Show Circuit Magazine - April/May 2019 by Show Circuit Magazine

LOUISA HILL - BALANCED, FORWARD AND STRAIGHT | JACQUE MCKINLEY - FOCUSING ON CONTROL

SHOWCIRCUIT NEW ZEALAND’S ULTIMATE EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE

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LAND ROVER HORSE OF THE YEAR COVERAGE

AMANDA GRAY MAKING A COMEBACK

OLIVER CROUCHER

HARD WORK PAYS OFF

JAKE BARHAM MOTIVATION & DRIVE

VICKI WILSON RELOCATION & REHABILITATION

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EDITOR

For many equestrian competitors the Land Rover Horse of the Year show symbolises the very pinnacle of success – that show where winning a ribbon of any colour recognises those hours of blood, sweat and tears. Sometimes though, things don’t go as planned. It’s worth remembering that just having the opportunity to ride means we are ‘living the dream’. There are so many people who would give a lot for the talent and the ability to ride. So, if you met your goals and aspirations this season – huge congratulations! And if you didn’t, huge congratulations also! You were out there, doing it! It’s so easy to lose sight of the bigger picture when we are focused on a specific achievement. The tragic events in Christchurch during the week of Land Rover Horse of the Year serve to remind us all that life is for living and that we are stronger together. In preparing this issue, we spoke to riders who are inspirational for us all. We are always in awe of the passion, drive, motivation and commitment that is demonstrated by those making their way to the top of equestrian sport, and those who don’t have such lofty goals but simply love all things equine. Eventer Jake Barham is one who has been handed some lemons in his life, but he has refused to allow any limitations to hold him back. Read his story on page 44. Our cover story this issue profiles show rider Amanda Gray on page 12, who is back competing in the sport she loves, and we talk with Harriet Redmond, Oliver Croucher and Chelsea Callaghan, all of whom also enjoyed success at the Land Rover Horse of the Year. Louisa Hill has tasted success on the world stage; her wealth of knowledge is shared in her training article on page 88. With the season drawing to a close, many of our equine friends will enjoy a quieter time, and for many riders, the change of season brings a more low-key approach to the sport and a chance to reconnect with friends and family away from the competition arena. Make the most of that opportunity! Happy reading everyone.

Sheryll Davies, Publisher

LAND ROVER HORSE OF THE YEAR PHOTO COVERAGE

114

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SENIOR WRITER Rebecca Harper

WRITERS

Ashleigh Kendall Diana Dobson Nicola Smith

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PHOTOGRAPHERS Cheleken Photography Cornege Photography Dark Horse Photography Eye Witness Photography Libby Law Photography Michelle Clarke Photography Kampic.com Stephen Mowbray Photography

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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. © SHOWCIRCUIT Magazine 2019 All rights reserved.

COVER IMAGE Amanda Gray & Phoenician Rock The Town Image by Show Circuit Magazine

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

IN THIS ISSUE APRIL | MAY 2019

OUR PEOPLE

12 16 20 24 28 30 36 44 50 54 58 62 66 70 76 82

TRAINING

88 98

Louisa Hill | Balanced, Forward & Straight Jacque McKinley | Show Jumping

PHOTO ESSAYS 108 Bates Dressage National Championships 114 Horse of the Year Coverage

88 76

IN EACH ISSUE 102 130 138

Insider's Shopping Guide Equine Legal Advice Subscribe

HEALTH 131 132 134 137

Filled Legs Spot Lameness Rider Health Recipe

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INTERVIEW

AMANDA GRAY

Success Story A SHOW RING

WORDS Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES Show Circuit Magazine

Perseverance and dedication paid off for Amanda and her support team when she took home the Rising Star Park Hack of the Year title at the 2019 Land Rover Horse of the Year Show.

t has been a journey of amazing highs and lows in the showing ring for Amanda Gray – going from the sheer joy of being chosen to represent New Zealand in Australia aboard Skibbereen Manequin, to the heartbreak of having to part ways with the beloved mare, before gaining the chance to form a new partnership with Manequin’s full brother, Phoenician Rock The Town.

A beautiful partnership

Amanda’s partnership with Skibbereen Manequin was full of career highlights and the formation of a true bond between horse and rider. Owned by Vikki Niles, Manequin had already tasted success in the show ring in the capable hands of Carissa MacDonald before Amanda secured the ride. With a solid foundation established, it wasn’t long before Amanda and Manequin were winning countless championships across the country, including Supreme Galloway at the New Zealand National Championships and Park Hack of the Year at HOY in 2012, before going on to represent New Zealand at Werribee in Australia. “One of my terrific friends, Liz Kingston, came over to Australia with me, and my mum Christine and Manequin’s owner Vikki came too,” Amanda recalls. “It was an amazing, fantastic experience. I felt a little out of my depth in the beginning, but our workout went really well. The team that went over was excellent that year, and we also made great friends with the Tasmanian riders.” But after four fruitful years together, it was time for Manequin to return to her owner for stud purposes. It was a trying time for Amanda, who struggled to accept her life without her best friend. “We had leased Manequin, and I was so heartbroken when she had to go back home. So when Viv from Phoenician Stud rang Mum and said that she had Manequin’s full brother, Phoenician Rock The Town (Rocky), and that we could look at him, we couldn’t get there fast enough! It meant

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everything to me to get Rocky after losing Manequin. I feel so lucky to have him.”

The next superstar

Amanda and her mum have nurtured Rocky carefully over the years since purchasing him as a two-year-old, letting him have plenty of time to develop and mature. “He had a bit of a slow start due to me having two kids – Beau, who is five now, and Jasper, who is two-and-a-half. Mum bought Rocky for me, and Kirsty Lawrence started him. While I was busy with the kids, Mum took him on, and together they enjoyed a lot of trekking and riding at the beach, letting Rocky just learn what it is to be a horse,” she says. “When I was ready to get back into it, she gave him back to me to start our showing career together.” Rocky’s competition experience began with a couple of showing starts at the end of 2017 before competing in dressage over the winter. “He is amazing but quite quirky,” Amanda admits. “He has been a bit spooky, especially early on, which was quite hard to deal with. Now that he has been out more, and is doing more and experiencing more shows, the spooking seems to be happening less and less often. He does still keep me on my toes, but they always say that the good ones are always like that!” Amanda’s hard work and perseverance has paid off in spades this season. There hasn’t been much that they haven’t won, with highlights including the Park Hack and Rider titles at the National Horse and Pony Show, the Small Show Hack title at the New Zealand Show Horse Council Show, and the Park Hack Rising Star of the Year at the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show, followed by runner-up in the Open Park Hack title class. Amanda’s future goals are clear – to make it to the top in New Zealand and gain consistent results, and then to make it back to Australia for another opportunity to ride against some of the best in the business.

ON THE COVER

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A supportive network

Amanda’s big win in the Rising Star Park Hack of the Year was definitely a career highlight so far. “It felt like the best win I have ever had, even better than any open win, because I have had Rocky right from the start of his career. After all of the time and sacrifices that my family and friends have made for me, it felt like we were able to give an awesome result back to the team for all their hard work,” she says. Amanda credits her friends for their immense support in the lead-up to her 2012 Australian trip. “My husband Clint and I had just bought a house and got married,

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so money was a little tight at that time, but my friends organised fundraising and auctions to help raise the money to get me there. They made sure it happened for me which was simply amazing!” Amanda credits Clint and her family and friends for their love and support, especially her mum Christine, who comes to every show to support her, and her good friend Sam Elder. “They have a huge investment in this horse, and Sam has been Rocky’s number one supporter. When times have been tough for me, Sam has been the one who has encouraged me and helped me stay positive. He is the turnout king and comes everywhere!” She is also thankful to Hannah Appleton, who has helped her on her way with the use of her arena. “We don’t have an arena at home, so I go to my beautiful friend Hannah Appleton’s place to school him three or four times a week, and the rest of the time we are hacking. I’m also super lucky to be able to use Paul and Sue Reynolds’ amazing arena. Sue has been a wonderful friend and supporter, and I am so grateful. They also make the best chaff in New Zealand!” Training has always been a focus point for Amanda; while shows are a highlight, it is the training that she loves. “I love lessons, I think they are the most important thing,” she says. “I have trained with Kallista Field for most of my life, and she is incredible with how she can get a horse to go. Recently I have also been training with Les Friend and Paul Austin from Australia. “My first lesson with Les last September was a huge turning point for me and Rocky. Les is simply amazing. He has given me my confidence back, I believe in myself again and I’m excited to see how much better we can get. Rocky has so much potential, and he has so much more to give. I just have to learn to ride it!” Amanda is looking forward to enjoying some time with her young family before next season starts. “Mum will take Rocky over winter and they will do some fun stuff – treks and the beach. I’m going to go to ripper rugby and do stuff with my boys and husband. Rocky didn’t have a break last winter so my whole team needs a chance to re-assess where we are at.” C

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INTERVIEW

MIKAYLA HERBERT An Angel on her Shoulder WORDS Diana Dobson IMAGES Cheleken Photography

ikayla Herbert still smiles at the memory of her mum insisting that she came along to the bottom bush paddock to check the grass growth on the morning of her tenth birthday. “I couldn’t understand why it was so important to check how much grass was in a paddock that we never used,” she says. “But I went along with it.” Standing there was a little pony with her name on it. “I was just blown away!” The pony was Nibbles, a cheeky little bush pony that her parents would have to physically pick up to put on a float. The pony had no riding history, so her mother taught her to ride on the end of the lunge line. “Nibbles would do everything in her power to get me off, so I learnt to stay on,” Mikayla recalls. Then she met the late Wendy Richards, who went on to become a friend, mentor and trainer. “She is the reason I am who I am,” Mikayla says. “She started me in competition and she was my trainer from the very beginning.” Wendy died three years ago from cancer, but Mikayla is sure she was riding on her shoulder for her victorious Lady Rider of the Year rounds. “She was like my second mum and took me in as one of her own. She was very special to me.” Wendy encouraged Mikayla into Show Hunter, which she did very successfully for three years.

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“I loved it. It gave me the grounding to be patient, and taught me how hard you have to work for what you want.” Her best results came in her final year on ponies, when she was second in the rider equitation series. When she was seventeen, Wendy ‘passed her on’ to John and Joan Couper, where she spent a winter helping John bring in all his horses. “He made me work Scotty [Snow Storm] because he was too small for him, and had pretty much been left in the paddock. Scotty had done a few shows but he was very green, so I did some Show Hunter for the first half of the season to get us working together. “Then John called Ike Unsworth and said ‘You’ve got to help this girl and give her some lessons!’ That really helped my show jumping, and we did well in both Junior and Young Rider series classes.”

Illness changes everything

Mikayla was diagnosed with shingles at 17, forcing the highly academic teen out of school for six months. “I had been a top scholar, so missing all that school really got to me,” she admits. In the end, she left school early and headed to Kawerau to help Ike and Kylie. That was where she first met her Lady Rider of the Year-winning mount Grand Caballo, known at home as Huck, but it didn’t happen without a few bumps in the road first.

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A F O U N DAT I O N F O R S U C C E S S

“I barely have time to ride and I’m out there some nights at 9 pm. I do calves in the winter so that I can afford to ride in the season, which can make for some very long days.”

Twenty-two-year-old Mikayla works full-time as a vet nurse in Te Puke but still lives in Rotorua, and she admits that there is no way she could have won the Lady Rider crown without the help of her good mate Lisa Sharif. “She knew I was struggling, so she’s been helping me. I’ve been working long hours, but it was so good to know the horses were all happy and looked after.” Between work and other commitments, it makes her time with her horses

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29 8 DOUBLE CLEAR 1

STARTERS IN THE JUMP OFF

FASTEST TIME 56.79 SECONDS WITH 4 FAULTS

HEIGHT OF GRAND CABALLO

OLD

Juggling work with horses

THE ULTRA-MOX LADY BY THE RIDER OF THE YEAR Numbers

YEARS

“I came off a young Thoroughbred and fractured two ribs. It was a week out from my first Young Rider camp, and Ike said I would be stupid to risk riding. But I was determined to go, so he said if I could ride Veroana [who would go on to win the 2018 Olympic Cup with Briar Burnett-Grant] and Huck, then I could go to camp. I rode Veroana, who was madder than he is now, and the four-year-old Huck who had done no jumping,” she says. “I think I was in tears by the end of it. Huck was great on the flat but horrible to jump – he would leap with all four legs and land heavily. It was hell on my fractured ribs and he was so big that I swore I would never jump him again.” But she made it to camp, and her show jumping career took another step forward. When she was on the lookout for another horse and, by her own admission, her budget wasn’t flash, Ike said she should take Huck. “He was just sitting in the paddock, so I rather begrudgingly took him home. He got off the float calm and happy and fitted in straight away.” She got him jumping and took him to a few shows. “What a nightmare that was! We would come into a combination and need to circle because I just couldn’t bring him back. We just weren’t together as one.” Cue plenty of dressage and flatwork through the winter, and the next season looked a whole lot different. “Because he’s so big, he needs different work, so we do a lot of hacking and hill work, and he needs to be lunged daily to keep fit.”

18.1 HH

Mikayla during her victory speech after winning the Ultra-Mox Lady Rider of the Year 2019 on GRAND CABALLO

hard-sought and precious. “I barely have time to ride and I’m out there some nights at 9 pm. I do calves in the winter so that I can afford to ride in the season, which can make for some very long days.” But it was all worth it when she hoisted the Merrylegs Cup as winner of the Lady Rider of the Year. “When we came into that last double in the jump-off, I just said to him ‘Come on buddy – now is the time’. I could hear the crowd cheering and when I looked back at the fence it was still up, but we had one more to go.” The gangly combo, who notched the fastest time of the first round, were the slowest in the second but that didn’t matter because they left everything up. Mikayla has been buoyed by the congratulatory texts and calls from countless people, including previous Lady Rider of the Year and ESNZ High Performance squad member Lisa Cubitt, who had previously also ridden Huck. “It all means so much to me – it is truly incredible and just a dream come true! There are so many people I am thankful for, including my mum, who does anything she can to keep me competing at top level.” HOY has brought out a different side to her gentle giant. “Huck has jumped differently to normal at HOY, giving the jumps so much air. Even coming into the class, he was so calm and together – which was unusual! He is usually a hot and sweaty mess, worrying about what he has to do, but for the Lady Rider he just seemed to know and say, ‘Right mum, I’ve got this’. It was amazing.” Mikayla is trained by Jeff McVean, and is on the ESNZ Talent ID Squad. She has her sights set on doing FEI World Cup classes next season. “Huck’s not struggling with the height, but I know we need to do more training. I think as soon as I get more rounds under my belt it will be easier.” C

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INTERVIEW WORDS Pip Hume IMAGES Dark Horse Photography

CHELSEA CALLAGHAN

Celebrating Victory The Prix St Georges title at the Land Rover Horse of the Year is always a tightly fought contest. This year, victory went to 26-year-old Wellington rider Chelsea Callaghan in what was her first major upper-level win.

he partnership between Chelsea and her expressive black 10-year-old mare Sisters II Etta J (Etta) has been built up over the six years they have been together. Etta’s breeding is an interesting mix – she is by the Friesian stallion Zigfried, out of a Warmblood mare. “I got Etta when she was four years old,” Chelsea recalls. “She had been broken-in by her breeder, Carol McCarthy, at the Sisters II Stud near Timaru. She had been out to a ribbon day, but she was very green. I was only the second person to ride her, and through having her from such a young age, I feel that we have an outstanding bond. She trusts me and I trust her. If she gets worried about anything, I can settle her – she’s very responsive to me.” Chelsea went into the Premier Oval at the Land Rover Horse of the Year with the goal of riding to the pair’s capability and producing an error-free test. “I just wanted to enjoy it,” she adds. “Etta loves shows. She has so much good energy when she is at a show. She puts her focus totally on me, and not on all of the distractions. She’s very forward thinking and I ride her quietly, otherwise I think she could be quite hot. “At home, she’s very relaxed, and in my training I focus more on correctness rather than trying to get the energy, because I know when we get to a

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show it will be there for me. And when my coach Andrea Raves is there, Etta knows it’s time to work!” she laughs. While Etta has three good paces and her trot work is particularly impressive, over the years Chelsea has spent many hours developing her walk. “She doesn’t have a huge walk,” she explains. “She likes to be kept busy, so it can be hard to keep her from anticipating what’s next; she can’t wait to get going again! I spend a lot of time walking at home, road riding and up and down the hills. In the arena, she’s starting to anticipate a little less, and there’s less tension so I can push the walk out more.”

Team Etta

Chelsea has worked with her coach Andrea Raves for many years, and says that it was Andrea who saw Etta on the lunge and recognised that she might suit Chelsea. “I went down to Christchurch and rode her over two days. I didn’t want to get off! She was definitely the one.” Chelsea’s first pony came when she was ten years old, and she did Pony Club, including eventing, going to Bruce Forbes Teams Training. But she always loved the dressage phase most, so when that pony was passed on to her sister, Chelsea got her dressage horse Cheleken Ren (Johnny).

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“He was very cool, and then I went onto Royal Aspen, who took me through from Level 1 to Prix St Georges level. I did Young Rider with her, but when she was 21 years old, it was time to retire her. “I’ve trained with Andrea since I was 13 years old, and before that, I had regular lessons with Helen Hughes-Keen. Andrea and Helen have both been hugely influential as coaches and mentors, and I’m lucky to have had a foundation of good, solid training to build on.” ‘Team Etta’ also includes Chelsea’s partner, Ali Shaw, and her supportive parents Bob and Christine Callaghan, who own the Ohariu Valley Riding School. “Dad bought Etta for me, and Mum is a huge part of the team. Etta lives on their property, while Ali and I are in Wellington, so she does a lot of the day-to-day management. Etta just loves her! Mum always travels to competitions with me; she is my number one supporter, and we have a very close bond. I couldn’t do what I do without her.” Last season saw Etta sidelined for months after she developed a sarcoid on her muzzle between her lip and nostril. “We had to use a topical cream to treat it, and it got super ugly and huge! Etta hated having the cream put on every second day, so we had to sedate her every time. Mum did so much of that because I was living in town and working shift work – it took about an hour every second day. But it has healed up really well.” With Etta out of action for much of the season, Chelsea only managed two competitions last summer – Nationals and Horse of the Year. “We missed a lot of riding time as well,” she says ruefully. “That put the plan back, and I didn’t quite have the flying changes where I wanted them, but we’re back on track now.” Chelsea has clear goals and objectives, although she doesn’t write them down, pointing

“The thrill of dressage comes when your horse is totally with you – when she feels excited to do it.” out that with horses you have to be realistic and flexible. She says that she is very passionate and driven when it comes to dressage. “I’ve never ridden past the level where I am now, so that next step is all brand new! It’s exciting. I’d love to take Etta through to Grand Prix – hopefully we will compete at Level 7 next year, then at Level 8 for as long as we need to establish the work. “I like the discipline of dressage, having to work at it no matter what. You have to get on the horse and do it. You have to give it your best shot every time. You can’t afford to let any little bad habits creep in. The thrill comes in those moments when your horse is totally with you – when she feels excited to do the work.” Chelsea is now looking at adding a young horse to her team. “I’m definitely open to the possibility of getting a young one to bring up through the levels. I like a horse that shows good expression and has a good temperament. The horse needs to be a bit sparky, but it has to be something you can work with, and that wants to work with you.”

Life outside horses

Apart from dressage, Chelsea has undertaken a considerable amount of study. She did a Bachelor of Fine Art at Massey University, with the end goal of becoming an art teacher, but decided not to go on to Teachers’ College, instead completing a Diploma in Graphic and Web Design. She has recently taken on a new employment role utilising her design skills, but over the previous four summers, she was employed as a lifeguard for Wellington City Council. “The hours fit really well with riding and competing, and I particularly liked the first aid side of it – it really interested me. If I had known then what I know now, I would probably have become a paramedic.” C

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INTERVIEW WORDS Diana Dobson IMAGES Cheleken Photography

Nakeysha Lammers Fuelled by Horsepower

Ponies vs Petroleum

Life in the Lammers household has always been driven by some sort of horsepower – the four-legged variety for the women, and the four-wheeled version for the men – and they have all been very successful in their endeavours. Growing up in on a dairy farm near Whangarei, Nakeysha was encouraged into riding as a six-year-old by her mum Diana, who was a keen but casual rider. “We used to do lead-rein classes at ribbon days, which was lots of fun,” Nakeysha recalls. They moved into more serious showing, then one-day events, Show Hunter and finally, at age 10, she found her niche in show jumping. The Lammers family have always had a very busy household, with six children – Natasha (31), Clim-Tristan (29), Jardyne (27), Nakeysha (22), Sharnaye (20) and Natalia (15) – all encouraged to chase their dreams. “My parents have always been so supportive of all of us,” says Nakeysha. “They are dairy farmers and very hard workers, and have given us everything to be able to pursue our passions.” For Nakeysha, Natasha, Sharnaye, Natalia and their mum Diana that meant horses, while dad Clim and his two sons raced cars – and very successfully, too. Clim has won back-to-back Taupo 1000 races – an event, held every two years, that is touted to be the toughest, longest and fastest off-road race in the Southern Hemisphere. The rest of her family also compete together in the 24hour Lemon Race, but Nakeysha is happier on a horse. “It was fun growing up on the farm – it was always busy but there was also always someone to ride with,” she recalls. Her first pony was Kiwi – a little 11hh light grey pony who she describes as “so sweet and a true gentleman”. However, she quickly counters that with the memory that he would also jump out of the dressage arena each time they rode. “He was sweet but cheeky!” she laughs.

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Picking up speed

Airborne Magic was Nakeysha’s first ‘proper’ Grand Prix pony, and in their three seasons together they always finished in the top six in the national series, before winning it in their final year. “She was definitely my best pony,” she says. Skewy was her first hack and together they won the Junior Rider Series in the 2014 season, and the following year took out the Junior Rider of the Year title at HOY. She had him for two seasons before passing him to her younger sister Sharnaye. “They always used to get my hand-me-downs!” she laughs. After Skewy came 10-year-old Resolution – a Labradorlike bay who was bred by her mum Diana. “He is a very special boy. He was a bit slow developing mentally and physically, and we had a few setbacks with minor things, but last season he suddenly got it.” They started the season at 1.25m level and when the switch flicked, they hit Grand Prix at full speed, finishing second in the national series and bagging three wins along the way. At HOY last year, they placed third in the Young Rider title and second in the Premier Stakes. This year, the combination finished third in the Lady Rider of the Year and were eighth in the Olympic Cup. Nakeysha’s other horses are Balboa NZPH, who she rode to a brilliant victory in this year’s Premier Stakes class, and Bellinsimo NZPH. She also has a rather exciting homebred four-year-old by Cartell GNZ and out of her former grand prix pony Let’s Tango. Her summer job as a lifeguard fits in well around her three horses, but she has just started a full-time job as a Communications and Environmental Planning Executive at Greymouth Petroleum, while also doing a degree in Applied Science with an Environment major. She is passionate about the environment and hopes to have a career that makes a difference in the future.

