Show Circuit Magazine - April / May 23

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WELCOME

FROM MY DESK

It is hard to know where to start this letter, so I will not bore you with what we have been doing when that seems so insignificant compared to the floods and devastation our lovely equestrian communities (and broader communities) have faced north of Auckland, in the Bay of Plenty and Hawke's Bay. I honestly think I cried myself out during the floods, then Cyclone Gabrielle arrived, and I just wept as I know many of you did.

The community spirit that saw our diverse equestrian communities swing into action shows us how proud we can be as New Zealanders. I think what got us through watching our communities faced with such destruction is how united we became in the recovery. I know you will continue to support those who need it in the years to come.

The necessity of cancelling our beloved Land Rover Horse of the Year Show for the third year in a row was beyond disappointing but pales into insignificance alongside the challenges facing so many. Our thoughts are with all of those who are struggling to recover and rebuild.

I hope you enjoy our latest issue and that it reminds us how much we love our sport.

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EDITOR

Pip Hume

editor@showcircuit.c o.nz

DESIGN

Sheryll Davies

CONTRIBUTORS

Ashleigh Kendall

Belinda Pratt Photography

Caitlin Benzie Photography

Christine Cornege Photography

COVER IMAGE:

Vanessa Way and NSC ANDREAS

Breeding: Anamour out of Blue Willow (by Dynamit x Equal Terms xx)

Breeder: Brenda Bishop

Image - Show Circuit Magazine

Denise Flay Photography

Elise Cacac

Michelle Clarke Photography

Play Creative - Nicola Franks

Rebecca Greaves

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THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS

Tyla and GLOBAL PH COCOFINO

DREAMS DO come true

As a team rider at Takapoto Estate, Tyla Hackett pinches herself daily when she rides out on a horse, and she loves every minute. She has come a long way from Waiuku Pony Club, and this journey is just beginning.

Tyla Hackett chose the perfect time to put on her brave pants and seize the day.

A casual conversation with Equestrian Sports New Zealand jumping High-Performance Manager Oliver Edgecombe about what she wanted to do over the winter months quickly turned into an opportunity that has continued to pay dividends for the 21-yearold Team Takapoto rider.

“We were just warming up for the Grand Prix, and when Oliver asked, I said I would love to go to Aussie, and he just said, ‘go to Chatham Park,” remembers Tyla. “He texted me the number for Amber (Fuller) and said, ‘ring her’. I was really nervous, but honestly, they welcomed me with open arms. I am so thankful for all I learnt in those six months.”

Tyla crossed the Tasman as a working student, taking her star Global PH Cocofino.

She was like a sponge while at Chatham Park with George, Sanna and Amber. “Having good eyes on the ground is so valuable, and they pick up even the smallest things that can make the biggest difference.”

Her six months in Australia underlined to her that show jumping was where she was meant to be. “I went there without expectations and came home as the runner-up in the Stal Tops Young Rider Series after jumping just three of the four legs. It was insane! To be competitive in the Young Rider and Open

classes was incredible.”

She and Cocofino also won the 1.35m at the Sydney Jumping Show, heading off the likes of Tom McDermott and other top senior riders. “That was pretty cool.”

Tyla has continued to build on the experience and opportunity since that 2022 Sydney mission. It was Amber who started the conversation with Mikayla Plaw that saw Tyla join Team Takapoto on her return.

“I love what I am doing,” says Tyla. “Cambridge is a nice place to live and not too far from home. I am independent and riding for a living. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I could do that!”

Horses have always been a part of Tyla’s life. Her parents, Michelle and Bernie Hackett, are very successful trainers of trotters. Michelle has won the Inter Dominions in Australia, and together, the 2022 leading North Island trainers have won plenty of Group One races on both sides of the Tasman. While she was at school, Tyla helped out with the Standardbreds, and while she says she was tempted to be a driver, she just didn’t love it enough – unlike her award-winning sister Crystal who is making quite a name for herself as a driver. “I drove a few trials and won a couple, but it was nothing spectacular.”

However, Tyla was making waves show jumping with a few leased ponies and, finally, her very own

WORDS - Diana Dobson IMAGES - Christine Cornege Photography

first pony, Penny. She was a little Welsh Connemara cross who Tyla says was “the sweetest little thing”.

Waiuku Pony Club became her local, with Michelle stepping up to be president for four or five years. “When I got too big for Penny, it just so happened Mum was interviewing for the head coach role and the one they hired asked if she knew of anyone who needed a pony to ride.

Enter Just Lou, a 25-year-old Anglo-Arab who was coming out of retirement. “She was totally different from Penny. Sweet to handle but very hot. I couldn’t even ride her back to the truck after her round!”

But the two were gold together, and Lou took Tyla from not even jumping a crossbar to her first Pony Mini Prix within two years. “She really got me going,” says Tyla.

