INTELLECT at the World Cup Final, Woodhill Sands 2017 >>

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THEN THE RIGHT BUYER CAME ALONG, AND IT WAS QUITE A BIG ACHIEVEMENT FOR ME TO SELL ANOTHER HORSE THAT LOGAN AND I HAD PRODUCED // PRODUCING TOP TALENT Their success doesn't come just in the show jumping ring. They have also expanded their talents to producing top horses, with the pair recently selling Georgia’s number one horse Larinium LS when the right buyer came along. “It has probably has always been a bit of a business,” says Logan. “I’ve got a business mind, I think – our whole family does. It is an expensive sport, and not that people forget it, but the money has got to come from somewhere for us to keep going. We have great backing through our farming company, but we would like to return it when we can.” Along with Larinium LS, who Georgia rode to World Cup level, Logan has sold a pony to Japan, and two of Georgia’s two young rider horses, one to Australia and one here in New Zealand. As well as riding and selling when the right opportunity comes along, the pair has also turned their hands to breeding and breaking-in. // WORKING TOGETHER Over the winter, Logan and Georgia worked together to break in Jay-Z GNZ, a 4-year-old that Georgia also won the Four-Year-Old Championship Final on at the East Coast Performance Horses National Young Horse Jumping Championships in Hastings in December 2017. “We bought him and I broke him in,” Logan explains. “He is mature for his age so we did expect things to go well.” Considering that just six months later, Jay-Z came away with the big age group win, Georgia is very pleased by their efforts. “I did all the ground work, even with a broken tailbone, and Logan rode him initially – so it was a team effort! We did do a good job,” she agrees. Logan also came away with fantastic results at the Young Horse Champs, winning the Five-Year-Old Championship on Double J Kelvin, and Best Performing Eight-Year-Old with Intellect. The siblings ride together often, at shows and at home,

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// LOOKING BACK AND LOOKING FORWARD And come out on top they do. Georgia has had plenty of success over the past year, particularly on her now-sold Larinium LS. “I was getting placed in most Young Rider classes and some big Grand Prix events,” she recalls. “I got placed in the Mystery Creek North Island Grand Prix and I won the Premier League at the Wairarapa Show Jumping Championships in Masterton. It was really cool to do so well in those big events. Then the right buyer came along, and it was quite a big achievement for me to sell another horse that Logan and I had produced.”

Logan & LAMONDO GNZ, 3rd in the Silver Tour Horse 1.35m Final at Takapoto Estate Show Jumping

PHOTO Cheleken Photography

GEORGIA

and although they have two trucks, the decision as to which shows to attend is determined by the best performing horse at the time. “Last year Georgia had the Grand Prix horse, so we would make sure we went to shows that suited that horse. This year my eight-year-old is a Grand Prix horse, and we will look at whatever shows suit him. We do have two trucks, so if we want to go our separate ways we can, but that will only happen a couple of times a season,” Logan says. This also means the pair has competed against each other many times. “We won’t budge an inch, though we do help each other,” says Logan. “We definitely wouldn’t let the other win on purpose. The plan before going into the ring is no different when we compete against each other. We warm up together, walk the course together and then we say good luck and see who comes out on top.”

Logan’s focus hasn’t been on success in the ring as much as getting things back on track here in New Zealand after his time away in Europe. “In the past year, I probably haven’t had any big wins apart from those young horse classes recently, but I think for me the achievements have been selling a few horses and rebuilding a team. So I think the thing we can be proudest of is that we have six awesome horses we can take to a show that can be as good as, or better than, other horses in their age group. Hopefully that will pay off over the next couple of years.” All signs point to things paying off for both Logan and Georgia, with Logan’s three horses, Double J Kelvin, Lamondo GNZ (owed by Logan, GoldenGrove Stud and Jeremy Berry) and Intellect, and Georgia’s Jay-Z GNZ and Double J Beyonce producing great results right across the board. It’s not just the skills of the horses that lead these two to success, however. Georgia was quick to compliment her brother on his ability to get things done off horseback too, and although it took him a little longer, Logan also had plenty of nice things to say about Georgia. “Logan has been overseas for almost three years with a top international show jumper, so he has a lot of experience. He’s really good at managing horses, managing the team, setting things up for a show, that sort of thing,” she says. “I don’t give away many compliments,” Logan admits. “I think Georgia is a very underrated rider in the ring, because she can ride a horse and make it look very good and very easy. That’s quite important for us because as she said, I manage them and set them up, but she also has to put the plan into place when she gets in the ring. And the horses seem to like to jump for her!” With support from their parents and the family business, Massie AgriBusiness Ltd, as well as their farrier, vets, physio Nikki Lourie, and their trainer, neighbour Oliver Edgecombe, there is plenty more to come for the Massie siblings. C

minutes with

APATU

Olivia Apatu is a teen on a mission. The 14-year-old from Havelock North has been riding for almost a decade, starting out riding on the family farm in Waipukurau, quickly heading out onto the hunting field with mum Sally before shining in the Show Hunter arena. Olivia is starting to really hit her straps in show jumping, and has never enjoyed her chosen sport more. We caught up with her after she won the Farmlands Pony of the Year crown aboard her lovely grey pony Alasaan Arzu to find out what makes her tick.

WORDS Diana Dobson PHOTO Kampic.com

INTERVIEW

OLIVIA

// TELL US ABOUT YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR We grew up on Dad’s family farm where my grandmother had bred sport horses. I loved to ride all over the farm with Mum, Dad and my younger sister Greta. I did Pony Club and hunted but I was quite a nervous rider. That all changed when we bought Bexley Lodge Tinkerbella from Steffi Whittaker. She was the most incredible pony and I got so much confidence from her. We were very successful in Show Hunter, winning the North Island Championship in 2016 and were second another year. We also did quite well in Working Hunter pony classes. I made the switch to show jumping when I was 10 and I love it. I have taken my pony Alasaan Arzu from 90cm to Pony Grand Prix in just two seasons, so to win Pony of the Year was just incredible. The turning point this season came when we had our first PGP win at Taihape in February – before then I had had every other placing from second to sixth. And I still can’t believe I went on to win Pony of the Year! I’m not sure it has actually sunk in yet, as it is such a special win. // WHAT KEEPS YOU MOTIVATED? I work hard at school so that Mum will still take me to shows! We recently moved to Havelock North, and my horses are liveried out at Kim and Greg Best’s property. I love seeing friends from different parts of New Zealand when we go to shows on the weekends. I surround myself with positive friends and people that keep me motivated at school and at shows.

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// WHAT DOES A NORMAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF OLIVIA APATU LOOK LIKE? I try and do my best at school, and I ride my ponies after school too. I also have tennis training a couple of times a week and netball in the winter. I have played representative netball for the past couple of years and plan to focus on that this winter too. Sometimes I also help my sister Greta with her riding. // WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT RIDING? I love riding because of the competition and all of the neat people I have met while riding. I also love that I have two amazing coaches in Jesse Linton and Sally Clark who are always so helpful and amazing at coaching me at home, walking courses and getting me warmed up before my classes.

// FAST FACTS • I go to Havelock North High School. • My favourite school subject is Physical Education. • The horse rider I would most want to have over for dinner is Jessica Springsteen. • If I could own any horse in the world it would be My Super Nova. • If I could eat only one thing for the rest of my life it would be sushi. • My favourite singers in the world are Sia and Ed Sheeran. • The fictional character I would choose to be is Superwoman. C

HEALTHY & HAPPY

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INTERVIEW

Louisa AYRES A Bright Future Beckons T

A bright future in her chosen sport of dressage beckons for 22-year-old Louisa Ayres. We talk with her about how she came to be on her current path, training towards Grand Prix, her team of horses, and her amazing support crew.

he stable star for Louisa Ayres is the impressive, big-moving chestnut gelding Playmate (known at home as Dash). Owned by Cindy Kent, Dash was bred by Angela and John Smith of Stonylea Farm with Cindy in mind, as he is related to her delightful little gelding Playskool, who took her to Burkner Medal success and on to compete at the 1998 World Equestrian Games in Rome. As New Zealand’s first dressage rider to achieve two qualifying scores for the World Equestrian Games, Cindy has a wealth of knowledge and experience. “Cindy has been a huge influence on me,” explains Louisa. “We first met at Waikanae Pony Club when I was riding my chestnut pony Ngahere Romeo. She remembers me telling her that I didn’t like dressage, and preferred showing! “Cindy trained with Clemens Dierks and her knowledge is vast. I suffer from ‘blonde’ moments, and Cindy has a descriptive way of explaining things! She did a fantastic job breaking-in Dash and through his first few years of training, so she found it quite hard initially when I first started riding him. She entrusted him to me as a seven-year-old and he’s now 13. “Because of her early work with Dash, I can put him in any situation and he doesn’t question anything. He’s a loveable giant who really looks after me; he’s such a gentleman with the hugest heart. And Cindy continues to gets huge enjoyment from owning Dash and following our progress. She’s as much a mentor to me as a trainer.” Cindy was also instrumental in Louisa having the opportunity three years ago to go to Australia to work for Clemens and Judy Dierks at their Sydney yard. She felt that Louisa would benefit from seeing some top horses in training and that the experience would further develop her horsemastership skills. “I was lucky enough to be allowed to take Dash for some of my time there,” Louisa says. “I was given lessons and a few opportunities to ride some of their wonderful horses. We travelled to many competitions, and that gave me plenty of chances to watch top combinations train and compete. “It’s such a high standard over there. You can learn so much through watching how they ride and train for the competition environment, and how to ride a polished test and pick up those extra marks. I came back with a far more professional approach.” That professional approach is evident in the results Louisa is achieving, with Dash gaining pleasing scores and Championship sashes in his Level 8 outings. “He’s really coming into his own now. Cindy is very focussed on working according to the scale of training and not pushing the horses more than their muscles can cope with. She keeps reminding me of the basics, about being honest and paying attention to the details. I’m developing a feel for it now, I think. “Dash is showing a lot of ability in the passage at home and his flying changes are becoming more pronounced. His pirouettes are still a work in progress but that’s a strength thing and my timing really. Most of it, though, is about me riding up to his level and paying more attention! “We do have our lightbulb moments when suddenly it all comes together and I’ve got it. It’s just about fine-tuning and getting both of us fitter and stronger for the Level 9 Grand Prix work.” Louisa is also in her second season with her number two horse, Summerstone Hit (Sonny), owned by Otaki breeders Mike and Judy

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WORDS Pip Hume PHOTOS Dark Horse Photography

We have our lightbulb moments when suddenly it all comes together and I’ve got it. It’s just about fine-tuning and getting both of us fitter and stronger for the Level 9 Grand Prix work

Page. The combination is having a lot of success at Level 4 and picking up some very good scores. “He’s a super little horse, and very easy, as all of Mike and Judy’s horses are. He’s compact with a great brain and amazing paces.” For the past couple of months, Louisa has also had the ride on another Stonylea-bred horse, the gorgeous chestnut mare Stonylea Farrah, while owner Kim Schwass recovers from shoulder surgery. “She’s becoming established at Level 3, and is a really nice, expressive mare. I’ll be sorry to see her go when Kim is fit to ride her again.” Louisa’s upcoming project is her young mare Beaufields On Time, or Flossie, bred by Tina Field by her stallion FloreNZio, out of a Thoroughbred mare. “She’s an exciting, nice-moving three-year-old that I bought to sell on, but I like her too much! She had a good start and was well-handled by Tina, and she’s been a dream to break in, so hopefully that will continue!” Louisa comments that in fact, all of the horses in her team are easy and kind-natured. “We are so lucky. When we go away to shows they are all happy, they all eat, they drink, and they all go out onto the arena and do their work!” Louisa says that she is a calm person by nature and nothing fazes her. She doesn’t get nervous when competing, and she puts that down in part to the support crew she has behind her. “I have the best support crew ever. Either my Mum (Anita) or Kim Schwass is head groom, and Cindy helps me warm up. Kim is an integral member of our small, close-knit team – without her and her ‘glampingly fabulous’ truck, I would find it quite hard. “As a team we always have a plan. The night before a competition we run through and discuss the tests and write up our whiteboard, which is all timed down to the minute. That way we all know what’s happening and there’s no stress. We try not to complicate things. Dressage competitions don’t have to be scary – they can be fun and social, a time to catch up with friends and have a laugh too! “I love the challenges of dressage, of getting that feel and then trying to make it consistent, improving the horse every time you go out and getting better.” Alongside her riding, Louisa is studying for a degree in interior design. “But the horses seem to take priority,” she laughs. She also coaches, taking what she has learnt and passing it on to other riders. She likes to be able to help people as much as possible. “I do have a great lifestyle,” she admits. “I like to vary the horses’ work as much as possible. Living at Te Horo, I like to take the horses to the beach sometimes or ride out on the tracks. Sonny and Dash both jump – in fact Dash is an excellent jumper and would have made a very good Show Hunter.” Louisa acknowledges her parents as her biggest supporters. “Mum is really the manager. She generally organises me, she’s an excellent cook, a good groom and helps me out with the chores and some riding when I’m short of time. Dad’s help as my personal sponsor is invaluable. He does all the building and maintenance necessary to keep the horses living comfortably! “This season Lawrence O’Toole and Prestige Equestrian have come on board as sponsors. All of the horses I ride are in D1 KX Zero saddles. Having a comfortable close-contact saddle that fits the horses properly has made a huge difference to my riding and the way the horses go.” C

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INTERVIEW

Louis Schindler

A MAN OF MANY TALENTS WORDS Pip Hume PHOTOS Hyphen Photography

Louis Schindler’s love of horses began when he was very young, and it’s a passion that has never left him. He shares this very personal account of his humble childhood in Austria, his success as a chef in Michelin-starred restaurants, and the lifestyle he currently embraces alongside his equine supplements business. // WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER YOUR LOVE OF HORSES? I’ve been fascinated by horses right from when I was very young. My upbringing in Austria was a very humble one, and in the ‘70s and ‘80s only the elite could afford to have horses. After school I would go and gaze over the fences trying to get a peek at the local horses, although a lot of the owners didn’t like that! When I was nine years old, my aunt was given a horse. I was so in love with it and went to see it at every opportunity. A highlight of that time was when my mother bought a block of ten lessons for me at Pony Club. I was blown away by that – how could she afford it? It was the most amazing thing! When I was 15, I decided that I didn’t want to stay at school. I wasn’t engaged or stimulated, and I wanted to ride horses, so I phoned around all of the hotels with riding stables to see if I could find an apprenticeship of some sort. One of the hotels I contacted was at a ski resort, and they were looking for apprentice chefs, so I did that instead. For the first year or two that I was there, I was able to hack some of the horses in the afternoon. The riding master there was a fascinating person, and had some connection with the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. // HOW DID YOUR CAREER AS A CHEF DEVELOP? As an apprentice chef I had to work extremely hard – 90 to 100 hour weeks – and I soon discovered the night life and other associated temptations, which shifted my focus, and temporarily I lost my passion for riding! When I was 18, I had to do a year of compulsory military service, which was an amazing experience and very good for me. I enjoyed the camaraderie amongst the soldiers and the level of fitness I obtained. I continued as a chef in Austria for a time, but there was no challenge in it for me and I wasn’t necessarily proud of what I was doing. I lost my sense of satisfaction and motivation. My head chef at the time persuaded me to go to Switzerland for an interview at a fine dining restaurant there. I realised later he had set it up for me and he knew that it would really spin my wheels. I got the job, although I really struggled at first – I didn’t even know this level of cooking existed! At this level it was art, not cooking, and for the first time, I was proud of what I was doing. I also had my first Michelin Star experience there. In the ‘90s, Hans and Therese Herzog, who owned that restaurant (along with vineyards and wineries in the Zurich wine country), bought land in Marlborough to develop a winery. In 1999, they asked me if I would like to join them for an adventure in New Zealand. They bought me a plane ticket and gave me five weeks of paid leave, so I came here in February that year. I travelled the country and fell totally in love with it. I returned to Switzerland and worked there with the Herzogs for another year, then sold up everything and came here for the opening of the Herzog Winery Gourmet Restaurant in March 2000.

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I was the Head Chef and manager of that restaurant for the following five years, during which time I became fully invested in the New Zealand lifestyle. I fulfilled a number of childhood dreams – having a dog, hunting, bow hunting, and multi-sports, competing in the Coast to Coast and mountain races. Then I got the opportunity to take the role as Head Chef and Host at Lake Timara Lodge, the tiny luxury lodge in the Marlborough wine country. The Lodge has just four rooms, with 20 acres of gardens and five full-time gardeners! It was surreal and magical living this lifestyle. I cherished the opportunity to meet and engage with many of the guests, some of whom were truly amazing and outstanding individuals whose work has made a difference to many people’s lives. I often still reminisce about some of those conversations. It was while I was at Lake Timara Lodge that I fulfilled my ultimate dream and bought my first horse. // TELL US ABOUT YOUR HORSES I wanted to buy a horse, so I went on Trade Me and looked. There was a Thoroughbred for sale down in Wanaka, and since I was down there doing one of the mountain races, I went and looked at the horse the day after the race. I didn’t have any idea what I was looking for, so ended up buying this three-and-a-half-year-old Thoroughbred that was too slow for racing. But I had him for five years, did a bit of hacking and had my first experiences with dressage. He may actually have been the best moving horse I have ever had – he even got 9s for his movement – but my lack of skill and ignorance at the time did not allow me to make the most of his talent. That was also the first time I encountered the kind of issues that you see with horses. He had low heels and a long toe, so I started researching to find out how I could help him. That triggered a desire to develop a supplement for horses, which ultimately led me into my equine supplements business. After my first horse, I bought more – as you do. One of my very favourites was my Lessing gelding, Schindler’s Liszt, who I successfully trained and competed up to Level 5 and then sold to Christine Weal. That was a hard decision because I really loved him, but I felt that someone like Christine with more experience would make his life and job easier. Many years back I owned a Littorio mare called Polka that I sold to Auckland as a riding horse/broodmare. I tried to stay in touch with the new owner and soon I learned about her first foal, a lovely black colt by Johnson who was called Jive N.

thought that I could formulate something that would be both more effective and more cost-effective. Before I ever had the idea for this type of product, I’d always thought that if I ever did anything, my mission statement would be that I want to create the very best at a price people can afford. I would never compromise on quality, and if you out-price the market only a few can afford your product. Most people with horses are financially stretched, and would rather starve themselves to make sure the horse has everything he needs. I think that if you try to make a difference in people’s lives, you can create something really amazing. I have always been passionate about food science, which went hand-in-hand with my career as a chef. This has become such a passion and I “I ONLY STARTED RIDING DRESSAGE SEVEN OR EIGHT really care about it. When I was formulating the products, I went YEARS AGO, AND DUE TO THE SALE OF SCHINDLER’S LISZT, over to Europe every year and brainstormed THIS IS MY FIRST SUMMER NOT COMPETING. IT’S NICE NOT with veterinary associates, getting the inside philosophy and learning about their approach HAVING TO WORK TO COMPETITION DATES!” over there. There’s a lot of scientific research demonstrating that these products work well if formulated in the I have always seen myself as kind of his ‘godfather’ and a few right way. months ago I embraced the opportunity to take him on for schooling I learned a lot about what matters, like the individual absorption of over the coming twelve months. It feels like I was always meant to be certain products due to their particular affinity with receptors. to be a part of his journey. He’s four years old now, and the first time I have to be continuously on the ball researching and checking the I sat on him was magic. He’s so kind and sweet, but he’s still growing most recent scientific studies so that I can offer the best solutions. and it will take a long time for him to build up muscle, so he just You can become complacent if things are going well, just because needs hacking and very low-key mileage under saddle at this stage. you are busy doing what you are doing. I try to keep my eyes and my I only started riding dressage seven or eight years ago, and due to mind open and address all the angles. There are some outstanding the sale of Schindler’s Liszt, this is my first summer not competing. people in the industry and I would love to tap into their wealth of It’s nice not having to work to competition dates! knowledge and experience. I sometimes give lessons to a few of the local girls and ride a bit for From the nutritional point of view, I think we are ahead of Europe, other people. I love the basics and I’m not fussed about going to Grand because we tend to be more open-minded here. We don’t have the Prix level. To me, that will be a side effect of doing the right thing. prejudices of tradition that can hold you back. New Zealand is such Ambitions and expectations can get in the way of giving the horse the a small market which makes it easier for the equine food industry to time he needs, and I think there is nothing worse than to see horses educate the individual rider about nutritional importance. being competed above their level. Dressage should be a beautiful, fun I’m an explorer at heart and constantly questioning, researching dance and effortless – only then is it goosebumps material. and learning. I’m not a big fan of doing something just because it’s // HOW DID YOUR SYNCHROFLEX SUPPLEMENTS EVOLVE? what works now. There’s so much potential to streamline things and My equine supplements came about because I wanted to find make them better. something that could benefit my own horses. The imported At the moment I’ve got a couple of equine physical therapy products supplements seemed very pricey and when I started researching I in the pipeline so it will be interesting to see where they go.