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“I still can’t believe I won it on him. It is pretty amazing for him to jump a massive track like that at Land Rover Horse of the Year when he hasn’t ever done it before!” Super support

Nakeysha is hugely grateful for the support she receives from her own family and that of her partner Mathew Dickey. “Mum loves coming to shows and watching us. She always has good advice and does all she can to help us out. She’s getting more into breeding, but it is still early days. Thankfully she’s had enough horsepower so far to share between us,” she says, before adding that there is one more horse in her parents’ paddock that she has her eye on. “There’s a lovely little black filly by Pennsylvania out of a Casall mare who I am hoping will come my way.” Nakeysha moved to Taranaki in August 2017 to join Matt, and together they have a lovely set up on a lifestyle block that’s close enough to ride to the beach. Matt, a civil engineer, is also a very accomplished rider. The two are each other’s support team – he is generally the one to walk the course with her at shows, with his parents Jen and Phil always there to help. Nakeysha and Matt are looking to build up their horsepower, with the dream of heading offshore to compete in the future. “I would love to compete in Europe on one of my own horses one day. In the next few years, I want to be competing at the higher level with these two,” she says reaching out to give a rather sleepy Resolution a scratch while Balboa waits nearby. “Both of them are just awesome. It has taken a while to get the team together after coming off ponies, but now we are on our way. “I love to win. All the hard work pays off when you go through the flags and you’ve had a good round. It’s the best feeling in the world when you do a really good jump-off and come home clean.” It’s clear that she’s still flying high after her winning jump-off in the Premier Stakes with Balboa NZPH. “I had never jumped that big on Balboa, and before the class I felt like I was going to be physically sick,” she admits. “He is such a cool horse and I wanted to do a good job getting him around his first big track. I know he was more than capable of jumping it, and he’s

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such a clean jumper.” Although Nakeysha was confident in her horse’s talent, she didn’t think they would be fast enough to take the win. “I still can’t believe I won it on him. It is pretty amazing for him to jump a massive track like that at Land Rover Horse of the Year when he hasn’t ever done it before!” Nakeysha made her first trip down to the Horse of the Year Show when she was just 11 years old, and it has been her favourite show of the season ever since. “I’ve always looked forward to it,” she says. And with the string of successes she has had at the show over the years, it’s not very hard to see why. C

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FIVE

MINUTES WITH

INTERVIEW

ALLY STEVENSON From Pony-Mad Youngster to Talented Teen WORDS Diana Dobson IMAGES kampic.com

Biggest track for best result At just 17, Ally Stevenson has become the queen of catch rides. It’s the norm for this Hastings teen to work with problem ponies and those who just need a little retraining, regrouping or extra work, but at the 2019 Land Rover Horse of the Year Show she had a real chance of a lifetime when she lined up in her first-ever Farmlands Pony of the Year class. In December, thanks to a combined effort from Amanda Steel, Tracy Mason and Mick and Suzy Gardner, she was offered the ride on Jakaranda – a feisty and rather quirky little bay mare. “Catch riding is always fun and I do a lot of it, but this was quite special,” says Ally. Ally and Jakaranda were one of just three combinations to go clear in the opening round of the Pony of the Year class, which produced plenty of dropped rails, retirements and eliminations through the 30-strong field. “She just loves to jump,” Ally says of 12-year-old Jakaranda. “I had no expectations – I had just hoped to get through the start and finish flags. I was stoked with that beautiful first round!” The pair looked on fire in the second round too, but came into the double a bit long and knocked down the first element. “I knew I had to pick up the speed for the rest of the round,” Ally recalls. The combination finished the class in fourth place, a career highlight so far for the young rider. “It was just awesome – she is an amazing pony and to be given a chance like that was incredible. I never thought I would place in my first Pony of the Year – that was the biggest track I have ever jumped, but everything came together okay.” It took a bit of work for Ally and Jakaranda to gel when they first

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got together. The mare had previously been ridden with plenty of success by Amanda Steel, and is owned by the Gardners of Gisborne. She was bred to jump, coming from a long line of successful horses. “She is a different ride than I have been used to,” says Ally. “I have been riding a lot of horses, rather than ponies, so her stride is much shorter. She’s very sensitive, too – but she loves her job.” While Ally looks up to the likes of American show jumper Beezie Madden, her biggest influencers come from closer to home. She is trained by Olympic silver medallist Sally Clark, who was right by her side at HOY to walk the courses and give her advice. Graeme Hart of Fernhill Stud has been influential in her career – Ally worked for him for a year-and-a-half, and he has given her a number of really nice horses to compete. Equestrian photographer Sarah Lord also continues to play a big part in Ally’s equestrian journey, as does her supportive mum, Felicity.

Buck and bolt Ally started riding at the age of four. As a pony-mad youngster,

her only outlet early on was pony rides at the local A&P Show and poring over My Little Pony books. Then a family friend, Jenny Yule, gave the Stevenson family a pony to look after. Zazzy had developed laminitis and was supposed to be in retirement, and came to them not for riding but for the two young girls to groom, pat and play with. However, a whole lot of love and care saw him come right again, and the youngsters headed off to Pony Club with their new-found ride. Ally thinks that her first ribbon was won at the Puketapu Autumn Gymkhana, but there have been so many more since then, it’s a bit hard to remember. After Zazzy came Dolce, a two-and-ahalf-year-old Welsh pony. Not ideal, but to be fair, he wasn’t meant to be that young! Seven-year-old Ally spent a lot of time being bucked off or hanging on to a bolting pony, but eventually he settled down, and the combination moved to Show Hunter for their first taste of serious competition. “It’s a good grounding,” says Ally of the discipline, before admitting she was actually terrified of show jumping. “I would be in tears, and that was before going out to jump 50cm!”

“He gave me so much confidence, and was just awesome,” she recalls. She got her first hack when she was thirteen, a mare called Sunkist CSNZ who, while Ally only rode her for half a season, placed in every start she had. An injury forced her out of the competition arena, but she has settled into broodmare life and has recently had her first foal. “There have been so many ponies in between,” says Ally, who brings them in to train, school and on-sell. One of those ponies was Tallyho Madonna, who arrived having never jumped a fence, but went through to Pony Grand Prix level with Ally, before being passed to her younger sister Grace. The family live at a rose nursery, which has also become a bit of a revolving door of horses and ponies coming and going regularly. Ally says she does look to Show Hunter if it suits a horse or pony she is working with, but it is show jumping that she really enjoys. “It is so black and white – if you have a rail then you get the faults – and it’s a discipline where there is always something to focus on and improve.” Ally is in her last year at Havelock North High School and has her sights set on a career that will fund her passion for horses. “I’m not big on a long-term plans,” she admits. “There are always new opportunities that come up and you should take them when you can, but I know that I’ll need a decent career so I can keep on riding.” C

SHE IS A DIFFERENT RIDE THAN I HAVE BEEN USED TO. I HAVE BEEN RIDING A LOT OF HORSES, RATHER THAN PONIES, SO HER STRIDE IS MUCH SHORTER. SHE’S VERY SENSITIVE, TOO – BUT SHE LOVES HER JOB.

Overcoming fear Another pony called Ash soon changed her mind, and gave her a confidence she never thought she would have. He was very green when he arrived at the Stevenson household, so it was up to Ally to do all of his training. The benefits, however, were mutual.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

INTERVIEW

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

t e i r r Ha REDMOND WORDS Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES Show Circuit Magazine

Having the courage to dream

ou could be mistaken for thinking that Harriet Redmond’s story has been taken from an inspiring, feel-good movie. Talented rider suffers a freak accident, shattering the left side of her face and losing her eye after her experienced Prix St Georges dressage horse got a fright while she was hand grazing him at a show. He became spooked by a loose horse and reared, spun around and kicked Harriet in the commotion. “It was totally a freak accident; Theo was such a quiet horse," she explains. "I can't remember the accident, and I have never lost my confidence from it because it was just one of those things that can happen. In a way, it gave me more confidence for life because I had to get back out there and do it. “The accident has actually made me a lot safer. I understand that accidents happen, but I certainly wouldn't ride a green or naughty horse for someone else any more. I think my job as a nurse at the Burwood Spinal Unit has also really given me a different perspective on life. "I feel like I've grown a lot – it has pushed me to be better, and it has made me feel like I can do anything in the show ring or dressage arena because I've been through so much more than the result of a competition. Events like this really make you appreciate the important things in life.” Harriet's accident happened in December 2017, and she wasn't cleared to ride by her surgeon until February. That same day, she was back on her beloved horse Puzzle, who is owned by Jody Lockwood. She got straight into schooling and preparing for Horse of the Year, despite only having a month left before the event.

A beacon of hope

Harriet felt an instant connection with Ngahiwi Frostie when she first met him at her trainer Christine Weal's property. The now 11-year-old Bruce Holden-bred gelding is by Indoctro. “He had been a 2* eventer with Emily Cammock but he was too slow for the cross-country, and he wasn’t enjoying the jumping so much,” she says. “Christine brought him for herself as a

dressage horse, but I kept saying to her how I thought he would be an awesome Saddle Hunter – until one day she told me to get him going and then we could look at entering him into a show.” The rest is history for the pair, who have enjoyed success after success both here in New Zealand and also in Australia. “We clicked right away. He's amazing to ride, so comfy and I just love every ride together.” The pair have won both North Island and South Island Premier Saddle Hunter titles, first at the 2017 Equidays at Mystery Creek, and then the following year in the South Island. In 2018 they travelled with Christine, Harriet's sister Anna, mum Lynley and dad Dave to Australia, where they were placed in the top ten – an impressive feat when there were 50 horses in the class, and they were up against the best in the business in Australia. “Going over there was amazing. Frostie travelled well, and went so well all week, so to top it off with a top ten result was just amazing. Even the Aussies find that hard to achieve!” she says. “It was my first time travelling overseas with a horse, and Frostie just made the experience so much better. He handled the huge atmosphere like a complete professional and made it so fun and relaxing too. I learned so much. “He is so cool at all the A&P shows, and I am starting to do some dressage with him too. He's fantastic for me because he does all the movements so well, so I'm able to transfer the experience onto my other horse Puzzle, who has just started at Prix St Georges level. Frostie has taught me how important it is to have a horse with a good brain that I can ride and push forward, no matter what the atmosphere is.” Horse of the Year 2019 was a fairytale week for the pair. Frostie travelled well and settled into the show right from their arrival, finishing the week feeling just as good as he had when he arrived. “We started with the Gee Whizz equitation class on Wednesday. He went really well, but we missed out on a placing there,” she says. “Going into the Hunters, he was pretty excited because he hates clapping and we were next to the Lead Rein ring where there was lots of clapping going on! I rode him quite hard in the workout and just decided to go for it – we had nothing to lose. He took it all in his stride, and there was nothing more we could

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have done. When I left the ring, I wasn't even thinking about the result; I was just focused on how happy I was with how we performed. Winning was so cool but a bit overwhelming, because I was not at all prepared for such an amazing result. I hadn't thought about winning at all, so it was an amazing surprise.” Thinking into the future, Harriet says there is still a long way for the pair to go. “We aren't quite there yet, so it is a cool feeling knowing we have still so much more to give. I would also like to compete in some more dressage on him and see how far we can go.”

The future star

Harriet also enjoyed success on the young Arab-derivative pinto Lakeview Side-Step (Corey), who finished runner-up Pinto Horse of the Year. Also owned by Jody Lockwood, the five-year-old gelding is just a year under saddle. Harriet began riding him last winter. “Jody does a lot of the work with him, and I ride him a couple of times a week. This season has just been about getting him out and going to all the A&P shows,” she explains. “Like Frostie, he has a cool attitude. He listens and always wants to try. He's just like his half-brother Puzzle, who I ride in dressage.” Although Harriet thought that it was risky bringing such a young horse to Horse of the Year, she was convinced that he was ready for the challenge. “It's always a bit of a risk to bring a young horse to a show like HOY, but he stepped up and went as he has always done. He is a total professional, and having Frostie here with him helped because he's so chilled, so it helped Corey to stay calm and have a good experience.” Now that he has a season under his belt, Harriet plans to get him going in the show ring, and to dabble in a bit of dressage. “He has grown up a lot from his trip to Horse of the Year. It has been perfect for him,” she says.

An important piece in her puzzle

A small but mighty package, Lakeview Lone Desire (Puzzle) is another much-loved member of Harriet’s team. She has trained him through to Prix St Georges dressage, and together they have enjoyed a few starts at this level. “It has been hard because he is an Arab, especially when competing against purpose-bred horses, but he just tries so hard,” she says. “Because he finds it harder, he has taught me how to ride the movements well. “We still make some mistakes, and we have a long way to go together, but there's always something to work towards and try to perfect.” Puzzle has also been a catalyst for change in Harriet’s life. He won the Pinto Show Horse of the Year title in the hands of Kerry Sutherland, but had previously been campaigned for Jody by Tom Oldridge. “Tom trained me when I was younger, and then I brought my now-retired Prix St Georges horse Teodoro off him, which is how I met Christine. Then, three years ago, Jody offered me the ride on Puzzle. Her current trainer Christine Weal has been a huge positive influence in Harriet’s life since. “When I first went to Christine, I didn't know anything about dressage, so she has taught me everything,” she explains. “She is honest, and she knows me and my horses very well, so she always knows where we are at, and she makes a lot of sense. It works, because we are both such relaxed people.” Harriet's support crew is comprised of her parents Lynley and Dave and her sister Anna, as well as Christine. She is also grateful for the support she receives from her sponsors, South Canterbury Equestrian and BetaVet. Success takes a united team, and Harriet certainly has that! C

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INTERVIEW

VICKI WILSON

A New Chapter WORDS Rebecca Harper IMAGES kampic.com

This talented young horsewoman needs little introduction. Having relocated from Northland, Vicki is now setting up a new world-class equine rehabilitation, breeding and show jumping facility on the banks of the picturesque Tukituki river in Hawke’s Bay.

hen Vicki and her sisters set up the Team Wilson Sisters (Team WS) initiative in 2016, it was horsepower rather than a partner that Vicki was looking for. Fortuitously, she gained both, and has now relocated permanently to Hawke’s Bay. “Michael and I met because of Team WS, when he became an owner of one of the stallions we brought in from Europe,” she explains. “The initiative was to bring in some European horsepower for ourselves. We imported two stallions and a mare and they’re exceeding every expectation. “I love it down here, it’s beautiful,” she adds. “Northland is amazing but it was a long way to anywhere, and being more central has really allowed me to grow the entire operation.” Although Vicki and her younger sisters, Kelly and Amanda, are a closely linked brand, becoming household names through their skill for taming wild horses and starring in their own reality TV show ‘Keeping up with the Kaimanawas’, Vicki says the time was right for her to go her own way. “The stables, arena, river and lifestyle on our Northland property were absolutely fantastic, but Team WS had got to the point where everyone was going in their own direction, so it was good timing really. But everything still sits under the Wilson Sisters umbrella.”

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Vicki is starting afresh in Hawke’s Bay in more ways than one, as she is currently rebuilding her show jumping team. “I used to have a team of top level Grand Prix and World Cup horses,” she reflects. “I had six horses jumping 1.30m-plus, and suddenly now I’m down to all young horses. But to me, it’s exciting to restart and rebuild, and head in the direction we want to go.”

Transforming the farm Horses’ well-being and happiness is at the heart of everything Vicki does, and her number one passion is helping sore horses. She believes there’s no such thing as a problem horse, rather a horse that has a problem. Her hands-on equine therapy is designed to pin-point and treat the underlying causes of pain, improving well-being and transforming performance. There’s no one method that she uses, and Vicki refers to herself as an equine body worker, rather than a chiropractor or osteopath. Every aspect of the horse’s mental, physical and emotional health is addressed in her programme, from trimming and shoeing (she does it all herself) to nutrition, saddle fitting, dental and body work. “We try to cover every element. We’re working with every discipline – western, racehorses, show jumpers, trekkers...that’s what’s so neat about the rehab work. It’s

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“I find horses SETTLE in here quickly, and it’s

INTERESTING how the

ENVIRONMENT allows them to become

RELAXED and normal.”

TOP: Vicki with some of her quality homebred youngstock. ABOVE RIGHT: With the saddle she won at the prestigious Road to the Horse colt-starting competition in 2018 in Kentucky, USA. She also won in 2017, and will return to defend her title this year. BELOW: Swimming horses in the Tukituki river with Paula Riepen, who manages the facility’s breeding operation.

not limited to any one discipline. “It’s all mental,” she explains. “You can have a sore horse that loves what it does and will go out and win ribbons every weekend. Or you can have a horse that has very little physically wrong with it, but it hates its life. We teach all our horses to have play time, to be curious and be confident. You have to have fun! Life is too short not to have amazing adventures and memories.” All of the horses at Vicki’s property live outside, and none get special treatment. “Every horse here has to be normal; they can’t be hard work. Every horse is socialised, relaxed and happy. I find horses settle in here quickly, and it’s interesting how the environment allows them to become relaxed and normal.” She takes a holistic approach to horse care and her charges want for nothing. All of the horses on the property are on grass and have access to an ad-lib mineral supplement (a special blend Vicki has developed herself), as well as hay when the weather is bad. They are hard-fed daily, there are toys in every paddock and no fertiliser is used on the property, with compost spread on the paddocks instead. Slowly the number of horses of the farm has risen, and there are around 90 on the property today, replacing the herds of cattle and

sheep that used to graze the 350-acre farm. The transition is still a work in progress. “We call this ‘tape city’,” Vicki laughs as she gestures to a number of taped-off horse paddocks, where her two starry imported stallions are happily grazing in neighbouring paddocks. The property is slowly transforming, and there will be no shortcuts taken here. The old woolshed and sheep yards have been converted to stables and covered yards, with plans to extend them further. Purpose-built foaling paddocks have football field-strength floodlights, a sand walker has been installed with hedges to support the horses (Vicki doesn’t like grills or cages), and a swimming pool is underway. They’ll be able to change the depth from knee to wither height, and horses can be ridden or led through the water. With hundreds of established trees and more being planted, it’s easy to imagine the picture Vicki paints for the property as she gestures to where the arena will be built, and the area she has earmarked for a 2-acre obstacle course, complete with a hill, creek, 20m hedge maze and mirrors. She has installed a 1km loam track for fitness work and there are many other tracks on the property, allowing extensive hacking over farmland and through forestry. There is also a 30m round pen, with a raceway linking it to a free-jumping lane. “I don’t like anything smaller [than 30m], otherwise you can put too much pressure on a horse,” she says. “I like it to be open with plenty of space.” Between the round pen and jumping lane is a viewing platform, big enough to hold a marquee, where Vicki eventually hopes to conduct clinics.

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Key to her work with horses is the use of water. They are fortunate to have 3km of river frontage on the property, giving her the ability to swim horses 350m upstream in a 30-50m wide area with a strong current. “I don’t like to swim them out of their depth, as it’s important that they push off from the ground,” she explains. “The stallions have been trotting 2km a day through water and they’re very fit. We do anything from five to 25 minutes in the water, depending on what we’re trying to do for the horse. “Between the river and swimming pool, it’s very easy to keep them fit and happy. Water is huge for me, it always has been. A horse that’s injured will always twist in the water. After four to 12 sessions in the water, they will usually trot 100% sound.” Her process for rehabilitating a horse is about repairing what’s wrong with their body, and then physically getting the horse strong enough to support its structure, which is achieved through

putting on topline and building muscle. “I try to have no more than 10 client horses at once, but I picked up two more at the show yesterday because the owners asked if I’d take them home,” Vicki admits. “I don’t really need them, I’m too busy, but it just means a few more of mine will be turned out instead.” There are three key facets to the business – breeding, competition and rehabilitation – and it’s the rehab and starting horses that Vicki really loves. “We have horses here for rehab, to be broken-in or to fix rearing, bolting or bucking issues. A lot of horses come for re-starting, and the reason they need re-starting is because of body issues. We’ve got a racehorse here at the moment with a broken pelvis, we’ve had six-figure Grand Prix dressage horses and top show jumpers that are unsound – the works. Most have been to vets and they’ve exhausted every other avenue. It’s about ‘What can we do for this horse?’ Okay, some won’t get back to top level, but many can be rehabbed to their full potential. “We will be building a vet rehab building as well. I’m pushing for a world-class rehab facility and will keep expanding as we go.” Also in the pipeline are stables with vibrating floors to aid in muscle repair and five purpose-built stallion paddocks. Vicki hopes the majority of the development will be completed within 12 to 18 months. On the breeding side, they are standing four sporthorse stallions and two pony stallions. They do their own stallion collection and AI, and have had great success this season, getting positive results with mares that have previously had trouble getting in foal. Paula Riepen has worked for Vicki for five years and has responsibility for managing the breeding side of the operation, with Vicki’s input. Vicki also believes strongly in giving back and inspiring the next generation of riders. She runs an academy supporting and mentoring promising young riders, and currently has four riders in her programme. The girls receive coaching and attend intensive boot camps, learning all aspects of horsemanship, including being able to trim their own horses’ feet and performing body work and massage.