Right hand page compeition image: Tyla and TAKAPOTO

YIRRKALA SMOKEY in the Bronze Tour Final at Takapoto Showjumping 2023.

The opportunities afforded Tyla whilst working at Takapoto Estate are immeasurable.

Around this time, she had lessons with Allan Goodall, who proved very influential.

Tyla once asked Alan if he could lower a 1m vertical for her. “He just said, ‘shut up and jump,’ and never again in the next ten years did I ever ask him to put a fence down!”

When Lou returned to the retirement paddock, Tyla got IamwhatIam, with whom she won her first Pony Grand Prix. Crystal and Tyla did a lot of swapping ponies over the years, and when IamwhatIam went to her, Tyla took up the ride on The Dreamer. “It wasn’t the dream to start with, but she really

I AM INDEPENDENT AND RIDING FOR A LIVING. NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS DID I THINK I COULD DO THAT!

did make me into the rider I am now. I had her for four or five years, and we were North Island speed champs and runner-ups in the North Island Pony Grand Prix that same year.

Her first hack was Gin, who had been around the farm for a little while after being bought from Fraser and Warrick Tombleson. “In the first three months of having him, we went to Pony Club Champs.” She gave him a little break before the new started, and they came out all guns blazing, placing in and winning Junior Rider classes before winning the Junior Rider of the Year title in 2017.

Tyla did a lot of catch-riding in between her own horse and ponies. “It was just the cards I was dealt. We couldn’t afford

to buy an up-and-going Young Rider horse, so I had to start from scratch and make them the whole way through.”

Looking back now, she knows it was the right thing.

In 2019 Tyla’s coach, Jeff McVean, suggested she head to Australia to work for his daughter, Katie (Laurie), while she competed on the Aquis Champions Tour. The plan was for Tyla to work for six weeks and then return to school - which she did for just long enough to get her NCEA Level 3 before getting back on the plane.

“It was just a whole new level for me at that point. Katie gave me two horses to ride and compete, and I was old enough to jump both Junior and Young Rider classes, so I was doing both.

In hindsight, it was one of the best things I could have done.” While she didn’t bag many wins, she was consistent, placing in nearly every outing. A mistimed broken collarbone put paid to that, and she headed home.

Tyla has always been one to watch and learn and loves watching the likes of Scott Brash, McLain Ward, Amber Fuller and now Takapoto head rider Alison Rowland. “There are so many who have got my attention one way or another - for the way they have worked to get where they are, or are so natural at what they do that it is just amazing to watch.”

At Takapoto, Tyla rides daily with Alison and loves the variety of horses beneath her.

HAVING GOOD EYES ON THE GROUND IS SO VALUABLE, AND THEY

PICK UP EVEN THE SMALLEST THINGS THAT CAN MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE.

Tyla is pictured with Global PH Cocofino

THERE ARE SO MANY WHO HAVE GOT MY ATTENTION ONE WAY OR ANOTHER - FOR THE WAY THEY HAVE WORKED TO GET WHERE THEY ARE, OR ARE SO NATURAL AT WHAT THEY DO THAT IT IS JUST AMAZING TO WATCH.

Twelve-year-old Cocofino spearheads her team. “He is very unique. It takes a special person to love him! He is very naughty and super sharp.”

Takapoto Yirrkala Smokey is also 12 and an Australian import. “He is such a gentleman. He knows his job, and learning all the flatwork and how to ride each jump properly is awesome. He makes it noticeable when you ask properly – it is nice to learn on a horse like him.”

Her goal is simple – to continue learning as much as possible. “I am so thankful for the opportunity the Plaw family are giving me right now. If it were not for them and for Amber seeing how hard I worked and that I really wanted to be better, I wouldn’t be here.”

Having had that little taste of international venues has made her look harder close to home. “I love New

Even with his quirks, Tyla is super excited about twelve-yearold GLOBAL PH COCOFINO

Zealand show jumping because it has done so much for me, but there is always room for improvement,” she says. “It is so hard to produce a horse properly to get to World Cup level – it is such a big jump from Grand Prix to World Cup here. We need something in the middle. Mitch is doing a great job running the likes of the Gold Tour, which builds us up, but we need that all season long at other shows too.”

This year Tyla was on the New Zealand Young Rider team for the Trans-Tasman clash.

“I have to pinch myself every morning,” she says. “It’s all about taking those opportunities when they come up, and then dreams really do come true.” n

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DEDICATED TO the craft!

Feilding farrier Bernard Denton is perhaps best known for his achievements with his feisty little chestnut horse, Suzuki, but he has a new horse being carefully produced up the grades, and he’s quietly excited about what the future holds for her.