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// TELL US ABOUT YOUR CURRENT LIFESTYLE? my full attention. The mental vision is always open. You have to let things When I was younger, I overrated materialism. I enjoyed it, but since happen and not smother them with planning and anticipation. Just by then I’ve realised what really makes me happy as a person, and I’m following my own path and being open, so many random and amazing now living a simple, humble lifestyle. It’s such a nice way to live. I’ve things happen! Everything is so rich and variable when we allow things become much more conscious, and about seven years ago I decided to happen in their own time. If you plan too much or let other people to choose a vegetarian diet for a variety of reasons. I believe that being smother your energy, you will struggle to find this happy place. fully aware of how we are living and what we are doing is the key to I like to challenge myself by learning a new musical instrument and being healthy, both mentally and physically. exploring a new language every few years. It’s a very humbling process For years I looked for a place to buy, and I finally found my small to start learning a new musical instrument or a new language. It takes farm just out of Motueka which I share with my partner Fiona. It’s in a you right out of your comfort zone and can be a humiliating time that quiet valley with a beautiful community feel created by lovely locals, makes you shed your ego completely! It’s a wonderful thing, being that a few foreigners and a bunch of hippies. A lot of people have chosen raw! It’s an extreme experience but at the same time so rewarding. this lifestyle. I choose to live in a very old cottage, so old that I had to lift it up and change all the rotten “WALKING BACK TO THE COTTAGE FROM THE PADDOCK AT bearers. Its renovation is a very slow process as NIGHT, HEARING THE HORSES CHEW THEIR FEED IN THE I insist of doing it all myself. Working on it gives me a true attachment, which makes it a home. BACKGROUND PUTS ME IN A VERY CONTENTED PLACE” There’s also a new house on the property, but I decided to rent that out, because like many new things it lacks This year I’m going to a language school in Quebec to polish up my character and history. French. I learned the language as part of chef school, but I’d love to be I don’t run much in the way of livestock, although of course I have able to speak it properly. I chose Quebec for a number of reasons, but my horses. I also have a blind calf called Bella. She has about half an mostly because they are very protective of their language. In Paris, a acre and she always seems to know where she is. Some days I can see very modern type of French is spoken. I’m also getting a lot of pleasure her joyfully racing around doing canter loops and bucking like an idiot. out of learning the saxophone. It’s an instrument my step-father Sometimes I worry that she might be a bit lonely so I’ve decided to get played and I enjoy that link with him. her a goat friend. I’m very lucky that my parents and many of my very best friends Walking back to the cottage from the paddock at night, hearing the have visited me here multiple times. I also have a younger brother horses chew their feed in the background puts me in a very contented who is a chef, an artist and musician, and an older sister who is very place. I’ve got 64 acres; all of the paddocks are tree-lined and terraced, academic, but I have yet to convince them that New Zealand is worth with pockets of natives, oak forests and redwoods. There are two fresh the trip to visit. It seems that the older I get, the more I desire for my water springs and the creek running through the property makes it Austrian family to be a part of my life. I live in this beautiful, peaceful the most charming place. It seems ridiculous and pretentious to say environment and I love to share it with the people I love. that I own this land. I simply pay the mortgage and the rates, and that After living here for 19 years, New Zealand is very dear to my heart; gives me the right to live here and enjoy it. My partner Fiona and her it has shaped me and has given me so many opportunities to fulfill children live in Nelson, so I’m something of a commuter in that respect. many childhood dreams. The journey does not end here as I still have I’m not a planner. I like to live in the moment and give every moment another childhood dream to pursue – to grow old in a castle! C

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INTERVIEW

Ginny Thompson SHOOTING FOR THE STARS

Virginia “Ginny” Thompson, 26, has had her share of eventing glory in New Zealand and Australia, so this year she is setting her sights even higher. With her top horse Star Nouveau, Ginny is UK-bound to take her shot at the prestigious Badminton Horse Trials. WORDS Caitlin Madden IMAGES Libby Law

// HOW DID YOUR RIDING CAREER START? My mum has always ridden and still does – she has a lovely young dressage horse now. We used to event together and against each other. I never got good results on my ponies, but when I got my first hack I started getting competitive, because unlike my ponies, he liked to jump, so we didn’t get eliminated every weekend! His name was Johnny Suede and I got him when I was 13. He took me from Pre-Training right through to winning the 1* Championship at the Taupo 3DE when I was 16 years old. Johnny was just the best jumper, and he was so good to me. He really made me fall in love with the sport of eventing. // TELL US ABOUT THE HORSES YOU HAVE AT THE MOMENT. My ‘top dog’ in the yard is Star Nouveau (Paige). She is a 13-year-old Warmblood X Thoroughbred mare competing at 4* level, and I have owned her for five years. Man of Honour (Joe) is owned by Tina and Chris Barlow. He is a 10-year-old TB by Postponed and is competing at 2* level. The rest of the team are Stars Align (Lizzie), a nine-year-old TB by Align; Star Anise (Annie) a four-year-old TB; Star Player (Pops) a five-year-old TB and Pickles, a three-year-old homebred that I have just broken in. She’s my first homebred, and she’s so fun, just a great little horse. There are also Dawson and Darcy, who are one- and twoyear-olds out of my broodmare Ashbury Pee Cee (a Voltaire II mare who I competed up to 3*). // CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAVOURITE COMPETITIONS OR SUCCESSES FROM THE PAST FEW SEASONS? I recently had a great campaign in Australia where I based with Sam and Nicky Lyle in Sydney. They were so good to work with and I learnt so much over there in such a short space of time. My highlight would have been the 2017 Sydney International Horse Trials in the CIC*** where I came 4th. The cross-country was tough and I hadn’t ridden a track like it before, but Paige was just phenomenal. Another favourite was the Saddlewood Melbourne International

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3DE where I competed on the Senior Trans-Tasman team. Melbourne was a really successful show and we placed 4th in the CCI*** again. The Mitsubishi Motors Adelaide 3DE was another major one as it was my first 4* and I couldn’t have done it on a cooler horse. Finally, winning the Puhinui CCI*** in both 2015 and 2016 is definitely a highlight! I didn’t expect to win it once, let alone back to back! It was definitely a sign that we were ready for the next step. // WHAT WAS IT LIKE COMPETING IN YOUR FIRST 4*? Adelaide was a very cool trip. It was a massive learning experience but the whole event was fabulous. Paige was a little hot in her dressage test, which was a shame but she made up for it over the cross-country. I was the eighth rider out on course, and no-one had got through fences 8ABC clear yet. I told Jock Paget – ‘I’m going to go and attack it like I planned, and make it happen’ – and that is what we did. Paige is just amazing on the cross-country and I trust her completely. I have never had a partnership with a horse like I have with her. The rest of the course was really good too, though I did have to regather after 8ABC as it was only 3 minutes in and we still had nearly 9 minutes of galloping to do. So I had a little fist pump and then moved on and got on with my job. Unfortunately, we did take five rails in the show jumping, which was really disappointing but I take that on myself as Paige did jump really well, just not high enough. We didn’t have the world’s best preparation as winter was awful and Paige got foot abscesses, which put us behind in our fitness schedule. It actually meant we almost didn’t even go, so I knew I was on the back foot heading over. For our next 4* we are hoping for some better preparation. I received a huge amount of support to help me get to Adelaide. All of my friends, family, the local equestrian community and my sponsors – in particular Honda New Zealand and Willowbrook Equestrian Farm Ltd (Zaldi Saddles) – helped me get there, and I cannot thank them enough.

THE KEY IS FITTING IN SOMETHING FUN, EVEN IF YOU ONLY HAVE HALF AN EVENING FREE – IT’S ALWAYS WORTH IT 

MAN OF HONOUR DURING THE TRUST WAIKATO CIC2*

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STAR NOUVEAU DURING THE CCI4* CROSS-COUNTRY AT THE MITSUBISHI MOTORS AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL 3 DAY EVENT

// WHAT DOES 2018 LOOK LIKE FOR YOU? The big plan is to compete in the Badminton Horse Trials in May with Paige. It is so exciting but so nerveracking at the same time. At this stage I am going to go and base myself in England, and campaign a few of the big events over there, but the plan is to come home after 2020 and ride here. // HOW DO YOU MAKE ENDS MEET OUTSIDE OF COMPETING? I do a lot of coaching, which I love. It started when a little girl down the road started riding my old pony, and I got paid $10 an hour to help her and supply the pony. Then I got into coaching at Massey Pony Club, picked up more clients, and things went from there. I do pony camps as well and they have been great, as the kids learn so much more than they can in just in one lesson. They love playing ponies all day long. Camps are also quite lucrative, which is always good for the business and helps pay some of the bills too.

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STARS ALIGN DURING THE VETERINARY ASSOCIATES CCI* CROSS COUNTRY AT PUHINUI INTERNATIONAL 3 DAY EVENT.

I RECEIVED A HUGE AMOUNT OF SUPPORT TO HELP ME GET TO ADELAIDE 44

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// HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR OWN RIDING, COACHING AND ALSO HAVING OTHER HOBBIES? It is a big juggling act and there is never enough time in the day! I aim to ride all of my horses in the morning, but that can take all day depending on what we are doing. Then I coach most afternoons and evenings, and have to do all my admin somewhere in between. Fitting in life outside all of this is tricky, but I am realising that it’s becoming more and more important to do so, or I’m just going to burn out. It’s hard finding time to have a day off – I’m sure any rider would agree with that! I had five days off over the New Year, which was lovely. I went up north with my partner and some friends and spent lots of time fishing, swimming, hiking and kayaking. I love anything to do with the water, so I’m lucky that we only live 20 minutes from Orewa Beach. If we ever finish before 7pm – which

isn’t very often – I always try and race down there for a quick dip. The key is fitting in something fun, even if you only have half an evening free – it’s always worth it. // WHO IS YOUR INSPIRATION AND WHO HAS HELPED YOU ON YOUR JOURNEY? Kirsten Kelly is a big part of why I do what I do. I remember watching her and Mark Todd at Puhinui years ago and thinking. ‘That that is what I want to do one day.’ I had a lot of cross-country and show jumping lessons with Kirsten when I was younger, and she really helped me kickstart my eventing career. I have had so much help over the years and being on squads has been amazing. I’ve been coached by Penny Castle, Jeff McVean, Tracy Smith, Jock Paget, and so many more. I also have really supportive sponsors in Honda New Zealand, Prydes Easifeed, Willowbrook Equestrian Farm Ltd, Vets North, Vetpro and Barton Blacksmith. C

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CATCHING UP WITH

ADVERTORIAL

Kelsey Leahy

IMAGE Mac Images

It’s been a great season so far for 29-year-old eventer Kelsey Leahy and her number one ride, Showcause. We sat down with the busy mum-of-two at her Tamahere property and found out how horses are both her business and hobby, what her plans are with Showcause, and about the thrill of being selected as a Dublin ambassador late last year. WORDS Laura Hunt

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// GETTING THE BETTER OF HER “QUIRKY” THOROUGHBRED Kelsey Leahy’s 12-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Showcause (or Gazza, as he’s known in the paddock at home) hasn’t been the easiest horse to produce, but her hard work and perseverance is paying dividends now. Gazza finished racing as a seven-year-old, before going to a new home where his owners had initially intended to produce him as a show mount. “But they didn’t think he had the temperament for showing, so he sat in the paddock for a few months before I got him as an eight-year-old in 2014,” says Kelsey. Not long after Gazza arrived, Kelsey found out she was pregnant with her first child, Harriet, so she didn’t do a lot with him for another eight months. After Harriet was born and Kelsey was able to get back in the saddle, Gazza showed straight away that he had plenty of talent – enough to persevere with him, despite how difficult he could be at times. “He’s a beautiful mover, clean jumper and because he’s spooky, he doesn’t like to touch things,” says Kelsey. “He’s not hot, but he is quirky, and I fell off him the first few times we went cross-country schooling. It was a good year before I could get him to jump any cross-country fences! “When I took him out, he dropped me in the car park at the first three or four shows, but I knew he would be good, so we kept going.” Eventually Kelsey got the better of him and they had their first big win in the Pre-Novice class at the Taupo Three-Day Event in 2016. Another highlight almost a year later was winning their first 1* start at Matamata Horse Trials in March 2017. “The Taupo win was very meaningful as it is the pinnacle of the season, and the win at Matamata was very special too, as I’d spent so long producing him and that made all the hard work and falls worth it.” Though Kelsey is more focused on eventing, she has been taking Gazza out show jumping too, having some great results in the Amateur series classes, including placing fifth at Waikato Festival of Jumping in November last year. One of the combination’s biggest wins to date came at Equidays last October, when they produced the fastest clear round to win the Reyna Equestrian Horse Derby and take home an impressive $2,000 in prize money, a $500 voucher to spend at Reyna Equestrian, and a beautiful sash and dress rug. “That was a real highlight! There were over 60 in the class and over 20 fences on the course. I didn’t expect to win, but I was hoping he’d jump how he usually does and be quick and clean.”

They didn’t think he had the temperament for showing so he sat in the paddock for a few months before I got him as an eight-year-old in 2014

// A SPECIAL SURPRISE October was a good month all round for Kelsey, as she also became an ambassador for equestrian brand Dublin after applying to them in August. “I saw on Facebook that they were having an ambassador search. Initially I wasn’t going to apply, because I never put myself out there, but I really thought I could relate to their client base,” she says. “For the last 10 years I have worked three or four jobs to pay for my horses and I couldn’t afford the most expensive gear,

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but I still needed quality, so I’ve always used Dublin boots, chaps, helmets, jodhpurs and jackets. I know how durable and tough their products are, while still being available at an affordable price.” After applying for the ambassadorship, it was a few months before Kelsey got the call to say she’d been successful, something she was shocked but very pleasantly surprised about. Since then, Kelsey has been able to try out some other new Dublin products, and put them to the test. “The riding tights are one of my favourite products. They are so comfortable, and I ride in them, run in them and wear them to the track. The polos are another favourite, as they hold their shape, don’t fade and are breathable in summer. And the socks – I couldn’t live without the socks!”

// WHAT’S NEXT FOR SHOWCAUSE All going well, Kelsey has her sights set on competing him in the 2* class at Kihikihi International Horse Trials in April. While she’s working towards that goal with Gazza, there’ll be plenty of other projects on the go for this busy mum. Together with her husband Finbarr, Kelsey has two young daughters, Harriet (3) and Frankie (1). Her schedule is always action-packed, juggling looking after the girls and helping with the day-to-day running of the thoroughbred training business she and Finbarr operate from their Tamahere property. “We bought this property just over a year ago, and we prepare a lot of horses for the Ready to Run Sales and trial horses to be exported to Hong Kong and Singapore. We have a few racehorses in work too.” Kelsey’s days start at four a.m., and she has a nanny in to look after the girls while she helps with the business – whether that means driving the truck to the track, helping around the stables, or working on accounts and administration. At the end of the day, after the girls have had dinner, Kelsey rides Gazza. Sometimes she will also have a schooler or a project horse on the go. “I get the odd project horse off the track to produce and sell to make a bit of money to help pay for my riding,” she explains. No matter how well her step up to 2* level goes, Kelsey isn’t planning at this stage on making a return to 3* level, due to her family commitments. “It takes a lot of extra time to have a three-star horse, and I’m happy with what I’ve achieved with Gazza so far, even if we don’t go any higher,” she says. “I have different priorities now.” C

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PHOTO Debbie Stevens

// NO STRANGER TO HIGH LEVEL EVENTING Gazza isn’t the first thoroughbred Kelsey has taken up the grades. It was only a few years ago that she was right at the top of the New Zealand eventing scene on another thoroughbred, The Felon. The horse came for free from an ad in the Waikato Times, and Kelsey’s older sister Gina took him to 1* level eventing before selling him – only to buy him back a few years later. “Then she was off having babies, so I ended up buying him from her,” Kelsey explains. “We started at one-star, progressing a level each season before doing two seasons at three-star.” With top three placings at Kihikihi, Puhinui and Taupo three-day events, Kelsey and The Felon ended up placing second in the 2013-2014 Super League series. Although she was planning to take him to the 4* three-day event in Adelaide in 2014, she made the decision to sell him after falling pregnant herself. He is now competing at pre-training level in Australia with a young rider.

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INTERVIEW

“It’s really lucky that in the horse show season, hockey can take a back seat and in the hockey season, horses can take a back seat.”