The long game Vicki admits that her focus has changed when it comes to competition, although her ultimate goal remains the same – to make it to the top of the sport, joining the Longines tour and competing at the World Equestrian Games and Olympics. A string of injuries meant she had an enforced two-year break from competition and, while she’s relishing being back in the ring this season, the downtime gave her cause to re-evaluate her approach. “I had a head injury to recover from and shoulder and hip surgeries in 2017, and another shoulder surgery in 2018. You re-evaluate what’s important and where you’re going. I love competing and always have, but it’s not everything.” The two six-year-old stallions, imported from Europe by Team WS, are particularly exciting and are out competing this season. Daminos is a Holsteiner by Diarado, and Carpaccio is by Clintissimo Z, with his mother’s line bringing the blood of the famed Indoctro. Both are showing exceptional talent for jumping, coupled with beautiful temperaments, and it is hoped they will be the catalyst to fulfil Vicki’s Olympic dreams. She has a rule now that she will only attend one show per month – something she believes is important for the young horses, to

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ensure they have enough time to recover and are mentally and physically prepared for competition work. “I want a horse that will last a long time,” she explains. “The two grey stallions are both six-year-olds and both jumped only their seventh classes with me at the weekend, and they’re both jumping in the Six-Year-Old classes. They’re green in terms of mileage but they can go out and jump clear rounds in a big atmosphere with no issues.” Incredibly, three months ago Carpaccio was still only trotting into 30cm jumps. “He’s a bigger horse and needed time to physically and mentally mature. It’s been the best thing we could have done for him,” Vicki says. “They’re both pretty special. In terms of temperament, conformation, movement and jump, they really stand out.” Daminos jumped over fire at Equidays and did a demonstration with tarpaulins over him and balloons popping all around, and he barely batted an eyelid. It was a crowd-pleasing demo that Vicki admits to only having practiced the night before. “We don’t train him, he just genuinely loves learning and he’s the bravest horse I think I’ve ever met. “I used to be about winning everything I could. Now it’s about producing a horse. All my horses are four, five and six-year-olds and they’re all horses I have bred and produced myself.” A lightbulb moment came when Vicki was 18 and working in Europe. Her trainer asked her what she thought about when she was in the ring. “I said ‘winning’, but he said it was about time, the feeling of time,

“I don’t JUMP the horses between

SHOWS, as I BELIEVE there are ONLY so many jumps in a horse.” and that really changed things for me. In the last three or four years I’ve really started to say ‘Let’s do this properly. If I want to achieve those goals I need to start producing horses for the future’. I think I have some pretty exciting horses now.” The mental aspect is crucial for Vicki and she is determined to set her horses up for success in any situation they might come across in life. “Horses are not machines. Those stallions have to be normal horses. Both of them can be ridden bareback to the river with other horses, past trucks and trailers, and do obstacles like tarps, noodles and umbrellas. “My arena is my horse’s classroom. To me, I have to be the world’s best teacher for that horse. That classroom also has to be their playground and there has to be time out for them to play, just like a kid at school. “A horse wants to learn, but if you shut down their curiosity to learn and grow, they can learn to resent their life. I want a horse that loves life and wants to fight for me in the ring, and I know these horses will.” At the same time, a horse’s playground is also their gym. Vicki is always looking to build muscle and ensure the horse is using itself correctly. “I only work them in the arena once a week,” she says. “The rest of the time they go on the track, work around the hills or go swimming in the river.”

What’s next?

Vicki and Lumiere VWNZ (Lingh II X Lexurious ) at Takapoto Estate Show Jumping 2019 during the Five-Year-Old Qualifier. Image: Cheleken Equestrian

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

With so many balls to juggle, it’s a wonder Vicki has time to sleep at all. On the day of Show Circuit’s visit, the place was a hive of activity. Vicki only got home from show jumping at Waitemata at 2 am, and the vet arrived early that morning to scan 10 mares. Vicki was kept busy weighing and settling the new client horses, answering phone calls, organising semen collection to meet a flight north later in the day, and bringing a mare and newborn foal in out of the inclement weather. At the end of the week, she would be heading to Australia to conduct four sore horse clinics. “I don’t jump the horses between shows, as I believe there are only so many jumps in a horse,” she says. “But we want them jumping fit, so they might do canter poles or work where they use their body. Daminos knows how to jump already and I want him to love it every time he goes out.” This season all of her jumpers are aged four to six and she’s looking forward to next season when she can step them up. “My four-year-olds don’t compete and I have five-year-olds that haven’t been out yet. I pick and choose shows with good

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Vicki and the imported stallion Daminos TWS at Takapoto Estate Show Jumping 2019 during the Six-Year-Old Qualifier. Image: Cheleken Equestrian

ground. Sometimes I get there and don’t even jump a class. If the horse gives me a ‘wow’ feeling, we put them away – even if it’s just over one warm-up jump. I want my horses to be fresh and confident.” After the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show she is off to America, where she will attempt to defend her title as World Champion Colt Starter at Road to the Horse in Kentucky for the third year running – and this year she will be required to start three colts at once. Then it’s back to America again in April for the Midwest Horse Fair, and again in July, when she’ll also give clinics in France and Austria. Fortunately, Vicki has a great team around her who can keep things ticking along at home while she’s away. “I trust the girls who work for me completely to maintain the body work and keep the horses in good work.” She admits that she has considered basing herself in America for six months of the year, but the timing isn’t quite right. “Obviously the market is much bigger there and sore horses are world-wide. But there has to be a balance in lifestyle. If I was further down the track and this property was developed and the stallions were ready to go, then yes, I would go and base over there to do clinics and compete. But you have to do it properly, and I have too many things I love here to lose six months of my life. “The focus right now is on building this facility. New Zealand is probably too small for what I want to do in terms of competition, rehab and breeding. But I also believe New Zealand needs a facility like this. We have horses arrive here crippled and lame and send them home sound. It’s about being able to help people who are stuck.” Vicki has an undeniable gift with horses, but she is always questioning and learning, trying to develop her skills further. If she can’t fix something, she wants to know why. “Anyone who is a professional with horses has to be a horseman first. I’m lucky that I can sit on a horse for a few minutes or watch a horse trot across a paddock and tell where it’s sore. That ‘feel’ has probably always been there, as I’ve had to work with problem horses since I was young, so it has developed over time, but it’s about attention to detail. It’s doing case studies, getting it wrong, working with other experts. I’m always learning and I don’t believe I’ll ever know enough. “There are a lot of riders in this world, but not a lot of horsemen and horsewomen. That’s what I say to my academy girls – don’t just ride to try and win ribbons, go out there and become horsewomen.” Vicki is extremely grateful for the support of her sponsors – Coprice, Isuzu, Gallagher’s, Tuffrock and Acavello. C

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13 STORES NATIONWIDE SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

INTERVIEW

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

JAKE

BARHAM WORDS Pip Hume IMAGES Eye Witness Photography

The recipe for Jake’s success may seem relatively simple: drive, determination, focus, self-motivation, a solid support team and a good dose of luck. Simple – but seldom easy.

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he rural way of life is very different for kids today, reckons Jake, who grew up in rural Wairarapa. “When I was growing up, there were lots of kids riding. It was the normal thing to go through the Pony Club system. My mother and my younger brother and sister all rode, although my older brother never did. “We had good ponies, and they did everything. We did all of the local sports days; we rode in the flat classes, games, jumping, round the ring – all on the same pony! It doesn’t often happen that way these days.” When Jake was about 11 years old, his local Pony Club branch needed another team member for the Bruce Forbes Teams Event, an inter-club eventing competition which is run annually at Solway in the Wairarapa. “I had grown too tall for my pony, so I had taken over Mum’s horse, which was a four-year-old ‘bush hunter’ that she had paid about $500 for. Mum was adamant that I would ride in the Pre-Training (CNC80) at the event, but I had a school with Tinks Pottinger who was training the team, and she decided I would ride at Training (CNC95) level! That horse was called Harvey, and he took me all the way through to A1 and 1* eventing. He’s still sitting in the paddock at home – he’s part of the family and must be 24 or 25 now.

“We’ve had a good nine-year partnership. Atlan is a very straightforward, easy horse – although like all horses he can have his moments!“

ABOVE: Jake is a farrier based in Hawke’s Bay and often helps out at events when other competitors require replacement shoes.

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“Although quite little, Harvey was a cross-country machine. He was bold, even if sometimes a bit too fast. He was a good jumper, and although we didn’t care too much about the dressage or the show jumping, Mum always knew we were going to come home safe. He was the best first hack a kid could ever have. He won numerous mounted games, too – I did everything on him. He was a lot of fun.” Being on the small side meant that Harvey didn’t have quite enough scope for the move up to 2*, so the hunt was on for another horse for Jake. “We spent about a year looking all over the country for a horse that could take me up the levels, but nothing was quite right. Then Dad, who isn’t a rider but is an exceptional farrier, came home and said that he had found me a horse – a rising

Jake and Atlan during the cross-country phase in the CIC** at Kikihihi International Horse Trial 2018 four-year-old that he had been shoeing at the track. Mum wasn’t that interested, but I went and had a look at him. He was okay, and he had a bit of bling, so we put him on the float and brought him home. “That was Atlan, who is known as George at home, and we’ve had a good nine-year partnership. He’s a very straight-forward, easy horse – although like all horses he can have his moments! He’s super sane, with just a little bit of quirkiness. “Our biggest achievement to date would be stepping up to 3* (now 4*) last spring, and he stepped up well. Atlan hasn’t had his ‘big win’ yet, but it’ll come in due time. He has the talent and deserves it, but it’ll happen when it’s meant to. He’s my first top-level horse, so it’s a big learning curve for both of us.”

Overcoming challenges

Dealing with challenges is something Jake knows a lot about – he’s been tested right from Day One. “I was born with a club foot – my right foot was severely rotated at the ankle. I was put straight into a cast, which I wore continuously, with a new cast every week. on At six months, I had the first of

“We had good ponies, and they did everything. We did all of the local sports days; we rode in the flat classes, games, jumping, round the ring – all on the same pony!”

three major surgeries – the second was when I was a year old, and the third when I was five. Once that healed, the doctors wanted me in the swimming pool to strengthen the leg and keep the ankle straight – and because she was taking me, Mum brought my siblings as well. So we all became competitive swimmers. All through school, I was in the pool before and after school, and riding after school as well. Then, when I got to 16, I had to choose between swimming and riding. I chose riding. “It’s taken me many years to learn how to deal with the problems created by the limited movement in my right ankle, which often locks when I am riding. My right foot and leg are much thinner than my left, and the muscle hasn’t developed. The most important thing for me to learn was how to balance in the saddle. I never ride with even stirrups, because my legs aren’t even, and that plays a big part in my riding. I have to be careful not to over-compensate or use my left leg too much because it’s stronger. I’m really conscious of leaning to one side because one leg is so much stronger. ”I’ve had George since he was rising four, and all he’s ever known is the way I ride, so he’s comfortable with me, and there’s no confusion for him.”

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

101 Show Mums

As a teenager with both parents working, Jake began taking George to shows by himself, finding help and support from the ‘show mums’ on the sideline. Most importantly, he says, they kept him well fed! “It’s a bit of a standing joke,” he laughs. “I’ve got my ‘101 Show Mums’, and they still all check in with me to see how I am doing. I really appreciate that.” He has ‘given back’ too, coaching at Pony Club (after gaining his A and H certificates) for many years and finding working with kids very rewarding. When Jake was still at school, he began working with local horsewomen Marg Robinson and Ginny Thurston. “They’re both very knowledgeable and don’t allow any short cuts – you do it right the first time. I learnt very good basics – how to muck out, how to clean gear, and from Ginny, how to break in a horse. It was also through her that I got into riding track work in the mornings before school. “After I finished school, I stayed with Katharine van Tuyl, who is a good friend, for a year while I was studying Commerce at Uni. I learnt a lot about eventing, and how to prepare a horse, from being in her yard and travelling with her to events. Then, when I went home for the summer break, I started going with Dad on his shoeing run, and decided to do a full farrier apprenticeship. “I worked with Dad for four years; he’s an exceptional farrier who has had a lot of overseas experience, and there’s no-one better I could have trained with. All he wanted to do was teach me, and all I wanted to do was learn.” Jake admits that his parents had reservations about how his weaker leg would stand up to the physically hard work of being a farrier.

“I love the routine. I’m not wasting any part of my day, and it leads to a healthy mindset. When issues come up in your personal life and relationships, what keeps you going is your routine, keeping busy and doing things for yourself.” Drive and motivation

Jake and Atlan during show jumping in the CIC** at Puhinui International Horse Trials 2018

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

“I am very conscious not to overpush. I know my limits and when to rest my leg. I have the attitude of ‘use it or lose it’, but keeping in mind that if you break it, you lose it. If I need to take 15 minutes to stretch the foot and give it a break, I will.”

With his business as a farrier based in Hawke’s Bay, Jake also rides track for Sue Thompson and Mick Brown. “My leg is stronger because of it,” he explains. “I really enjoy track work, and it’s huge for my balance – it transfers through to my XC riding.” Jake’s schedule is a gruelling one. “I’m up at 5:15 am, and in the gym by about 5:45 am until just after 7 am. I’m usually at the track by 7:15 am, although it varies – one morning I might ride three, the next I might do 10. I typically work George in the morning; he is based with Sue and Mick which makes life so much easier. Sue will bring him to the track, or I will work him at home. I wouldn’t be able to ride and work as I do if I didn’t have their support. “I’m usually out of there by 9 or 9:30 am and go straight from the track to work – I’ll have had three outfit changes by then! I have to be very organised. “I usually work until 4 or 4:30 pm, then if Sue and Mick are away, I will feed-up. “After that, I’m back to the pool for an hour and a half. By then I’m ready to go home, have dinner and go to bed. “I love the routine. I’m not wasting any part of my day, and it leads to a healthy mindset. When issues come up in your personal life and relationships, what keeps you going is your routine, keeping busy and doing things for yourself.” Jake describes himself as hugely motivated, but knows that part of that drive comes from a tragic moment in his life, witnessing his best friend drown when they were 18. “We were at the river together, and I was the last person to see him. It’s tough to deal with something like that; it happened so quickly. I went from being a competitive swimmer to not being able to get into the pool for a year. But somehow, you have to find your way through it. “Five years down the track, I still think about it every day, and wonder. Would I be as motivated now if that hadn’t happened?” C

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INTERVIEW

Sophie TOWNSEND Enjoying the Ride WORDS Pip Hume IMAGES Dark Horse Photography

All season, Darfield teenager Sophie and her distinctive roan gelding, Kingsley Kiwi, have dominated the South Island Junior Rider show jumping classes. This young rider is no stranger to success, both on the local scene and internationally.

ne of the major highlights of Sophie’s career to date was being selected to travel to Mexico and represent New Zealand at the FEI Children’s International Classic in January 2017. There were 32 riders at the event, with the foreign riders competing on borrowed horses. Finishing in sixth place overall, Sophie was the highest-placed foreign rider, and she was also awarded the Style prize for the best rider in the competition, as decided by the FEI Committee. “It was a great experience,” recalls Sophie. “In New Zealand, we competed on our own ponies and gained our international ranking, then in Mexico, we competed on borrowed horses. I was lucky to draw a great mare, Conchita, that I clicked with straight away. We went clear in the speed round and double clear in the second qualifying round; then in the final, I was 0.53 of a second over time, so I finished with just one time fault for the competition.” Sophie was also selected to represent New

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Zealand in the Junior Rider Show Jumping Team in November 2018 at the Princess Cup over in Bangkok, where the team finished in third place and were awarded the bronze medal. “I have amazing memories from both trips; I loved them both, and both have been experiences I will never forget!” she says.

All in the family The three Townsend sisters, Courtney (20), Sophie (16) and Jessica (14), all came to riding through their mum Maria, an accomplished horsewoman who has put her own riding to one side while she supports her daughters. And while their Dad isn’t himself a fan of horses, his unwavering support has included using his building skills to fit out the family’s beautifully appointed horse truck. He’s also apparently very handy around their lifestyle block! The three girls attended Pony Club – at first their local branch Bangor, before switching to West Melton, where they had lots of friends. But while Courtney, who is a student at Canterbury

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WEEK WHEN HE’S

COMPETING AT THE WEEKENDS.” University, enjoyed eventing, Sophie and Jessica have always been more interested in show jumping. “The three of us are very close as sisters,” explains Sophie. “We get on well together, and we’re 100% supportive of each other. Courtney’s been a huge help to me at shows this season.”

The horses Sophie’s number one (and only) competition mount is Kingsley Kiwi, known at home as Marlo. Courtney is enjoying success in the Six-Year-Old series with Adele (by Andretti), and Jessica rides Tallyho Neptune (Nemo). Nemo is well-known in the Canterbury region, with numerous successes in show jumping and Show Hunter. His speciality has been the hunter jumping classes at Canterbury A&P Show, where he has notched up numerous wins and titles. “We’ve had Nemo for about five years,” explains Sophie. “I rode him for three years, and Jess has had him for two years. He’s the

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best pony – and he thinks he’s perfect! He rides like a hack, which made the transition to Marlo, who’s not very big at around 16hh and quite small-striding, super easy!” Marlo joined the family almost two years ago.“We were in the North Island looking for a hack for me to go onto when we first saw him. I thought he was cute! After Horse of the Year, we were able to negotiate a trial with his owner, and when we brought him home, and I tried him over some bigger fences we found he could really jump! We clicked straight away and he definitely has a lot of character. “Last season we took it easy as it was his first season out show jumping with us. This season he’s really getting around the courses, and he’s figured out the jump-offs. He’s super consistent – just exceptional really; you can’t fault him!” Flatwork lessons with local dressage rider and coach Janelle Sangster-Ward have definitely helped with Marlo’s suppleness and adjustability, says Sophie. With her regular coach Tegan Fitzsimon based in the North Island for this season, her mum’s ‘eyes on the ground’ each day and her sister Courtney’s help have been invaluable. But Sophie says that day-to-day during the competition season, Marlo doesn’t spend a lot of time in the arena. “It’s all fitness work and variety for him; he doesn’t need a lot of jumping during the week when he’s competing at the weekends.” As a show jumper, Marlo ticks all the boxes for Sophie. “You need something rideable, that wants to jump and is naturally careful,” she says, but explains that Marlo’s quirkiness comes out when he is left by himself. “Marlo doesn’t like being left back at the truck – he likes having his friends around or hanging out near the arena. Otherwise, he’s inclined to be a bit naughty!” In the paddock, Sophie has a nice four-year-old by Euro Sport Heartbreaker, known as Barry. “We have to decide on a real name for him!” she laughs. “I want to do the Five-Year-Old series next season with him – he’s a super cute chestnut with plenty of bling.” Sophie loves bonding with a horse and building a partnership.

IMAGE Kampic.com

“IT’S ALL FITNESS WORK AND VARIETY FOR HIM; HE DOESN’T NEED A LOT OF JUMPING DURING THE

“I DO THINK MANY

RIDERS FOCUS ON THE RESULT

TOO MUCH AND

WORRY ABOUT

WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK INSTEAD OF

JUST GOING

OUT THERE AND

ENJOYING IT.”

“We only have a couple of horses each, so they are never just a number. We don’t buy them to flick on – they are all long-term partners and part of the family,” she explains. She enjoys the turnout aspect of competing as well, and within her family is known for being ‘fussy’ about both her horse and herself – although she says that’s something she shares with her sisters! As a competitor, Sophie gets a lot of satisfaction from walking a course, planning how to deal with the technical questions, then going out and achieving that plan. “I’m quite determined and focused, and I like to go out there and make it happen. My low points come when I let myself and my horse down, by riding poorly for example. But I do think many riders focus on the result too much and worry about what other people think instead of just going out there and enjoying it. I try to set my own goals and not compare myself with other people.” Alongside the support of her family, Sophie appreciates her sponsors. Her horses are kept in top condition by Coprice Feeds, Cortaflex Equine America NZ, and Peak Performance Equine NZ.

Away from the horses Sophie rides after school most days. In summer, Mondays are everyone’s ‘day off’, while in winter, she often has netball after school. Her determination and ability to focus are a large part of her success on the netball court as well – she plays for both the Darfield Senior A school team, and in Premier Grade netball. The family also enjoys a break over Christmas in the summer, spending time on the water, swimming, water-skiing and jet-skiing. Looking towards the future, Sophie isn’t sure yet what’s in store for her, and doesn’t have a set plan at this stage – although it’s probable she will go to university. She would also love the opportunity to ride and compete overseas again. C

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

INTERVIEW WORDS Pip Hume IMAGES Dark Horse Photography

CAM ROBERTSON NO PLACE LIKE HOME For many of New Zealand’s aspiring young eventers, spending two years in the UK yard of one of the world’s eventing legends would be a dream come true. Campbell Robertson counts himself incredibly lucky to have had that experience, and tells us why he is now back on home turf.

uring the time that Olympian Jonathan (Jock) Paget was based off-shore, many New Zealand riders benefitted from his commitment to bringing his knowledge back to his home turf. Cam was one of those riders. “I had come up through the Pony Club ranks and done Springston Trophy. I did a clinic with Jock, and then another one a couple of years later, as part of squad training. About a month or so after that second clinic, Jock approached me via Facebook and asked whether I was interested in a working pupil position at his UK yard. It literally came out of the blue; he must have seen some potential there!” Relocating to England wasn’t something Cam took lightly, however. “Six months before I joined Jock’s team, I went over for about a month, which I spent at the Prices’ yard. I went there wanting to work and expecting to work, but the intensity just blew my mind! I knew that it was definitely what I wanted to do.” The timing was perfect for Cam – he had finished his apprenticeship as a saddler with Nathan Clarke, of Clarke McKenzie Saddlery, and his mare Black Ink (Sky) had stepped up to 2* (now 3*), finishing second in the CCI2*YR at Puhinui in 2014. “Sky was a very good jumper, but her dressage was terrible!” recalls Cam. “It was always my weak phase as well, and I knew that if I took her over to Jock’s with me, we could spend plenty of time on getting the dressage closer to where it needed to be. “In Britain, I competed her as much as I could, at 2* and then 3* level – and we were successful in that I am still alive! But we really struggled with the dressage, as we had done back home. As soon as I got over there, I

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looked at the huge classes with big-name riders on four or five horses, and I thought to myself, ‘Let’s be honest, I’m probably not going to win!’ So my focus became to try and absorb as much knowledge from Jock as possible. It was immensely successful from that point of view. I was fortunate to be at Jock’s yard, which was fairly small. He’s a great coach, and it wasn’t just all about the riding, either. I learnt about running the yard and the financial side of the business. It was like an apprenticeship in equestrian business.” Cam initially went to Jock’s yard as a working pupil. Fellow New Zealander Hollie Swain was Jock’s head rider at the time, and another New Zealander, Sally Robertson, was head girl. Sally was eventually replaced by Anker Hoyer, who had worked for Jock previously and who went to the Olympics with Jock and Clifton Lush. Cam had been there for about six months when Hollie moved on to set up her own yard, and he moved into her role as head rider. “When Jock was away at events, I would ride Promise and Lush. My job wasn’t about trying to achieve anything with them, it was just to keep them happy and ticking over, so they were ready to go for Jock when he picked up the reins. At that level they are just so well-schooled – but they are also big, strong and incredibly athletic. I was super careful with them!”

A big decision

“It’s difficult to explain to riders back home just how powerful the commitment has to be to succeed over there,” Cam comments. “We all worked super hard, with Jock leading by example. When it’s your livelihood, there’s no room for any lack of professionalism. Everything has to be done right and done right every time.

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LEFT: Cam’s day job is his own small business, Robertson Canvas. ABOVE & RIGHT: Cam and Wairoa Renegade at Eventing Canterbury, February 2019. Images: Sophie Simson Photography

“I went over to the UK with the mindset that I would put everything I had into it and see where it took me. I was so entrenched in what I was doing that I worked for two years straight, with no holidays or breaks. I was so fixated on wanting to make it work and had I wanted to continue, that would have been no problem for me. When you are over there, you are embedded in your own little world and the routine of horses.” But with Jock planning a return to New Zealand and Cam’s visa running out, he decided it was time to take a step back and reevaluate his direction. “Obviously I went over with the ambition of staying over there,

a back-up plan – a Plan B,” he urges. “I had done my saddler’s apprenticeship, so I had something to come back to. I met so many girls over there who didn’t have any options. It’s a really tough life, and all they were doing was horses.” He also urges riders to trial the lifestyle in a UK yard for a month or six weeks before they commit and move lock, stock, barrel and horses. “It’s impossible to explain to riders back here just how gruelling the lifestyle can be and the intensity of it. It’s not about being a good enough rider to make it – there’s so much more to it. But I really encourage them to try it, even if just for a month, and especially if they are hungry to ride!” Cam is adamant that in his opinion, New Zealand riders aiming at the very top – World Equestrian Games and Olympic Games – need to have the experience of being based overseas. “If you are serious about the big time, then you have to do your time. It doesn’t matter what yard you do it in, but you really have to do it.”