An accident with a horse

as a young child left Bernard Denton terrified of horses. Luckily, he was able to overcome that fear and has made a successful career with horses, going on to jump at the World Cup level in New Zealand.

Bernard has had a colourful and varied career with horses, from working for a horse dealer to a long stint as the Bay of Plenty Huntsman and as a skilled farrier. He was the team farrier for the New Zealand Olympic team to Beijing in 2008.

Suzuki was the pocket rocket that propelled him to the top level in the show jumping arena.

“Everyone remembers me for her,” he says. Now 24, she’s still careering around his front paddock and producing foals. Her oldest progeny is now six and competing with Bernard.

Having spent much of Bernard’s life in the Gisborne and Wairoa areas, the Dentons are now based in Feilding, where they have an 18-acre block, handily located for Bernard’s full-time job as a farrier.

“I tried other things, like schooling and training, but this was the easiest. They all involve multiple clients, but the farrier work runs on a cycle.”

Horses were ingrained in his life from childhood, growing up in Wairoa, before moving to Gisborne at 14.

“My grandparents had a farm in Wairoa, and I used to go there on weekends. My mother ran the RDA in Wairoa, so I was into horses from a young age. I think I probably still hold the record as the youngest-ever member of the Wairoa Pony Club!

I was three or four, bouncing around. I remember falling off a lot. I obviously wasn’t very big because I remember being in an accident, and I never hopped on a horse again until I was about 12.”

Ironically, Bernard still spent plenty of time around horses, and his grandfather showed him how to trim feet. He did everything but ride. It was when a group of friends from school turned up to go for a ride, and he was the one left out, that he decided to suck it up and get back on the horse - literally!

From there, he dabbled in Western riding before going to work for a horse dealer, who took him under his wing and got him hooked on jumping. From Pony Club cross-country to hunting and eventing, he did it all. “I was riding a few eventers, but I wanted to go show jumping; that was my passion.”

From there, Bernard groomed for Simon Bennett at Tinoroto and got hooked on the fast-paced discipline of show jumping. He worked for a few other riders, had a stint riding overseas, and worked for NZPH when they first started. He was the Huntsman at Poverty Bay for just

WORDS - Rebecca Greaves IMAGES - Denise Flay Photography

SHE’S DIFFERENT TO ANYTHING I’VE EVER RIDDEN, SENSITIVE. SHE’S AN OVERACHIEVER, HER BIGGEST PROBLEM IS SHE DOESN’T WANT TO MAKE A MISTAKE AND SHE GETS VERY NERVOUS ABOUT GETTING IT WRONG.

over nine years, around 1999-2008, bringing Suzuki up through the grades while still shoeing horses. “I was shoeing the whole way through, right from leaving school.”

At that time, Gisborne had a strong show jumping community, including the indomitable Merran Hain. “I like Merran; she’s a straight shooter; you know where you stand. She’s been invaluable,” he says.

“That’s where Suzuki came from. I was their farrier, and I handled her. She was quite feral and cut her leg when I was weaning her. Merran said with a laugh, ‘that’s it, you’ve wrecked it; it’ll never be a show horse now. You’ll have to buy it.”

Four years later, he did.

Suzuki went on to provide plenty of cause for celebration, delivering some spectacular highs, from winning their first Grand Prix just a month after Bernard had shoulder surgery in 2008 to winning the World Cup Final in Gisborne in 2009 and making the New Zealand Senior Trans-Tasman Show Jumping team in 2012.

“All the way through, she would just pull something out. She was very consistent; it was more me that was inconsistent with things like management. She taught me a lot about how to produce and manage horses and keep them happy.”

What made the mare special was her massive heart. “The heart made up for all the other shortcomings, if there were any. She was just phenomenal, we probably did things you shouldn’t have been able to, but we didn’t know any better, her or I. I often ride past her and wonder what she thinks of me. I weaned, handled, shod, and

Lower left, and above Bernard and ELECTRA NZPH during the Silver Tour Final at Takapoto Show Jumping Classic.

Image - Michelle Clarke Photography

SHE’S VERY POWERFUL; THE CLOSEST THING TO HER I HAVE RIDDEN WOULD BE SUZUKI. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK

SHE COULD BE AS GOOD, IF NOT BETTER.

later rode her – I’ve known her all of her 24 years.”

Bernard moved to Feilding 13 years ago as the shoeing started to dry up in Gisborne, thanks largely to the sale of farms to forestry. “Forestry was killing me; I lost 65 horses in the last six months there - they were gone. I didn’t lose them to another farrier; the stations went into trees. I was doing 120,000 to 140,000km a year, too; the travel was huge.”

Feilding seemed an obvious choice. Bernard knew the area, having competed there and shod for clients at shows while there. He had also had a bit to do with Massey University on the equine side, which interested him. Proximity to an airport was also important, as he had regular runs to Auckland and Cambridge every four weeks.