YOUNG RIDER

Denby-Rose Tait Horses, hockey & tractors

Denby-Rose Tait, 17, is a successful show rider, having been a member of the RAS Youth Equestrian Squad competing in both the UK and New Zealand over the past few years. She told Show Circuit all about her experiences competing in the team, and also gave us some insight into what is coming next in her equestrian career. WORDS Caitlin Madden IMAGES kampic.com

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hen Show Circuit spoke to Denby-Rose Tait, she was at home in Hawke’s Bay, having just finished Year 12 at Iona College. Summer was coming and Denby-Rose shared her plans, which included driving tractors for her Dad as her part-time job as well as spending plenty of time riding. “It’s going to be nothing too extravagant,” she explains. “Driving the tractors is really fun. My sister and I both drive for my Dad now that my brother doesn’t live at home anymore. It’s kind of like a family tradition, which is pretty cool to be a part of.” Another family tradition is riding. Her whole family can ride (mum, dad, brother and sister) – in fact, all of the children in her extended family learnt to ride on the same pony! “I’ve always ridden. My older brother and my older cousins rode, and so did my parents, so we were born with ponies. My sister and I could both ride before we could walk, so it’s really been forever. “My first pony was called Granville. He was a little grey Shetland that my grandma purchased for all the kids to learn on.” From there, Denby-Rose started riding at small ribbon days and gymkhanas as early as she could, and started in the Lead Rein showing ring at age four or five. However, it wasn’t until 2014 that she realised quite how competitive she could be. “I had a really competitive pony in 2014, Oaklanes Up The Tempo. Up until then I’d had nice ponies, but none that were Horse of the Year winners.” Denby-Rose and Oaklanes Up The Tempo won classes at the NZ National Horse and Pony Show, and also won Supreme Saddle Hunter Pony at HOY in 2015.

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“When I went and won Supreme Saddle Hunter Pony, my sister Brenna was Supreme Paced and Mannered, so it was cool that we both took out Supreme titles,” says Denby-Rose. “I really enjoy succeeding, and when it’s alongside my sister, I enjoy it even more. We are the first siblings ever to take out both Supreme Saddle Hunter titles at Horse of the Year, let alone within the same year!” Another highlight for Denby-Rose was riding at Werribee at the EA Australasian Show Horse & Rider Championships in 2014, as well as her stints as a rider in the NZ Royal Agricultural Society Equestrian Youth Team in 2016 and 2017. In 2016, the NZ team won the International Equestrian Youth Challenge when they competed in England, and in November 2017, the team won first equal with the English team during the Canterbury A&P show. For Denby-Rose, competing in the UK in 2016 was “a bucket list” moment, so to make the 2017 team again was a dream.

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Denby-Rose and Nala Nicholai’s Holly winning Champion Show Pony 128cm and under at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Show 2015

“It’s really lucky that in the horse show season, hockey can take a back seat and in the hockey season, horses can take a back seat.”

Denby-Rose in action on the hockey field

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“I loved it so much last year that when it came up again I was like, yes, this is me! I am so very thankful to have been given the opportunity to be a member of the Youth Squad, not once but twice. Both opportunities were amazing, granting me the ability to better myself as a rider and forge new friendships, not only with the other New Zealand riders, but also the riders from abroad.” The team were away for a month in 2016, but in 2017, with the competition much closer to home, Denby-Rose was only away from home for 10 days, although the time away did include studying with another rider in the team and sitting a Chemistry external for her Level 2 NCEA. Results weren’t in when Show Circuit spoke to DenbyRose, but she was quietly confident that it went well. Just like her exam (hopefully!) Denby-Rose says she was really pleased with her personal results during the Youth Challenge, with each member of the four person team competing in In-Hand and Paced and Mannered classes, as well as in Judging and Rider competitions across four days. “I was the only Kiwi that placed in the Paced and Mannered and Rider classes, so I was really happy with my performance. I got to ride Fairview Royal Intent who belongs to Olivia Mason. I was so lucky; she was such a lovely horse.” With Denby-Rose having finished up on ponies in 2016, there are plenty of changes afoot for her as the 2017/2018 season gets underway. “My team of horses underwent major changes at the end of the 2015/2016 season. I am currently working to rebuild a team of horses as opposed to ponies that I will hopefully campaign during the 2018/2019 season.” One of these horses is her newest mount Skye, a six-year-old from Otaki, who Denby-Rose would love to show jump instead of showing. “I thought a career change would be kind of cool. I started doing a little bit of show jumping last season on a pony so I am hoping to compete quite seriously [eventually]. I’m still learning and Skye is still learning, so it’s fun to do it together. It is still early days so I have no idea what will come of it, but it’s exciting to challenge myself and step out of my norm – as well as quite petrifying!” she explains. Alongside her equestrian pursuits, Denby-Rose also plays competitive hockey in three different teams – a club, school and a representative team. “It’s really lucky that in the horse show season, hockey can take a back seat and in the hockey season, horses can take a back seat,” she says. She was a late starter to the sport, but, just like her riding, DenbyRose is finding success. “This year I was captain of the Hawke’s Bay Under 18s team, and I managed to be the MVP of the season, and I was the MVP of the season for my school team too. That team finished 5th in NZ in the 2017 Aon Federation Cup, so it’s been a really good season.” For Denby-Rose, balancing the two sports isn’t too hard – in fact she likes it. “I think it’s really nice to have a balance. I get a bit of a break from each of them and I come back to a season refreshed and ready.” And refreshed and ready she is, especially after an accident early last year when a horse wearing shoes kicked her in the face. Her injuries were significant; Denby-Rose fractured her cheek in five places, shattered her maxilla, had 54 stitches in her face and lost four of her front teeth - after her braces had come off! “It was my first major accident as a rider. A lot of the injuries I sustained were external and that definitely knocked me for a while. I seriously questioned whether I would get back onto a horse again. It wasn’t until I realised how lucky I am and how much I love horses that I returned. I have my sister and the support I received from my family and friends to thank for that.” So, with plenty still to come and plenty to work on, Denby-Rose has a few more tricks up her sleeve for the season, including the possibility of riding a park hack for someone, though she says this is still in the early stages of planning. Ultimately the goal for this season is to compete at Horse of the Year again in a few Rider classes. Denby-Rose plans to wait and see how it all goes, but there’s little doubt that she will make it a success of it. C

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INTERVIEW

Diane Gilder RIDER AND EVENT SECRETARY EXTRAORDINAIRE

Diane Gilder, 31, is an Auckland-based eventer who has been making her mark in eventing circles with her Australian-born horse Your Attorney, but her passion for the discipline isn’t just confined to riding – for the past year she has also volunteered as the Event Secretary at Puhinui’s one-day and three-day events.

WORDS Caitlin Madden IMAGES: Kampic.com

iane Gilder’s riding career started when she was 11 years old, and progressed quickly. She began riding at Horsepitality Lodge in Papakura, and by the age of 13 she was leading treks across the neighbouring farms and helping to teach younger riders. These days, she’s a successful event rider, and picked up third place in the 2* at Puhinui 3DE last year. Placing well in such a competitive event is a feat in itself, but Diane’s success was even more impressive when you consider that she was also the Event Secretary for the entire competition. “I honestly I don’t know how I got myself into that one!” she laughs. When Diane moved up to Auckland from Waikato in mid-2016, she found herself with a little extra time up her sleeve. After seeing a post on the Puhinui Facebook group requesting help to run their event, she decided to find out more. “They said they still didn’t have anyone in the secretary role for the March 2017 one-day event. Susan O’Brien had been doing it for the past eight years, so I inquired a little bit about it. I wanted to check and see if I could still ride and do the job, since I was a bit concerned that if I took the job and couldn’t do both, that I would lose a 3* track twice a year.” Once her concerns had been placated, Diane’s worry turned to whether or not she was really up to the job. “I’m not that great on the computer,” she admits, but the committee were convinced she was more than capable. “It’s not too bad in the lead-up to the event, but it all gets very intense at the last minute. I won’t lie – it’s pretty hard work!” But that hard work is always worth it. “We are at a time right now when riders need to help out more, or these events simply won’t be able to be run. More riders need to be ready to help out, and fortunately, when this job came up, I was in a position where I could take it on.” The role has made her feel even more grateful and appreciative of the people that run horse trials, and renewed her respect for how well they run. “I really never imagined how many hours go into the planning and the running of each event,” she admits. For now, Diane is keen to continue in her new role. “I’m really happy to keep doing it if they are happy to keep having me.”

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She also acknowledges the support of her fellow riders, and knows there is no way she could do the job and ride more than one horse. “I’m lucky because my horse Baz (Your Attorney) is pretty easy, and I’ve been helped a lot by Donna and Elise Edwards-Smith, who have their grooms look after Baz for me. I can leave him with them and know things will get done and he will be looked after. When I’m not physically on my horse, I’m running back and forth from the office, and I spend a lot of hours in there at the end of each day.” When Diane isn’t helping at Puhinui or riding Baz, she runs two kennels and catteries with her older brother and sister. Their first business, All Seasons Pet Resort, has been in the family for 21 years, and recently they acquired their second pet resort, which has meant that extra time doesn’t exist anymore! “It’s a great business to run, because it works so well with the horses,” Diane explains. “I can do the horses in the morning, then work in the afternoons and the early evenings.” Now that she is settled back in Auckland, Diane has also worked hard to get her property ready so she can return to coaching. Her new arena is finished, and the stables and paddocks are all set up. In the past, she spent several years in the Waikato region, including working at the Waikato Equestrian Centre, and as Assistant Coach and Horse Manager at the Hamilton RDA. She also completed her Equine Studies course at Wintec in 2005, and picked up Level 4 Sport Horse and Community Coaching certifications. Once she’d finished studying, she spent some time working in the racing industry, based in Cambridge with Alan and Linda Jones. She loved the job, but when she was approached to work for Nicky and Blair Richardson, the owners of Richardson Eventing in New South Wales, she knew she couldn’t pass up the opportunity. Both Nicky and Blair have previously competed on the world stage, and now own a thoroughbred pre-training business. Diane loved living in the rural, small town of Scone where the Richardsons are based, and was there for almost four years. Although she took a horse over with her, it was the purchase of Your Attorney as a 4-year-old that really kicked off her eventing career. “I sometimes think if I hadn’t moved over to Australia at that time, I would never have got so much into eventing. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to ride and event over there.”

It’s not too bad in the lead-up to the event, but it all gets very intense at the last minute

Diane took Your Attorney from Introductory to CIC 2* level while in Australia, and competed at the Adelaide 3DE in 2011 as well as the 2* in Melbourne in 2012, where they finished 9th. “I was so lucky to be able to travel and to do all those events,” she says. “And they were always such a huge eye opener! It’s something I would recommend to a lot of riders. If they can, they really should try and compete in Australia for a season. For young riders it is a good place to go, and we are lucky because it isn’t too far from home.” Diane has been competing at 2* here in New Zealand while she and Your Attorney get back on track after having a few ‘off’ events, but she is confident they are back and will be raring to go at 3* again in 2018. “I gave him two months off and I think it made all the difference. Apparently he wanted a break! And it tied in nicely with the wet winter we had last year, because I do my best not to ride in the rain, so it worked out well for us both.” Now, with all of New Zealand’s biggest events circled on her calendar this season, Diane is excited to see how they will perform. “Baz has been a top level horse for some time now, and it makes me so proud,” she says. Baz is sponsored by Prestige Equestrian, and Diane is extremely grateful for their support. C

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INTERVIEW

FIONA HAMMOND

Lady Behind the Mic

Show jumping riders and spectators across the North Island will be familiar with the lovely voice of commentator Fiona Hammond ringing out across the loud speaker. We sat down with this well-spoken professional to learn more about her background, her move to New Zealand, and why she gives up so much of her time to commentate. WORDS Laura Hunt IMAGE Cornege Photography

iona Hammond and her family made the move to New Zealand a class when they weren’t. “I’ve definitely made a few boo-boos,” from Singapore in late 2014, and it has since become obvious she laughs. As familiar as her voice has now become at show jumping events, that Singapore’s loss is New Zealand show jumping’s gain. Fiona takes the role of commentator seriously, and explains Fiona’s first announcing gig in New Zealand didn’t come until the that it’s so much more than turning up and reading names off a APL Show Jumping Waikato Festival at the end of October in 2015. list as competitors enter the ring. When this former DJ and MC is “I’d emailed the organising committee and offered to help, but they in charge of the microphone and sound system, she brings other didn’t need any announcers – until the last minute when someone elements together to create an entertaining and electric atmosphere couldn’t make it, and I announced in ring three,” she explains. With her skill and experience immediately clear, Fiona ended up for everyone on the grounds. “I find it very satisfying to be able to create a polished show, and I like announcing for the APL Grand Prix Classic in ring one later that evening with Warwick Allen, and things took off quickly from there. everything to have a beginning, a middle and an end,” she explains. “I now do most of the bigger shows each year – Equidays, the Show A key component of Fiona’s toolkit is her 7000-strong iTunes music database and the specific playlists she has created that bring each Jumping Waikato shows, Rotorua Spring Show, Taupo Christmas event to life. “I also use Spotify which gives me access to millions of Classic, Show Jumping Waitemata, Horse of the Year, Glistening songs, although I have to be careful as some have explicit language. Waters Series Finals, and a few others,” she says. With both of her daughters, Nicola (19) and Alex (18), competing Sometimes when we’re live streaming, I will have Andy from JX Live talking to me via a comms piece saying ‘Fi, change the song please, on the show jumping circuit almost every weekend, Fiona does try to avoid announcing at every show so that she can occasionally watch you’re playing Starboy again!’” she admits with a laugh. Fiona’s music is part of the package when she takes on an announcing and help her girls, but she’s happy leaving them to it when she is on the mic. role, and she will spend hours preparing music for each show. “If I’m announcing, I’ll only get to watch them ride if they are in “I plan the background music, starting with slower music and slowly progressing during the day,” she says. “I have playlists for jump- the ring I’m in. The girls are left to it,” says Fiona. “I used to be a offs, playlists for victory laps and clear rounds, fun playlists for kids’ helicopter parent but I thought, you know what, they need to learn classes and for special feature classes, like the Celebrity Ride & Drive to sort themselves out. I said to the girls when we moved here that I at the APL Showjumping Waikato Festival. I sit and plan music to wasn’t coming to be their groom. I’m happy to announce at shows as it keeps me out of the girls’ hair, and they learn to work together and match riders, horses or sponsors to make it more fun.” Another vital part of producing a professional, polished show is help each other.” having up-to-date, correct information on hand, so she has built her own rider profile database. “I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL AS SOME SONGS HAVE EXPLICIT “I read equestrian magazines like Show Circuit, and every Monday after the big events I read LANGUAGE. SOMETIMES WHEN WE’RE LIVE STREAMING, through the write-ups to find bits of interesting information about different horses and riders I WILL HAVE ANDY FROM JX LIVE TALKING TO ME VIA A that I can add to their profiles,” she says. “I started with World Cup and Grand Prix riders, and have COMMS PIECE SAYING ‘FI, CHANGE THE SONG slowly built up from there.” Fiona constantly adds to her database to ensure PLEASE, YOU’RE PLAYING STARBOY AGAIN’” she has the latest information at her fingertips and will even spend time overnight at events Fiona’s commentating days began in Singapore, starting when she looking through the day’s results, should she need to make mention was sidelined from riding while pregnant with Nicola. “I did a lot of of them the following day. Her role at a competition is busy and requires a fair amount of commentating when the girls were riding ponies and competing in multitasking, as Fiona not only commentates and runs the music, Singapore. I remember one show at the Bukit Timah Saddle Club but also works closely with livestreaming hosts, JX Live, to provide – there were various teenagers announcing and no-one taking commentary for them too. Sometimes she’ll even take care of the control of it, so the judges asked for someone to help and I got on the mic and it went from there.” Fiona went on to commentate live scoring as well! “It’s busy,” she agrees. “There’s usually only five to ten minutes regularly, including at the South East Asian World Cup League held between classes to quickly eat something, run to the toilet and have at Singapore Polo Club. Having been a professional DJ and MC prior to becoming a mother, a drink.” While she loves it, and is clearly a natural behind the microphone, commentating came naturally to Fiona, as she was well used to Fiona does admit that she’s made a few mistakes – announcing entertaining and talking to crowds. During her time as a DJ, she names incorrectly, starting before her cue on livestream and, most worked at nightclubs, hosted fashion shows and was even flown embarrassingly, announcing once that someone was retiring from regularly in private jets to DJ at parties for princesses of the Royal

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MY PARENTS AND MY SISTER ARE POLO PLAYERS, SO IT WAS INEVITABLE THAT THE GIRLS WOULD END UP RIDING AT SOME POINT

Family of Brunei. “As a DJ, you learn to read a crowd, and I’ve been able to take that through to my announcing,” she says. Although both of her parents are English, Fiona was born and raised in Singapore. Her husband Peter was born in Malawi but raised in Hong Kong, and it was there that the couple met, before marrying in Singapore in 1996. Their first daughter Nicola was born there in 1998, and Alex followed in 2000. Before coming to New Zealand, the girls had lived in Singapore for most of their lives, aside from a seven year stint in Hong Kong. Fiona is also an accomplished rider herself, having represented Singapore in show jumping during her competition days, and both girls started riding through Fiona and her family’s influence. “My parents and my sister are polo players, so it was inevitable that the girls would end up riding at some point,” she says. “My dad gave up polo when he turned 70, but Mum still plays at the tender age of 77. She’s like the polo version of Maurice Beatson!” Nicola and Alex had a few riding lessons when they were living in Hong Kong, but it was after they’d returned to Singapore that things became more serious, and they became members of the National Equestrian Centre. The Youth Olympic Games (YOG) were held in Singapore in 2010, and Nicola got the opportunity to lease one of the Games horses after it was over, a gelding called Links Hot Gossip. “Nicola got to ride a lot of the YOG horses that had been distributed after the Games, and when Links Hot Gossip was injured at the start of 2014, the Equestrian Federation of Singapore couldn’t keep him. As we’d been leasing him, they asked if we wanted to adopt him, which we did.” Links Hot Gossip had a short stay at Glen Haven Park in Australia before moving to New Zealand with Fiona and her family. Glen Haven Park is the property of Paula and Olivia Hamood, wellknown Australian show jumpers who had become good friends with Fiona and her family during the YOG. The desire for a rural lifestyle with horses inspired the Hammonds’ move to New Zealand, and after checking out St Peter’s School and its equestrian academy, the family chose to settle in Cambridge. “The girls were doing really well with the horses in Singapore, but leasing and keeping a horse was very expensive at $2,500 a month, so we’d been looking at a move, especially after visiting the Hamoods in Australia a few years earlier and seeing for the first time what it was like to live rurally with horses. “We’d never thought of New Zealand, but Peter was Googling schools with equestrian programmes and found St Peter’s, so we hopped on a plane to come and look at the school, and at some properties. We went back to Singapore, pulled the girls out of school and brought them back to see what they thought. They were amazed by St Peter’s, and by all the grass! It was very different to anything we’d seen in Singapore, where all the horses live in stables.” The family bought a five-acre property in Karapiro, just out of Cambridge, but the girls initially kept the horses they’d brought over with them – Links Hot Gossip and a Thoroughbred called