The long game

When he came back to New Zealand, Cam had no horses – and he wasn’t even sure whether he wanted to continue riding. But as he worked in his small business, Robertson Canvas, slowly the desire returned. He acquired a Thoroughbred off the track which he had for a while, but struggled to find a horse that measured up to his ideals. “In England, I had a lot of experience of riding very good horses, and I just didn’t want to ride second-rate horses any more. We had quite a few young Holsteiners from Germany, and they were so athletic and so talented. I got very good at sticking on those naughty little horses! I always like to think I’ve got the willingness to try anything. I’m not worried about getting on a naughty young one to try and figure it out. I can struggle to look at a horse on the ground and tell you what’s wrong with it, but as soon as I sit on a horse, I usually know what’s going on. I’m lucky that I’ve sat on a lot of horses as well, so I’ve got a lot of experience to go on.” The breakthrough came when Cam was offered the ride on Reggy (Wairoa Renegade). Reggy was owned by a friend, and when illness prevented her from riding at an event, Cam filled in for her. “I rode Reggy and really liked her. She was the first one I had sat on since I came home that I felt could do the job. It took a

“I love to win – it’s the challenge of being good enough. But really, the win is the product of the process. It’s the result of all that work and time spent on training and producing the horse.” getting a good team of horses together and making my way to the very top. So after two years, I had the choice of staying in Britain and continuing to work as I had been, and maybe ten years down the track I might be the next Michael Jung with a team of fantastic horses – or I might end up being just another rider trotting around the tracks. Towards the end, I felt there was no balance in my life. All I was doing was horses. My total focus was on working and learning, and even on my days off, I would ride my horse.” Cam has two pieces of advice for riders who are looking to make a career on the other side of the world. “Make sure you’ve got

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“Make sure you’ve got a back-up plan – a Plan B,” he urges. “I had done my saddler’s apprenticeship, so I had something to come back to. I met so many riders over there who didn’t have any options. It’s a really tough life, and all they were doing was horses.” while, as her owner really liked Reggy as well, but when she left to do Veterinary Science at Massey, we were able to buy her.” The nine-year-old mare is by Centavos, out of a Thoroughbred mare by Grosvenor. She has just stepped up to 3*, and Cam says that she has everything he looks for in a good horse. “She’s beautiful to look at on the ground. She moves well, she jumps well,” he enthuses. “But she’s more than that. She’s got a fantastic brain and is very trainable. She just seems to love working – it’s her favourite part of the day. “Reggy does look pretty, but it’s more about what they are capable of doing and want to do,” he continues. “There’s no point in having a phenomenal horse that doesn’t want to do anything. Lush really wasn’t the prettiest horse, but he had the heart of a lion, and he wanted to do to do the job. You’d sit on him and literally think, ‘This feels like a Pony Club horse’, yet somehow he had the heart to clean up the biggest tracks in the world.” The Robertson family is taking the ‘long view’ with Reggy, and there’s no rush to get her through the levels. “We think that she can go to the top level, and we’re careful with her. We don’t risk her by being short-sighted and running her on hard ground, for example. Her most recent event was at Eyreton, where she did a good dressage test, then she had a rail show jumping, and we didn’t run her on the cross-country. We can cross-country school when the ground is a bit softer. One of the biggest things I learnt in England was to be very conscious of the ground. It was hard to get good runs – we would often drive for hours and just do the dressage! And in England, the phenomenally talented horses wouldn’t go out until they were six or seven. All of the groundwork had been done before they even looked at a track. You’re better off not rushing them up the levels. “Hopefully, we can keep Reggy sound and happy – she’s the best horse I’ve ever owned or been the primary rider of. She’s our only horse, and she’s a good one. It’s worth allowing her the

time. I’d love to think that she’s good enough to take to England, but it’s a ‘wait and see’ game. If she is good enough, it becomes logical to build a team. I’m open to the possibility of riding more horses, but I only want to ride those I feel can be top level. If good horses turn up, then I’m in a position to tackle it – and if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t!” He explains that he is motivated by winning, but not at all costs. “I love to win – it’s the challenge of being good enough. But really, the win is the product of the process. It’s the result of all that work and time spent on training and producing the horse.”

On home turf

Being based in North Canterbury means that travel to the major North Island events will be part of Cam’s long-term plan. But having had the experience of travelling many miles in Britain, he’s unfazed by that aspect. “It’s not too much of a big deal to travel up for the likes of Puhinui, Kihikihi and Taupo.” He operates his small business, Robertson Canvas, from Rangiora, where he offers a full repair and fabrication service for all manner of outdoor equipment, including leatherwork and saddlery; horse, truck, boat, car and pool covers; and tents and trampoline mats. While riding and his business occupy Cam’s days, evenings will often find him indulging his other passion – the gymnastic sport of trampolining. A national squad member, Cam has his sights set firmly on being part of a team for the World Championships in Tokyo this October. “We have to push the limits of what we can do to be competitive, and with that comes risk,” he explains. “There are quite a lot of bumps and bruises, and my ankles take a bit of a beating, but I’m so happy with where I am now – I can ride in the mornings, go to work, and after work, I go trampolining.” C

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INTERVIEW

IMAGE Takapoto Estate Show Jumiing Cheleken Photography

WORDS Ashleigh Kendall MAIN IMAGE Show Circuit Magazine

LILY TOOTILL THE BEST IS YET TO COME

Kicking individual goals has been top of 22-year-old Lily Tootill’s agenda this season, and she has had multiple wins and placings at Grand Prix and World Cup level with her ever-consistent 11-year-old gelding Ulysses NZPH, including winning the Hawke’s Bay World Cup Qualifier. Lily also stepped Rothswaite Ballet up to Grand Prix level before selling the horse to Australia, ahead of her upcoming move to the UK.

rmed with a two-year visa, passion and plenty of success in New Zealand and Australia, Lily and Ulysses NZPH, affectionately known as Ronald, have their sights set on the UK, where the pair will be based with IN Show Jumpers at Henley-on-Thames. IN Show Jumpers have a reputation in Europe and America for producing top level horses, such as Inca Boy who is now ridden by Edwina Alexander, and Super Sox who is now ridden by Lillie Keenan. The motivation behind Lily’s decision to make the move is clear. “I’ve known that I wanted to move for a few years now. To begin with I wasn’t sure if I just wanted to go to Australia, or if I wanted to go all in and move to Europe or the States,” she says. “After spending time competing in Australia, I decided that I did want to go to Europe. I’m

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lucky enough to have close friends at IN and on other yards nearby in the UK, who have all helped to make this move possible for me.” Always one to keep her options open, Lily is pragmatic in her approach, knowing the huge challenge and learning curve that awaits her. She still hasn’t decided whether her future lies overseas, or whether she will return home to complete her Law degree at Auckland University. “The main reason for my move is for a change of lifestyle,” she explains. “Naturally I want to compete at the top level, but I am realistic about the drastic differences in the level of competition here versus overseas, so I’m not in a rush. I just want to get back to a place where I enjoy myself on a day-to-day basis as a professional rider. I am also going to be helping with the paperwork/business side of IN, which I’m particularly

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“While I am also very proud of the individual class wins I have achieved, being recognised for consistent levels of success (which isn’t necessarily winning every class) in being named on top teams and squads really helps me stay motivated,” she says. These moments help drive Lily to staying committed to her future and her goals. This focus and commitment also helps Lily to recognise that horses are all individuals and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to getting the best from them. “I think my main strength as a rider is being able to let horses go to the beat of their own drum. All within reason, of course – I don’t mean letting naughty horses be naughty – but in my experience the more talented the horse, the more quirky they are likely to be. If you can’t let them have their quirks and go the way they are happy and comfortable, you’re not going to get the best out of them.”

“One of the things that I love about this sport is the feeling you get after a big win on a horse you have produced yourself. It is always a bit more special when you have been with them from the beginning.” Taking it in her stride

Lily Tootill and Ulysses NZPH on their way to winning the ESNZ World Cup Qualifier – Round 1 at Hawke’s Bay A&P Show 2018 PHOTO: Christine Cornege looking forward to. To me, being a professional rider is not a practical career to pursue in New Zealand.” Education is something that Lily really values, and she encourages other young riders not to neglect that part of their lives, especially as it can be very easy to just want to ride horses all day. “Get an education,” she says emphatically. “I don’t mean that you need to be a doctor or a lawyer, just do a simple Arts degree if you want, but get an education. You don’t have to use it, but no matter what the subject is, seeking higher education can only make you more cultured and open-minded – and this world needs more open-minded people.”

Committed to the vision

Some of Lily’s proudest moments to date include being named on the New Zealand Senior Trans-Tasman teams in 2017 and 2018, along with being selected for the High Performance Futures squad both this year and last year.

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While travelling with an equine partner is always exciting, especially when relocating to another country, this adventure comes with its own risks and concerns. Lily is focused on making sure that her best friend travels well and settles into his new life with ease. “My only goal and concern short-term is that Ronald travels well and is given every opportunity to fully recover from the 36-hour trip,” she explains. “Then, in the next 6-10 months, my goal is to be consistently competitive at 2* and 3* shows in Europe.” In the long-term, Lily’s goal has never wavered. “I want to compete for New Zealand at the top level of the sport. Whether Ulysses and I will be able to step up to this level, or whether it will happen some years in the future, I don’t know.” While some would find these impending changes stressful, Lily is taking it in her stride. “My approach to handling stress is to not let myself get stressed in the first place,” she says. “There’s nothing wrong with getting nervous before a competition, but letting it make you stressed and having it affect your performance is a dangerous path to head down. I don’t have any methods or rituals for this. I’m a very collected person. I’ve decided I’m not going to get stressed and therefore I don’t.” This level-headed approach is one that she is looking to take with her when she has to get used to a new way of life in a new country, with a bunch of new people. Lily is extremely grateful to the continued support of Theresa Gattung, who owns half of Ronald and her sponsors. “I am lucky enough to be sponsored by Devoucoux saddles, which are available from The Rider Shop NZ; Betavet Equine Herbals, available from all good saddleries throughout New Zealand; and Emcee Apparel, available online from their website and soon to be stocked at AMS Saddlery in New Zealand.” When Lily sets off on her exciting new journey, we will be looking forward to watching her, and her superstar Ulysses NZPH, fly the New Zealand flag over on the other side of the world. C

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INTERVIEW

ROBYN COUPE

A New Direction WORDS Pip Hume IMAGES Dark Horse Photography

When circumstances led her daughter Lisa Cubitt, along with husband Sean and their young son Finn back to the UK, Robyn’s passion for dressage became the driving force in her life.

hen successful international show jumping duo Lisa and Sean Cubitt initially returned to New Zealand and based themselves in the Waikato, it was with the hopes of settling there, so it was an easy decision for Robyn and her husband Andy to also move down from Auckland to be close at hand. “I enjoyed spending a lot of time with my grandson, Finn, and supporting Lisa and Sean,” Robyn says. “But when the family moved back to the UK, it left a big gap. So I threw myself into my riding.” Although she is a lifelong rider, Robyn didn’t discover pure dressage until she was in her fifties. Initially, her primary interest lay in eventing, but she turned to show jumping when Lisa became involved in that discipline, so that they could attend competitions together. “I actually won the Amateur Rider of the Year title at Horse of the Year as a show jumper, but I retired from that sport when I realised I wasn’t seeing a stride any more,” she explains. “I wish I had begun straight dressage earlier; it’s what I should have been doing all along! I have loved all three disciplines, but dressage is the code I have put my heart and soul into. I’m quite a patient person, and I’m always trying to achieve better scores. I really don’t care about the competition – I just enjoy improving myself and my horses. “Dressage takes a lot of dedication and hard work,” she continues. “My coach Janet Shaw has been a huge believer in me and my horse over the past few years, and without

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her pushing and supporting me, I would never have achieved what I have.” Besides being patient, Robyn considers her ‘stickability’ to be a strength. “I can stick on most things pretty well,” she comments. “I don’t get frightened, and I’m not worried about what might happen. Both of my horses have pretty good spooks, but I don’t worry about it, I just get on with it. Also, I am determined!”

Equine partners

Having had a lot of good horses in the family over the years, Robyn says that ‘heart’ always shines through. “You want the horse that has a big heart – the one that always tries for you. Obviously, I like a dressage horse that looks the part and has some ability, but I think I’ve proven I can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear because when I bought Hugo, I didn’t pay a lot for a flashy big mover! I quite like a short-coupled horse, too, because I don’t have long legs,” she adds. She has had Hugo (Besonders), her Level 8 horse, for ten years. “Hugo was six, rising seven when I got him, and he’s now 17. He was at Pony Club being really naughty, but the instructor saw that he possibly had some potential. We’ve had a love/hate relationship ever since, and although he’s got better as he’s matured, he will probably break me before I break him!” “I’ve had him the longest of all of my horses, and he didn’t know anything at the start, so we do have a special bond. He’s still quite quirky though; he really struggles to cope with everything going on at big shows like Nationals and Land

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“I actually won the Amateur Rider of the Year title at Horse of the Year as a show jumper, but I retired from that sport when I realised that I wasn’t seeing a stride any more.”

Rover Horse of the Year. He tends to shut down, which is difficult to ride.” It was a highlight for Robyn this season to compete at FEI level for the first time. “For me, that was an amazing feeling – to actually compete at FEI level on a horse that I had taken all the way through the grades!” The aim is for Grand Prix next season. “I would love to be able to say that I have ridden Grand Prix – we can probably pull off a test!” she laughs. “We just have to be able to get our one-time changes on the day, and a bit more piaffe!” Three years ago, Robyn thought she would have to retire Hugo after he was sidelined with a potentially career-ending paddock injury. It involved many months of box rest, followed by a slow recuperation. It was doubtful at the time that he would ever be able to return to ridden work, and faced with that devastating prospect, Robyn bought her mare, Lucy (River Park Luciana), “just in case”. “I’m lucky to be able to put into practice with Lucy everything I have learnt with Hugo,” she says. “It was such a thrill for me a couple of years ago when she won the Six-Year-Old Young Dressage Horse at Nationals – that was a huge moment for me. I had never been centre stage in the dressage arena before!” However, Robyn stresses that major wins don’t happen very often, so they don’t feature as her motivation to keep going. “The motivation is getting good enough scores to move up the grades. Lucy is at Level 5 this season and is probably an easier ride for me than Hugo. She hasn’t been perfect, but she is more straight-forward, and being softer in the back and nicer in the hand, she’s an easier ride for my body. I’m enjoying her immensely – I’m lucky to have two nice horses that I enjoy riding.”

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Riding in comfort

With riding taking up a good chunk of Robyn’s day, having the right saddle has a massive impact on her physical comfort, and she is also conscious that her ability to continue riding depends on being able to stay comfortable in the saddle. “I’m an older rider, with a bad back and bad hips,” she points out. “I’ve ridden in Bates saddles for years, and Bates have looked after me very well. I’ve always found the Bates saddles comfortable, and I love the position they put me in. Plus, they’re so adjustable, so that as the horses develop, the saddles can be easily adjusted to fit their changing shape. This must have saved me thousands of dollars over the years, as I haven’t had to keep buying new saddles as I progress through the grades. “How far I can go with Lucy really depends on how my body copes over the next few years. I’m currently riding in the Bates Innova Mono, which David Jones-Parry was able to fit to suit both of my horses and customise for my needs. Besides being very comfortable on both of my horses and allowing close contact, this saddle gives me a good level of support, too. I don’t think I could change now!” C

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INTERVIEW WORDS Diana Dobson IMAGES Cheleken Photography

This page: Ollie and Waitangi Surf at Brookby Show Jumping 2019 after winning the Young Rider Opposite page: (left) Riding Malarkey in the Six-Year-Old Series at Auckland Show Jumping 2018 (right) Riding Waitangi Surf at Takapoto Estate Show Jumping 2019

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Oliver Croucher

TAKING

LIFE BY THE REINS Ollie is one of the most popular young riders on the New Zealand show jumping circuit. He’s polite, helpful, driven and dedicated, and now he’s living the dream, riding for Takapoto Estate in Cambridge. But horses weren’t always the centre of his universe. As a child, Ollie didn’t really want to ride. “My sister dragged me into it,” admits the 20-yearold Australian-born rider. “We had this after-school care at The Farmhouse in Rotorua, and I just didn’t want to do it – I thought riding was dumb.” How wrong could he be! Ollie was 10 at that time, his younger sister Alice was eight, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Starting out small Their first pony was Peggy Sue – or just Peg at home. “She was a black mare and really cool, but we couldn’t get her on the float,” admits Ollie. “So we would just ride her at The Farmhouse and have heaps of fun.” However, the two decided they wanted to start competing, so their very supportive parents Kirsty and Paul bought Prada. “He was just awesome,” says Ollie. “He was great at the 95cm to 1m heights and a really good confidence-builder. He was a legend, that little pony, and he’s still out there doing the same.”

The Labour Day Gymkhana at the Ngongotaha Pony Club was their first competition. “We all rocked up. I can’t remember if Alice or Mum had plaited, but one of them did because I had no clue!” The next pony was The Smartest Cookie, who Ollie took through to 3* Pony Grand Prix level. “She had so much heart and just carted me around. I have been pretty lucky with my horses all the way along,” he says. It helped that his mother Kirsty shared his growing passion. “Mum had wanted to ride as a kid but couldn’t have a horse. A friend of hers had a couple of horses, so she did a bit of trekking and maybe a barrel race or two, but that was as far as it went. It was always her dream to do what we are doing now. Her dad was into his racehorses – he used to love watching them, and his family were trainers a long way back.” Ollie’s parents are both Kiwis, but he was born across the ditch when Paul had a job lecturing at a university in Melbourne. However, both of his parents wanted to come home, so Kirsty bought

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“I am just shocked,” he said. “I was hoping for a clear to qualify for the Young Rider of the Year. I am not sure what happened out there! It is absolutely amazing. The horse just jumped insane.” the Ngongotaha Pharmacy off her father and continues to run the business. The Croucher Brewing Company was established in 2004 and probably set the scene for Ollie to chase his passion. Paul has forever dreamt of producing truly great premium beer, and he is well on that track now, having won acclaim for the Croucher brews – including Champion NZ Beer, as well as other top awards on both sides of the Tasman. “Mum and Dad are hugely supportive of my riding and Alice’s dancing,” says Ollie. “We are very lucky, and they love being part of it.” His parents are also keen sponsors of the sport. He has had a few trainers over the years, starting first with Leigh Taylor, Megan Stacey and Samantha McIntosh. “Oakridge Equestrian was just around the corner, and that was where I first met Sam,” he explains. When she went back to Europe, Ollie was looking for another trainer. Around the same time, Kate Hewlett had a riding accident. Kate and Kirsty’s parents had been close friends, and the families had played together as youngsters. “Granny called Mum and suggested that she go and visit Kate. They started talking about riding, and that was that.” Ollie spent several years training with Kate and her partner Tim Featherstone, and riding many of their ponies. “It was a long way to go [to Northland], but Tim would come down to us once a month, and we would be up there for the holidays.” At that stage of his career, Ollie was known for his barefoot ponies, but as he moved up the grades and onto horses, he turned to shoes and studs to gain more traction.

Ollie and Waitangi Surf during his winning round in the Norwood Gold Cup at Land Rover Horse of the Year my earlier training with Sam. It is a massive dream come true.” He had competed at the inaugural Takapoto Estate Show Jumping in 2018 and headed home inspired, but had never thought he would be riding for Takapoto Estate this year. “It has been amazing for my riding, and I continue to learn so much from Jaime and Penny [Stevenson]. It is incredible to be doing what I love every day, and on such nice horses.” He has six horses in work, with a clutch of youngsters coming through, as well as his all-time favourite, Waitangi Surf. Ollie has had the 11-year-old mare since she was eight and has brought her through the levels. “When I got her she had done lots of Show Hunter, jumped to 1.10m and done plenty of showing as well.”

A whole new level These days, Ollie’s riding career has moved up to a whole new level as team rider at Takapoto Estate. “It is the most amazing opportunity,” says Ollie. “To get that call from Jaime [Campbell] was incredible. I was like ‘wow – is this actually happening?’ I guess the connection was there through

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Right: Ollie and Waitangi Surf competing in the Gold Tour at Takapoto Estate Show Jumping 2019 Above: Ollie and Scotsman’s Valley, owned by Penny Stevenson, competing at Auckland Show Jumping 2018

She was owned by a friend of his, who was off to uni and asked if he would sell the horse on her behalf. He bought her for himself instead. “I had always said I wanted to buy her! She is a bit quirky and has a decent buck, but has taught me so much. When she’s in work, she is beautiful and is starting to grow out of that buck – but she can explode.” Fortunately, his trainer Penny Stevenson used to ride the mare’s mother, so she has an in-depth understanding of the horse. Ollie’s next favourite is the six-year-old Scotsman’s Valley, who is owned by Penny. “We get on so well, and he’s just my buddy.” They’ve also had plenty of success in the competition arena this season. “You learn something from every horse and have to adapt to suit. As you get to know them better, it gets easier.”

Ultimate ambitions It also helped that Ollie spent the winter as the home rider for top British showjumper Michael Whitaker. “It was amazing. I rode a lot of very nice horses, including his good ones like Cassionato, who he took to the Rio Olympic Games. I didn’t get to jump his 5* ones, but I did do fitness work on them and jumped lots of the younger horses. He would be on the ground coaching and was incredible to learn from – as was his son, Jack.” This season, Ollie made the New Zealand Young Rider team for the second consecutive year. “Making the team again was a huge buzz, but having back-to-back wins against the Australians was the best. We are all such good mates, and riding in a team like this will only bring you closer. It’s a lot of fun to hop on horses you haven’t ridden before, and you have to be quick at working out what makes that horse tick and what will give it the best shot of jumping clear. We had lovely horses in the pool this year, too.” Those team results are some of his fondest memories, as was winning the 1.40m classic at the Taupo Christmas Classic aboard Waitangi Surf in 2017, and placing third in the Young Rider Series the same year. But it was the 2019 Land Rover Horse of the Year Show that really delivered with his stunning victory in the Norwood Gold Cup. “I am just shocked,” he said. “I was hoping for a clear to qualify for the Young Rider of the Year. I am not sure what happened out there! It is absolutely amazing. The horse just jumped insane.” It was his first-ever win at Land Rover Horse of the Year and one that will forever hold a special place in his heart. It was a hugely popular win with spectators and fellow riders alike. “I could hear the crowd cheering as I came into the last and I knew she could do it if I let her do her job.” His ultimate goal is to compete at World Cup level, with an eye on the World Equestrian Games in the future. In the meantime, he continues to watch top Kiwis Sam McIntosh and Daniel Meech, along with the likes of Michael Whitaker, Scott Brash and Marcus Ehning. “They are the riders I draw inspiration from – I do love to watch how others ride and get ideas to improve what I do. I’m probably not the tidiest rider, but that’s something I am working on.” C

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INTERVIEW

From the

GROUND UP New Zealand’s premier equestrian design and construction company, Harrison Lane Ltd, not only leads the field in terms of construction but is also a generous supporter of equestrian sports across all disciplines and levels.