Bernard and Sarah are certainly a united team. Sarah is a talent in her own right, competing with his former Grand Prix mare, 13-year-old breaks in and schools horses for clients.

When his era of top horses

retired, Bernard faced a rebuilding phase. He hasn’t jumped the top-height fences for about 10 years now, but there’s cause to think he could be back there sooner rather than later.

These days it’s a case of slowly and carefully when it comes to producing horses, though, and he’s picky about the surfaces he starts on.

“With the horses we are producing at the moment, we are travelling a lot to get to the right shows for mileage and as their education progresses. We’ve targeted the Pro-Am for the last four or five shows, as it’s a guaranteed 1.30-1.35m class, which isn’t that easy to find.”

Bernard’s current top ride is nine-year-old mare Electra NZPH (El), by Untouchable M out of a Mr Blue mare, purchased from Daniel Blundell. The combination has won their last three Pro-Am starts, including at Takapoto.

“I hope she can go all the way. She has a good brain, a really good attitude, and is very talented.”

The decision to purchase a nice horse for Bernard came about after a discussion with his wife, Sarah and their good friends, Duncan and Helen McFarlane. “They were telling me I needed a buy a nice horse. My wish list was - sound, the right attitude, and preferably a mare with good breeding if I was going to pay a lot of money.”

Minutes later, Daniel walked past, and it turned out he had exactly the sort of mare they were looking for, by the same stallion as Duncan’s horse. As soon as the Covid lockdown ended, they were off to try her.

“She’s different from anything I’ve ever ridden, sensitive. She’s an overachiever, her biggest problem is she doesn’t want to make a mistake, and she gets very nervous about getting it wrong. She’s very powerful; the closest thing to her I have ridden would be

Suzuki. I would like to think she could be as good, if not better.

“It’s exciting. El has the parts that were missing in Suzuki. Duncan and Helen are good friends, and they have helped me all the way through with her. It’s a different way of thinking and a different style of training from what we were brought up with. We’ve been very careful with starts and where we go; we’re trying to limit problems or have them happen positively so we can build or repair them. At the moment, the only problem is when I make a mistake. I haven’t jumped these heights for a while. It’s been 10 years since Suzuki.” It sounds cheesy, but Bernard says he’s just having fun. He and El won the Pro-Am and finished fourth in the recent Silver Tour at Takapoto, and he hopes they can line up for the big money class, the Gold Tour, next year.

“She coped so well. I’m undecided whether I will jump World Cups next year or in the future. I will jump some bigger classes; I’m just not sure which ones.”

A trip to Australia could be on the cards, depending on the cost. “It’s not getting cheaper. We were in a storm before this storm (Cyclone Gabrielle) hit.”

Also on the competition team is six-year-old First Edition, Bernard’s first foal out of Suzuki, by Susie Hayward’s lovely chestnut stallion Andretti. A paddock accident involving a piece of willow resulted in him losing an eye as a youngster, which means he hasn’t done much competition-wise yet.

“He’s coped well with losing an eye and was jumping 1.15-1.20m

Below left - Bernard and ELECTRA NZPH Silver Tour Final at Takapoto Show Jumping. Image - Michelle Clarke Photography

IT'S TAKEN ME A LONG TIME TO REALISE THERE'S A SMART WAY TO DO THINGS. I LIKE THE PUZZLE, THE CHALLENGE. EVERY HORSE HAS A DIFFERENT WAY OF THINKING.

at Takapoto. He’s stunning, he looks like Suzuki from one angle and Andretti from another, and probably has the attitude of them both. We’ll see how he goes and play it by ear. He has all the makings of a good horse.”

Suzuki’s second foal, Ceres Two, is four, and Sarah is just bringing her back into work now. She is by Windale Trumps. Finally, there is two-year-old Heritage (H), out of Suzuki and by the McFarlane’s Double Whoopy. “He’s very nice - actually, they all are. He’s still entire at the moment.”

Bernard’s wife, Sarah, competes with his former Grand Prix mare, 13-year-old Sequell (Lulu), another chestnut. “I was desperately trying to find a horse when Suzuki retired – everyone thought she was Suzuki when I first brought her out! We did the age group series and cracked on, then she had an accident jumping in her first Grand Prix as an eight-year-old. We rehabbed her and got her back jumping up the heights again.”

When Sarah’s old horse retired, they were unable to find a suitable new horse. By then, Bernard had El and thought he didn’t need two top-level horses, so Sarah got Lulu. The pair have just completed their first season together, jumping in the Amateurs.

Bernard swears the love affair with chestnuts is purely coincidence, and he has no preference for colour. He does muse that at one point when he was Huntsman, he had seven up-front hunters – all chestnut.