Forrest Jump, purchased in Australia – at St Peter’s. “Five acres was huge to us! It was basically just one big paddock with a house, so we put in fencing, an arena and a four-horse stable block, then gutted and renovated the house. We told the girls we’d do it in bite-sized chunks, so we bought a float, not a truck, and we’ve just recently bought a caravan too.” Now that the family is firmly entrenched in the New Zealand equestrian scene, with Fiona a sought-after show jumping commentator, both the girls having made great friends, and Peter recently becoming Director of Equestrian at St Peter’s, Fiona says New Zealand is home. “We love it here. We’ve made lots of great friends, set up the property, and now that Nicola has been selected to the ESNZ Talent ID Squad this season, the girls are also very proudly sponsored by Pryde’s EasiFeed, Anitone and Soless Sun Visors.” While the girls are still mad about riding, Fiona says she’ll continue her commentating work for as long as she’s needed. “I’ll do it for as long as the girls are going to shows, and most importantly for as long as people like what I do and enjoy it. When people come up to me at the end of a show and say ‘you’ve done a great job’, it’s very rewarding!” C

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GROOM’S CORNER

MY HAPPY PLACE

Hannah Frost

A busy full-time career alongside intense post-graduate study has led Hannah Frost to take time out from horse ownership. But with a high demand for her riding and turn-out skills, she is still able to spend plenty of time in her happy place. WORDS Pip Hume IMAGES Dark Horse Photography

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// THE ATTRACTION OF GROOMING Hannah has always enjoyed turning her ponies and horses out well, and is a very detail-oriented person. “We were very lucky growing up with ponies, a groom, an instructor, and a hugely supportive mother – although one of our grooms, who is still a very close friend, tells me that I was a horror to teach and get into the ring! Plaiting and the turn-out details were ‘hands off – I’ve got it covered!’ because I wanted to do it all myself. “I was always a stickler for presentation and very particular about how the ponies looked. I watched the girls with outstanding ponies and saw how they always came out looking perfect. They were meticulous in everything and they shone in the show ring. That was what I wanted to achieve. “I love showing bcause of the perfection of it all. I was never interested in Pony Club – I once went to a Pony Club camp with a friend on a friend’s pony, but I had no interest in it whatsoever! It just wasn’t my thing; I was too much of a perfectionist!” That perfectionism carried through when Hannah began grooming for others, when she was 16 years old, and competing successfully in the Park Hack ring. “I had spent a lot of time in the show ring from the time I was 11 years old, and I wanted to learn from some of the better people in the industry,” she explains. “I initially worked after school grooming and riding for Raymonda Booth, who taught me how to plait properly and some of the essential turn-out tricks.” This experience was then extended and consolidated by working for other top competitors, and a spell in the Thoroughbred industry doing sales preparation. More recently, Hannah has been working with Julie Wylie-Parkinson and particularly her effervescent black gelding Sparkling Galaxy, who she says is one of the most interesting and rewarding horses to work with. “He can be tricky – he’s a horse you have to work alongside and get to know. But when you ‘get’ him, there’s no horse in the world I would rather be around, whether it’s on the ground or on his back. He’s truly magical!” These days Hannah’s full-on career as a sonographer, ultra-sound scanning and diagnosing pregnant mothers and their babies, combined with her post-graduate work through the Australian School of Ultrasound Medicine, means that she simply doesn’t have the time to compete a horse of her own. Turn-out grooming enables her to keep her hand in and provides welcome time out, and has also been an important way to fund her career goals. “Along with a couple of showing prospects that I produced and sold, grooming and riding for others has helped me fund what I wanted to do study-wise. When I was at uni, working freelance over a multi-day show, I could earn a fairly significant amount of money if I was prepared to do the hours and get through the horses efficiently. “And being prepared to get down on the ground and paint their toenails has been hugely beneficial for me, in that it has given me the opportunity to work with and ride some magnificent horses! “Lots of people have taught me lots of things. That’s the beauty of being in other people’s stables – you pick up lots of tips. I’ve won a number of Best Presented classes at Horse of the Year, all from picking up tips and tricks from everyone else.”

IF YOUR HORSE HAS A LESS THAN IDEAL BACK END, THEN DON’T GO DRAWING ALL OVER IT WITH QUARTERMARKERS! DRAW THE EYE AWAY FROM THAT.

// THE ART OF TURN-OUT For Hannah, grooming is a way of keeping her hand in, and her eye up with what’s ‘in’ at the moment, although her own taste is for good, classical perfection. “People get too caught up in the fashions. I love a beautiful outfit and browband as much as the next person, but if the horse isn’t clean and shining and properly turned out, a snazzy outfit won’t cut it.” She also says that an understanding of what judges are looking for is a crucial part of her role. “I know when we have an English judge in the ring that they will be looking for classic presentation, so I take it right back; with the Aussies, it’s put it all on – they love the pomp and ceremony! “The tiny details vary from class to class and horse to horse as well. For Paced & Mannered classes, the turn-out will be more restrained than for say Hack or Park Hack titles. For all classes, the turn-out needs to complement the horse, not just jazz it up. “The plaits will be thick or fine, and spaced depending on the neck, and the quarter-markers will highlight the individual horse’s conformation, so hindquarters of different shapes will have different patterns. And if your horse has a less than ideal back end, don’t go drawing all over it with quarter-markers! Draw the eye away from that.” Asked about her favourite ‘secret’ products, Hannah admits that she is a Supreme Products girl.

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SHOWING IS ALL ABOUT THE LOOK – IT’S A BEAUTY PAGEANT FOR HORSES, BUT WITH THE PERFORMANCE COMPONENT AS WELL. YOU NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF WHAT YOU ARE DRAWING ATTENTION TO. “I used to use a variety of everything, but I seem to prefer the Supreme Products these days. They have a good colour range and blend really well. My very favourite product is the Finishing Wipes which you can use ringside for a quick wipe over the muzzle, eyes and knees and even to shine your boots before you go into the ring. I also love Supreme Products Sparkle for last minute shine and I’m a fan of hot oil for the horses’ coats throughout the year.” However, while she has lots of tricks that can work overnight or in a day to get a coat looking better, Hannah considers correct conditioning to be the real basis of that show-ring shine. For showing outfits, cleanliness is key, and she prefers an understated look. “Personally I wear a plain navy jacket with a white shirt and a white tie. My jacket is older now, but it’s beautifully cut and fits like a glove. You can add trim and accessories, but don’t go over the top. The most important thing is that everything is clean and well-fitting. I like a short jacket on the right person but you have to keep in mind body shape. Gone are the days of cutaways! “I like to keep an eye on the trends in Aussie; sometimes they have some really cool things. But if you look at what they wear, it’s always simple and well fitting – well-fitting breeches, a well-fitting jacket.” Although not every rider is a fan of wearing make-up in the ring, Hannah likes a slightly more professional look of a little foundation, mascara and lipstick. “It’s probably a little picky, but to me it’s that finishing touch that sends you into the ring smiling, polished and confident. That’s just as important as making sure you have nice gear. “Showing is all about the look – it’s a beauty pageant for horses, but with the performance component as well. You need to be mindful of what you are drawing attention to.” C

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TRAINING

SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE DRESSAGE WITH

MONIQUE

PEUTZ

Despite being tucked away at the bottom of the world, New Zealand riders are fortunate enough to often get the opportunity to train with incredible trainers who visit from around the globe. A recent visit from international dressage coach Monique Peutz was one of those special occasions. In this training session, Monique works with Grand Prix dressage rider Sheena Ross and her stallion Fugato SW, consolidating work already done, and preparing them for the next stage of his training.

THE TRAINER MONIQUE PEUTZ

Monique is based in the Netherlands, and is an FEI 4* Judge in both Dressage and Para Equestrian Dressage, judging at numerous major international competitions. She is the Head Coach for the Dutch Pony Team and the Dutch Children’s Team, and trainer of the selection committee for Dutch Young Horses for the World Championships. Monique has a dressage training stable in Groningen, where she trains and rides her own and clients’ horses up to Grand Prix level. She is a highly sought-after trainer, and New Zealand dressage riders leap at the opportunity to work with on her visits down under.

OUR RIDER SHEENA ROSS

Sheena is a Grand Prix rider from Clevedon, Auckland who not only competes in and coaches dressage, but also owns and operates Sterling Warmbloods, a boutique stud breeding Hanoverian dressage horses. In this lesson, Sheena rides Sterling Warmbloods’ resident Oldenburg stallion, Fugato SW. Purchased by Sheena and her husband Dermot from the Spring Elite Oldenburg Auction in 2016, Fugato SW has been with them in Clevedon for almost two years. Now a rising five-year-old, Fugato SW is training at Level 3. Sheena has trained with Monique several times before, and is looking forward to getting her opinion on the stallion’s progress, and the next steps in his training.

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LOOSEN UP Coming out of his stable to the arena at Sterling Warmbloods, Monique asks Sheena to start with a nice loose walk with a long rein to stretch Fugato’s muscles and prepare him for the workout ahead. “First, we just want to sit on the horse and let him walk around. You cannot get out of bed and run a marathon directly, and it’s the same with the horse,” Monique explains. “We have to let him walk a little bit and stretch, and the rider can also find out how the horse is feeling today.”

ACTIVATE THE HIND LEG AND ENGAGE THE WHOLE BODY

Fugato and Sheena work on straightness in order to activate the hind leg

Still at walk, Monique tells Sheena to take a steady contact and start pushing Fugato forward a little in walk. “You can go a little bit more active now,” she says as they move onto a circle on the left rein and start working on engaging his hind leg and working his body. “Feel that you can push him into the contact and start to flex him on the circle by using your inside leg to push his inside hind leg under, and make it more active for just a few steps. Then come back to the normal tempo and go straight, forward and out. We want to do this to make sure he is responding to your inside leg and he is moving through his whole body.” To keep things even, they change to the right rein, again on the circle, pushing Fugato’s hind leg under for a few steps. When he takes the contact, Monique tells Sheena to ride the horse straight and forward again. Moving on to trot, Monique asks Sheena to give the horse a chance to find his balance before asking her to collect him slightly. “Not too long in the frame,” she warns. “Make him a little bit rounder and don’t let him put his nose too far out.” The first time Sheena asks Fugato to step his hind leg under in the trot, he breaks into a canter, but Monique assures her it’s nothing to worry about. “Don’t bother about that. It’s a young horse, he has to make mistakes to get better,” she says.

After a few issues with breaking into canter, Fugato and Sheena achieve the desired collection

TEMPO CHANGES Once Monique is satisfied that the trot is round enough, but still supple and easy enough for this stage of the lesson, she focuses on some small tempo changes. “Start with small changes, so you feel you can go forward and back, and you still have contact on both reins,” Monique explains. “It’s warming up the horse, but also controlling the basics, checking everything is fine. Is he good to the left? Is he good to the right? He’s such an easy-going horse, and he’s not stiff so you can already ask him things. Ask him to go a little bit slower, keep contact on the outside rein and then ride forward again.” The tempo changes help to bring Fugato more together in his frame. “You can say slow down, but at that same moment push a few steps with your legs and say ‘c’mon, a little bit more’. He’s searching a little bit for his balance, but that’s normal,” she says. “It’s important that you feel you can bring him back while still getting those active steps. He’s learning to come back and when you have that balance, let him go forward again.” When Fugato gets it right, Monique is quick to offer a reward to the horse. “That was very good. He was coming back and sitting on the hindquarters, so as a reward he can have a walk and a break.”

“YOU CAN SAY SLOW DOWN, BUT AT THAT SAME MOMENT PUSH A FEW STEPS WITH YOUR LEGS AND SAY ‘C’MON, A LITTLE BIT MORE’. ”

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FORWARD AND BACK - CANTER WORK After warming up in the trot on both reins, they move on to canter work. The first time around on the left rein, Monique asks Sheena to just ride Fugato forward.

Then she gets Sheena on the circle again and has her ask Fugato to sit a little more for a few steps, encouraging her to half-halt with leg on and then ride forward again. When the horse breaks in the canter, Monique isn’t bothered. “He’s a young horse, and that can happen. If you can correct it, then it’s no problem,” she assures Sheena. “It’s good to play with this movement on a young horse, because later they have to collect for pirouettes and so on.” Sheena gets Fugato to collect and come back a handful of times before they change to the right rein. Fugato is quick to anticipate another canter, so Monique reminds Sheena to re-establish his rhythm. “After the canter he’s a little bit too fast in the trot, so bring him back, keep him round. Come back and leg, come back and leg,” she encourages. “When he is nice and waiting like this, we can let him canter again with the feeling you can flex and bend him and that he still is going forward.”

“IT’S GOOD TO PLAY WITH THIS MOVEMENT ON A YOUNG HORSE, BECAUSE LATER THEY HAVE TO COLLECT FOR PIROUETTES AND SO ON”

MAKING THE MOST OF CIRCLES Once they’re cantering, Sheena goes back onto a circle and asks Fugato to sit and collect again. “It’s much easier on the circle, so we always teach them on the circle,” says Monique. “That’s good, he’s really sitting back and taking the weight behind, so reward him by going forward.” They practise collection again by going into a medium canter down the long side of the arena. “Going forward isn’t difficult, but after some medium strides, he must learn to come back. If you find it’s difficult to collect after the medium canter, at the moment you start asking, go onto the circle, so you don’t have to pull. When they know what you want, you can do it later without the circles.” With Fugato coming back nicely off the medium canter to collect on the circle, they take another break. “It’s very important with young horses, when they have done some nice work, to let them stretch and have a break,” Monique insists.

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Inside rein creates flexion while the outside rein controls the bend Inside leg stays at the girth and the outside leg stops the horse swinging out

KEEP THE WALK ACTIVE While having a break, Monique reminds Sheena to keep his walk active and engaged. “Always keep him active and going forward in the walk. A lot of riders get in the habit of thinking that walking is just relaxing, and the horses learn that! It’s important to always keep them active and forward when training, so when you’re in a test doing extended walk you only have to give them the rein and they are going.”

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LEG YIELDS Moving on to some lateral work at trot, Monique asks Sheena to do a few strides of leg yield down the long side. “Always make sure that he is straight, and then push him over while controlling him on the outside rein. This helps him to come a little more uphill too.” When Fugato gets a little quick and leans on the bit, Monique reminds Sheena that when she feels him come behind the leg, she can push more, but to keep control on her outside rein so he doesn’t get faster, only more active.

ACCESSORIES Half halt on outside rein to keep his shoulders straight

Leg aid behind the girth

SWEATS & JACKETS

SHOULDER-IN They start shoulder-in with just a few easy strides at walk to prepare Fugato, then use the long side at trot to ask for more. “Don’t let him get faster,” cautions Monique. “Slow down and then use leg, slow down and then use leg. Keep him stepping under by using your inside leg.” She tells Sheena to use her corners to start the shoulder-in. “Sometimes you can use your corners to sit, so half-halt, hindquarters under and keep him on the outside rein to go down the long side in shoulder-in, flexing him softly to the inside.”

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EXTENSION They move on to the extended trot across the diagonal in rising trot, which Monique says is easier for a young horse. They use the short side to get Fugato more active and ready for extension. “Push him now a few steps, bump him with your leg but not going fast,” Monique urges. “Slow down and bump, slow down and bump, to wake him up a little bit for nice active extension. Now up out of the corner and then go. Yes, that is what I meant, that is excellent,” she says when they perform a lovely extension across the middle. “But do you feel that you have to push him a little bit beforehand, because he wants to make himself a little long in the frame? Use the short side to push him a little bit without going quick, and then he is uphill and ready to go for the extension.”

“BUT DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU HAVE TO PUSH HIM A LITTLE BIT BEFOREHAND, BECAUSE HE WANTS TO MAKE HIMSELF A LITTLE LONG IN THE FRAME? USE THE SHORT SIDE TO PUSH HIM A LITTLE BIT WITHOUT GOING QUICK, AND THEN HE IS UPHILL AND READY TO GO FOR THE EXTENSION”

A RELAXED FINISH After 35 minutes of work, they finish with some quiet trot, letting Fugato stretch down and relax over his back, followed by a long, low walk, still with activity so he doesn’t learn to slack off in walk. Monique

stresses the importance of not overdoing it with a young horse and keeping him happy and enjoying his work, so with both rider and trainer thrilled with Fugato’s efforts, they finish on a very positive note.

ALWAYS REWARD Rewarding your horse is particularly important with young and green horses, and your reward often needs to be effusive—lots of pats on the neck. Because their understanding of proper and improper answers and behavior is limited, every time they give you a right answer, you need to tell them.

SHEENA’S HOMEWORK Monique is very pleased with the progress Sheena and Fugato have made since her last visit. Between now and Monique’s next planned visit in August, Sheena will keep working on getting the young horse to sit back and go forward again comfortably, in order to be ready to start more advanced work when Monique returns. “Up until Monique arrived, I hadn’t started working on making him sit back, so introducing this slowly has given me the confidence to push on a bit and that he is on track for his age and has the strength to carry himself,” says Sheena. “I will keep working like this so he is ready to start flying changes and more advanced work when Monique is back, but still keep him happy and enjoying his work.” C

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PHOTO ESSAYS

PHOTO: Cheleken Photography

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74 Horse of the Year Event Coverage 94 Takapoto Estate Show Jumping | 100 Lake County A&P Show 104 Bates National Dressage Championships | 108 Ashburton Show Jumping 112 Bruce Forbes Pony Club Teams Event | 116 Otago Show Jumping 120 New Zealand National Showcase Championships 72

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I never expected to win. When I first got him, I wasn’t sure he would do so well but he is just awesome and I love him. BRIAR BURNETT-GRANT, OLYMPIC CUP WINNER

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I thought ‘pull yourself together woman’ when I was receiving the trophy. Matawai Sentana is a quirky horse who will only get better.