WORDS Ashleigh Kendall

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rom simple stables and rural buildings to luxury equestrian properties and state of the art veterinary practices, Harrison Lane has all of the bases covered. Building to their clients’ exact specifications means that no two projects are the same, and their understanding of equestrian requirements has resulted in hundreds of unique projects being designed and built on budget, on time and exceeding all expectations. The company is led by owner, director (and rider) Laura Daly, and together with her business partner Scott Munro, who has over 15 years’ experience leading construction teams and building several properties of his own, they provide a highly personalised and professional service, ensuring their clients end up with the property of their dreams.

Leading lady - Laura Daly When her former employer, rural building specialist Econobuilt, moved their focus to commercial construction in 2012, Laura had some choices to make. She could buy the equestrian division of the business, which had only been launched a year prior, and foster it into her own dream – or she could look for another job. Not being one to turn away from a challenge, and feeling passionate about the specialist equestrian division she had been influential in helping create, Laura decided to invest in her own future. She bought Econobuilt out, and Harrison Lane Ltd was born. It was a bold move for Laura, who wasn’t even 30 years old at the time and was competing in a very male-dominated industry, but under her leadership and vision, Harrison Lane has steadily grown from strength to strength. UK-born Laura has a strong equestrian background, having been involved in hunting, show jumping and farming in her native country. “I had been employed by Econobuilt initially as a salesperson to work primarily for the equestrian division, as that is my background and area of specialty,” she recalls. “At Econobuilt, I was fully involved in the sales, marketing, design and construction aspects of the equestrian side of the business. I learned an enormous amount and when the opportunity came to go it alone, I knew it would be a big challenge but I felt ready for it.”

OPPOSITE PAGE: Highgrove’s north-facing aspect allows all of the rooms and features to look out over the farm. The master bedroom features painted wooden shutters, giving it a country feel. This bathroom could be straight out of an upmarket New York city apartment, with its quality fixtures and incredible attention to detail. THIS PAGE: The arena has a purpose-built seating area for spectators. The groom’s quarters look out onto the stable yard, allowing the boxed horses to be seen at all times. The house includes solar panels for energy efficiency. The stables are open to allow air flow during the hot summer months, but face away from the prevailing wind to keep them sheltered in winter.

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AN AWARD-WINNING PORTFOLIO

Highgrove - a luxury equestrian property The recently-completed luxury equestrian property Highgrove, pictured in this article, has been a real highlight for the Harrison Lane team – so much so that they are preparing to enter the project into House of the Year, and it isn’t hard to understand why. This property is the epitome of luxury and is every equestrian’s dream. The expansive two-storey house has four bedrooms, five bathrooms, and a spacious open plan living area. Additionally, three stables, an arena, extensive garaging and additional farm buildings accompany the beautifully finished apartment-style home. The upstairs living area is absolutely stunning, and comes complete with arena viewing deck and unobstructed rural vistas. Below are the stables, which include tie-ups, a wash-down bay, tack and feed rooms, as well as additional accommodation. “There is no doubt that this is an absolutely stunning equestrian property, and the owners are thrilled with it,” says Laura. “Harrison Lane handled the entire project from concept to completion, working with terrific clients towards this very satisfying end result that all can be justifiably proud of.”

Waikato Equine Veterinary Clinic Another thrill for the Harrison Lane team came when they won Best Team Project at the PCNZ ‘We Are Waikato’ Awards for the design and build of Waikato Equestrian Veterinary Centre. Designed specifically to facilitate exceptional veterinary care, the Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre is a cut above, partially thanks to the Harrison Lane team’s specialist equestrian design and construction knowledge. They were responsible for the design and build of two stable blocks, an equine clinic and arena. “There was a requirement for a strong aesthetic and functional cohesion between all buildings in the complex, and a focus on the safe and efficient access and movement of horses, both during the day and at night,” explains Laura. “The overarching goal from Harrison Lane’s perspective was to make the facilities as userfriendly and safe as possible for both the horses and the people that will utilise them.”

Pure Equestrian Completed in 2015, Pure Equestrian was a full turn-key project for Laura and the team. Starting with a rundown 65-acre property in Ardmore, the absentee owners – who had little rural experience

THIS PAGE: Harrison Lane completed the entire property development at HIghgrove, including the full-size show jumping arena. The downstairs office provides accommodation for guests, or could be used as groom’s quarters. OPPOSITE PAGE: The house includes plenty of barn-like features, while still maintaining the sophisticated elegance of a studio apartment.

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– turned to Harrison Lane to manage the entire project. Their vision was to create a home for a commercial equestrian business, complete with breeding facilities, all-weather lit arenas, tack and feed rooms, stables and more, making for a luxury experience for trainers and riders to enjoy. The final stage was the stunning 20-stable block with generous breezeway which is available for livery and agistment. The staged project spanned a total of 10 months and the team oversaw it right from the very beginning, including the extensive earthworks to create and prepare the site for the build of the 60x20m dressage arena and impressive 80x50m jumping arena. The end result was an indisputable horse heaven that the owners were thrilled to move into. Owner Andy McGregor credits Laura’s vision, energy, organisation, honesty and perseverance from start to finish.

Arenas, country homes and more… In addition to their focus on equestrian buildings, Harrison Lane has recently broadened their services to include stunning dressage arenas, beautiful country homes, and large barns to house classic cars and other non-equestrian toys – perfect for many of their clients whose interests extend further than horses to involve bikes, boats, cars and more. Man and machinery power have been upscaled to meet demand, with the team now owning their own diggers and tractors, and employing skilled operators to run the machines.

Passionate about equestrian sports Laura has just moved up to show jumping at the Amateur level, and Harrison Lane has been a keen supporter and sponsor of all levels and across all disciplines of equestrian sports. “I believe that it’s a win-win for us in supporting the equestrian industry, as the stronger the sport is in New Zealand, and the better the calibre of the events we are able to stage, then the more demand for our buildings there will ultimately be,” she says. C

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INTERVIEW

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WORDS Rebecca Harper IMAGES Cornege Photography

BEHIND THE SEAMS Vicki Berridge has loved fabric and sewing since she was young, hand-making clothes for her dolls. Now, she is the woman behind the highly popular Roulette Rugs, hand-cutting and finishing every item that she sells. But it’s the creative process of working with new fabric and motifs that really excites her.

ight now, it’s all about unicorns. A few years ago it was teddy bears, then stars – now, the craze is for anything that has unicorns on it. Vicki started sewing horse rugs when her daughters began riding ponies and first got into showing. Making their own rugs was one way to save money, and the business mushroomed out from there. Today, demand far outstrips supply and Vicki’s only method of selling her products is through word of mouth and Facebook. She usually has just one

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Clockwise from top left: Vicki admits she is a perfectionist, and her patterns have been carefully designed and created so that they fit beautifully. She does all the sewing herself. Her famous rub vests are always in huge demand, and are coordinated to match the rug sets. One of the mainstays is Regentex fabric for the customised rugs, Vicki finds it is robust yet light. Vicki's workshop is filled with rolls of fabrics she purchases from here and overseas.

trade stall annually, at the Horse of the Year Show, and even then, she can’t keep up with demand. “I’ve always sewn, since I was a young child,” she explains. “I used to hand-sew clothes for my dolls. My grandmother was a seamstress and she probably taught me the most. At boarding school I used to alter people’s jeans and make clothes from the bed sheets!” Vicki rode and her daughters followed in her footsteps. “I started making things for their ponies. We weren’t really in a position to buy things, so I thought I could try making what we needed.”

“I have so many ideas, honestly, I’ve probably only touched on and tried a third of the ideas in my head. I guess I’m quite creative. Having ideas isn’t a problem, it’s having the time to try them that’s the issue!”

Initially, Vicki made the products and sold them as a finished product to another business until she began Roulette Rugs. “I’d always been quite happy to stay in the background, but my family encouraged me to start my own business. I decided to put myself out there and that was the birth of Roulette Rugs, about 15 years ago.” The name Roulette Rugs came from the name of one of her daughter’s ponies, Greenlee Roulette. “He’s very special to us – he’s still here at the age of 28!” she says.

Roulette Rugs is known for the meticulous detail in every item. Stacks of rugs sit ready to fill client orders. Blue proves to be popular so Vicki always ensures she has some available.

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Above: Colour-coordinated rug sets in Regentex fabric is what the company is known for. Right: The company name was inspired by Vicki's daughter's pony, Greenlee Roulette, who still graces the family farm at 28 years old. “I have so many ideas, honestly, I’ve probably only touched on and tried a third of the ideas in my head. I guess I’m quite creative. Having ideas isn’t a problem, it’s having the time to try them that’s the issue!” Vicki is always on the lookout for new and different fabrics and loves to browse fabric shops, hunting out something unique. “I love fabric. I buy and stash fabric. When we were on holiday in Europe a few years ago, I brought a whole lot of fabric back. Anywhere I go, I’m always in a fabric shop. Friends and family know they’ll have to wait while I look around.” The process for creating a new product involves cutting a pattern, trying it on a willing model, tweaking it and making small adjustments and trying it on again, until she’s satisfied. “Usually we have a variety of horses and ponies here, all shapes and sizes, to use as models. Even now, when I see my rugs and products out at shows I’m constantly looking and thinking, ‘maybe a millimetre here or there’... I’m always wanting to improve.” Seeing a new or interesting fabric is usually the catalyst for the creative process to begin. “I see a fabric and think ‘that would be cool as such and-such’. There are so many fabrics and trims available now. “Initially, in New Zealand, there wasn’t anywhere to buy and there wasn’t Google and the internet. I used to spend days driving

around and visiting fabric shops. There were hardly any trims available and I used to dye trim in a pot on my kitchen stove.” Playing around with new ideas is what excites Vicki most. She’s always looking to do something new and different that’s not already on the market. Three years ago, she walked into a company in Hamilton and spied some end-of-line fabric from Swazi. “I took a couple of metres home and thought it looked like it would be waterproof – it turned out to be softshell material. I made up a hood for my daughter to try and that was the start of waterproof hoods. That was a random find, I wasn’t looking for it.”

High standards

Tried-and-true best sellers include anything in navy and red, or light blue and navy, but the sky is the limit now when it comes to colour choices and Vicki has a huge variety available, from orange and lime green to teal or turquoise. This provides her business with a point of difference. “It is unique. I can custom-make products in team or business colours. People can choose and add little bits to make them more personal. I’m a perfectionist and like to think my products are beautifully made. “I’m super fussy. Cheaper prices drops the quality of workmanship. You have to maintain standards and that’s why I

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Spools of thread and reels of binding fill Vicki's workshop. Unicorns are everywhere, much to the delight of Roulette Rugs' younger clients. The binding and piping detail on the rugs are beautifully sewn.

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won’t do an economy range. I can’t compete on price with companies that bring product in from Asia.” Her range includes a bit of everything, though rug sets are the biggest seller, along with rub vests and hoods. Her most popular products are the Regentex checked rugs, which have the option of a matching hood and tail bag. “They go out the door as quickly as I can make them,” Vicki admits. Another popular product is the Kersey wool rugs, made with fabric she sources from Australia. It’s hard to know what products people will like, but sometimes Vicki just gets a gut feeling when she’s onto a winner. The rub vests came about through a chance encounter with a fabric she stumbled across in a clearance bin. “When I first saw the unicorn fabric, I thought it would be good for rub vests and people went crazy over it. I just knew they would. Although I did try llamas, but people didn’t seem to be into llamas like they are unicorns! Teddy bears were all the rage a few years ago, and people always love stars.” Initially, her market was entirely in showing, but now showing sales account for only about 20% of the business' income. “Those people go into other disciplines and still like to have their horses dressed nicely, then other people see them and like them. Showing is still part of it, but it’s not my main business. We sell as many rugs to dressage riders or show jumpers or people who just do ribbon days.” With such high demand, the dilemma is producing enough product while still having a life. Vicki has one woman working for her trimming products, but she still cuts and finishes every item herself. “When I first started out, I thought it was amazing that people actually wanted to buy something I had made! But I am very proud of my products. I have people who’ve been using them for years and years. “I don’t have training in anything else. I married young, had kids young and we were farming. When push came to shove and I needed to make some money, all I knew how to do was sew. It has evolved and I’m not going to get rich, but I make enough to make it worthwhile.” Now, she’s at the stage where she’s trying to find a better work-life balance. “I’ve had times where I’ve done nothing with my life but sit at a sewing machine for hours and hours. I could easily go back there, but I don’t want to. I can do other things, like spend time in the garden. “I do still sew at night, that’s probably some of my most productive time. I’m also involved with my husband’s commercial fencing business and do all the administration work.”

Where to next?

While Vicki would like to take on more staff, trust is a big hurdle to overcome. She has had friends sew for her in the past, but is unsure about employing outside staff. “If you give people your product to sew, you’re giving them your pattern, then suddenly they’re making a few under the table for their friends and I really struggle with that,” she says. “I’ve also had approaches from two saddleries that want to buy my business, but I don’t want to do that. How do you put a price on it? “Ideally, I’d like to employ people who are not involved with the horse world, but they’re hard to find. I’ve toyed with the idea of building myself a little workroom here and having people come here to sew… I’m at a bit of a crossroads as to whether to take that step and make it bigger, or just cap it.” She finds it hard to say no and hates letting people down, but has learned it’s okay to put herself and her family first sometimes. “Now I like buying other people’s rugs for our horses – it’s fun, easy and I don’t have to make it, that’s a novelty! “If you had asked me 20 years ago if I’d be making horse rugs for a living, I would have roared with laughter. But I’ve made lots of friends and got to travel, and I am very proud of my products." C

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INTERVIEW

4 2 Zoie Gray IN THE

HOURS LIFE OF

WORDS Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES Christine Cornege

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“I B E LI EVE TH AT CR OSS-TRAINING HO R SES I S EX TREMELY IMPOR TA N T TO THEI R OV ERALL WELL-BEIN G, I DO N’ T ALWAYS SPEN D A LL MY TIME R ID ING IN TH E AREN A .”

ZOIE

by the

Numbers

0 DRESSAGE

YEARS OLD

TOLERANCE FOR HUNGER

Travels about 1200kms a week

riginally from Queensland in Australia, Zoie comes from an equestrian background, and had been working as a show jumping groom before moving to New Zealand ten years ago. She is still immersed in the

equine industry, working for Dunstan Horsefeeds as well helping

5 AM

My alarm goes off at 5 am, and if I don’t get up when the alarm goes off then I will end up snoozing and snoozing! I can’t leave the house without coffee so that is the first thing I am thinking about once I am out of bed. Then I do little chores that need to be done, things like washing or whatever needs to be done around the house because I don’t normally have a lot of time at the end of the day to be doing it. 5.45 AM I normally head down to feed the horses and then muck out. We have around 15-20 horses here on average, so it takes a while. To make it easier and quicker in the morning they all get a simple feed of Dunstan Breed and Grow, and I add in all their supplements to their evening dinners. Once that

TITLES

2 LOVEABLE POOCHES, JUNO AND LEXIE

15-20

Horses

at CW Equestrian

her partner Christine Weal to run CW Equestrian in Te Awamutu.

MORNING

FIS SANTO

is finished then I try to ride one of my horses, usually FIS Santo who is my Level 4 horse. 8.30 AM Breakfast on the run to work is next! Usually something very easy that I can grab and go! I work for Dunstan Horsefeeds as their Upper North Island Territory Manager which means every working day is different for me. That is the great thing about my job, I wouldn’t be good stuck in an office! I started with Dunstan in 2017 and my job covers from Taupo all the way through to Kaitaia, so I do spend a lot of time on the road. I visit stores that stock Dunstan feeds and also travel to farms using the feed. Mostly, I specialise

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“ I CA N ’ T L E AV E T H E H O USE W I T H O U T C O F F EE S O T H AT IS THE FIRST THING I AM THINKING A BO UT O N CE I A M O UT O F B E D.”

The horses are always prepared well for daily work, which includes oiling their hooves and making sure all gear is fitted well and clean. Cross-training is important to Zoie, who takes FIS Santo for a canter around the paddock (and even the odd crosscountry jump) or a hack out, instead of just arena training. Zoie and Christine are lucky enough to now have an indoor arena for the days they spend schooling the horses, which often happens very early in the morning. Washing down after a ride is an important part of going over the horses. Zoie believes if the water beads off their coats that it indicates good health. Zoie does all the work on her own horses, including rugging and putting them in their paddocks each day.

“ E ve r y wor ki ng day is d i fferent for me . T h a t is t h e g re a t thing a bout my job, I wo uld n’ t be g o o d s tu ck in an office!

ZOIE’S

must-haves 84

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•

Dunstan Breed and Grow! It is seriously an amazing feed for many types of horses.

•

We love Betavet products, in particular Gastritec.

in the sport horse side of the operation and I work closely with Gretel with on farm clients or those with tricky nutritional requirements – usually things like allergies and sensitive horses. I usually spend about four days a week visiting clients, and then I try to spend at least one day a week in the office or close to home. I love working for Dunstan as they are New Zealand-owned with really good oldfashioned values. All their feed is equine safe which means we produce it in an equine only mill. This is so important from a highperformance perspective as it means there is no cross-contamination in the process; meaning there is no chance of the products containing any banned substance and most importantly, nothing that could risk your horse’s health. In addition, I love the people I work with, it’s a great mix and everyone is always up for a laugh! I also love how they are always listening to feedback from clients, always striving to better their products and service. If new information comes to light then they will make a new product or tweak an

•

My Kingsland jacket from South Canterbury Equestrian. I love it and wear it probably more than I should sometimes.

•

Louisa Hill Equestrian sponsors

existing one. When Dunstan was asked for a grain free option for performance horses, they developed and released Maxim Low GI for the market. In the process they increased the Vitamin E in the product, as after speaking to clients realised many owners using this type of feed often restrict pasture intake.

AFTERNOON 1 PM

Lunch is always something quick, I never stop for lunch because then I can make sure I get home in time to work my other horse and get all the other jobs done! I am not renowned for being healthy, I love McDonalds! I am a hangry person, you have to feed me all the time or I’m hangry and have low tolerance for being hungry! So as long as I have eaten then it is all good!

Christine with Celeris boots and I have recently got my own pair too. They are my first pair of dressage boots; normally I like softer jumping boots so I was skeptical but these are really amazing! I didn’t even need to break them in, they were comfortable from the first wear.

•

Supreme Products Sparkle Spray

•

My Ray Burmester necklace, I wear it all the time and seriously love it. So glad to have such a special piece to wear each day.

•

I can’t live without our dogs Juno and Lexie!

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“MY GOA L S A R E TO J US T K E E P P R O D U C IN G NI C E YO U N G HO R S E S . I L OVE BU ILDIN G A PA R TN E R S H I P AND GETTIN G THE IR TR US T.” EVENINGS 5.30 - 6 PM I get home, although when Christine is away, I try to get home around 5 pm as I work quite a few more horses than usual. On a normal day though, I only have my two horses to work. My Level 4 horse FIS Santo gets five days a week and my Level 2 horse FIS Lacoste works three or four days a week. I pretty much let Christine direct my training regime and what I do with each horse! My goals are to just keep producing nice young horses. I love building a partnership and getting their trust. I think when they are young is when you see the most in them. I really believe you have to start them as you’ll continue to go on. I like to start them, so they understand the contact and leg; it’s less stressful for them this way as they progress through the levels. When Christine is home, she is usually teaching when I get home, so I ride one horse when I get home and then I go about all the feeding out. It is lucky that I spend a lot of time doing the horse chores and riding because I hate exercise. Christine took me to the gym once and I fell off the rower in front of the personal trainer! I am definitely more of a farm girl than a gym girl, having grown up on a dairy farm in Kenilworth, Queensland. Mum and Dad have always been amazing, they have always been super supportive of anything I’ve ever done – even though they are still in Aussie they are still super supportive. I go home a couple of times a year, and they come here once a year. It is always so nice to see them, but it never feels like enough.

Zoie takes her faithful companions Juno and Lexie with her if she can during the day

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Zoie’s day job is working for Dunstan Horsefeeds as the Upper North Island Territory Manager 8.30 PM We finally get through the front door and finish for the day! We have dinner, which is normally something healthy. I hate cooking, but Christine and I take turns. Christine is amazing, she is so patient and taught me how to be less stressed. Even if I make mistakes she is still there, an ever-supportive rock – she’s pretty awesome! We have a little time to relax in the evening before going to bed at around 10.30 pm, ready to start it all again the next day. A lot of the time it seems like it is all work, but I love our little dogs, Juno and Lexie, and love getting them out and taking them to Raglan beach when we can. Over the summer break we went out nearly every week, but with the shows back in full swing we don’t have as much time. Anything with the dogs is cool for me! I also love socialising and eating and drinking out! Horses, dogs and friends are pretty much my life! C

TRAINING

LOUISA HILL BALANCED, FORWARD

AND STRAIGHT WORDS Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES Show Circuit Magazine

“The horse may as well be grazing in the paddock if the training doesn’t have a purpose to improve the horse.”

Louisa is one of New Zealand’s most experienced dressage riders. She has trained no fewer than eight horses to Grand Prix level, including Gabana, who she rode at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, and Antonello, who she rode at the 2012 London Olympic Games. She has represented New Zealand internationally at FEI level 24 times, placing in 20 of them.

UNDERSTANDING THE BASICS STRAIGHTNESS Straightness can be something riders struggle to achieve in their training, but it is one of the most important fundamentals in developing their horses. It is important to note that straightness does not refer to the direction in which the horse is travelling, but how he is aligned through his body. His entire body from nose to tail should be in alignment, and the horse should sit between the rider’s leg and rein like a train on a track. Straightness should be not only maintained on a straight line, but also on a curve such as a circle.

Haydee Wells bought Royal Dream (Pippi) as a weanling from Chris Sorrell and the late Tracy Blackmore. She fell in love with her the moment she saw her, even though she was most of what she wasn’t looking for in a horse – a chestnut mare with four white stockings. They had a late start to competition as Haydee was busy juggling horses and having a family. Last year the pair was either Champion or Reserve at every start they had at Level 3, with the highlight being Level 3 Horse of the Year. This year they have stepped up to Level 4 and have been Reserve Champion at Waitemata and Auckland Premier League Shows, the highlight being cracking 80%. “For me the most enjoyable part is the training, it is what makes me tick and gets me up and cranking each day,” she says. “I am incredibly lucky to be training with my mentor who is also a very close friend and someone I am proud to say I have trained with for over twenty years!”