He says having three competition horses on the truck is

plenty busy for the couple. Sarah breaks in and schools horses for clients and can have up to 12 horses in work at a time. “We’re busy at work, so going to shows is our fun time off, something we both enjoy. It’s even better when we take the children with us.” By children, he’s referring to their three Corgis, Jackie, Basil, and Panda (Basil’s daughter), who love attending shows.

When it comes to training the horses, these days it’s all about keeping it simple. “It’s just basics, forward and back, left and right. Anything else is just a variation on that.”

He loves that no two horses are the same, and there’s always something to learn. “The horse dealer taught me my most valuable lesson – how to fall off. They used to take bets about whether I’d get back on. I’ve fallen off more horses than most people will ride in their careers.

“It’s taken me a long time to realise there’s a smart way to do things. I like the puzzle, the challenge. Every horse has a different way of thinking.”

Bernard is grateful to be sponsored by P3 Equestrian, Balanced Saddle Fitting, and B-Complete Banana Feeds. He also paid tribute to Duncan and Helen McFarlane for their ongoing help and support in finding El and with her training. n

Bernard and ELECTRA NZPH Silver Tour Final at Takapoto Show Jumping Classic.

Image - Michelle Clarke Photography

I HOPE SHE CAN GO ALL THE WAY. SHE HAS A GOOD BRAIN, A REALLY GOOD ATTITUDE, AND IS VERY TALENTED.

I DIDN’T EVEN KNOW HOW TO MUCK OUT A BOX, SO I HONESTLY DIDN’T THINK I’D HAVE A CHANCE . IT WAS A MASSIVE SHOCK WHEN I GOT A REPLY FROM SAM , AND IT ALL HAPPENED REALLY QUICKLY FROM THERE.

Siobhan is holding LUCKY JO JO. He's ridden by Nick Brookes in the UK and owned by the Lucky Jo Jo syndicate.

FOR THE LOVE OF THE TEAM

Mention the name Siobhan Binns to anyone in the Team NZ eventing camp, and you’ll be met with adjectives like ‘legend’, ‘gem’, and ‘great New Zealander’. Grooming for three of our top New Zealand eventing riders over the past four years, Siobhan has learned a thing or two about keeping a yard running and a team of top-level horses performing. Rarely seen without a smile on her face, Siobhan’s work ethic and attitude have earned her legendary status among riders and grooms alike.

school at 17 years old, Siobhan was on a plane to the UK. On a whim, she’d applied for a working pupil role with Samantha Lissington, who’d recently moved her team of horses overseas. Despite having ridden and competed herself throughout her childhood, Siobhan admits she was inexperienced at grooming. “I didn’t even know how to muck out a box, so I honestly didn’t think I’d have a chance. It was a massive shock when I got a reply from Sam, and it all happened really quickly from there.”

Siobhan was born in Reading, a town in the UK not far from where Samantha is now based. Siobhan’s family shifted to Auckland, New Zealand when she was five, but her interest in horses only began at 13. “My sister Naimh got into ponies first, and I wasn’t instantly ‘into them’ like she was. Later, Mum and Dad signed me up for a ‘riders without ponies’ programme at Pony Club. “

After doing her D certificate, Siobhan got handed down Naimh’s first pony when she was ready to move on. “It all kind of spiralled from there, and I was hooked.” Ebony, a full-sized Kaimanawa, had a sparky attitude which lent itself well to show jumping, so Siobhan started there. “My sister taught me everything

I know about horses. We’ve become really close over the years because of the shared passion.”

Upon getting her second pony Lugar, a full-size Andalusian paint, her focus shifted to show hunter and dressage, where she found great success. One of her competition highlights was being named a reserve for the NZPCA Dressage champs in 2018 and securing her spot on the team in 2019.

This riding phase also fostered her love for turning out, which was a significant catalyst for choosing to go for her first grooming role a few years later. “I loved presenting my ponies to the best of my ability and took huge pride in going into the ring well turned-out and with nice matching gear.”

Siobhan had always felt a yearning to return to the UK, where she was born, and the grooming path seemed like a good fit for her personality. “I didn’t love school. I always wanted to be outside doing something practical, so grooming seemed logical to combine my passion for horses with my first step into a career.”

Although Siobhan didn’t know Samantha personally, they had a connection through family friends, the Quigleys, who own a share in one of Samantha’s former top eventing mounts, Ricker Ridge Rui,

WORDS & IMAGES - Play Creative - Nicky Franks

The day after she finished

and who also purchased Ricker Ridge Riley for their daughter Bridey.

“Looking back, it was a pretty big gamble moving to the other side of the world at 17 to live with people I’d never met. Safe to say it’s a decision that worked out pretty well!”