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Tess Clark - SINATRA II in the Olympic Cup

Kimberley Bird - CERA CASSINA, 2nd in the Ultra Mox Lady Rider of the Year

Emma Watson – MADDOX FUN HOUSE, 2nd in the Farmlands Pony of the Year

Clint Beresford – EMMAVILLE JITTERBUG, 2nd in the Olympic Cup

William Willis – DOLLAR ROLL, 3rd in the FMG Norwood Gold Cup

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FAIRYTALE FINISH TO A THRILLING WEEK

The 2018 Land Rover Horse of the Year Show will be remembered for celebrating the young talent coming through, with Briar Burnett-Grant creating history as the youngest-ever winner of the Olympic Cup. It was a heart-stopping finale for the six days of competition, and fittingly came down to a good old Australia versus New Zealand jumpoff. The Australians had a good show, with Clint Beresford and Emmaville Jitterbug winning the Silver Fern Stakes, and the visitors headed home with a clutch of ribbons from the Olympic Cup and the trans-Tasman match-up, but thankfully the prestigious trophy stayed in New Zealand. German course designer Werner Deeg was at HOY for his third time and says it has taken him this long to fully understand the Kiwi riders. “You can only have good course design if you have good riders,” he said. “These have been really good, otherwise I would not be able to build good courses.” He also had plenty of praise for his ‘world class’ ring crew. Next up for the FEI level 4 course designer is the Asian Games being held in Indonesia in August, but HOY continues to hold a special place in his heart. “This event is quite unique and can’t be compared to other competitions or events.” // BURNETT-GRANT BLITZES THE FIELD The day belonged Briar Burnett-Grant – the pint-sized pocket rocket who has for so long planned her debut outing in the Olympic Cup, but never dared to dream that it would have such a fairy tale ending. The 17-year-old from Taupo headed off 22 other very capable combinations in the first round of competition, in which only she, aboard Fiber Fresh Veroana, Clint Beresford on Emmaville Jitterbug and defending champ Lily Tootill on Ulysses NZPH had clear rounds. In the second round, clears were a little more forthcoming, but both Clint and Briar went double clear, forcing a jump-off. It has been some years since we’ve had a jump-off for the Olympic Cup, but both riders rose to the pressure and gave it their all. Not a single rail fell between them, and a fast gallop to the last clinched the win for young Briar. “This just means so much to me. There are just no words,” she gushed after her win, before giving credit to her horse. “I seriously contemplated not starting him this morning! He is such a good horse and he’s only nine.” Clint was every bit the sportsman, saying his young rival was simply better on the day and deserved the win. // DREAM COME TRUE FOR PONY OF THE YEAR WINNER Another debutant whose name was up in lights was 14-year-old Olivia Apatu (Havelock North) who won the Farmlands Pony of the Year crown aboard her lovely grey Alasaan Arzu, after an exciting head-to-head jump-off against series leader Emma Watson (Morrinsville) on former Pony of the Year winner Maddox Fun House. Thirty combinations started the class with 10 coming back for the second round. Only Emma and Sophie Scott aboard Benrose Playtime had clean slates, as Olivia and Alasaan Arzu carried four from their first round, along with seven other combinations. However, Sophie had two down in the second round, and when Emma took the last fence, it forced the pair into a jump-off. A few heart-stopping

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2 WORDS Diana Dobson moments later, Olivia’s wildest dream had become a reality. // CUBITT RECLAIMS LADY RIDER CROWN Lisa Cubitt (Cambridge) may have only been riding Matawai Sentana for six weeks but it was clearly long enough to form a solid bond and a winning combination. She couldn’t believe it when the rails fell for her opposition, handing her the Merrylegs Cup as the winner of the Lady Rider of the Year class. Lisa previously won the coveted crown in 2015, and didn’t think for a minute she would be hoisting it again in 2018. “This win is just unreal. I didn’t come into it thinking I would win – it is amazing.” // CAREER-BEST WIN FOR TOM Tom Tarver-Priebe (Kawerau) and Popeye had the biggest win of their careers taking out the historic Norwood Gold Cup in a very competitive 36-strong line-up. They were one of six to come back for the jump-off where he notched another clear, scorching home in a time of 43.83 seconds, a remarkable 8.49 seconds ahead of second-placed Brooke Langbecker (AUS) on Quintago I. // FITNESS WAS KEY FOR YOUNG RIDER CHAMPION Emily Hayward was second-to-last to go in the opening round of the Bayleys Real Estate Young Rider of the Year class, but the wait was worth it. She and Yandoo Lady Gold were the only one of the 29 combinations to finish with no faults. Thirteen combinations with eight faults and less came back, but Hayward was just too good, jumping a beautiful double clear to take home the Big Red Cup. // CODE SWITCH LEADS TO SUCCESS A protest led to a change in title-holder in the GJ Gardner Pro-Am Rider of the Year class. Sally Clark (Dannevirke) and Victoria’s Secret, who finished second on the day, were awarded the title after a protest was lodged against the original winner relating to horse ownership. It was a first-ever HOY title for Sally, an eventing silver medalist from the Atlanta Olympic Games. Brigitte Smith (Mangaweka), from the well-established endurance family, showed her switch of codes was the right move when she won the Fiber Fresh Feeds Junior Rider of the Year title aboard Corlinka; and Kate Cavanagh (Geraldine) and Wallflower took out the Wade Equestrian Amateur Rider of the Year. // ONE FOR THE AGES The age group classes produced some excellent jump-offs with Tegan Fitzsimon (Christchurch) and the beautiful Windermere Cappuccino (by Corofino II out of Vespa) taking out the Seven-Year-Old title class. Rachel Malcolm (Cambridge) and the well-performed Monte Carlo MVNZ (by Indoctro out of Auburn Princess MVNZ) won the AHD Six-Year-Old crown. The Five-Year-Old honours were a quinella for NZPH, with Alex Loiselle (Ocean Beach) winning aboard Dakota NZPH (by Pezetas du Rouet out of Oki Doki NZPH), and also finishing second with Dallas NZPH (by Quintus out of United Blue NZPH). Each of the winners paid tribute to the breeders of their horses, with Rachel reminding everyone that without people like Mount View Sport Horses, who bred her winning Monte Carlo MVNZ, riders wouldn’t have such nice horses to produce. C

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PHOTO ESSAY

EVENTING PHOTOS kampic.com

Clarke Johnstone - BALMORAL SENSATION, winners of the CIC 3*

Jackson Bovill - VISIONNAIRE, 8th in the in the CIC 3*

Amanda Pottinger - JUST KIDDING, 4th in the CIC3*

Elise Power - ARCTIC CIELO, 7th in the CIC2*

Ashleigh Mckinstry - PIONEER BRASS MONKEY, 3 in the CIC 3*

Sophie Alexander - WORLD FAMOUS, 6th in the CIC2*

Isaac Twigg - THE JUGGLER, 8 in the CIC2*

10. Abby Lawrence - CHARLTON YAMANI, 6th in the CIC3*

Renee Faulkner - RUBINSTAR HH, 9th in the CIC3*

11. Fleur Rohleder - The ALCHEMIST, 2nd in the CIC2*

Nick Brooks - FOR FAME, 2 in the CIC3*

12. Samantha Felton - RICKER RIDGE SOOTY GNZ, 3rd in the CIC2*

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Ritchie does enjoy it and finds it easy. It is a pleasure to ride him. CLARKE JOHNSTONE CIC3* HORSE OF THE YEAR WINNER 8

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PHOTO ESSAY

DRESSAGE PHOTOS Dark Horse Photography

I thought we may have blown it as he spooked to the change of the music tempo but made up with some of the best work I’ve ever ridden on him MILLIE THOMPSON DRESSAGE PONY OF THE YEAR

Millie Thompson – RIFESYDE PRANCER, Dressage Pony of the Year

Haydee Wells-Parmenter – ROYAL DREAM, Level 3 Horse of the Year

Debbie Barke – LUCRATIVE SW, 3rd in the CDI FEI Grand Prix Special

Olivia Robinson – NGAHERE ROMEO, Level 2 Pony of the Year

Vanessa Way – NSC PRONTO, Level 5 Horse of the Year

Kieryn Walton – ROSARI DON CARLOS, Level 6/7 Reserve

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Alison Addis – WHISTLEDOWN KRISTOPA, 6th in the Level 5 Musical Freestyle

Lucarne Dolley – ARDMORE, Young Rider of the Year

Robyn Coupe – BESONDERS, competing in the FEI Prix St Georges

Nicky Daulton – SASKATOON, Level 6/7 Reserve

Julie Brougham – VOM FEINSTEN, Reserve Dressage Horse of the Year

Amy Sage – RM ALL ABOUT ME, Young Rider of the Year Reserve

John Thompson – JHT ANTONELLO, Dressage Horse of the Year

Melissa Galloway – WINDERMERE JOBEI W, 2nd in the FEI Prix St Georges and 4th in the Level 6/7 Musical Freestyle

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TOP HONOURS FOR THOMPSON

WORDS Pip Hume The exciting competition in the dressage arena again provided enthusiasts with plenty to talk about. With Wendi Williamson’s Dejavu MH and Abbie Deken with KH Ambrose absent, the battle for the Grand Prix title fell between Julie Brougham and Vom Feinsten, and John Thompson on JHT Antonello. John Thompson’s victory in the first round of the competition, the CDI FEI Grand Prix Special, put him in the lead going into the final Kur (or musical freestyle), and spectators crowded around the Premier Oval to see the finale play out. They weren’t disappointed; both tests were outstanding, taking dressage in New Zealand to a new high. The crowd was thrilled when Julie’s score of 73.7% was announced, only for it to be bettered by John Thompson’s 74.525%, giving him the Dressage Horse of the Year title. At Level 8, Vanessa Way rode NRM Andreas to win all three of her classes, taking home the title over reserve Nicky Daulton on Saskatoon. The competition for the Level 6/7 title was blown wide open when, having won his leadup class and the first round of the compeition, Vanessa Way’s NRM Arion was unsettled by the huge atmosphere in the final musical freestyle. Vanessa had to settle for sixth place in this class, leaving Lucarne Dolley with her super-consistent mare Devils Chocolate to take the title, adding it to the Young Rider title she won with her striking chestnut gelding, Ardmore. Level 6/7 reserve went to Kieryn Walton and the expressive Rosari Don Carlos. At Level 5, Vanessa Way managed to hold off the opposition, taking home the title with NRM Pronto. Reserve was Holly Leach with HP Fresco, who was also successful in the SixYear-Old Dressage Horse class, taking home the win. Another JHT stallion, JHT Anatomy, was the Five-Year-Old Dressage Horse champion under John Thompson. Canterbury’s Rebecca Rowlands celebrated her win abord Solo in the Level 4 title, with Gaylene Lennard reserve on Jax Johnson. Level 3 was closely fought with Haydee WellsParmenter aboard Royal Dream just edging Lorraine Ward-Smith and Fernlea Diamond Day into reserve, and Wendi Williamson just half a point behind on Bon Jovi MH. In the Level 2 compeition, it was great to see Penny Castle in the HOY title list again, this time with Lord Alexis, and Kieryn Walton taking her second reserve aboard Wisdom WDS. Following on from a very successful National Championships, the Level 1 Champion was Kellie Hamlett with Astek Geronimo, with Fanfare MH and Hannah Burden in the reserve spot. In the pony classes, Millie Thompson made the trip up from Canterbury worthwhile when she took out the Level 4 Dressage Pony of the Year title with Rifesyde Prancer. The Level 3 Pony of the Year title went to Bella Small aboard Kingslea Busy Bee, and Olivia Robinson’s Ngahere Romeo was crowned Level 2 Pony of the Year for the third time, under three different riders. At Level 1, Laura Hare and Zen E Bear were the successful partnership. C

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

PHOTO ESSAY

SHOWING PHOTOS SHOWCIRCUIT

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1. Liam Murphy - LINDEN REALMS OF GLORY, Rising Star Show Pony of the Year over 138cm & not exceeding 148cm, and Reserve Led Adult Pony of the Year Dry Mare or Gelding 4yrs and over. 2. Natasha Connolly - WORLD EDITION, Saddle Hunter Horse of the Year 3. Trey Cadwallader - ROSEHILL PARK SAPPHIRE, Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year over 138cm and not exceeding 148cm; Rising Star Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year; and NZ Riding Pony Society Ridden Saddle Hunter Pony 4. Lauren Dolan - ABALONE PEARL, Youth or Girl Rider of the Year 17 years and under 21 years 5. Nicole Lancaster - CAHONCHO, Park Hack of the Year 6. Ben Thomson - RP RICOCHET, Rising Star Show Hack and Led Adult Show Horse of the Year 7. Greg Smith - AVANTE GARDE, Senior Rider of the Year; presented by Elizabeth Charleston 8. Harriet Redmond - NGAHIWI FROSTIE, Reserve Rising Star Saddle Hunter Horse of the Year 9. Mia Cadwallader - EASTDALE DIVA, First Ridden Show Pony of the Year

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(also Open Show Pony of the Year up to 128cm with Brooke Cadwallader) 10. Sophie Chipperfield - KS B-WITCHED, Lead Rein Pony of the Year and Paced & Mannered Lead Rein Pony of the Year 11. Billie Roach - LINDEN FINE ART, Open Show Pony over 128cm and not exceeding 138cm, and NZ Riding Pony Society Ridden Show Pony winner 12. Courtney Walker - BEWITCHED OF FLAXMILL, Paced & Mannered Park Hack of the Year 13. Lily Moss - PHOENICIAN NIGHT GIRL, Led Broodmare of the Year 14. Rebecca Aplin - WOODLANDS PARK LIGHT O DAY, Wonder Memorial Junior Equestrian Turnout winner and Paced & Mannered Show Pony of the Year over 138cm not exceeding 148cm 15. Airlie Holley - BROOKFIELDS IN YOUR DREAMS, Led Youngstock Pony of the Year 16. Ben Thomson - TC ARTISTRY, Riding Horse of the Year 17. Grace Thomson - TREVALDA MOUNTAIN STORM, Rising Star Saddle Hunter Horse of the Year and Reserve Open Saddle Hunter Horse of the Year

I’m over the moon, I never thought anything like this would happen to someone like me.

NATASHA CONNOLLY SADDLE HUNTER HORSE OF THE YEAR 8

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15 16 17 Hack of the Year Sat arena one 1pm 372

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This is just amazing. I’ve had the horse such a short time, we’re still getting to know each other.

SUE REYNOLDS HACK OF THE YEAR WINNER 3

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

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Elizabeth Struijck - PHOENICIAN CENTRE COURT, Rising Star Show Pony of the Year not exceeding 138cm Danielle Peck - TUI’S KEEPSAKE, Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year over 128cm & not exceeding 138cm Kelly Sheely - TO THE MAX, Paced & Mannered Riding Horse of the Year Kerry Shearer - CARDONALD DELIVER, Rising Star Park Hack of the Year Sue Reynolds - SEATTLE, Hack of the Year Skye Somerville – FAIRBURN COSMIC STAR, Working Hunter Pony of the Year Eva Norton-Collins - AINTREE THUMBERLINA, Ridden Purebred Welsh Lead Rein Pony of the Year and Lead Rein Pony Rider of the Year, led by Kira Gilmour

8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Brooke Cadwallader - NANTEOS AUTUMN GUARDSMAN, Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year not exceeding 128cm Julie Wylie-Parkinson - SPARKLING GALAXY, Paced & Mannered Hack of the Year and Reserve Hack of the Year Merran Hain - UNTOUCHABLE, Working Hunter Horse of the Year Anne Hjorth - HIGH COMMAND, Gee Whizz Memorial Equestrian Turnout winner Ella Rankin - PENMAIN LILY OF THE VALLEY, Show Pony of the Year over 128cm and not exceeding 138cm Charlotte Roberts - NFW COURT JESTER, overall winner of the NZPB Society Ridden Pony, with trophy presented by Barbara Bilski; and runner-up Rising Star Pony of the Year over 138cm.

SHOWING OVERVIEW

WORDS Rebecca Harper An open showing title has eluded Christchurch’s Nicola Lancaster for many years, but she cracked it at this year’s Horse of the Year Show, taking out the Park Hack of the Year title aboard the lovely Cahoncho. Competitors in this class had a challenging time, as the final few combinations worked out in the fading light and the unsaddled judging was held in almost pitch black under car headlights, as the class ran until after 8pm. A full-time rider in her business, Nicola Lancaster Equestrian, she has come close to the title many times, so her goal was to come and get it this year. “I hoped I had done enough, but we didn’t really nail our lengthening like we could,” she said of her workout. “I was a little bit gutted about the presentation being in the dark. I have come a long way to compete in Hastings. Everyone got to work out in enough light but we didn’t get to show our horses off in the line-up unsaddled. I guess everyone was in the same boat, though.” Cahoncho, or Buddy as he is known at home, is a 13-year-old Thoroughbred by King’s Best out of Princess Calera. He is owned by the Singer family from Hokitika and Nicola has had the ride on him for about 16 months. “My horse did a suspensory tendon last year. I had been going to the West Coast giving Chloe (Singer) lessons when I spied Buddy and thought he was a quality horse. She’d asked if I would ride him, but I was too busy then with my own horses and couldn’t make a commitment.” However after her own horse was injured, Nicola gave Chloe a call, and the rest is history. “I’ve had a really good season. He can move and he has presence – he’s got that X-factor. He can be spooky and a bit naughty, and he has been known to be quite a difficult ride at times.” Travelling to HOY was a massive undertaking for Nicola, who has two young children. “They are at home with my husband Daniel. We just got married in January and my married name is now actually Nicola Urquhart. He is a farrier and does all my shoeing. He’s really supportive, and if it wasn’t for him looking after the kids and financially backing us, we wouldn’t be here. It’s a major effort to get away for a week and he holds the fort at home.” In the Hack of the Year title class, local rider Sue Reynolds captured the title on Seattle, a horse she bought sight unseen from Australia just five months ago. Sue bought the six-year-old Thoroughbred from Adelaide after watching a video of him, and the goal was to get to the Horse of the Year Show and win the Rising Star title. She was runner-up in that class, but cinched the Open title and also won the Livamol Thoroughbred Show Horse of the Year. Sue was pleased with the horse’s efforts in the ring, especially given that heavy rain earlier in the day made the conditions challenging. “He went super in the conditions, he really tried his heart out, I was ecstatic (to win). “This is just amazing. I’ve had the horse such a short time, we’re still getting to know each other. When I got him he was a very green Thoroughbred, and he couldn’t canter left!” It was an emotional win for Tirau’s Ben Thomson and TC Artistry in the Riding Horse of the Year title class, as it was his last time riding the horse. Ben, who runs TC Equestrian, training and producing show horses and ponies, has had Art for three seasons but recently sold the horse to Waverley’s Brittany Lupton, who was on hand to witness the win. Art is an ex-racehorse by Bernardini and raced in Hong Kong as Watch Master. Ben was full of praise for the horse, who he previously partnered to win the Hack of the Year title in 2016. “He’s a beautiful horse. I thought he would be in the line-up, but he had a couple of slips and struggled a bit in the mud. But he did some very nice work as well and showed everything he needed to show.”