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“It is possible to ride a crooked horse and have it appear straight in the mirror, but the rider has to feel if the horse is straight on both sides of their body, from both sides of the neck to both sides of the bit.”

“To make your transition into the trot, you have to

start it with the leg.”

“Once the horse’s body can move in a straight line, we add flexion and bend.”

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Horses, like people, tend to be crooked by nature. That means we will always be working to correct the weaker side to create more symmetry and strength in the horse’s body. This is sometimes referred to by trainers as the horse being stiffer or more supple on one side over the other. Straightness is very important in a dressage horse. To begin with, Louisa asks Haydee to ride Pippi onto the three-quarter line to test her straightness in the walk. “It is possible to ride a crooked horse and have it appear straight in the mirror,” Louisa mentions, ”but the rider has to feel if the horse is straight on both sides of their body, from both sides of the neck to both sides of the bit.”

Using quarter turns to straighten the body

Haydee begins by riding in straight lines at walk, making a quarterturn at the end of each line to form a square, rather than a circle, while Louisa assesses the mare’s straightness. “Use counter-flexion if you need to, get her to shift the weight back onto the hind leg through the turn, then ride out of it. Now try and feel – is she more off the forehand?” Louisa asks. “It’s important not just to learn the exercise, but also to really learn how you can get everything out of it so that after you’ve ridden the exercise, you

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have a better horse. And that goes for any exercise that you ride! “Once the horse’s body can move in a straight line, we add flexion and bend. “There is a very narrow line on the circle where the horse is flexed at the poll, bent at the ribcage, the footfall of the hind leg is still the same (left front and left hind on one track and right front and hind on the other track) and the horse isn’t popping out through the shoulder,” she explains to Haydee.

Correcting the contact

When Pippi wants to avoid taking a contact within the exercise, Louisa encourages Haydee to take a hold on the rein, even though the mare doesn’t want her to. “You need to have the feeling that she is trying to pull you a little bit forward, so that you can hold a little against her,” Louisa explains. “Let her pull on the rein, and use your tummy muscles to hold her. You need that slight forward pull to have a proper contact.” Once Pippi is accepting the rein contact, Haydee can make the walk strides a little shorter and ride some transitions within the pace. “Pippi has a fantastic walk that could score a nine in competition, but we have got to make sure that it is adjustable,” Louisa says. “When her strides are shorter, she must still stay active and supple, and you mustn’t try to achieve that by pulling the hands back.”

✓

Keeping a contact

Many riders struggle to keep a consistent contact where the reins are neither too tight nor too loose. The exercises in walk have really helped Pippi to loosen up and become more elastic in the neck. “Now your rein contact is becoming more elastic in the contact from the elbow to the bit, whereas in the beginning the reins were a little slack – tight – slack – tight,” Louisa points out. “That circle of energy needs to come into your hand, down the neck, into the bit and back into the neck, so that you feel a very supple connection in your hand. Once you have that feeling of the horse wanting to take the contact forward, you can flex your ring finger to make little ‘pulses’ on your horse’s gums. This will make her jaw more supple, while still making sure that she doesn’t just tuck her head in and drop behind the bit.” Rolling the neck

✗

Like many horses, Pippi sometimes wants to avoid working into the contact by rolling her neck in and dropping behind the vertical. When that happens, Louisa encourages Haydee to correct her with her rein, supported by her leg.

“Always be sure to keep her nose in the middle of her chest, and your elbow in a straight line to the bit. When she gets a little too rolled-up, bring your hands closer together and then support her with your leg, to ask her to look up and bring the neck forward and out.” Neck forward Elbow to bit

✓

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Transition to trot

Louisa reminds Haydee that it is always very important to prepare any transition correctly, and to put your horse in the right spot to make a good one. “Make sure you keep the feeling that she is allowed to pull a bit at the reins, because that’s the only way you can use your seat to get her to transfer her weight onto her hind legs,” she adds. When Pippi becomes inattentive, Louisa tells Haydee to kick her forward and start the transition again, making sure she is nice and sharp off the leg aids this time.

“To make your transition into the trot, you have to start it with the leg.” Louisa notes the improvement that the pair have already made in their transitions. “A little while ago, Pippi was very much ‘forward on the front legs’ and leaving the hind legs out,” she says, noting that the exercises they have worked through have really helped to improve this area.

Rhythm and balance “Rhythm and balance are the two most important things,” Louisa stresses. “You must have both before you can add more power.” Louisa cautions Haydee not to add too much power too soon, as it does the horse no good if she’s not in balance. “There is no point adding too much hind leg when the horse is out of balance. To achieve more connection and balance, bring her forward and back within the pace. As you come back, make sure you don’t lose the energy. Once you have the desired connection, use your legs to try and ride her hind legs through a little more.” Louisa has Haydee trot down the long side, using the arena mirrors as she rides a few small half-halts, helping her to find the feeling of the horse coming back underneath her and becoming more gymnastic. This exercise helps to strengthen and build the trot in preparation for passage.

“As you bring the horse back to you, it is important to keep the rhythm, balance and suppleness,” Louisa reminds her. “Always check that you definitely have those three things before you add power.” 92

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Stepping through and under from behind This next exercise involves leg yielding from the centreline back to the track. “In your leg yield, make sure that you are engaging the left hind leg as it comes through,” Louisa says. “Feel that the left side of the croup is under your seat first – then you can play with adjusting the speed within the leg yield.” She emphasises how important it is to make sure the horse is fully under the rider’s control. “Sometimes they can trick us, and we think ‘wow we got there really easily’ – but are we really the one in control? Is the horse on our seat and on our aids? Can we adjust their rhythm? Can we go forward and come back a bit, and can we go forward again, making our horse more gymnastic all the time? We have to keep asking them questions.” Louisa adds that she likes all of this work to be ridden in rising trot until you have a very good connection and a very elastic back to sit on.

Shoulder-in They move onto working in shoulder-in on the long side. Again, Louisa gets Haydee to ride her mare forward and back within the movement. “Don’t work too hard with your left leg,” she reminds Haydee. “If your left leg is working, it shouldn’t be that loud. Try and feel like your leg is in contact with her side, but that it’s just hanging there until you add more pressure when you need to.” She stresses the importance of the horse always staying sharp and attentive to the rider’s aids.

“Go easy with your seat, don’t be tempted to drive her,” Louisa cautions. “Instead, come back a bit, find out where the problem is, and then use both legs to go forward again.” She explains that forward propulsion must always come from the hind legs and go uphill, rather than the horse being driven down onto the forehand. “Bring your hands together and try and feel that you can drive her past your hand and onto the bit. That’s always the key – that your forward drive is going to the bit in the right way.”

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Counter flexion on a 20m circle Another great exercise to improve a horse’s straightness is riding in counter-flexion on a 20-metre circle. “This exercise does require a bit more suppleness to get the energy going to the bit in the right way,” Louisa explains. “Again, we will use transitions within the pace, coming back and going forward. You’ll have to think forwards, and if she backs off, kick on and get her out of it! Mares, especially, are often a little more

complicated in their response to the leg.” Now that Haydee has found the desired rhythm and balance, she starts adding in some more impulsion, but Louisa reminds her not to get dragged into working too hard to achieve it. “If she isn’t going forward, then correct it,” she says, adding that the horse should be so attentive to the aids that their rider can make something happen almost by only thinking it.

“On the circle, when you get the shoulder to lead, you must have the feeling that the horse is underneath you and connected on the rein. Sometimes we do have to open the outside rein a little bit to get exactly the right angle,” she says. “The counterflexion is very minimal, but in training you can adjust it, and make them bend a little more. Always make sure that the right hind leg is underneath you, as this makes it easier to place the horse’s forehand where you want it. Remember that you want to feel as though your horse is on her hind legs and going uphill.”

TOP TIP If you are riding an exercise and your horse is ignoring you or becoming dead on the aids, don’t stay committed to the exercise – ride forward out of it, get their energy back up, and start again when they’re in front of your leg.

“On the circle when you get the shoulder to lead, you must have the feeling that the horse is underneath you and connected on the rein.” Short reins and a following hand - “I don’t want you to shorten her neck, but I also don’t want your reins to get so long that you have to pull your hands back into your tummy!”

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Increasing suppleness Lateral work on the circle and the straight lines really helps to increase suppleness. Here Haydee demonstrates leg yield which is a super exercise to help with suppleness and also getting the horse sitting nicely in the outside rein.

Stretch it out Louisa encourages Haydee to let Pippi stretch her neck forward and out, giving her a break from the harder exercises. “Stretch her out on the 20m circle, but make sure she is not just running along on her forehand,” she insists. “Even when stretching, they must have rhythm, balance and suppleness, otherwise they may as well be in the paddock grazing. Some horses do this a lot more easily than others. Some need the connection and the balance first before they really stretch well.”

“Dressage simply means training, and you need to be realistic with each horse, as every horse is different,” Louisa stresses. “You can’t ride them all the same – which is why we should really be riding eight horses a day if we are going to learn anything!”

Rinse and repeat Repetition is key, as it’s only by doing exercises correctly over and over that a real difference is made. “Dressage simply means training, and you need to be realistic with each horse, as every horse is different,” Louisa stresses. “You can’t ride them all the same – which is why we should really be riding eight horses a day if we are going to learn anything! “We use the same system for all of them, but every horse’s brain is very different, and it’s their brain that we’re training. Some horses are too sharp in the brain and too sharp off the leg, which can make it very difficult to get that nice connection.”

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Walk pirouettes Louisa says that walk pirouettes are very, very good for improving the walk and for training towards canter pirouettes. However, she also notes that pirouettes are very complicated, and it is important they are always trained correctly. In the first attempt, Pippi isn’t properly on the bit, so the forehand doesn’t turn around the hind legs, instead “just going a little bit sideways”. The next time, Louisa encourages Haydee to leg yield Pippi out of the pirouette. “We go a little bit bigger in the pirouette when the horse is learning. That does mean that the hind legs are travelling slightly sideways, but we must have the correct flexion to train the movement in a way the horse and rider truly understand. “It really depends on what the horse does in the movement as to what correction the rider needs to make. Haydee didn’t have enough inside leg to outside rein in that turn, so her correction will be to reinforce the inside leg to outside rein by leg yielding out of the pirouette. Every rider must ask themselves ‘what is this

horse doing’ then choose the correction to suit.” Louisa believes in training the pirouette as an exercise in itself, not just for the movement in a test, as it helps the horse to develop a supple topline. “The lateral work supples the ribcage, and the flexion and transitions supple the topline, and they work very well together,” explains Louisa. “With a horse that drops their tummy a little bit, and falls onto the forehand, you will need to work through the bend.” She adds that there are three parts to a pirouette and they are all important – coming into the pirouette, executing the movement itself, and riding out of it. “One common issue riders have in the pirouette, whether at walk or canter, is riding out of it. That’s actually the most difficult part, because if the horse has got a little behind the leg in the pirouette and the reins have got a little loose, then anything can happen! You don’t want to do a lovely pirouette, then give the reins away and let the horse leave their hind legs behind.”

Piaffe for the pirouette Pippi has a massive walk and keeps good regularity, but Louisa feels that her collected walk is not always active enough. “Go up the long side, and shorten the walk strides all the way to the feeling where you could go into piaffe, because that’s the walk that you need before the walk pirouette,” she tells Haydee. “Keep shortening her strides until she piaffes, but with no effort from you. You are allowed to click, but if she doesn’t do it, then kick her forwards. She has to learn that when you shorten the walk strides, she becomes more active, so if you shorten the walk strides more and more, she will end up in piaffe.”

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“Allow her to go forward with the hand – don’t stop her with the hand, it must follow the bit.”

Keeping active in the piaffe Louisa reminds Haydee that it’s important to keep Pippi in a system that she understands. “Always make sure she gets a pat when she does it well. You will need to decide carefully when to ride out of the piaffe. The most important thing is not that she stays there piaffing for half an hour, but that you get two strides where you don’t have to do anything, and she stays active – then you go forward again and she gets a pat. If you feel you have to squeeze and kick and tap and everything to maintain the piaffe, then ride out of it and start again. “Grand Prix horses have to be trained to be electric. You need to get that quick reaction at the moment that you ask for it. If we train a weak piaffe every day, then it will just get worse and worse, and the horse will get deader and deader to the leg.”

Canter work Like her walk, Pippi has a fantastic canter that could easily score a nine in a dressage test. Louisa and Haydee work on collecting the canter as they did with the piaffe, always making sure that Pippi stays quick in the collection and rewarding her when her reaction is correct. Just like in the other paces, if she isn’t sharp to react, Louisa reminds Haydee to ride her forward before asking again for collection. “Bring her more ‘on the spot’ in the canter,” she encourages. “What does she do when you ask her for that? Does she stop going forwards? Does she fall in on the right leg? Does she hollow? Does she drop off the contact?

“It’s up to you to realise what she’s doing, and figure out what correction you need to make.” HAYDEE SAYS:

I felt like Lou really helped me get that greater level of engagement and thoroughness today. Lou has a fantastic way of conveying the feeling of getting Pippi responsive off my leg in an uplifting way, where she comes up at the wither and shoulder and steps evenly into both reins.

LOUISA SAYS:

Haydee and Pippi are a lovely combination and Haydee is always a delight to teach. The lesson focus was building on our main issues of being more uphill, having better engagement and aiming for even contact and the horse more in front of the leg where the poll and jaw can be more supple. I was particularly happy with the trot circle where Haydee really achieved these goals. There is plenty more in this combination and they should have an exciting future up the grades. C

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TRAINING

LET’S FOCUS ON

CONTROL WORDS Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES Show Circuit Magazine

MEET THE TRAINER

Jacque McKinley is a full-time coach based in Auckland. She is an NZPCA National Coach, and is the Head Equestrian Coach at St Cuthbert’s College.

“Practice like you’ve never won. Perform like you’ve never lost.”

MEET THE RIDER

Sophia Hall, 14, and TCG Centadel (Jet) are a fairly new combination, having only been together for the last six months. Sophia and her parents, Fiona and Henry, imported Jet from Australia so Sophia could make the step up from 1.10m show jumping to Pony Grand Prix. Sophia is a student at St Cuthbert’s, and has been training with Jacque for the last five years.

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“Always make your transitions forward, keep it simple and make a difference.”

“It’s important you keep him around your inside leg; keep him balanced and uphill as you prepare.”

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Warming up To warm up, Sophia rides Jet in a nice forward rhythm in walk, trot and canter, getting him thinking and listening. Jacque encourages her to work her pony in a nice stretching outline and into a consistent contact, and to do plenty of transitions. She explains that transitions are a really good way for Sophia to get her pony listening and ready for her aids. They also keep him interested in what his rider is doing, as he never knows what she might ask for next. “I like the pony to stretch forward and down when he’s warming up, because it helps to open his trot stride and gets him more through over his back,” Jacque says. “When he first starts out, he tends to trot with a shorter stride, so by stretching him like this, Sophia can really open him right up.” Jacque also wants Sophia to start thinking about riding

warm up AB5O1876.JPG AB5O1541.JPG AB5O1502.JPG

some transitions within each pace, asking Jet forward to lengthen his stride, before making a transition back again. Adjusting the tempo gets her pony thinking forward, and fine-tunes him to Sophia’s aids. “Balance, regroup, then forward. Always make your transition forward,” Jacque reminds her rider. “Keep it simple and make a difference. If you get stuck in the same tempo all the time, Jet will get bored and it will be harder to get him to pay attention to your aids.” Throughout the warm-up, Jacque also makes corrections to Sophia’s position in order to improve her pony’s way of going. “Open your chest and square your shoulders to improve his balance and straightness,” she reminds her. “Being slightly off-centre makes a big difference. If you are leaning off to one side, even just a little bit, then he isn’t able to come through his body.”

Pat and reward While your pony is in motion, reach down lightly (but don’t lean too far forward, or you will change the pony’s balance), and pat to reward him. Keep holding the same rein length, no matter which pace you are working in, as you reward him with a kind pat on the neck.

“I’ve always found that giving a pat to reward your pony for trying is particularly important. There should be lots of pats on the neck during a training session.” 100

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Using poles for straightness A useful exercise for jumpers is to set up two parallel poles, or ‘tram tracks’, on either side of a jump to direct the rider’s focus in their approach to the fence. “Preparation is key in this exercise. To ride it well, you must not only be focused on being straight to the fence, but more importantly, you must keep your focus on straightness after the fence as well, so you can ride a clean getaway onto the next one,” Jacque explains. “The poles are there to keep you focused on the straightness of your approach, and to keep you focused after the jump too. Look at your ‘getaway’ before the jump – tune it in, then look up, sit up and jump.” She also reminds Sophia to use half-halts to square her pony up, bringing him back to shift all his power onto his hind end so he can put maximum effort into each jump, and to maintain balance through the turns. “Don’t forget to use your outside rein to turn, not just your inside rein, or your pony will become unbalanced and you lose all your control out the shoulder. The inside rein should be elastic while the outside should be balancing.”

The circle exercise: Start by travelling over the poles in a straight line at trot. Once your horse feels comfortable and balanced, start introducing the circles. Trot over the first two poles, make a smooth 20m circle to the left before returning over the poles, then proceed to the next poles and repeat the exercise. Make sure to do it on both reins, and for added difficulty, give it a go in canter!

Four jump and cone exercise A great exercise which Jacque likes to use in her lessons is the four jump and cone exercise. Here, riders jump through four fences set up on a zig-zag, and the rider’s focus is on the getaway and the corners. It’s a tricky exercise to get through the cones cleanly. “To ride this exercise more professionally, you have to ride away from the fence just as well as you ride into it,” Jacque explains. “Focus on the getaway – on landing, look for the next set of cones.”

This is a helpful exercise to train riders to think ahead and make their turns, which is a very important way to cut down on time in show jumping. “If you don’t make the turn, then you won’t make the jump – that’s the whole idea of this exercise,” Jacque says. “When you haven’t got your canter leads right and you are disorganised, this exercise is really hard,” she tells Sophia. “But when you get yourself together, it really helps you to work on balance and turns.”

This exercise also challenges the rider to think about accuracy and landing on the correct canter lead.

START

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Tackling combinations When jumping combination fences, Jacque says it is super important to be confident and set yourself up well to the fences, without interfering too much with your pony. “Remember that no matter what, when you get into a double combination, you can’t even think that you aren’t going to jump back out,” Jacque says. “The combination fences at shows are often the downfall for riders, so it is very important to practise these at home. Then you can go into the ring feeling confident and well-prepared.” Try this at home - Set up a grid in a straight line down the middle of your arena, with the fences at a height at which you and your pony are comfortable. Add ground lines on either side of each jump, but avoid using fill (walls, flower boxes, etc.). Use coloured rails, preferably with stripes, as they will help you to stay centred in the middle of each fence.

Grid exercise vertical

one stride

20’ (6m)

oxer

TOP TIP

If your pony has never jumped a grid, start very simply and keep the fences low, or even as poles on the ground until they get the idea.

one stride

19’ (5.8m)

vertical

bounce

cross-bar

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10’ (3m)

Why jump grids? •

They encourage your pony to be more reactive off your aids and make a better shape over the fences

•

Different fences and distances between fences teach your pony to lengthen and shorten his strides

•

They improve his rhythm over fences

•

They enable you to be more aware of your position

•

They can improve straightness issues

•

They help you to ride fences more accurately

•

If your pony tends to be flat and careless, grids will help him to sharpen up in front, improving his jumping technique

•

They increase your confidence when jumping

•

They improve the suppleness of you and your pony

•

They help you both to improve your balance

•

They improve your pony’s bascule over fences.