Learning

quickly on the job , Siobhan was soon an integral part of the Team Lissington yard. While her initial role as a working pupil was only meant to last for six weeks, she worked her way up the ranks and two years later was head girl and travelling groom.

“Something about being given the responsibility to care for horses like they were my own and doing so in a clean and organised yard with a great team just struck a chord with me.”

Siobhan quickly fell in love with Sam and Georgie’s systems and processes up and running at the yard. “We had about four whiteboards which documented everything - from what tack goes on which horse, to when each horse was due for the farrier, and all the jobs that needed doing and when. They acted as the key information hub of the yard.”

“Georgina Walker, Sam’s head groom when I arrived in the UK, taught me everything I know about turning out. It was amazing to have someone as experienced as Georgie to learn from, and still to this day, I credit my turn-out ability to her.”

While she learned lots of tips and tricks in those early years, Siobhan also reflects that her learning goes far beyond whiteboards and how to thread plaits. “As head girl, you need to be able to communicate well to talk with owners, vets and sponsors. You also need to be able to work as part of a team and look after people around you, all while caring for the

Being a head girl is not restricted to turning out horses; the role involves almost every facet of looking after the horses on top of plaiting and ensuring everything looks pretty, you need to be incredibly organised and thorough.

THERE WAS SOMETHING ABOUT BEING GIVEN THE RESPONSIBILITY TO CARE FOR HORSES LIKE THEY WERE MY OWN AND DOING SO IN A CLEAN AND ORGANISED YARD WITH A GREAT TEAM THAT JUST STRUCK A CHORD WITH ME.

animals’ welfare. I didn’t expect to learn so many life skills!” “I have so much to thank Sam for, and she gave me an opportunity which started my whole career in grooming.”

The Covid pandemic brought its own challenges. While team Lissington could still care for their horses and operate the yard daily, the lack of a competition scene really changed things. With all the uncertainty in the world, Siobhan found herself missing her family and the home comforts of New Zealand and decided it was time to return home. “I’ve always been interested in studying criminology and criminal law at university, so I thought it might be the right time to follow that calling.”

While back home in New Zealand, Siobhan picked up a role freelancing as a competition groom for Monica Oakley, which saw her following the NZ eventing circuit for six months, followed by a trip to Melbourne. “Taking the horses to Melbourne 3DE was amazing. Flying the horses over was such a cool opportunity to learn and a whole new experience.”

With her ‘friends and family cup’ full again and realising she wasn’t quite ready to spend her days sitting in a lecture theatre, Siobhan started pondering the future.

“The culture of eventing in the UK is amazing, and we Kiwis are like one big family over there. We really feel like a team, and everyone looks after one another. I found myself missing that team environment. When I saw Nick Brooks looking for a groom, I reached out to him.”

Nick was delighted to have Siobhan join his team, and in July 2022, Siobhan took up her current role as head girl at his yard in Badgerstown. “You learn so much from everyone you work with and for. Getting to know Nick,

his horses, and his yard has been great fun. I enjoy picking up many new skills from being based somewhere new.”

Siobhan currently looks after and manages the eight horses at the yard and says she’s doing something different each day.

“During the season, we’re up and riding early to beat the heat, then we have a break for lunch and come back for yard duties in the afternoon. We normally ride some at home and then take the truck out schooling, for lessons,

or to practice events and competitions.”

While she admits that grooming isn’t an easy gig, Siobhan is not one to complain about or dwell on the negative side of it. “It is a physically and mentally demanding role, but the rewards that also come with it are so cool. You get to see horses progress up the grades, and you’re invested in their success, which is so rewarding. You also get to work with an amazing team of people, which I love - I feel like at a normal job, you have a boss and co-workers, but here we work as teammates and friends.”

AWARD-WINNING LUXURY, LIFESTYLE & EQUESTRIAN CONSTRUCTION

“I think just having a sense of humour is really important in this job - you have to be able to see the good or funny side of things when it’s tough.”

She isn’t sure what the future will bring, but for now, she is enjoying the career and lifestyle grooming has given her. “I know I won’t be grooming forever, but at the moment, I’m where I want to be. I’ve got a bunch of goals around events I’d like to groom at, so I’ve still got things to tick off my list. The option of going to Uni is always there, but I don’t feel like I have to rush into that phase of life just yet.”

Siobhan says she’s surrounded by people who want the best for her and feels very lucky to have an incredibly supportive family. “Mum and Dad have always encouraged me to follow my dreams and passions, even if that means moving to the other side of the world at 17!”

She also has a huge appreciation for her sister Naimh and the role that she’s played in Siobhan’s journey. “She taught me so much about ponies when we were young and is really the reason I got into horses at all. Without her, I wouldn’t be following this career path, so I owe her a lot.” n

We are down but NOT out after our store was devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle!

WE WILL RECOVER AND OUR BUSINESS WILL GO ON. WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT NEW LOCATIONS!