13 Contrary to feeling excited on hearing his name called out as winner, that was the moment when it really hit home that the horse had been sold. “I felt upset because it’s my last ride on him,” he admitted. “But it was a great way to finish.” An emotional Natasha Connolly could hardly believe it when her name was read out for Saddle Hunter Horse of the Year. Natasha, a hairdresser from Nelson, and her lovely World Edition travelled up from the South Island and captured their first ever HOY title. “I’m over the moon! I never thought anything like this would happen to someone like me,” she said. “It was a tough field, there were lots of stunning saddle hunters – you never know what to expect. I was so surprised.” Natasha has owned 14-year-old warmblood Tigger for just over a year. The horse was bred by Miranda Sage. Last to go in the Working Hunter Horse of the Year title class, the irrepressible Merran Hain and Untouchable showed their experience to clinch the title. Merran, from Gisborne, is a familiar face at HOY. A fierce competitor, she has won numerous titles on many horses over the years – so many that even she wasn’t sure how many times she had won the Working Hunter title. Untouchable is a 17-year-old Thoroughbred by Warsaw Pact out of an Icelandic mare, Melting Point. Merran had two aims for this season, to win the TiES Show Hunter series for Thoroughbreds, and to win the Working Hunter title at HOY. Both goals can now be ticked off. The Paced & Mannered titles went to Kelly Sheely and To the Max in the Riding Horse section, Courtney Walker and Bewitched of Flaxmill in the Park Hacks, Greg Smith and Avante Garde in the Saddle Hunters, and Julie WylieParkinson with Sparkling Galaxy in the Hacks. In the Pony section, the Cadwallader family from Coatesville were dominant. Brooke Cadwallader, 11, and Eastdale Diva capped off a spectacular day on the Friday as they notched up another title, this time in the Small Show Pony of the Year. This was the sixth year on the trot the super consistent mare, who the family describes as the pony of a lifetime, has taken the title – and was her third title of the day. Younger sister Mia Cadwallader, 9, won both the First Ridden Pony Rider of the Year and First Ridden Pony of the Year, not exceeding 138cm, with Diva earlier in the same day. Despite riding a four-year-old pony in its first season under saddle, older brother Trey, 13, took home the Large Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year title with Rosehill Park Sapphire. Brooke also took a garland in the Saddle Hunter Pony section, winning the Small Pony title on Nanteos Autumn Guardsman, while the Medium title went to delighted first-time HOY competitor Danielle Peck, 10, from Orewa, with her Morgan pony Tui’s Keepsake. In the First Ridden section, Te Awamutu’s Zoe Garland, 8, and Taurimu Da Vince were the winners of the Paced & Mannered title class. The Large Show Pony of the Year title went to Cambridge’s Billie Roach, 14, and Linden Fine Art, while the Medium Show Pony of the Year was Pahiatua’s Ella Rankin and Penmain Lily of the Valley, owned by Sarah Bostock of KS Show Horses. In the Lead Rein section, it was a show to remember for Te Awamutu seven-year-old Sophie Chipperfield, who took out both the Lead Rein Paced & Mannered Pony of the Year and Lead Rein Pony of the Year, not exceeding 128cm, with KS B-Witched. Auckland’s Eva Norton-Collins, 8, was victorious in the Lead Rein Pony Rider of the Year title class. Led by her trainer, Kira Gilmour, Eva won the class riding Aintree Thumberlina, backing up their win in the Purebred Welsh Lead Rein Pony of the Year title class. Finally, the long trip up from Cheviot paid off for Skye Somerville and Fairburn Cosmic Star. It was the first trip to HOY for the 12-year-old, who never expected to take the Working Hunter Pony of the Year title and was blown away to hear her name read out in first place. C

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

PHOTO ESSAY

SHOW HUNTER PHOTOS Michelle Clarke Photography

Jo Craddock - DAWN, Show Hunter Horse of the Year

Sally Ward - PARADOX, Junior Show Hunter of the Year winner

Emily Twort - CAMEO KSNZ, winner of the Junior Rider Equitation

Victoria Mitchell - NICKELODEON, winner of the ESNZ Pony Rider Equitation

Penny Borthwick - ASHBURY ROBIN HOOD, Category B Show Hunter Pony of the Year

10. Katelyn Harper - GT, winner of the Open Hunter 1.10m

Claudia Thomas - KINNORDY GO GIRL, winner of the Gyro Plastics 11. Harriet Laing - TRIPLE STAR PICTURE PUZZLE, Category C Show Hunter Pony of the Year Junior High Points

Helen Ensor - ZACTAC NIGHT N DAY, winner of the ESNZ Amateur 12. Kate Cavanagh - VIBRANCE, winner of the AHD Ltd 1.10m Open High Points Hunter Championship

Molly Smith - LITTLE MINDY LOU, Category A Show Hunter Pony of the Year winner

Abby Robinson - HILLMAN HUNTER, winner of the NRM Open High Points

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13. Macey Gill - ASTON MARTIN II, winner of the JB Dentistry Open Hunter 1.05m

Winning a title at Horse of the Year was the perfect ending to an amazing season. I'm so proud of Dawn w- she's an incredible partner. JO CRADDOCK SHOW HUNTER HORSE OF THE YEAR 7

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

PHOTO ESSAY

PLEASURE HORSE PHOTOS Michelle Clarke Photography

Veronica Bennellick - LITTLE ANGEL

10. Tracey Ferguson - RUSTIC KNIGHT II

Jess Murphy - MISCHIEF MAKER

11. Kym Thomas - HARIBO

Laura Skyes - SWANHAVEN JAMES

12. Natalie Short - GOLDEN CONQUEST, Pleasure Horse of the Year

Bria FitzGerald - MIDNIGHT GANADOR

13. Heidi Kikillus - RED ARROW

Diane Girvan - ELLENANNE

14. Anya Peterson - TAIRAWHITI LAD

Gemma Acton - SUNSPOTS FIRE AND ICE

15. Jayde Starling - KOMET’S VICTORY, Pleasure Pony of the Year

Emma Sye - LORD GRANTHAM

16. Jaime Hogg - STEP IT UP

Katelynne Gainsford - SPICEACOOL

17. Amanda Large - PIPPI LONGSOX

Madison Benbow - PAINT THE TOWN

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I’m just so stoked with Quest, he could not have tried much harder NATALIE SHORT, PLEASURE HORSE OF THE YEAR 11

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It’s my first year at Horse of the Year and I’m ending it on the best note in the world.

JAYDE STARLING, PLEASURE PONY OF THE YEAR SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

PHOTO ESSAY

TAKAPO T O E S TAT E SHOWJUMPING

PHOTOS Cheleken Photography (competition images) Eye Witness Photography (function images)

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1. Maurice Beatson - GOLD LOCK, winner of the Gold Tour Horse Grand Prix 2. Helen McNaught - LA RIVIERE, 6th Silver Tour Final 3. [L-R] Jaime Campbell (Event Manager), Mitch & Kate Plaw of Takapoto Estate, Samantha McIntosh 4. Kimberley Bird - CERA CASSINA, 2nd Silver Tour Final 5. Alex Loiselle - BANDITO NZPH, winner of the 7-Year-Old Breeders Tour 6. Sam Matthews - FLEUR DELACOUR, winner of the 4-Year-Old Breeders Tour 7. Rachel Malcolm - MONTE CARLO MVNZ, winner of the 6-Year-Old Breeders Tour 8. Katie Laurie - CASEBROOKE LOMOND, 6th Gold Tour Horse Grand Prix 9. Anna Trent - NUMERO UNO XTREME in the 6-Year-Old Breeders Tour 10. William Willis - SABINE MS, 8th Anne Symes Memorial Horse Derby 11. Megan Schischka - HOLLYWOOD WANNABE in the Anne Symes Memorial Derby 12. Sally Steiner - BEWITCHED NZPH, 6th 7-Year-Old Breeders Tour

9 12

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1 2 1.

Stuart Jenkins - FAIRVIEW ALIQUIDAM, 4th Gold Tour Horse Grand Prix

Sarah Broughton - ROCKHILL RADISH, 9th Anne Symes Memorial Derby

Tamara Silcock - STEEL MAGNOLIA, winner of the Anne Symes Memorial Derby

Dirk Waldin - GOOD TIME in the 6-Year-Old Breeders Tour

Brooke Langbecker - QUINTAGO I (AUS), 2nd Gold Tour Horse Grand Prix

Catherine Cameron - KINGSLEA COUTURE (owned by Kelly Stewart), 2nd 7-Year-Old Breeders Tour

Event Manager Jaime Campbell with Emma Watson - FUN HOUSE, winner of the Pony Grand Prix

Nick Brooks - FOR FAME, 5th Anne Symes Memorial Derby

Oliver Croucher - WAITANGI WI FI, 4th Anne Symes Memorial Derby

10. Kate Herdson - EON, 2nd Anne Symes Memorial Derby 11. Tom Tarver-Priebe - POPEYE, winner of the Gold Tour Qualifier

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TAKAPOTO SCALES NEW HEIGHTS FOR SHOW JUMPING WORDS Diana Dobson It’s fair to say the inaugural Takapoto Estate Show lived up to every bit of expectation…and then some. Before the final gear had even been packed down, Mitch and Kate Plaw, along with show director Jaime Campbell, were already looking ahead to the 2019 event. They’ll be taking it to new heights, with a two week tour planned in late February-early March next year, and riders can expect to see another remarkable transformation of the 600-acre Takapoto Estate. The grounds were buzzing for all four days of the show, and Mitch, Kate and Jaime have been delighted by the feedback from riders and spectators alike.

and putting in the infrastructure beneath it. We had a dry November and December which helped hugely, and pushed through Christmas to get it to where it was.” Truckloads of sand were brought in for the new arena and a lot of dirt moved. “We will put in a new sand arena for next year. There is a hell of a lot more to be done here.” But he was immensely proud of what the team had achieved. “It is just phenomenal – everyone got in and helped. We knew what we had to achieve, and there are a lot of proud people out there now, which is cool.”

// ENTRIES FILLED FAST Entries filled quickly, and Jaime closed them after just five days when they met the ceiling of 435 entries, with riders from across New Zealand, Australia and some from even further afield clamouring to enter. There were waiting lists for competitors, as well as for those chasing muchsought-after tickets to the social events. Kate Plaw says she and husband Mitch received incredible feedback on the show – “From everyone, but particularly from the non-horsey people, who were the ones we really wanted to reach. People were intrigued by the skill and discipline of the sport, particularly when seeing it up close and personal.” With VIP seating slightly raised on tiers flanked with local stone, just feet away from the jumps in the Bellevue Main Arena, visitors certainly had a close-up view. “The true bravery of not only the horse, but the rider too, is aweinspiring, and people have said they had no idea just how thrilling the sport of show jumping could be.”

// ATTRACTING THE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITORS One of those most keen to attract international competitors is Jaime Campbell – the rider-turned-show-director who drove the event. “The best part for me was being able to bring a bit of Europe to New Zealand, and show people something they hadn’t experienced before,” she said. The event was a year in the making, with the first sod turned in February 2017, and she’s already well down the road with planning for 2019. “We need to push to bring more Australian competitors here next year. I would like to see up to 25, and include support for teams and tours for juniors and young riders, as well as seniors.” For her, transTasman competition is something missing from the sport today. “More and more Kiwis are contemplating heading to Australia to compete, which is great, but we want that to come our way too. We need to strengthen a tour of shows through February and March. We need Australia and New Zealand to work together more to keep these top shows in alignment, and to work with transport companies to get a better flow of horses between the two countries.” She was very pleased with the Young Horse Tour and is adamant the style-type classes develop the horses far better than jump-off rounds in Championships. Jaime will also be tweaking all of the tours to encourage more people and better competition.

// AN EYE-CATCHING MAIN ARENA The colourful and story-telling jumps that filled the Bellevue Main Arena were created by Frank Rothenberger and imported from Germany, and were certainly very eye-catching. There is a special story behind the Bellevue Main Arena – Mitch’s father built Bellevue caravans. Only 14 of them were ever made, and Mitch has managed to recover and restore four of them as a nod to his dad, who died when Mitch was just 17. The arena was named in his memory. Overall, Kate and Mitch were “pretty happy” with how the event had gone. “There’s always room for improvement,” Kate told us humbly. “We have learnt a lot this year and will work on the things we need to improve, but in general, with the time constraints and the effort that went in from everyone to get this show up and running, we feel we did very well.” // ALL HANDS ON DECK Takapoto Estate’s General Manager Cliff Hendl coordinated the efforts of those on the ground. All of his 14 permanent staff pitched in, alongside around 30 contractors. Takapoto is a pure Angus stud, but they also run red deer and sheep. Every year they sell around 60 yearling bulls at their annual sale, keeping 250 Angus breeding cows on the property. Red deer are also bred, with a handful sold each year. The sheep are used to graze areas behind the other stock. But there is also more to the property, with a large organic vegetable garden feeding friends and family too. “It is a pretty special place,” according to Cliff, who says that converting deer paddocks in preparation for the big show was challenging. “Winter brought with it the most rain we have ever had, so that affected putting in the grass

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

// BIG PLANS FOR THE FUTURE There are plenty of upgrades already being planned before next year’s show, which is set to be bigger and even better. The wash bays will be completed, more stables installed, the pipe yards removed and a second marquee erected. The surface will be replaced on the sand arena, with an ebb and flow system installed. That will become the APL Ring Two and another 70m x 40m practice arena will be created. There will also be a big push into the area of corporate sponsorship, and there are talks of a high-end trade village. “Our VIP areas worked really well and I feel that we can double the numbers, but people will need to get their tickets early!” Corporate sponsorship will also push the prize money up. “We knew Takapoto Estate Show would be good, but once it all came together, it blew people’s minds,” Jaime says proudly. “I guess it surprised us a bit too, having everything fall into place as well as it did.” // TAKAPOTO REPRESENTS QUALITY Takapoto Estate also has an award-winning wine label – last year it picked up a raft of awards at the International Wine & Spirit Competition in London, including most outstanding Pinot Noir for its Bannockburn 2012, along with a gold for its Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2014 and silver for its Single Vineyard Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir 2012. The grapes are contract grown in the Central Otago and Gibbston Valley regions and wines crafted by winemaker Andy Anderson. C

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LAKE COUNTY A & P SHOW PHOTOS Dark Horse Photography 1.

From left – Adine Russell – GLENCOE BAYWATCH, Champion Section B Pony; Natalie Russell – MANGAKARAA EVERGLADES, Champion First Ridden Pony, Best First Ridden Rider 2.

J. Gill-McMaster – GLEN MORAY, 2nd in the Novice Saddle Hunter 3.

4. 5.

Brooklyn Crow – WEMBLEYBROOK IMPERIAL

Tessa Gill-McIlwrick – ASHBROOKE BRACKEN, Reserve Champion Hunter Pony, Supreme Champion Paced & Mannered Pony

From left - Tryphena Carter – COALSTAR, Reserve Champion Saddle Hunter, Novice Saddle Hunter, Paced & Mannered Saddle Hunter, Jennifer Kendall – TREVISO, Champion Saddle Hunter – with Judge Samantha Watson 6. 7.

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Cooper Jones – HEULWENS HARRISON

P. Johnson – MR DU BARRY (owned by P Johnson & S Martin), Supreme Champion Horse, Champion Paced & Mannered, Champion Hack Rider Luca Swale – EVERTON HARA Z, Reserve Champion Riding Horse

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Hannah Armstrong – BLIXT PLAYTIME, Champion Park Hack

Scarlet Baker – NANTEOS SUMMER SQUIRE, Champion Lead Rein Pony

Ashleigh Robb – LEXICON LHE, Best Local Riding Horse, Best Rider (Riding Horse)

Anna Larsen – SL FOUR SEASONS, Champion Riding Horse

From left – Danielle Molloy – ROYAL AFFAIR, Champion Section A Pony, Supreme Champion Section A, B & C Pony, Champion Rider (Pony); Giselle Conway – ALPINE PARK WATERCOLOUR, Reserve Champion Section A Pony, with Judge Christine Stevenson

Sienna Reid – TAFFY, winnder of the Whitechapel Trophy for Best Leading Rein Rider, Local

Courtenay Lake – SAM’S INDIAN, Best Open Paced & Mannered Hack

Sacha Holm-Smith – PAPANUI JUST RADIANT, Reserve Champion Hack, Best Novice Hack, Best Novice Paced & Mannered Hack

Best Utility Pony Sections B & C – 1st Adine Russell – MANGAKARAA EVERGLADES, 2nd Ruby Gulfoyle – HUCKLEBERRY FINN, 3rd Cooper Jones – HEULWENS HARRISON

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10. Kristin Darby – JAYBEE ADORO 11. Olivia McEwan – LAKEWOOD FALCON 12. Jeanine Lester – TIRAUMEA LEGACY Champion Saddle (Working) Hunter 13. Josephine Watters – DEVERON MAGGNETIC, Best Open Saddle Hunter (Lightweight), Best Novice Paced & Mannered Saddle Hunter

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PHOTO ESSAY

20TH ANNIVERSARY NATIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS PHOTOS Dark Horse Photography

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7 1. Lucarne Dolley – DEVILS CHOCOLATE, Young Rider FEI Medal, Rakanui Trophy for the Best Performed Mare, Level 6 Reserve Champion 2. Holly Leach – HP FRESCO, Elite Equine Young Dressage Horse Champion, Level 5 Champion 3. Kieryn Walton – ROSARI DON CARLOS, Level 7 Reserve Champion 4. Gaylene Lennard – JAX JOHNSON, Level 4 Champion 5. Susan Tomlin – DANCEALONG, 1st National Dressage Championship Grand Prix Musical Freestyle 6. Emma Wilson – RAUPAPA DONNERITA, Level 2 Amateur Reserve Champion 7.

Julie Brougham – VOM FEINSTEN, Burkner Medal Grand Prix Champion, Tironui Trophy Grand Prix Freestyle Champion, NZ Hanoverian Society Award

8. Geraldine Managh – ROSIES PRINCE CHARMING, Level 2 Amateur Champion 9. Victoria Wall – LETTY LEI EDH, 3rd in the CDI** FEI Intermediate B

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20TH ANNIVERSARY NATIONAL DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS 1. Julie Fraser - ARNAGE RHUMBA, Level 5 Amateur Champion 2. Kellie Hamlett – ASTEK GERONIMO, Level 1 Reserve Champion 3. Zoie Gray – FIS SANTO, Level 4 Amateur Champion 4. Vanessa Way – NRM KH ARION, Level 7 Champion 5. John Thompson – JHT CHEMISTRY, Level 2 Champion 6. Kallista Field – FELIX WESTFALIA FE, Level 4 Reserve Champion

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THANK YOU Bates Saddles wish to thank all of the officials, riders and volunteers who have participated in the Bates Saddles New Zealand Dressage Championships for the past 20 years. It’s your dedication and support that has made our long-standing partnership with Dressage NZ possible.

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PHOTO ESSAY

Ashburton SHOW JUMPING & SHOW HUNTER PHOTOS Elise Ford

2 3

Stella Archer - JIMBO, winner of the Cat B Open 70cm HOYQ

Kimberley Bird - CERA CASSINA

Tegan Fitzsimon - DOUBLE J MONARCH in the Dave Thompson/ Harcourts Open Horse 1.30m

Rosa Buist-Brown – PRESTIGE, 2nd in the Rainer Irrigation Open Horse 1.20m

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Devon van Til – WINTERBERG, winner of the Dunstan Horsefeeds & Equifibre/Acadamy Lodge Motel Pro-Am Series

Nicole White - LIL LEROUX, winner of the Dave Thompson/ Harcourts Open Horse 1.30m

Steffi Whittaker - NGAHIWI CRUISE, winner of the FMG/Mainland Coachwork Ltd Young Rider Series

Natalie Peoples - TUI HILLS COPPER ABBIE, winner of the Welcome Pony 1.10m

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BRINGING INNOVATIVE EQUESTRIAN PRODUCTS RIGHT TO YOUR DOOR!