“I don’t believe in jumping too many fences in one session. You want to be able to minimise concussion and have your pony’s legs fresh for competition day!” Scary fences Jumping a variety of fences is important in training at home, as you never know what you will get at a show. In show jumping, there will always be some scary fences to look at in the ring, so it is best to be prepared ahead of time. “The wall and liverpool are great to practice over,” Jacque says. “The wall is solid and the liverpool is different to any other fence on course, so jumping these at home helps your pony to get used to what he might see when he is out competing. “Don’t override – just be positive. Most fences we think are terrifying aren’t spooky to horses at all. Remember, they don’t see bright colours the way we do – bright orange is just grey to them. Horses are very sensitive to your tension, so don’t alert the horse to impending terror by approaching ‘all guns blazing’! Just keep calm and straight, have your leg on and deliver him to the fence in a normal, positive way.” C

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Torpol Magnetic Saddle Pad

From AMS Saddlery Available in dressage & jumping shapes and a large range of colours. Its magnetic field dilates blood vessels, which speeds up the removal of toxins and recovery after exercise. $280.00 www.amssaddlery.co.nz

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By Dublin HBR waterproof and breathable country boot made from full grain leather with a stylish woven upper. Featuring the RCS footbed system for comfort and breathability, and a positive traction grip rubber outer sole. Available in ladies sizes 6-10. Colour: Chocolate. RRP $329.99 from all good retailers. www.dublinclothing.co.nz

EquiFit SilentFit Earplugs

From Maddox Equestrian These equine earplugs are designed to fit comfortably, stay in place and block out sounds. Machine washable and reusable. $15.00 per pair www.maddoxequestrian.co.nz

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Equilibrium Supplements

WTP Revolutionary Bit From Oakridge Equestrian An award-winning international bit with amazing design that comes highly recommended by show jumpers Tegan Fitzsimon and Tors Rattray of Cheleken Equestrian. These champion riders find their horses soft and responsive in this bit, and compare it to having power steering. Proven to stop bit pinching, roof rubbing, tongue out or over the bit, pulling, head shaking, and mouth opening, plus many other benefits. www.oakridgeequestrian.co.nz

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Kiwi Quarter Sheet

Waterproof outer with a fleece lining to keep your horse warm on those chilly winter evenings. Available in Black/Green. Sizes: Medium or Large. $69.99 Exclusive to Saddlery Warehouse stores or visit: www.saddlerywarehouse.co.nz

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Quality Italian Leather Fancy Stitch bridle

Features a padded and shaped headpiece, noseband and browband. Available in generous cob or full size. Black or brown (reins not included). RRP $380.00 From Prestige Equestrian or your nearest Prestige dealer. E: info@prestigeequestrian.co.nz

A42 Soft Italian Leather Padded Girth

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With its anatomic shape, this girth can help to prevent saddle movement and rubbing. RRP $305.00 Available from Prestige Equestrian or your nearest Prestige dealer. E: info@prestigeequestrian.co.nz

Cavallo Lyon Lightweight Jacket Exclusively From Classic Equestrian This lightweight jacket is elegantly styled with a fitted shape and mesh under-arm panels to keep you cool while competing. Made from non-pilling stretch fabric. An inner zip and zip detailing on pockets add to the practical design. Available in navy only. Sizes 8 - 16. RRP $285.00 www.classicequestrian.co.nz

Antares Saddles, Accessories and Helmets Exclusively from Maddox Equestrian For more information visit our website: www.maddoxequestrian.co.nz

The Oscar Sentry Rose Gold Helmet From Zilco Available in Medium or Large with a dial for adjustment. RRP $154.90 From your local Zilco stockist. www.zilco.co.nz

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PHOTO ESSAY

BATES NZ DRESSAGE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

2019 PHOTOS Dark Horse Photography

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1. Abbie Deken – JEMBRAE RATTLE N HUM, Bates Level 3 Reserve Champion 2. Casey Burton – FANFARE MH, Bates Level 3 Champion 3. Melissa Galloway – WINDERMERE J’OBEI W, Bates Level 8 Champion 4. Wendi Williamson – DON AMOUR MH, Bates Grand Prix Reserve Champion & Best Performed Hanoverian Level 4-9 5. Julie Flintoff – BELLADONNA MH, Bates Level 7 Champion, Best Performed Mare & VW Pro-Am Champion Level 7

6. Victoria Wall – LETTY LEI EDH, VW Pro-Am Champion Level 9 7. Vanessa Way – NRM ANDREAS, Bates Grand Prix Champion, Bates Grand Prix Freestyle Champion, Anamour Memorial & Equibreed Advanced Breeder Awards

8. Amy Sage – RM ALL ABOUT ME, Young Rider FEI Medal, 1st in CDI-Y FEI Young Rider Individual Test, 1st in CDI-Y FEI Young Rider Musical Freestyle, 1st in South Street West CDI-Y FEI Young Rider Team Test

6 7 8

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9 10 1. Catherine Tobin – BRADGATE RIOT ACT, Sterling Warmbloods Small Stars Champion Level 8 2. Kieryn Walton – ROSARI DON CARLOS, 1st in AR Dressage L8 CDI** FEI Intermediate A, 3rd in The Flight Centre Championship L8 CDI** FEI Intermediate Musical Freestyle, 5th in Big Barrel Championship L8 CDI** FEI Intermediate B

3. Tessa Van Bruggen – FIORENZA, Bates Level 4 Reserve 4. John Thompson – JHT REPLAY, Bates Level 5 Reserve 5. Cooper Oborn – APHRODITE, Bates Level 8 Reserve Champion

6. Catherine Smith – QUENDRIX, Elite Equine Young Dressage Horse 4-Year-Old Champion & Overall Champion 7. Chanel Flyger – HOT CHOCOLATE MH, Sterling Warmbloods Small Stars Champion Level 6 8. Samuel Gradowski Smith – HERITAGE DON QUILLA, Pony Rider FEI Medalist, 1st in CDI-P FEI Pony Individual Test, 1st in Dynavyte CDI-P FEI Pony Musical Freestyle, 2nd in CDI-P FEI Pony Team Test 9. Vanessa Way – NRM TIMBERMILL PREQUEL, Bates Level 2 Reserve Champion 10. Natalie van Biljon – DONNERLIEBE, JLT Bloodstock National Amateur Reserve Champion Level 2 11. Haydee Wells-Parmenter – ROYAL DREAM, 1st in Dunstan Horsefeeds 4B, 3rd in Bates Open Championship 4C, 3rd in Quality Presentations 4A & 4th in Bates Open Championship 4B

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1 3

1. Rebecca McKee – SOLO, NZ Horse Arenas Amateur Champion Level 5 & Sterling Warmbloods Small Stars Amateur Champion Level 5 2. Angela Hooper – SURREAL BC, VW Pro-Am Champion Level 6 (with Vanessa Way) 3. Rebecca Mobberley – ZAK SMITH, 1st in CDI-P FEI Pony Team Test, 2nd in CDI-P FEI Pony Individual Test & 2nd in Dynavyte CDI-P FEI Pony Musical Freestyle

4. (From left) Gaylene Lennard’s JAX JOHNSON, Bates Level 5 Champion & Vanessa Way’s NSC PRONTO, Bates Level 6 Champion 5. Nicola Maley – ASTEK GALAHAD, Bates Level 7 Reserve Champion 6. Judy Jeffery – PAGAN DTS, Sterling Warmbloods Small Stars Level 5 Amateur Champion

7. William Millar – RAUKURA SATORI MH, 3rd in Superior Rubber Serivces CDI*** FEI Grand Prix & 3rd in NZ Hanoverian Society CDI *** FEI Grand Prix Special 8. Wendi Williamson – DON VITO MH, Bates Level 4 Champion

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PHOTO ESSAY

LAND ROVER HORSE OF THE YEAR 2019 WORDS Diana Dobson PHOTOS: Michelle Clarke Photography Eye Witness Photography

kampic.com

Cheleken Photography

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Stephen Mowbray Photography Dark Horse Photography/Show Circuit Magazine

1. The celebrations after the Olympic Cup 2. Emily Hayward - BELISCHI HM, NZ Horse of the Year (Olympic Cup) 3. Vanessa Everton - LADY’S HONOUR RP, Hack of the Year (over 158cm) 4. Mikayla Herbert - GRAND CABALLO, UltraMox Lady Rider of the Year 5 Oliver Croucher - WAITANGI SURF, winner of the Norwood Gold Cup

Curtain Comes Down on Tremendous Week of Equestrian Sport SHOW JUMPING Emily Hayward finished with the ultimate prize when she hoisted the Olympic Cup as the winner New Zealand’s most prestigious class at the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show. The 19-year-old part time dairy farmer had already claimed her second consecutive Young Rider of the Year crown, but the Lady Rider of the Year hadn’t gone her way. However, she went on to spearhead a trio of New Zealand’s top female show jumpers in an exciting jumpoff for the Olympic Cup and the $20,000 winner’s cheque. The field of 20 had been whittled down to the three young women – Emily on Belischi HM, Tegan Fitzsimon (Christchurch) on Windermere Cappuccino and Melody Matheson (Hastings) on Cortaflex Graffiti MH. Their head-to-head battle had the crowd on their feet, inspired by their bravery and impressed by their skill. Emily has been coming to Land Rover Horse of the Year since she was nine, and over the years she has won a clutch of titles in Show Hunter and show jumping. She’s quietly-spoken and generally reserved, but even she shed a few tears when she realised she and Belischi HM had won the cup. “I don’t think I am emotional but I am just so proud of him,” she said of her nine-year-old bred-to-race Australian Thoroughbred. “He wasn’t an amazing racehorse, though he had the odd prize. It’s definitely an advantage and we always have speed on our side. He’s not your typical Thoroughbred – he has a massive stride and can take out strides when needed.” She drew confidence from their clears in the opening two rounds and knew she could take things up a notch in the jump-off. The three women all rode stunning clear rounds with each going faster than the combination before. Tegan and Cappuccino were out first, stopping the clock at 44.22 seconds. Melody and Graffiti were next and while they had a life at the planks, pushed even harder and

came home in 42.54 seconds. That left it to Emily and Belischi, who has a sometimes-awkward jumping style but he had the crowd behind him with their hearts in their mouths as he cleared each jump, crossing the flags in 41.98 seconds to win the class. Melody finished second, with Tegan third. “It’s the most incredible feeling,” said Emily. “Belischi is just so young but tries so hard. He has the odd green moment and the odd green fence, but he has a pretty big stride and as long as I keep him going, he will be faster than the others. I knew after the first few fences we would be up on time.” She felt that Thunder, as the horse is known at home, had plenty of scope and while he lacked experience the victory had been a huge confidence boost for them both. Emily thanked her support team who she says she simply couldn’t do without. Her stepfather Dean Morgan was incredibly proud of the teen in her fourth Olympic Cup start. Belischi was found by Emily’s trainer Ross Smith in Australia. “The win is pretty special for both of us,” she said, adding that Thunder’s former owners Pet and Michelle McMahon would also be very happy. Belischi had a single World Cup start last season and four in the current season, including a win at Feilding. He will now have a break, then Emily is hoping to take him to Australia to compete over the winter months. German course designer Werner Deeg produced some thrilling jump-offs across all of the main classes in the Premier Arena. Riders loved his challenging courses that pushed them with plenty of technical questions, while also entertaining the spectators. His use of a lot of turn-backs, and generally a long run to the last in jump-offs, forced riders to make a call to either be careful or brave. It’s a mutual admiration society between Werner and the riders. He has been coming to New Zealand for some years and says he has seen a huge amount of improvement in that time.

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3 4 “It is fantastic – I am seeing fantastic horses and super riding. I show the riders the new philosophy we are doing in international competitions,” he says, which involves the distances and combinations being longer. “We try to implement the natural movement of the horses in our courses. It shows us that the horses can stay longer in the sport and it makes them happier. We are doing it all over the world and it works well.” He says it helps a lot that he, too, was a rider, and for some years both rode and course designed; however, he quickly figured out that he couldn’t do both. These days he does around 30 shows each year all over the globe. While in New Zealand, he also works with local course designers and says he’s very impressed with what he sees. “I am part of a fantastic team at this show and I am very proud of them.” All of the Premier Arena classes were run as two-round competitions, with just eight coming back in the title classes and ten in the bigger classes. Land Rover Horse of the Year technical delegate Ross Coles explained that it was about presenting “a good

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product” to the public, with the second rounds building to a peak as riders came back in reverse order. Takapoto Estate’s rider Oliver Croucher (Cambridge) was a popular winner of the Norwood Gold Cup aboard his feisty grey Waitangi Surf. “It is absolutely amazing,” he said. “I was just hoping for a clear, but I know she is quick and if I just let her do her job, she’ll be fine. We had a life at the double (in the jump-off) but she got us out of it.” Twenty-two started the class, with 10 combinations coming back for the second round – six on zero faults and four carrying four faults. Clears were a little more forthcoming in the second round, but it was those with clean slates who really put the pressure on each other. The top four were all double clear, with Oliver stopping the clock at 53.56 seconds, runner-up Lily Tootill (Karaka) and Ulysses NZPH coming home in 55.14 seconds, third-placed Brooke Edgecombe (Waipukurau) and LT Holst Andrea in 55.35 seconds and Clarke Johnstone (Matangi) aboard Quainton Labyrinth crossing the flags in 55.72 seconds.

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8 1. Amanda ‘Muzi’ Pottinger - JUST KIDDING, winners of the CCI4* Eventing 2. Melody Matheson - CORTAFLEX GRAFFITI MH, 2nd in the NZ Horse of the Year (Olympic Cup) 3. Laura Van Velthooven - SIROCCO DAISY, winner of the Amateur Show Hunter of the Year 4. Billie Roach - LINDEN JUST A DREAM, Show Pony of the Year (over 128cm & not exceeding 138cm) 5. Monica Oakley - ACROBAT, 8th in the CCI4* Eventing 6. Annie Moffett - PIRIPI, Pony Hunter of the Year (not exceeding 148cm) Over Fences 7. Tim Price - RICKER RIDGE ESCADA, 7th in the CCI4* Eventing 8. Maiah Kitcheman - RIVER ROCK, winner of the Category A Pony Show Hunter of the Year

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1. Billie Roach - LINDEN SONG & DANCE, winner of the NZ Riding Pony Society Melville Black Memorial 2. Franzi van BruggenSmit - FORTUNATO, Level 8 Champion & Intermediate Dressage Horse of the Year 3. Brooklyn Rankin - WINDSOR ENGLISH’E KISSES, Show Pony of the Year (not exceeding 128cm), awarded the Eastdale Diva Memorial Garland, presented by Mia Cadwallader, Brooke Cadwallader, Isabella Du Plessis and Trey Cadwallader 4. Amelia Newsom - MR MEXICO, Category C Pony Show Hunter of the Year 5. Bella Small - KINGSLEA BUSY BEE, Level 4 Dressage Pony of the Year 6. Vicki Prendergast - SELENA C, GJ Gardner Pro-Am Rider of the Year 7. Garlands and wide sashes on display in the Showing section 8. Olivia Apatu - ALASAAN ARZU, winner of the Farmlands Pony of the Year 9. Philippa Whitaker - SPARKLING GALAXY (owned by Julie Wylie-Parkinson), winners of the Gee Whizz Memorial Equestrian Turnout 10. Lily Tootill - ULYSSES NZPH, 2nd in the Norwood Gold Cup

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9 Mikayla Herbert and her gentle giant Grand Caballo rode their way into the history books with a win in the 29-strong Ultra-Mox Lady Rider of the Year class. The 22-year-old from Rotorua edged out a number of other – probably a little more preferred – combinations to take home the Merrylegs Cup. Mikayla was ecstatic, and admitted to having no expectation of winning the class. The horse had continued to improve at his last couple of shows and she felt he jumped better than ever in the Premier arena. The in-form Tegan Fitzsimon (Christchurch) and Double J Monarch took second place with just a single time fault, with Nakeysha Lammers (Taranaki) and her home-bred Resolution in third with four faults and Amanda Wilson (Hikurangi) on Showtym Cassanova fourth, also on four faults but slightly slower. Competitors in the Lady Rider wore silver armbands to honour the late Ray Burmester, a long-time sponsor of the class. The winner today also won a twotone nine-carat snaffle bracelet designed by Ray.

10 Tom Tarver-Priebe may not have been able to successfully defend his Norwood Gold Cup but he and his mount Equifibre Popeye were quite the cool customers when taking out the Bucas Silver Fern Stakes. It was an impressive 20-strong field that lined up, with 10 coming back for the second round and running in reverse order. Tom, with the luxury of being last to go, knew exactly what he and his blue-eyed grey gelding had to do. Ahead of him, the baby of the field, 16-year-old Annabel Francis (Taupo) and Carado GHP had come home double clear in 45.04 seconds, with Tegan Fitzsimon

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1. Wendi Williamson - DON AMOUR MH with Tiny White and judge Ricky MacMillan 2. Mia Cadwallader - LEEARA PARK FIRST EDITION, First Ridden Pony of the Year, with judges (from left): Megan Harvey, Craig Purcell and Sue Thomas 3. Libby Wilson - WAIMEHA TAYZA, Category B Pony Show Hunter of the Year 4. Anya Peterson - TAIRAWHITI LAD, winner of the Pleasure Pony of the Year 5. Dana Sutton - DOWN WIND, Amateur Rider of the Year 6. Georgia Allison - HOKEY POKEY, winner of the Junior Show Hunter of the Year 7. Zoie Gray - FIS SANTO having a morning ride in the mist 8. Natacha Otto - NORMANDY, Riding Horse of the Year (over 148cm)

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(Christchurch) and Windermere Cappuccino also on zero faults and a 45.2 second time, while Nick Brooks (Cambridge) and Versace C had a single time fault against their names. Tom and Popeye rode a stunning clear to stop the clock at 41.88 seconds and claim the win. “That was a great win,” said Tom. “It takes a lot to get a horse to this level and it is good when it all comes together. You always get a little nervous, but you’ve got a job to do out there.” It was back-to-back wins for Emily Hayward (Cambridge) and Yandoo Lady Gold in the Bayleys Young Rider of the Year (part of the FMG Series). They went head to head with Oliver Croucher (Cambridge) aboard Waitangi Surf in the jump-off after two very tough rounds of jumping. Emily was out first, and admitted that she thought her chance was over when she took the first rail, but Oliver unfortunately relegated himself to second place when he made a course error and jumped the wrong fence. “I think I had a bit of luck on my side in the jump-off,” said Emily. “It was a tough field, but we were definitely targeting this class after last year. She jumped an incredible three rounds – that’s hard for a little horse like her.” There were tears all round when Olivia Apatu (Havelock North) won her second consecutive Farmlands Pony of the Year crown

aboard her lovely grey Alasaan Arzu, dedicating her win to her late father Ren who died in a helicopter accident last year. It was an action-packed class with just eight of the 30 starters coming back for the second round – three of whom were on zero faults and the remainder carrying four apiece. Olivia admitted she never dared dream that she could back up her victory in 2018. “It is just amazing,” she said, thanking her mum Sally, trainer Jesse Linton and groom Vanessa Lilley before tearfully dedicating her win to her late father – “This one is for you, Dad.” Although Olivia still has three more years on ponies, Alasaan Arzu will be going to another rider next season. Karis Spurway (Taranaki) and Delta Le Camouflage finished second, with Emma Watson (Morrinsville) and former Pony of the Year winner Maddox Fun House third, and debutante Ally Stevenson (Hastings) aboard Jakaranda in fourth. Samantha Peters (Cambridge) and Cadillac NZPH took out the Seven-Year-Old Horse of the Year class (part of the Matthews Hanoverians Series), with Logan Massie (Dannevirke) and Double J Kelvin taking the honours in the Prydes EasiFeed Six-Year-Old Horse of the Year (part of the Mitavite Series) and Alex Loiselle (Ocean Beach) aboard Encore NZPH the Five-Year-Old Horse of the

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1. Tegan Fitzsimon - DOUBLE J MONARCH, 2nd in the Ultra-Mox Lady Rider of the Year 2. Oliver Edgecombe - CARNIVAL NZPH, 2nd in the Seven-Year-Old Horse of the Year 3. Brittany Lupton looked stunning for the Off the Track Thoroughbred Show Horse Series 4. Paris Masterson - KS ROSE D’OR, Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year (over 138cm & not exceeding 148cm) 5. Blyth Tait - COR JET, 3rd in the CCI4* Eventing 6. Jake Barham and Kelsey Leahy with SHOWCAUSE in the Off the Track Thoroughbred Show Horse Series, sponsored by NZTR 7. Liam Murphy - LINDEN REALMS OF GLORY, Show Pony of the Year (over 138cm & not exceeding 148cm) 8. Sophia Donnelly LIMITLESS, Paced & Mannered Saddle Hunter Horse of the Year 9. Ella Wylie - MF Spot Me, 8th in the Farmlands Pony of the Year 10. Grace Percy - KIWI SPIRIT, 2nd in the GJ Gardner Pro-Am Final

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Year (part of the East Coast Performance Horses Series). Prendergast (Matamata) and Selena C won the GJ Gardner ProAmateur Rider of the Year (part of the Dunstan Horsefeeds and Equifibre Series), with Dana Sutton (Palmerston North) and Down Wind taking out the Wade Equine Coaches Amateur Rider of the Year (part of the Hinterland Series). The Fiber Fresh Junior Rider of the Year (part of the Dunstan Horsefeeds and Equifibre Series) title was won by Jessica Collinson (Clevedon) aboard Ngahiwi Cruise. SHOWING Showing competitors – as usual – looked impeccable with stunning horses all beautifully turned out alongside their immaculate riders. While the classes were perhaps smaller than other years, the quality prevailed. It was a special but very tough show for the Cadwallader family. ‘Team Caddy’ had just recently lost their beautiful mare Eastdale Diva to colic. The pony was one of New Zealand’s most successful show ponies, winning an incredible 13 Horse of the Year titles over six years, as well as winning the Australasian Champion Medium Pony. Nanette Cadwallader’s children and the pony’s previous owner, Isabella Du Plessis, presented the Eastdale Diva Memorial Garland to Brooklyn Rankin and Windsor English’e Kisses, the

winning Pony of the Year under 128cm. Team Caddy had contemplated not competing at Land Rover Horse of the Year this year, but Trey (14), Brooke (12) and Mia (10) wanted to do their special pony proud – and they did just that, winning 10 titles between them. Trey and Willowmead Court Jester won the Large Paced and Mannered Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year. Brooke and Nanteos Autumn Guardsman took out the Small Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year and the Paced and Mannered under 138cm Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year. Aboard Leeara Park First Edition, Brooke won the Paced and Mannered Show Pony of the Year under 138cm and was runner-up Medium Show Pony of the Year. Mia and Nanteos Autumn Guardsman won the First Ridden Purebred Welsh Pony of the Year, and she also won the First Ridden Pony of the Year and First Ridden Rider of the Year aboard Leeara Park First Edition. The team were extremely proud of everyone’s efforts, and mother Nanette was very grateful for the support they received from the showing community after the loss of their special pony. Fiona Honeyman and Rosehill Park Sapphire won the Park Hack of the Year and the Paced and Mannered Park Hack of the Year. Fiona also won the Partbred Young Stock Welsh Pony of the Year with KL

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100g 7 1. Ruby Norton-Collins - ASHBROOKE BRACKEN, Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year (over 128cm & not exceeding 138cm) 2. Michaelee Head - CHANTILLY LACE III, winner of the Joan Fernie Memorial Trophy for Working Hunter Pony of the Year 3. Renee Faulkner - RUBINSTAR HH during the cross-country for the CC14* 4. Emma Watson - MADDOX FUN HOUSE, 3rd in the Farmlands Pony of the Year 5. Lydia Mitchell - MR MCLEOAD, Pleasure Horse of the Year 6. Fiona Honeyman ROSEHILL PARK SAPPHIRE, winner of the French Etiquette Memorial Cup, donated by the Otto/Mitchell families, for Park Hack of the Year (over 148cm & not exceeding 158cm); also Paced & Mannered Park Hack of the Year 7. Samantha Peters CADILLAC NZPH, Seven-Year-Old Horse of the Year Jean Claude – a pony that her family co-own with Leonie Geddes. Thirteen-year-old Liam Murphy and his five-year-old pony Linden Realms of Glory had a brilliant Land Rover Horse of the Year, winning the Led Supreme Pony of the Year, the Riding Pony Society Sash and Pony Breeders Society Sash. The pony joined the Windermere Riding Pony Stud family as a three-year-old when just broken-in, and Liam’s mum, Nicolette Butcher, says she knew from the start that Rory (as he is known at home) would be a superstar of the future. Liam was very proud of his “best friend” and he is hoping that they’ll be able to compete in Australia in the not-too-distant future. Liam also rode his brother Noah’s pony Windermere More Memories to take out the Rising Star Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year 128cm-138cm. Vanessa Everton from Te Awamutu’s and Lady’s Honour RP took out their third Hack of the Year title together with the Paced & Mannered Hack of the Year. The combination also won the RAS Livamol Thoroughbred Series. EVENTING Amanda Pottinger (Havelock North) and Just Kidding headed home the CCI4*-S field, successfully protesting a penalty for jumping outside a flag, and finishing on 34 penalty points, with young gun Madison Crowe (Hamilton) aboard Waitangi Pinterest hot on her heels with 35.7 penalties, and Blyth Tait (Auckland) rode Chloe Phillips-Harris’ Cor Jet into third place with 48.8 penalties. Olympic and World Equestrian Games representatives Tim and Jonelle Price, riding Samantha Lissington’s horses Ricker Ridge Escada and Ricker Ridge Divine Right, brought a whole new vibe to the field. Both riders thoroughly enjoyed competing back in New Zealand. Jonelle, who retired Divine Right after the mare pulled a shoe, said that while it wasn’t the result she had hoped for, it had been a very worthwhile exercise and one she thoroughly enjoyed. “That’s horses, isn’t it!” she said philosophically. “I am excited for Sam and hopefully it has been a learning experience. The mare is a very talented jumper who just needs to get on track in the dressage – maybe I can help her with that.” Tim rode Ricker Ridge Escada to seventh place on a score of 60.6 after a cheeky runout at the ‘Leaf Pit’. “It has been a lot of fun,” he said. “To come back and compete is fun, and it is good for