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to our wonderful customers who have continued to support us by buying gift cards for future use. Our website will be open for online orders shortly.

Kindest regards, Nick and the TACKSHOP team.

THERE ARE NOlimits

WORDS - Ashleigh Kendall

IMAGES - Christine Cornege Photography

A star on the rise for the past few years on the show jumping circuit, 15-yearold Liam Rutland has set himself up for an inspiring future in the sport through his consistent performances and dedication to perfecting his craft.

Liam wasn’t the first in his family to get a horse; his sister initially caught the bug. “She was the only girl in the family, and Mum and Dad thought it would be nice for her to have something for herself. I thought it looked fun, and I was out there every day waiting for Mum to lift me onto the horse. She would get calls from the neighbours saying they had seen me jump out of my bedroom window again, and I was trying to hop on the pony by myself,” he laughs.

With a love for jumping from the beginning, and after trying his hand at dressage, Liam knew jumping was where he wanted to focus. “Flatwork is so important and a must for show jumping, but for me, competing in dressage does not hold the excitement that show jumping does,” he reflects. “I enjoy the constant challenge of riding clear and getting into the jump-off; the results when everything you have been working on all comes together. Being able to train horses is just as important as being able to ride them, and it is incredibly rewarding in the long term.”

At seven years old, Liam finally convinced his parents, Kylie and Dan, that he was ready to compete, so they packed their truck and ventured off to Woodhill Sands. “Coming from a non-horsey family, we had no idea what we were doing. I had no idea what to do, so I just followed the others,” he recalls. “Thankfully, a few people were happy to offer some advice and point me in the right direction. I think I fell off twice that weekend, but I also got a fourth place. Mum and Dad thought that might have been it for me, but I came away even more determined.”

Emma and Wendy Gaze gave Liam the ride on their super pony Melody’s Mischief (Ally) and taught him the fundamentals of show jumping. “I am incredibly thankful for them and Ally. Not only did she show me how to ride, but she also showed me how not to ride.

Through Ally, I was then fortunate to be offered the opportunity to ride some other super ponies,” he explains. “They have all taught me something, and I have also had a lot of fun along the way. I will always be grateful to those ponies and owners for the opportunities.”

I ENJOY THE CONSTANT CHALLENGE OF RIDING CLEAR AND GETTING INTO THE JUMP-OFF, THE RESULTS WHEN EVERYTHING YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON ALL COMES TOGETHER.

Liam first tasted major success with Kiwi Delux (Larry) when he was 12. He decided he wanted to move on to hacks which took a bit of convincing his Mum and Dad, but eventually, he won the battle. “I think they would have preferred I stayed on ponies a bit longer, but I already knew where I wanted to go in this sport and thought the sooner I could start learning and training on hacks, the better.”

The weather was horrendous the day they went to try Larry. “He was very strong, spooky, and we missed a lot of strides, but I just knew within the first 15 minutes that he was the one for me,” Liam says. “Mum and Dad thought he may have been a bit much, and they made me think about my decision on him for over a week, which felt like the longest week ever!” Eventually, Liam won out again, and they decided to purchase him as Liam’s first hack with

Above: Liam’s current team: WHIORAU RITCHIE (left) and KIWI DELUX (right).

Right hand page: WHIORAU RITCHIE during the Silver Tour at Takapoto Show Jumping.

FLATWORK IS SO IMPORTANT AND A MUST FOR SHOW JUMPING, BUT COMPETING IN DRESSAGE DOES NOT HOLD THE EXCITEMENT THAT SHOW JUMPING DOES FOR ME.

the hope of competing at Junior Rider level. Liam describes Larry as very hot and quirky, with the power of a Porsche and the attitude of being the biggest horse in the arena. “He is very brave, he makes me work hard in the warm-up, but as soon as we enter the competition arena, he knows it is game on!”

The pair did a season of Junior Rider classes together before moving up to Young Riders, where they achieved placings and wins. They consolidated at Young Rider this season and successfully stepped up to Grand Prix. Liam is looking forward to continuing to consolidate at Grand Prix next season.

In addition to Larry, Liam has another hot, brave, and quirky ride in Whiorau Ritchie (Ritchie). “For the first month of having

Ritchie, I thought I may have over-horsed myself a little bit, but over winter, we worked on our adjustability and learnt to trust each other more.” This season it really paid off when Liam felt they became a strong and united partnership. “Ritchie gave me my first Young Rider win last season and also had a good win in the Grand Prix, which was exciting,” he says.