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Sophie Scott - BENROSE ECLIPSE, winner of the Neumanns Tyre Service/Country TV Pony Grand Prix

Lauren Buckley - ICEY STORM

Mary Wakeman - MJ LUBECK, winner of the Carrfields Horse 1.25m Championship

Jessica Townsend - TALLYHO NEPTUNE, winner of the Rural Co. 1.05m Pony Championship

Rosa Westgarth - SUMMER ROYALE

Maddison Thompson – HUGO in the Lion Foundation Welcome Horse 1.10m

Sophie Scott - BENROSE PLAYTIME, 3rd in the Neumanns Tyre Services/Country TV Pony Grand Prix

Steffi Whittaker - EROS K, winner of the South Canterbury Saddlery/Bayleys Real Estate Horse Grand Prix

Arabella Jarman - ICE WARRIOR, winner of the NRM Open Hunter 1.10m HOYQ

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PHOTO ESSAY

BRUCE FORBES

PONY CLUB

TEAMS EVENT 1 2

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PHOTOS Dark Horse Photography 1.

The winning South Wairarapa team. From left – Xanthe Furkert – COLOUR ME PROUD, Maddie Fraser – MOJO BANJO, Charlotte Smith – ATTICUS, Lucy Marshall – BENJI, Rebecca Smith – MISS MEG

Adrienne Swan – MAXIMUM SECURITY (Manawatu)

Bria Fitzgerald – MIDNIGHT GANADOR (Horowhenua)

Ella Harkness – KIWI MILDEE (Heretaunga)

Riders from the 2nd placed team Rotorua/Central Hawkes Bay, winners of the Fred McKinstry trophy, with Brendon Terrill (Waitara)

Kayla Deans – MY DAD’S A GAMBLER (Okato-Te Kuiti Composite)

Emily Jones – CORIVALE CITY LIGHTS (Otorohanga / Hutt Valley Composite)

Jessica Todd – ALABAMA ACORN (Wellington)

Samantha Ward – GRIFFIN (Manawatu)

10. Xanthe Furkert – COLOUR ME PROUD (South Wairarapa)

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Molly Fay – TRAVELLING LIGHT (Horowhenua)

Libby Fussell – SPOCK (Heretaunga)

Rosa Wilkinson – SPARKLING ROSE II (Individual)

BRUCE FORBES TEAMS EVENT 2018 - OVERVIEW In early January, riders from across the North Island gathered at Clareville, near Carterton, for the Bruce Forbes North Island Pony Club Eventing Championship. The event is hosted annually by the Wairarapa-Wellington Pony Club, and has two divisions at NZPCA95 and NZPCA80. It is designed to enable Pony Club riders who do not necessarily aspire to compete at Timberlands or NZPCA Eventing Championships, or who have not yet reached that level, to have the experience of competing as part of a team. Teams are made up of four to six riders, with the top four scores making up the team score. In teams of four riders, there must be at least one rider in each division. To ensure the competition is truly set at grassroots level, there are strict criteria around rider eligibility. The event is open to Pony Club riders who have not competed at a level higher than that which they are riding for their team, on any mount, and they must have posted live scores at their chosen level in the past 12 months. Ten teams took part in the 2018 event, with riders coming from as far afield as Okato-Te Kuiti, Rotorua and New Plymouth to compete in branch and composite teams. This year, the overall winning team taking home the Bruce Forbes Team Trophy was South Wairarapa. The Fred McKinstry Memorial Cup for the best team dressage score was won by Rotorua-Central Hawke’s Bay, while the Hodder Cup for the top two NZPCA80 riders in a team was won by Ella Miranda and Emma Dickons from Manawatu. The Burkhart Tray for the top two NZPCA95 riders in a team was won by Bella Uhl and Piper Gargan, competing for the Rotorua-Central Hawke’s Bay team. The Hamish Cameron Memorial Trophy for the NZPCA80 rider closest

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Words Pip Hume to the optimum time across country was won by Rachel Cannon (Manawatu) and the trophy for the NZPCA95 rider closest to the optimum time across country was Samara Thorpe (Heretaunga). TEAMS RESULTS 1st – South Wairarapa Piper Marshall – SUEDE, Charlotte Smith – ATTICUS, Lucy Marshall – BENJI, Xanthe Furkert – COLOUR ME PROUD, Rebecca Smith – MISS MEG, Maddie Fraser – MOJO BANJO.

2nd – Rotorua-Central Hawke’s Bay Georgia Bullock – RENA, Kacia Marshall-Gerra – DADDY’S LAST DOLLAR, Emma Delatour – LITTLE MACINTOSH, Bella Uhl – HR RAISE YOUR GLASS, Piper Gargan – SILVER FORCE. 3rd – Manawatu Ella Miranda – RED BARON, Emma Dickons – SCOTTISH LAD, Samantha Ward – GRIFFIN, Adrienne Swan – MAXIMUM SECURITY, Rachel Cannon – KAITAKE DENVER. 4th – Waitara Chelsea Chesswass – BYWAYS SKYSONG, Brendon Terrill – GALAXY COLOUR ME, Brendon Terrill – MIDNIGHT STORM, Katelyn Harian – COLOUR ME RED, Sammie Smith – BOOM BOOM, Jessie Smith – COLONEL TOMMY LEE. 5th – Wellington Harrison Lahman – ASTRO BOY, Jemma Ellingham – RUBYX CUBE, Jessica Todd – ALABAMA ACORN, Rosa Ellingham – ZORRO, Hayley Apanowicz – WILLOWRIDGE I KNOW. 6th – Horowhenua Brooke Burns – MILLICENT, Bria FitzGerald – MIDNIGHT GANADOR, Lexi Rutherford – SWEET MAPLE, Molly Fay – TRAVELLING LIGHT. C

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PHOTO ESSAY

PHOTOS Michelle Clarke Photography 1.

Harry Feast - DOUBLE J BOUNCER, winner of the Equifibre Horse Grand Prix

Samantha Gillies - BENROSE GOLDEN TICKET

Tegan Fitzsimon - DOUBLE J MONARCH, 2nd place in the Horse Grand Prix

Morgan Baddeley - MR JERRACO

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Jess Townsend - TALLYHO NEPTUNE

Kirsten Beaven - DOLLY NZPH

Olivia Adams - SWEET CAPPUCCINO, winner of the Pony Mini Prix

Lucinda Askin - PORTOFINO, winner of the Young Rider

Georgia Allison - PIONEER HIGH JINX

Tegan Fitzsimon - WINDERMERE CAPPUCCINO, winner of the Horse Mini Prix

Rosa Buist-Brown - CRAIGNEY PARK HARLEQUIN, winner of the Pony 1.10m

Rik Van Miltonburg - TRULY UNIQUE, winner of the Pro Am

Jess Fahey - REPITOIRE, winner of the Amateur Rider

10. Ella Wylie - MF SPOT ME, winner of the Pony Grand Prix

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PHOTO ESSAY

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Paige Fitzgerald - KS PRECIOUS GEM being awarded the Adam White First Ridden Pony title by judges Ty Zoontjens and Raymond Butler

Jade Farrant - FIRST EDITION, Runner-Up in the Hatton Family Open Galloway Class

Annabel Dampier-Crossley - CAMPTOWN LOCH NESS, winners of the Amberleigh Stud Lead Rein Pony Under Saddle

Harriet Laing - AMBERLEIGH GOLD TOUCH, owned by the Bailey family, winner of the Amberleigh High Hopes Tribute Class

Annabelle Tukia - NFW PRINCE CASPIAN, owned by Kim Hume, winner of the Novice Riding Horse Under Saddle

Abby Sinclair - CEDAR PARK REGAL MAN, winner of the Zoominals - Sara Bagheri Novice Saddle Hunter Pony up to 148cm

Nicola Lancaster - CAHONCHO, winner of the Open Hack Challenge, the French Roll Tribute and the Beyond the Barriers NZ Ridden Registered Thoroughbred 3 years and Over title

James Duncan – BEAUFIELD FELIX in the Led Sporthorse title class

Vanessa Pickens – RUBINESQUE, Runner-Up Novice Saddle Hunter Hack

10. Millie Harris - EASTDALE HENRIETTA, winner of the Toyota Open Paced & Mannered, pictured with judges Jess Campbell and Raymond Butler

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Mandy White - AMARETTO, Runner-Up Clarkville Stockfeeds Open Park Hack

Samantha Horne - MAVRO, winner of the Senior Rider 17yrs and Over, with judge Raymond Butler

Kate Stackhouse – WILLOWCROFT SECRET AFFAIR, Runner-Up Senior Rider 17yrs and Over, with judge Jess Campbell

Harriet Redmond - LAKEVIEW LONE DESIRE, winner of the NZ Pinto Society Registered Paced & Mannered

Hayley Frame - DRAGONWYCK MERRIMENT, pictured with judges Ty Zoontjens and Raymond Butler, winners of the Adam White Farrier First Ridden Paced & Mannered

Kate Stackhouse - JUBILEE MONARCH, winner of the Alison Sampson Memorial Class

Charlotte Roberts - NFW COURT JESTER, winner of the Open Pony Under Saddle over 138cm up to 148cm

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HEALTH

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COPING IN A CRISIS

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HELP YOUR EQUINE FRIEND TO STAY SOUND

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WHAT IS A FOAM ROLLER AND HOW DO WE USE IT?

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ONE BOWL BANANA BREAD

Have you ever been faced with a hopping lame horse, or a bout of severe equine sickness, and had your mind go completely blank? We have a handy guide to help you through those moments! As we head towards winter, stay ahead of the game and help your horses get through the wet months in the best shape possible with our healthy hoof tips. Foam rolling is extremely effective for recovery and injury prevention, not to mention helping with mobility and improving muscle imbalances. Try this delicious recipe for a satisfying and healthy snack that’s quick and easy to make.

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INTERVIEW HEALTH

COPING IN A CRISIS!! Follow our advice to keep calm and confident in any equine crisis

ur lives would be so much simpler if horses were more like cars, and a broken horse meant a call to the AA with a dull wait by the side of the road. Instead, equine emergencies tend to be far more stressful and messy as we’re faced with the double whammy of an often nasty-looking injury and a frightened animal. In the face of a hopping lame horse, bloodspurting wound or bout of severe equine sickness it can be all too easy to freeze, your mind going blank with panic. But having an emergency plan in place will help you to cope with whatever your horses decide to throw at you. The following pages cover everything from cuts and grazes to bouts of colic and lameness, and lay out an emergency plan for each one. So keep this guide handy and feel fully prepared the next time the unexpected strikes.

Staying calm It’s human nature to panic in the face of an emergency situation, and all rational thought can be lost. But when you’re dealing with half a ton of stressed horse, it’s important not to overlook your own safety. Take a deep breath, and repeat after us - ‘Stop, secure the horse, and think.’ In most emergencies, our first rational thought is ‘What’s the vet’s number again?’ So make sure that it’s programmed into your phone, preferably under VET so it’s easy to find if your mind is suddenly going blank on names, as can easily happen in a moment of panic. Keep your phone well charged, and if other owners on the property don’t use the same vet as you, make sure their vet’s contact details are on display. Once help is on its way, follow your vet’s advice with regards to emergency care – but whatever the situation, keep your horse as still and calm as possible. Emotions will be running high, and standing on the safe side of the fence while he groans in pain with colic may go against the grain, but you can’t be any help to him if you’re nursing a broken foot, so keep yourself in the safe zone until you have assistance.

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Get a basic medical kit Having a basic first aid kit to hand will be a godsend in an emergency, so keep stocked up with: l l l l l l l l l l l

Poultices Adhesive wraps Cotton wool or gamgee Sterile wound dressings Antiseptic wound cream and spray, as well as soothing gels and ointments Wound cleanser Curved scissors (to trim hair from around a wound and cut poultices to shape) Table salt A large plastic syringe Adhesive tape Thermometer and lubricant

TOP TI P

All horse ow ners should how to take know their horse’ s temperatu pulse, respir re, ation, capillar dehydration y status. When refill time, and these basic parameters health are abnorm al for an un reason, a ca known ll to the vete rinarian is w When you h arranted. ave period of tim observed your animals o e, you shou ld know imm ver a when somet ediately hing is out o f the ordinar besides obvi y, ous clinical signs such as lameness o r nasal disch arge.

Treating incised, tear and puncture wounds There are three main types of wound – incised, tear and puncture – and first aid for each will vary depending on the severity of the cut, so be guided by your common sense. If blood is spurting from the wound, call your vet straight away and try to stem the flow by holding some gamgee or a clean wet tea towel over it, just as you would for a person. If it’s bleeding heavily, but not actually spurting, press your wet towel or gamgee over the area until it stops – but if things aren’t looking good after 20 minutes, call your vet for advice. Once the bleeding has stopped, you can clean the wound carefully using warm salt water and assess how bad the damage is. If the wound is over 2cm long or in a tricky area to heal and it may need a stitch. If all looks OK, simply apply wound healing gel Pressing clean gamgee over a bleeding cut will help stem the flow

and keep the area clean. Use a sterile wound pad, lightly bandaged, if necessary and keep a close eye out for signs of bleeding or infection. Puncture wounds may look far less shocking, especially if there’s little or no blood, but danger can lurk within. They’re often deep and you never know what damage has been done internally, so always seek the advice of a vet when treating them. If whatever caused the puncture is still stuck, don’t remove it until help arrives. If the object is gone, you can wash the wound thoroughly with salt water while you’re waiting for the vet. Using a plastic syringe, squirt in a shot of diluted antiseptic solution, but don’t probe the cut. Cover it with a wound pad, lightly bandaged.

Puncture wounds may look far less shocking, especially if there’s little or no blood, but danger can lurk within.

Wounds can become infected if bacteria from the horse’s skin (or whatever caused the injury) enters the wound, contaminating it and leading to infection. Horses tend to get wounds on their legs, which are of course nearer the ground, making contamination with dirt easier. Wounds also tend to be caused by other horses’ feet, transferring dirt and causing contamination – the things that cause the initial injury are usually very dirty. If your horse has a wound which may be infected, it’s important to call your vet out sooner rather than later, so they can examine the wound, remove hair from around it and flush out any dirt or debris. Antibiotics can be used if necessary, and sterile bandages will help keep things clean while the wound heals.

A sterile wound pad, lightly bandaged, can be applied over a wound to keep it clean

Wound know-how

If blood is spurting from the wound, call your vet straight away and try to stem the flow by holding some gamgee or a clean wet tea towel over it.

Call your vet if the area is very swollen, and hose it with cold water until they arrive

If swelling is present, but not excessive, hose the area with cold water or use a cold compress and call your vet for advice

Don’t ‘gunk up’ wounds with oily creams, sprays and ointments while waiting for your vet to arrive. Simply use a saline solution to clean the area

If your horse is showing signs of shock, keep him warm until help arrives

Double check that your horse is up-to-date with his tetanus vaccine

If the wound is deep, large, infected, causing serious pain, has dirt embedded or is in an awkward place, seek urgent vet advice

Remember that any wound near a joint can be potentially very serious, so ask your vet for advice.

Identify lameness with our five-step plan It goes without saying that lameness generally indicates pain in one or more legs, but just to confuse matters it can also be the result of joint stiffness or tendon damage elsewhere. If the cause is plainly obvious, and your horse is in a lot of pain, it’s a veterinary emergency. But lameness is often more subtle, so in a bid to identify which leg is affected, follow our fivestep plan: 1. Ask a friend to walk or trot your horse in a straight line away from you on a loose rein on level ground. 2. If your horse nods his head when his left foreleg hits the ground, this usually means he’s lame in the right foreleg, and vice-versa.

3. 4. 5.

If his hindquarters sink when his left hind leg hits the ground, this usually indicates lameness in the right hind leg, and vice-versa. Occasionally, lameness will be evident in more than one leg. If this is the case, ring your vet for advice. If it’s clear which leg is affected, start by checking the feet for signs of injury or pain. Always compare the sore foot with a sound one to test your horse’s tolerance to whatever you’re doing to him (for example, it may be that he doesn’t like any hoof being gently tapped with a hammer to check for signs of an abscess, not just the sore one!). If you can’t find anything amiss, check the rest of your horse’s leg for signs of swelling, heat or pain.

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ee How to manage a case of equine colic

TOP TI P

With colic, h orses can ac t very unexpected ly, suddenly attempting to lie down, roll, thrash ab out or lash out. They ca n be very dis tracted and can inadvert ently injure handlers or bystanders. Always stay at a distance an d wear appro safe priate safety clothin g, including a helmet and gloves.

Colic is an umbrella term for abdominal pain, and there are four main types – spasmodic (the most common, where pain comes and goes), obstructive (where a solid mass, usually food, stops anything else passing through the gut), flatulent (where there’s a build up of gas in the bowel) and twisted (rare and highly dangerous). If you’ve ever seen a horse with colic you’ll appreciate that the signs are often distressing. The horse may kick at his belly or paw the ground, looking uncomfortable and restless. He might come out in a cold, patchy sweat, while breathing heavily or blowing. Colic in all its forms is a veterinary emergency, so call your vet straight away and, while you’re waiting, follow our tips: l If your horse is stabled, remove all food until the vet arrives, but allow him access to water l If your horse has to stay in the paddock, put on a halter (provided it’s safe to do so) l If possible, move other horses from the paddock and try to steer your horse away from the fence line and any ditches l If your horse is distressed, stay on the safe side of the fence and monitor him until help arrives.

Know when to call the vet Not every equine ailment requires a frantic phone call to the nearest veterinarian. You can deal with some problems at home, or at least monitor them before making that call. But here are some reasons to give your vet a call: LAMENESS A lame horse that hardly puts weight on the leg should be seen by the vet urgently, while a filled leg with no lameness is unlikely to require urgent attention. BLEEDING If your horse is bleeding heavily from any place on his body, try applying pressure to stop the flow. Even if you can stop the bleeding, call the vet for further advice. CHOKING A horse is choking if he coughs and salivates with his head down while watery food exits his nose and mouth. Lesser symptoms include backing away from food, acting anxious and/or swallowing repeatedly. A horse chokes when food is trapped in the esophagus. The food doesn’t block the airway, so the horse can still breathe, but you still must call the vet right away. The trapped food can cause damage that will result in scarring and subsequent narrowing of the diameter of the esophagus. This narrowing causes the horse to be more prone to choking in the future. SWEATING If your horse is sweating profusely, lying down and getting up, pawing the ground, standing with his legs outstretched, rolling and/ or biting at his abdomen, the animal is potentially suffering from colic. Remove the horse’s food and, if you can do so safely, lead the horse around at a walk until the vet arrives. FEVER A horse’s normal body temperature ranges between 37.7°C and 38.6°C If your horse’s temperature is significantly above or below the normal range, you have an emergency and should call your vet. INABILITY TO STAND A horse that will not or cannot stand up is a very sick horse. A horse that staggers or has trouble staying on his feet is also in an emergency situation. INJURY Wounds that expose deep tissue or bone are emergencies, as are puncture wounds, which can easily become infected. EYES If one or both of your horse’s eyes suddenly become teary, the horse holds the lids partially or completely closed, the white part of the eye is red, or the surface of the eye is cloudy, this should be considered urgent. REFUSAL TO EAT When a horse won’t eat, you’re often seeing a sign of serious illness or possibly mild colic. SEVERE PAIN A veterinarian should immediately examine any horse that appears to have severe pain in any part of his body. STRAINING If your horse is straining to defecate or urinate and nothing or very little passes out, an intestinal or urethral blockage is likely. SWELLING Any part of the body is swollen and hot to the touch. C

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Tetanus After the initial vaccination the horse should receive an annual booster, but if he sustains a wound or undergoes surgery six months or more after his last tetanus shot, he should be re-vaccinated immediately. Tetanus vaccination is extremely important because the organism that causes tetanus is in horse manure, so horses cannot avoid it.