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1. Annabel Francis - CARADO GHP, 2nd in the Bucas Silver Fern Stakes 2. Alexia Thomas - SPRINGDALE BEE MINE TONIGHT, Lead-Rein Pony of the Year 3. Anna Kincheff - RED SOCKS, winner of the Pryde’s Easifeed Show Hunter Horse of the Year 4. Brooke Cadwallader NANTEOS AUTUMN GUARDSMAN, Saddle Hunter Pony of the Year (not exceeding 128cm) 5. Amy Sage - RM ALL ABOUT ME, winner of the CDI-Y FEI Young Rider Individual Test and Freestyle, Young Dressage Rider of the Year 6. Katie Bridgeman - TALLYHO SCOUNDREL, 7th in the Farmlands Pony of the Year 7. Tom Tarver-Priebe - EQUIFIBRE POPEYE, winner of the Bucas Silver Fern Stakes 8. Baily Stanaway - KL GRANDEUR ‘N’ COLOUR, NZ Pinto Society In-hand Youngstock Pinto Horse of the Year 9. XANT’E - Led Adult Show Horse of the Year, led by Natacha Otto 10. Logan Massie - DOUBLE J KELVIN, winner of the Pryde’s EasiFeed Six-Year-Old Horse of the Year

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the rest of the field to have us here. It added a dimension they are not used to, and it was something we didn’t take lightly.” He pointed out that catch rides aren’t normally done at this level. “It is a big effort (at CCI4*-S). You can’t fluke it and the horse has to be with you. I really enjoyed riding the horse. Sam has done a fantastic job and I loved leaving the start with him full of running and keen to do the job. Today reminded me of the fun of cross-country.” Of the 22 original starters, 14 completed the course, with three eliminations, two retirements and three withdrawals. In the CCI3*-S, Samantha Lissington (Matangi) and Ricker Ridge Sooty GNZ won the day with a 29.6 penalty point score, with Monica Oakley (Karaka) aboard Festival in second on 31.5 penalty points and Amanda Pottinger (Havelock North) on The Comedian third with a score of 35.5. Twenty-five of the 34 starters completed the class with four eliminations, four retirements and one withdrawal. The crosscountry courses for both classes were designed by Chris Ross. DRESSAGE The competition in the Premier Dressage oval was just as fierce as ever, but this year in the upper level classes the major contenders didn’t have things all their own way. The battle for the Dressage Horse of the Year title went to Wendi Williamson on Don Amour MH, proving that he has grown in strength and confidence this season. Vanessa Way on NRM

Andreas finished as Reserve, and both of these partnerships bettered 70% in the Grand Prix Freestyle, with Wendi scoring an outstanding 74.45%. The Level 8 title went down to the wire, with some of the main contenders posting inconsistent results. In the end, Franzi van Bruggen-Smit took the title on her upstanding black gelding Fortunato, with Cooper Oborn and Aphrodite Reserve. We will look forward to seeing these partnerships step up to Grand Prix. It was a different story at Level 7, with Julie Flintoff and Belladonna MH convincingly winning all three of her tests, and scoring 71.35% in her musical freestyle. Christine Weal on Schindler’s Liszt was also consistent, finishing second in all three classes to take the Reserve. In the FEI Prix St Georges, Chelsea Callaghan with Sisters II Etta J took the best win of their career to date, while the Level 6 title was a repeat of the Grand Prix, with Wendi Wlliamson (Decadance MH) taking the title ahead of Vanessa Way on NSC Pronto. Gaylene Lennard and Jax Johnson were convincing winners at Level 5 title, with Wendi Williamson again the Reserve, this time on Bon Jovi MH. Amy Sage riding RM All About Me has had a stellar season in the Young Rider claases, and took out the Young Rider of the Year title, while the Level 4 Dressage Pony of the Year went to Bella Small riding Kingslea Busy Bee. C

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1. Leesa Anderson’s RP PROVIDENCE, Led Youngstock Show Horse of the Year (3 years & under, to mature over 148cm) 2. Natasha Waddell - UPTOWN CHARLIE BROWN won the Wonder Memorial Junior Equestrian Turnout Title 3. Luke Dee UNTOUCHABLE (owned by Merran Hain) with the Di Murphy Salver for Working Hunter Horse of the Year; also Horse Hunter of the Year (over 148cm) Over Fences 4. Emily Hayward - YANDOO LADY GOLD, Young Rider of the Year 5. Sue Reynolds SEATTLE, RAS Livamol Thoroughbred Show Horse of the Year and runner up Hack of the Year

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EQUINE LAW VET CHECKS - PART ONE

with Megan Gundesen

It can be quite daunting to be told by people that “you must have a vet check”, but I agree that you should. So…what do you need to be aware of? Let’s return to our case study of Ms Morrison. Ms M has bought and sold a few horses over the years, but with hindsight, she does wish she had known more about some of her horses before she purchased them. However, a pre-purchase examination, or vet check, can be quite an involved procedure. Horse purchasers need to fully understand the choices they are making as they go through a vet check. Why get a vet check? Just as it is very common to obtain a prepurchase vehicle inspection, a vet check is recommended for almost every horse you purchase. The cost will range from $350 for the most basic option (Partial Exam) up to potentially $1,500 or more if you want the Full Exam, which includes x-rays, blood tests, ultrasounds and the like. It does seem like a lot of money, but it is money well spent. A vet will not tell you that the horse has ‘passed’ or ‘failed’ its check, but will report on what they observed in the horse on the day, and give you an idea of the seriousness of any issues that they see. They will tell you where any issues lie on the spectrum of low to high risk. You can then assess the risk of buying this horse against what you want to do with it, and how much you are paying for it. The perfect horse is yet to be born, so I cautioned Ms M that horses will nearly always present with imperfections which may need monitoring or special care. It is up to the purchaser to decide on their risk profile and their capacity to provide extra care, and consider those issues against the horse’s intended use. Plus, and this is the real gold, the information the seller writes in the Owner’s Statement about disease, lameness, accidents, vices, abnormalities, staggers and headshaking is a very clear, legally enforceable, representation about the horse. STEP 1 – Ms M needs to sign a sale/purchase agreement with the seller before she starts the vet check. The agreement will be conditional on the vet check being satisfactory to the purchaser but it will give certainty in three areas: • that the horse will not be sold while she waits for the examination, or •

that the horse will not be sold between the time Ms M has become liable to pay for the examination and receives the inspection report, or

•

while she is making up her mind up after the report phase.

Make sure the agreement allows the purchaser at least two (but preferably three) weeks from the date of signing to the date it goes unconditional. This gives them time to get the vet check, receive the report back, and make the final purchase decision. If you have signed an agreement which is conditional on the vet check, and in the case where you want to withdraw from the purchase, make sure that you tell the seller in writing that you are withdrawing from the sale. If you don’t, with some contracts, the sale goes ahead if you don’t pull out in writing before the due date.

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That’s what happens with house purchases, too. This is a key point not to be overlooked. STEP 2 – Decide who the vet will be – the seller’s vet or an independent vet? Vets are highly qualified professionals governed by the Veterinary Council of New Zealand. They are bound by a Code of Conduct to act impartially and to high standards. They are bound to act professionally for the party instructing them and paying their fee, and not put the interests of their previous client, the seller, ahead of the purchaser’s interests. Therefore, a prospective purchaser should be confident that the vet would act in their best interests, even if they are the seller’s usual vet. If you opt to use the seller’s usual vet, that vet will have the seller sign a ‘Waiver of Information’ form which authorises the usual vet to reveal all previous issues with the horse to the purchaser. In which case, there is a huge benefit in having the horse’s usual vet do the examination because the purchaser will obtain the horse’s history with that vet by doing so. However, an experienced independent vet with fresh eyes may also be of real value. Maybe the seller’s vet isn’t the most qualified? Maybe there is another vet in your area or out of town that has a very good reputation for pre-purchase exams? Their fresh eyes on the job could well be helpful to you. Another concern is timing – you need to find a vet that can do the examination and report back within the timeframe you have agreed with the owner. Vets are generally very busy people, (especially in the July to November period if they also work with cows and sheep) so you need to keep their availability in mind. Where does the gold lie? Ms M asked me. This is the crunch. With no vet check at all, the purchaser misses out on the written statements made by the seller in the ‘Owner’s Statement’ which are legally enforceable representations, because they are made by the seller knowing they will be relied on. If you choose the horse’s usual vet, you will get the Owner’s Statement PLUS the horse’s vet history. If you choose another vet, you will get the Owner’s Statement and a fresh, possibly more experienced eye, but you won’t get the horse’s recent history. It’s a trade-off but I would generally recommend using the horse’s usual vet, because you will obtain a lot more information about the horse that way. In my next article, I will advise Ms M through choosing the right level of examination, what she can ask the examining vet, and prepare her for all the tricky things that can come up on the exciting vet check day! * Whilst this article is accurate to the best of the author’s knowledge, it is written to provide general information only. FairPlay Legal Ltd does not accept any responsibility or liability for actions taken or damage resulting from use of the information. Readers are advised to seek their own legal advice in respect of their own situation and circumstances.

FILLED LEGS? FRET NOT!

HEALTH

Finding your horse has filled legs can be worrying, but in most cases it’s a simple enough problem to resolve.

Filled legs is the term used to describe a condition where the length of a horse’s legs (more commonly the hind pair) appear swollen. It’s often the result of the horse standing in his stable for longer than normal and not doing as much exercise as is usual for him.

HOW TO DEAL WITH FILLED LEGS

DO I NEED THE VET?

When a horse has developed filled legs due to inactivity, walking him out and applying stable bandages on the legs can help reduce the swelling. Magnetic boots can help some horses, as they are believed to help improve circulation.

In most cases, no. Although filled legs can cause a horse to be a little stiff, it’s not serious and will usually resolve after exercise or the use of stable bandages. If it doesn’t resolve within 24 hours, or his legs are painful, call your vet for advice. It’s also vital that you check your horse for other symptoms of illness – if he has suffered a cut, is showing signs of pain or lameness, appears depressed or is running a temperature, call your vet straight away for advice. Filled legs can also be a sign of other health conditions, including problems with the efficiency of a horse’s heart and conditions which result in low blood protein levels – there will usually be other signs of illness, so always call your vet if the problem persists.

WHAT CAUSES FILLED LEGS? The veterinary term for filled legs is oedema, and it’s an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body’s tissues. Horses are prone to this ‘stocking up’ as they have relatively poor circulation in their legs. When a horse is moving, the action of his legs acts like a pump and sends blood and lymphatic fluid back up from his limbs. However, if he stands still, things slow down, letting fluid leak out of the blood vessels and reducing the return of lymphatic fluid.

Applying stable bandages Stable bandages are wider than exercise bandages, and should always be used over padding, such as gamgee or stable pads. Before you apply stable bandages, tie your horse up and make sure his legs are clean.

Stay to the side of his leg, squat rather than kneel, and keep your fingers off the floor so he can’t step on them. Wrap the padding neatly and snugly around his leg – it should reach from knee or hock to coronet band.

Hold your bandage on the outside of his leg, mid-way down, and begin to wrap it round, front to back, overlapping half of the bandage on each turn. Keep the pressure even and bandage firmly enough to prevent slippage, but not so tight as to constrict.

When you reach your horse’s coronet, wind the bandage back up the leg to just below the top of the padding, then start back down again.

When the bandage runs out, simply fasten with the Velcro or ties. Always secure these on the outside of the leg to prevent pressure on the tendons (back of the leg) or the cannon bone (front).

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HEALTH

SPOT LAMENESS Think your horse is lame but struggling to pinpoint the problem area? We’re here to help you spot fore and hind limb lameness easily.

Lameness can strike for a huge variety of reasons, and can range from the blatantly obvious to just a niggling feeling that something’s not quite right. To help you pinpoint the source of the problem, follow our advice for carrying out a trot up, spotting the main indicators of fore and hind limb lameness and assessing when you need to call the vet. First, trotting your horse up in-hand will give you the clearest picture of any irregularities in his gait. To do this, find a straight, level and non-slip area. You can’t assess him properly while leading him yourself, so ask a friend to trot him up for you in a

SPOT IT!

headcollar or bridle. Take off his saddle, rugs, and any boots or bandages so you can see all of him clearly. Your handler should lead your horse in a straight line away from you and back again, with you standing directly behind and then in front of him. Going about 30 human strides is usually far enough to pick up any problems. Start in walk, because if he’s visibly lame in walk, it usually indicates an increased level of lameness, and you won’t need to trot him. Instead call your vet for advice straight away. If there’s nothing visible in walk, watch him trot away and back, then repeat, watching from the side.

FOR EXAMPLE

LAME IN FRONT

As your horse trots towards you, watch his head – his ears or poll make good reference points. In trot, his head should be relatively still with little up-down movement, so a definite nod indicates foreleg lameness. Identify which leg it is by noting when his head goes up – this happens when the sore leg hits the ground, as the movement helps take some of the weight off it. His head will come back down as his normal foreleg hits the ground. From the side, look for nodding again as it may be clearer from this angle. You may also see a shortened stride length, with the lame leg not stretching as far forward as the sound one, producing a choppy gait.

PRO TIP When trotting a horse up, take care not to hold his head too tightly as the person watching will need to be able to see how much, if at all, he lifts his head in discomfort.

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Lame foreleg hits the ground

At the same time, his head goes up

Note shortened stride on lame leg

SPOT IT!

LAME BEHIND

Spotting lameness in the hind legs is often a little trickier, but there are a few key things to look for. When he trots away, watch his hip bones – when he’s sound these will have a slight and equal up-down movement. If he’s lame in a hindleg, the up-down movement will be exaggerated on that side as he tries to take less weight on that limb. He may also take a shortened stride with his lame leg, which is easier to spot in the hind legs because you can see where his feet land relative 1 to his forelegs. The foot on his lame leg may also not lift as high off the ground as his sound leg, so his toe may strike the ground or drag.

FOR EXAMPLE 1

Hip bone on lame leg moves up and down more

Shortened stride seen on lame leg

Toe may drag on lame leg

WHEN LAMENESS STRIKES

CALL THE VET!

Take the following steps to make your horse more comfortable and to help you decide if and when you need to call your vet: •

Inspect the lame leg carefully for any small wounds or cuts – if you find any, they may warrant immediate veterinary attention as it’s possible the lameness is due to an infection.

•

If there are no obvious wounds, look for any unusual swelling or enlargement – if you find any, speak to your vet for advice on how to deal with it. From a safety point of view, don’t squeeze swollen areas, especially in the hindlegs, as this could be painful for your horse.

•

If there is swelling or enlargement, cold hosing the area for five minutes, three times a day can help to reduce swelling and make him more comfortable.

•

If your horse is slightly lame in trot but can put weight on the leg, with no wounds or swelling, the lameness could be from something simple like a bruise. Try resting him, but don’t keep him on box rest for longer than 48 hours without speaking to your vet first.

•

If you keep your horse stabled, make sure you take him out for short walks in-hand at least three to four times a day, even if it’s just for five minutes at a time, unles your vet says otherwise. This will help to keep his mind occupied and prevent him from developing filled legs if he’s prone to this when standing in (well-applied stable bandages can also help).

•

If he’s lame and there’s heat in his hoof, a hot poultice can help to draw out an abscess. C

If your horse can’t put weight on a leg, call the vet immediately.

Cold hosing or using ice or cool boots can help ease discomfort and swelling until the vet arrives

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HEALTH

FASCIA WHAT

Fascia is a broad term for the connective tissue that weaves throughout the entire body to stabilise and bind our muscles, bones, and organs together. It makes up a huge amount of our body from our tendons, ligaments to over 30 percent of our muscles.

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IS IT?

FASCIA HAS THE APPEARANCE OR SIMILAR TO A SPIDER’S WEB OR THE MEMBRANE OF AN ORANGE WORDS Nicola Smith

he elasticity and plasticity of our fascia are directly responsible for our flexibility, mobility, balance, reflexes and proprioception. When fascia loses its youthful bounce due to inactivity, lack of mobility, poor nutrition or aging we feel achy, sore and unable to perform optimally in physical activities. When we stretch and condition our fascia, we increase mobility, promoting healthier movement and improved quality of life and have a much more youthful feel. “Fascia – or connective tissue, is what glues us together. So, it’s a broad use of the word fascia. What we are really talking about is the body extracellular net that holds us together” – Tom Myers

THE QUALITIES OF FASCIA Fascia is made up of three things: 1.

Elastic fibers – allowing for the possibility of change

Collagen fibers (which are very tough) and provides our support and strength

Ground substance which has a gelatinous, fluid texture (when it’s healthy). This fluid quality allows for organs and muscles to glide over each other without friction.

We have a type of fascia found just below the skin (superficial fascia), and beneath this we have deep fascia – a tougher, tighter form. Embedded in this are our muscles, blood vessels etc. The third kind of fascia lines and forms our body cavities. I see it all as one and the same, one substance that supports, stabilises and guides our body and its functions.

HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR FASCIA Fascia is made up of ground substance, known for its white fibres, but it is in fact mostly water. This jelly-like layer is happiest when it’s hydrated and juicy. Happy fascia is fluid, springy and strong. Think of the bounciness you love to see in children or young foals or lambs bouncing around the paddock! When you run or walk, happy fascia will return the force you emit right back to you, making you feel lighter and softer. Healthy fascia means you’ll use less energy to do things and your muscles and body will work less while moving with greater efficiency. You will discover new strength and flexibility, and when it comes to riding, you will feel more

If you think of a piece of meat – like a chicken breast or beef – you can often see a white, sometimes transparent web interweaved through the tissue. This is fascia. Or think of an orange – you can segment it into pieces because each segment is divided by a clear yet strong sheet of tissue. Within these segments, the juice is further segmented – forming the pulp – by this same type of tissue. It’s exactly the same for us! We are segmented, yet intimately connected, by fascia. Fascia is the framework that helps create our posture and form. It’s a structure that organizes us into shapes that function and move through different movement patterns. When we work with fascia you could think of it as the idea of ‘wholeness’ and ‘connection’’.

“THE FASCIA FORMS THE LARGEST SYSTEM IN THE BODY AND IS THE SYSTEM THAT TOUCHES ALL THE OTHER SYSTEMS IN

YOUR BODY”

fluid and supple as you move with the horse and, as much as I hate to say it, healthy fascia helps you to ‘bounce’ a little more if you fall. When we have a restriction in our body, our fascia becomes dehydrated, stiff, weak and stuck. Hydration, good nutrition and proper movement (including stretching, foam rolling and mobility work) will help to change your connective tissue. You can improve your fascia, promote relaxation and restore your fascial fluidity and bounce by taking care of your body off your horse. This will ultimately help you feel more supple both when you ride and as you move around your day-to-day life.

HYDRATE

ROLL IT OUT

You know your skin glows when you are hydrated – so does your fascia! It gets its bounce back and becomes more malleable. If it’s dry, it becomes stuck and restricted.

This is great for helping to loosen up and rejuvenate your fascia. It’s a great way to improve your fascia’s form and function, and how your body feels.

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EASY TIPS TO KEEP YOUR FASCIA HEALTHY FASCIA AND OUR POSTURE I trained as a massage therapist while in Dunedin and I learnt a lot about fascia and how it affects our posture, I was told to imagine a sheet spread out on the floor. By picking up a part of the sheet and pulling on it, you can clearly see tension lines and folds that spread out from one point to the next. This is how tension in our fascia grid affects us on a 3-dimensional level. A restriction in our feet can have a knock-on effect right up to our head. This is why it’s so important to take a holistic approach to how you train the body and how we train the rider. These fascia sheets that net around our body can have tension lines where they shouldn’t. For example you may have more tension pulling down your right hand side if you are right handed. This can then create a slight twist and pull of your posture in this direction. Not only will this affect how aligned you are and how your joints and ligaments all glide when you are in the saddle.

STRETCH FOR 10 MINUTES EACH DAY

This helps improve blood flow, increases circulation and helps the muscles loosen up and the fascia to soften.

TRY A MOBILITY AND ALIGNMENT PROGRAM

Work on your mobility and alignment regularly to help improve the evenness of your body through all sides. Most people have a more dominant side, which can create more tension and force through that side of your body. By improving your mobility and alignment, you will help create even balance through your fascia.

TRY HAVING A COLD SHOWER REGULARLY

Cold therapy helps reduce inflammation and improves the fascia circulation right beneath your skin.

SWEAT AND MOVE YOUR BODY DAILY

Exercise helps improve blood flow, circulation and gets your muscles and ligaments moving. Fascia thrives off regular and active movement.

USE A MOBILITY BALL TO GET INTO ANY TIGHT SPOTS

Mobility balls are great for helping you roll out any restricted tight areas that may be causing you issues. By loosening them up, you help to improve blood flow and circulation to that area.

JOINT MOBILITY Our joints are supported by tendons and ligaments which is connective tissue. Ligaments connect our bones together and tendons attach our muscles to bones. They can get tight and rigid and if injured they can take a long time to recover because there is less blood circulation and oxygen being delivered to those areas. To keep joints mobile and healthy we need to keep our ligaments and tendons happy. We need to begin with slowly stretching our body to help our fascia. Ligaments and tendons will start to relax and release when given the time and space to do so, creating space, increasing strength and inspiring deeper flexibility.

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KEEP IT MOVING In order to keep your fascia youthful and elastic, you need to keep the blood flow and circulation happening. When you sit for long periods and when you don’t move your body it gets restricted – not to mention the effects of dehydrating foods like caffeine, sugar and alcohol, which all combine to dry your body out. We constantly hear how to keep our horse’s ligaments, joints and muscles healthy, and we pay attention to their nutrition for optimal performance – this is just the same. So if you are feeling a bit stiff and rigid, think about taking care of your fascia and getting your body moving more regularly off the horse. C

RECIPE

Blueberry Antioxidant Rich Thickshake

A rich velvety smoothie packed full of antioxidants. Creamy yoghurt combined with the sweetness of bananas and the zesty tang of lemon juice will make you want it all again the next day.

INGREDIENTS 1 cup frozen blueberries ½ cup yoghurt ½ cup water Juice of ½ lemon 2 frozen bananas Cinnamon (dusted on top)

INSTRUCTIONS Combine all ingredients together into a high speed blender and blitz up until well combined. Dust off with some cinnamon. Enjoy!

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Nicola Smith has over 300 RECIPES on her website www.foreverfit.tv that will get your taste buds excited.

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