Follow your vet’s advice with regards to emergency care – but whatever the situation, keep your horse as still and calm as possible.

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HEALTH

NO HOOF

N o H o rse

Last winter’s extraordinarily high rainfall created no shortage of headaches for horse owners, farriers and vets across the country caring for horses with waterlogged feet. As we head towards winter this year, stay ahead of the game and help your horses get through the wet months in the best shape possible with our healthy hoof tips

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PREPARE NOW Prevention is always the best cure, so make sure your horse’s trimming or shoeing schedule is up-to-date, and that any small issues are dealt with before they turn into bigger ones.

ATTEND TO CRACKS If a grass crack becomes infected, then the necrotic and infected tissue must be removed. If the infection is severe, x-rays may be required to ascertain whether the pedal bone has become damaged (pedal osteitis). The hoof wall must be stabilised by shoeing, often with toe or quarter clips on either side of the crack. Sand cracks should be cut away to minimise pinching of the sensitive laminae and then stabilised with one of the following treatment methods.

WILL YOUR HORSE MANAGE BAREFOOT? Is your horse flat-footed? Does he have sensitive soles? If the answer is yes, it might not be in his best interests to have him barefoot, even when he’s out of work. Some horses will struggle without shoes, particularly in the winter months, and any discomfort will stress your horse, often making it harder for him to hold his weight. There is plenty to consider when deciding whether to pull your horse’s shoes, so make sure you take the time to discuss the options with your farrier, as he/she will know your horse best.

SEEDY TOE

// TREATMENT Cracks can be filled with acrylic, and then more acrylic or fibreglass can be applied over the crack. If a crack is severe, your farrier can also use wire stitching on either side, which can be complemented by fullbar shoes with clips. These processes may need to be repeated until the crack has been resolved. // PREVENTION Good hoof management with regular trimming and shoeing can reduce the risk of cracks occurring. There are supplements that promote good hoof growth, and they contain ingredients such as gelatin, biotin and methionine.

TO SHOE OR NOT TO SHOE? As the weather turns and the competition season finishes, many horse owners look to turn their horses out to spell through the wettest months and are faced with the decision of whether to keep their horses shod or have their shoes pulled off. Removing shoes from horses that are usually shod the rest of the year is not a decision that should be made without consideration and consultation with your farrier. Here are some things to consider when making a decision.

ARE YOU PLANNING TO SPELL YOUR HORSE? If you’re planning to spell your horse for longer than two shoeing cycles (e.g. 8-12 weeks), then pulling shoes could be a good idea as the old nail holes should have sufficient time to grow out, and the hoof wall time to strengthen up ready for a new set of shoes when they come back into work. However, if you’re turning your horse out for less than eight weeks, it could be better to keep them shod as the old nail holes are unlikely to have time to grow out, and the feet may crack out around those old holes, which it could make putting a new set of shoes difficult for your farrier. Whatever your plans, discuss with your farrier as he/she will know your horse’s hooves best.

IS YOUR HORSE PRONE TO LOSING SHOES? If you have a horse that loses shoes easily while out of work, pulling them might be a suitable option as shoes consistently being ripped off in the paddock can be detrimental to the strength of the hoof wall, particularly if it happens several times.

Seedy toe occurs when the hoof wall separates from the underlying laminae at the white line. This occurs at the toe, and the separation of the white line allows dirt and debris to fill the cavity, which may lead to an infection. Long toes and low heels can predispose a horse to white line separation, which allows contamination of the cavity. Chronically laminitic horses are predisposed to seedy toe, because when the pedal bone rotates within the hoof capsule during laminitis, there is separation of the white line. // SYMPTOMS Often there are no visible signs and the horse is not usually lame, unless there is secondary infection or the horse is already laminitic.

// DIAGNOSIS The cavity may be found by your vet or farrier when they are paring the hoof. In some cases, the horn may be crumbly and the hoof of poor quality. // TREATMENT The best treatment involves the complete removal of the infected necrotic (dead) tissue, and drainage of any infection. Once the tissue is removed, the cavity should be plugged with an iodine bung (cotton wool soaked in iodine), with a dry disposable nappy placed over the top followed by a cohesive bandage (e.g. Vetwrap) and duct tape. This should be replaced daily. It is preferable to keep the horse in a clean, dry stable or in a dry paddock. Once the cavity begins to refill with horn, your farrier may put Keratex or Stockholm tar into the cavity and put on a shoe. To help support the foot while the hoof regrows, it may be helpful to place a wide-webbed shoe fitted long at the heels, or a full-bar shoe.

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LOST OR LOOSE SHOES Lost shoes are much more common during the wet months, as hooves soften and the deep mud can sometimes literally suck them right off. Here are some ways to try and keep your horse’s shoes on over the winter months. // SUGGESTIONS Put a pair of bell boots on your horse’s front feet to prevent shoes being pulled by overreaching. Make sure that they fit well, as rubs or sores could easily get infected in muddy conditions. The back rim of the boot should barely touch the ground when the horse is standing on a level surface. You should be able to slide one or two fingers into the top of the bell boot between the boot and the pastern. Boots that are too big can cause a horse to stumble, while boots that are too small could cause abrasions or provide inadequate protection. There’s only so much you can do stop your horse running around the paddock during winter, but the more preventative measures you can take, the better. Try not to leave your horse alone if he’s used to having company, and tape off corners of paddocks to stop horses running into them and twisting their shoes. Where possible, tape off the muddiest or wettest areas of your horse’s paddock to prevent access. Make sure that your feeding regime is relative to the amount of work your horse is doing. Horses often need a bit more feed during the winter months as they’re working harder to stay warm, but if your horse is doing less work in the off-season, don’t feed him the same high energy feed you did when he was out competing or working hard. Give your horse’s feet a break from the wet if you can by stabling during the day/ night, or bringing them off the paddock, even just for a couple of hours. Learn how to remove a shoe! Many farriers are glad to teach clients how to do this, and if you can remove a sprung or shifted shoe yourself, you may save your horse unnecessary pain and hoof damage.

Sometimes, no matter your best efforts, your horse may still pull a shoe (or several!) during the winter months and in some cases, they may only twist or displace the shoe but not pull it off completely. An excellent skill to learn is how to pull a shoe off yourself, should the shoe be twisted and there is a risk of the nail or shoe clips going through your horse’s sole before your farrier can make it out to get it off for you. Talk to your farrier and ask if they have time to show you how it’s done and what tool you’ll need to do it safely.

THRUSH Thrush is an infestation of the hoof by an anaerobic bacteria or combination of bacteria, which is often more prevalent during the winter months because of the damp ground conditions which enable it to develop and/or thrive. Horses with hoof imbalances such as sheared heels (when the heel takes a disproportionate amount of the horse’s weight) are more prone to developing thrush, as are hooves with deep sulci and smaller frogs. However, some people may find their horse is just more susceptible than others for no clear reason. The frog is the main part of the hoof that is damaged by thrush, which is easily recognised by its distinct unpleasant odour and is black, thick and slightly oily. Luckily thrush is usually easily treated by having your farrier cut away the damaged frog and applying a topical remedy like Mustad Thrush Buster and keeping the feet as dry as possible. If stabling horses, it’s important to ensure their stable is kept hygienically clean and dry as well to prevent thrush. // SYMPTOMS AND DIAGNOSIS The horse presents with foul-smelling discharge in the frog sulci and pain can be elicited when pressure is applied to the frog. Thrush will never resolve unless the hoof hygiene is managed well. A damaged frog is the perfect entry point for the bacteria that can also cause tetanus, so ensure that the horse has adequate protection. You cannot force a hoof to be healthy through trimming alone. It’s something that needs to come from the inside out. Diet, environment, and movement are all key factors, and if even one piece of the puzzle is missing, the hooves will usually pay the price.

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// TREATMENT It is best to keep the horse in a clean and dry environment. Your vet or farrier may be needed to remove any dead or unhealthy tissue. The frog should be scrubbed with iodine and this may need to be repeated daily for a few days. Do not poultice, as the air is helpful in drying out the frog. // PREVENTION Routinely inspect and pick out hooves, and keep your horse’s stable clean and dry. Regular trimming and shoeing is important to prevent poor hoof conformation that may lead to thrush.

ABSCESSES An abscess in the hoof is a cavity filled with pus and dead tissue, usually caused by trauma and bruising to the hoof capsule, or by bacteria entering the sole or hoof wall through an entry point such as a crack or a puncture. During the wet winter months, horses with thin soles or flat feet can be more susceptible to abscesses, as their hooves become softer than usual from living in consistently wet conditions and are easily bruised. In the case of trauma or bruising to the hoof, the body sends more white blood cells to the area to repair the damage, and once all the nutrients have been used, the byproduct left behind is the pus that builds up in an abscess. It usually takes three to five days from when the horse receives the trauma for pus to form.

equine dental care

Abscess that has been released and cleaned

Soaking in warm water with Epsom Salts

// SYMPTOMS The horse often presents with sudden lameness and is unwilling to place any weight on the leg. It is not uncommon for a horse to go lame and then improve, and then go lame again three to four days later. The affected leg often has a bounding digital pulse and the hoof may be warmer than the others. It is not uncommon for swelling to develop around the pastern and even the fetlock. // DIAGNOSIS This is made on the horse’s symptoms and the resentment of pressure when hoof testers are applied to the affected area. The sole is then pared to find the abscess.

Learn how to apply poultice correctly

Horses with white line separation are at greater risk for abscesses

// TREATMENT The abscess must be opened and drained in order to heal. Sometimes this needs to be done by your vet or farrier, while other abscesses can be drawn by soaking (tubbing) the hoof in a bucket of Epsom salts and warm water for ten minutes daily until it bursts. Once the abscess has burst, plug the hole with an iodine-soaked cotton bung and then place a dry poultice like Animalintex over the sole, followed by cohesive bandage and duct tape, or a close-fitting hoof boot designed to keep wounds, poultices and dressings clean. You will have to change the dressing daily for several days until the Animalintex is no longer drawing out any pus.

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// PREVENTION If possible, give your horses relief from their wet paddocks and mud through stabling/ yarding for some time each day. You can also paint the soles of their feet with a hoof hardening product. If your horse is very thin-soled or flat-footed, your farrier may suggest using a pad under his shoes to help prevent the bruising that can lead to abscesses forming.

KEEP UP THE CARE While you and your horse are enjoying the downtime after the competition season, it’s crucial that you don’t allow his hooves to become neglected. Regular care from your farrier and cleaning hooves out as often as possible will enable you to pick up any problems like thrush, abscesses, cracks or other problems as early as possible. Good care of your horse’s hooves during winter will help set them up to be healthy and strong in spring and summer. Don’t forget the old saying – no hoof, no horse! C

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HEALTH

WORDS Nicol a Smith Nicola is a pers onal trainer & wellness coach who also happens to lo ve dressage. She runs a po pular dressage rider training website, helpin g rider health and fitne s improve their ss off the hors Nicola applies e. her knowledg e in sports co biomechanics nditioning, and scientific core training to riders improv help e their riding pe rformance. Download her free Dressage Rider Fitness Guide at dres sageridertraini ng.com

WHAT IS A

FOAM ROLLER,

HOW CAN IT HELP AND HOW DO I USE IT? WHAT IS A FOAM ROLLER?

For the fitness-focused, the concept of a foam roller is probably not a foreign one. Foam rollers have been around for as long as I can remember, but people are becoming much more educated on their uses and the benefits they can have on your body. If you aren’t sure what they are and what they’re for, read on to

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find out more. Foam rolling is extremely effective for recovery and injury prevention, not to mention helping with mobility and improving muscle imbalances. It also helps with detoxification and blood flow, and one of its main uses is for self-myofascial release.

FOAM ROLLING IS INCREDIBLE FOR RECOVERY AND INJURY PREVENTION.

WHAT IS SELF-MYOFASCIAL RELEASE?

Basically, it’s a form of self massage. Myofascial release is the form of massage that uses long dragging strokes across the muscle tissue to allow the muscle to release and improve its mobility and range of motion. By using a foam roller, you are able to get a similar response in your muscles and improve your range of motion, all by yourself at home! Admittedly, it’s not as good as a real massage, but it can play a hugely important role in your mobility and self care routine.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF FOAM ROLLING?

Including some foam rolling into your exercise routine will help with blood flow, which in turn aids in detoxification and muscle recovery. You are also able to work on any niggly spots or issues, and increase movement through the joints by releasing tight muscles and ligaments, which decreases your risk of injury, improves recovery time and increases circulation. Not to mention it just makes you feel great!

HOW CAN IT HELP MY RIDING?

When we are riding, its important that our joints are aligned and that we are maintaining good posture. We want the biomechanics of our body to be working correctly so that we aren’t getting any undue wear and tear. Think of a car’s wheel alignment – if it’s out of line, you’ll get unbalanced wear on parts of the car, causing bearings and pads to have increased wear and tear. Now, I’m no mechanic, but I think we all know how dangerous that can be! The same thing can happen in our bodies – if we have tight muscles pulling us out of alignment, this leads to increased wear and tear on certain joints, as they can’t slide or hinge as smoothly as they should. Add to that the force of the horse’s movement beneath you, and you may end up with some aches and pains down the road, if not already. This is why it’s so important to pay attention to your posture. Our day-today activities, whether we’re behind the steering wheel, sitting at a desk, or doing heavy lifting, all create different weaknesses and strengths on each side of our body. So having the tools at home to help reduce tightness is extremely beneficial, especially when combined with appropriate stretches

and exercises to improve your alignment. This is where foam rolling comes in! It can help you to improve your alignment and posture and ultimately help you keep riding for as long as you choose, without your crooked body holding you back.

WHAT KIND OF FOAM ROLLER SHOULD I GET?

The great thing about foam rollers is that they aren’t expensive, although there are a few different types and sizes out there. I prefer those like the one I am using in these photos, as the material is quite firm but not too hard. (They also have a huge number of other uses, which I will talk about another time.) I am using a 90cm roller, which I recommend if you can afford it, as you will be able to do more with it. Otherwise, a shorter 30cm roller is a great start.

BY INCLUDING SOME FOAM ROLLING INTO YOUR ROUTINE, YOU ARE HELPING THE BLOOD FLOW, WHICH IN TURN AIDS IN BETTER DETOXIFICATION AND MUSCLE RECOVERY. Now that you’re caught up on the why, it’s time to give foam rolling a go! But first, a quick reminder – often the tighter we are, the more intense the foam rolling will be. Also just like anything, the first time you do it, you will feel probably a little weird and unsure. Don’t be put off by this! Practice makes perfect, and sometimes you have to embrace a little discomfort for the greater good of your body. Your muscles and ligaments will be so grateful that you put in the effort, and the more you do it the better and more enjoyable it will get.

ITB (ILIOTIBIAL BAND)

This area often gets tight in runners, cyclists and those who are in office jobs. I also find it to be tight in those who are riding wider horses. While it’s not the most pleasant area to work on, focus on your breathing and roll through it. Your body will thank you later! Start by placing the roller down by your knee with your leg on its side. Bend your other leg over top and place it out in front; then, using your bent leg and arms for support, roll up towards your hips. If you hit any tight or niggly spots, hold yourself there to allow it to release. If it’s too much, bring more weight into your supporting leg. C

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HEALTH

a n a One Bowl B a n Bread es to a h is d p e e K ith this w m u im min eat tasty tr

If there is one thing I dislike when I bake, it’s doing the dishes afterwards! I’m all about keeping dishes to a minimum, and this banana bread recipe is ideal for the dishes-averse – mix it in one bowl and then pop it into your loaf tin. It’s a protein packed treat, and free from gluten and refined sugar (banana is a natural sweetener!).

What you need:

Instructions:

•

1 cup almond meal

•

Preheat oven to 180ºC.

•

1 cup coconut flour

•

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Combine bananas, eggs, honey and coconut oil in a bowl or food processor.

•

2 teaspoons baking soda

•

6 eggs

Add the dry ingredients and mix into a smooth batter.

•

5 bananas

•

Pour the mixture into a lined loaf tin and bake for 15 minutes.

•

4 tablespoons honey

•

1 cup melted coconut oil

Cover with foil, then back for a further 45 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.

•

Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

Want more? Nicola Smith has plenty of tasty recipes in her cookbook - Real Food, Real Health which is available for download on her website, foreverfit.tv, along with a further 300 recipes to get your taste buds excited! C

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SUBSCRIBE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A WEATHERBEETA COMFITEC PREMIER THINSULATE COMBO VALUED AT RRP $299.99 The WeatherBeeta ComFiTec Premier Thinsulate comprises of new Thinsulate fill technology that is lightweight and breathable and new Omniheat lining which utilises thermal reflection to maintain warmth. Warm and light Thinuslate fill, strong 1200 Denier Ripstop outer, Full Wrap Tail Flap & Memory Foam Wither Relief Pad provide unbeatable comfort and protection for your horse. AVAILABLE IN GREY/BLUE. SIZES FROM 4’3 TO 5’9. RRP $299.99 VISIT WWW.WEATHERBEETA.CO.NZ TO VIEW THE FULL WEATHERBEETA RANGE. SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE DRESSAGE TRAINING WITH MONIQUE PERTZ

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WEATHER. BEATEN.

INTRODUCING COMFITEC. THE PERFECT BLEND OF SCIENCE AND LOVE. Our revolutionary new ComFiTec turnout rugs are designed to conquer the elements… and your worries. As you’d expect from us, every aspect of our most advanced range ever – from materials to fastenings – has been developed with comfort and fit in mind. So whatever the winter throws at your horse, you can be sure their rug will hug them as snugly and lovingly as you do. DURABLE MADE FROM DURABLE FABRICS WITH WEAVES DESIGNED FOR THE ULTIMATE TEAR RESISTANCE AND SUPREME TOUGHNESS.

INSULATING NUMBER OF WARMTH OPTIONS TO SUIT YOUR HORSE AND CLIMATE AND PROVIDE THE VERY BEST LEVEL OF INSULATION.

WATERPROOF 100% WATERPROOF OUTER SHELL FABRIC WITH TAPED SEAMS CREATES A FLEXIBLE YET IMPENETRABLE BARRIER.

SELF-CLEANSING TEFLON/REPEL COATED OUTER SHELL RESISTS DIRT PENETRATION AND ENCOURAGES MOISTURE TO BEAD AND RUN AWAY.

BREATHABLE ‘INTELLIGENT’ INNER MEMBRANE CHANNELS SWEAT AWAY FROM YOUR HORSE AND HELPS REGULATE TEMPERATURE.

CARING OUR UNIQUE AFFINITY WITH HORSES RESULTS IN A FIT AND PERFORMANCE THAT’S SECOND-TO-NONE. WE CALL IT HUGOLOGY.