“I am lucky to have two amazing horses at Grand Prix level, allowing me to jump the more technical courses, which I totally enjoy,” he explains. “Both are completely different rides. On one, I know I can get away with adding a stride; on the other, I know I can get away with a tighter turn or taking a stride out, but they are both incredibly brave, and I trust

I LOVE THIS SPORT AND EVERYTHING ABOUT IT. THE GOOD DAYS AND THE DAYS WHERE IT IS NOT ALWAYS GOING TO PLAN. HE REFLECTS THAT THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING TO WORK ON AND IMPROVE; IF YOU WORK HARD, YOU CAN ACHIEVE THE RESULTS.

them. I can never decide who to nominate in the Young Rider, so I go with the luck of the draw.”

Liam has Gallipoli NZPH (Solider) and Chacco Chanel (Nelly) to complete his team of four horses. He describes Solider as a bit mentally young but says he has the most talent on the team. He plans to step him up to the 1.20m classes next season. Nelly is the only mare, and Liam says that is a good thing as she can be very stubborn at times but is a quick learner. He plans to have a season of consolidating the basics and stepping her up when she is ready.

“I love this sport and everything about it - the good days and the days where it is not always going to plan. There is always something to work on and improve; if you work hard, you can achieve the results. Resilience is a big thing in this sport, and I like to think I have that. Taking the bad days as they come and working hard regardless, being disciplined and coming out to nail a previous mistake is hugely rewarding. I prefer to keep to myself and my small team around me and work towards my big picture within the sport.”

In

Year 8, Liam

convinced his parents to let him do his schooling by correspondence. “It allows me to focus more time with the horses, and I can fit my schooling around the team and our training,” he explains. A typical school day for Liam begins at 6 am when he gets up, puts the horses out, mucks out and prepares the stables for the night. Then he heads back inside and does school work

until around 11.30 am before heading back out to ride for the rest of the day. Horses are fed at 5 pm, and he brings them in for the night around eight.

“If the weather is horrible and there isn’t any riding, then I spend the day getting more schoolwork done,” he says. “I also try to focus on getting most of my correspondence work completed over winter, and by the end of September, I have most of the work finished, which means I don’t have to worry about it once the season gets underway.” Correspondence suits Liam; when he attended school, he felt like there was a lot of time wasted and was unproductive when he could have been at home riding. “Correspondence allowed me to get straight into NCEA Level 1 last year even though I was only Year 10, and this year I will be able to complete NCEA Level 2 and finish school,” he reflects. “I like that you can do the subjects that interest you, pump out the work, and get it done.”

Liam has been grateful to have had some fantastic people behind him throughout his journey. He says picking one person who has mentored him would be unfair. “I am so fortunate to have had some amazing riders, coaches, trainers and supporters that have

Above - Liam rides WHIORAU RITCHIE during the Silver Tour at Takapoto Show Jumping Classic.

BE APPRECIATIVE OF THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU THAT HAVE HELPED YOU GET TO WHERE YOU ARE.

given me so much of their time and advice,” he says. “This is not a sport you can do solely on your own, and I feel lucky to have a great team around me. It’s nice that some people who helped me when I was younger on ponies still watch my rounds and send me a message or are back at the truck waiting to give me some advice or congratulations.”

Toni and Colin McIntosh were super helpful to Liam last winter and throughout the season, focused on working on the finer details. “They both make me work hard and push for that bit more. They both know my short- and long-term goals, along with my horses’ strengths and areas to work on, so our training always has that focus,” he explains.

Liam has some super advice for other riders coming into their own. “Continue to work hard, and be humble - because even if it is going well now, it can change just like that. Have your big dream and work towards it, don’t worry about what others are doing and achieving. Keep looking and working towards your big dream,” he says. “Be appreciative of the people around you that have helped you get to where you are. When people offer advice, take the time to stop and listen; even if it’s something you may not need to use right now, it could just be something you need to know or use in the future.”

He plans to spend one or two more seasons in New Zealand, continuing to consolidate his riding in the higher and more technical classes and then head off overseas. “My long-term focus and goals are riding and competing with the best in the world. I know this will be tough work, and there will be no doubt some hardships to overcome along the way, but I am prepared to put in all the work required to make it happen,” he explains. “This will be the biggest challenge in my life, and I will achieve it.”

Liam always credits the people around him, and his

parents are his top supporters. “They both work so hard to ensure I can chase my dream. They are my number one and the best grooms I could ask for,” he shares. “Even though we knew nothing about it initially, and it is time consuming and not cheap, they have always supported my siblings and me in everything we do. They thought this would be a short phase, but we are still going harder than ever!”

He also is generously supported by his sponsors, Prestige Equestrian Ltd, Oakridge Ltd, Equine America NZ Limited, Canter for Cancer, Equissage NZ, McMillan Feeds, Beyond the Bit and Amy C Photography. n

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NORTH ISLAND STORES

AMS SADDLERY

82A Spartan Road, Takanini, 2105

Phone: 09 298 7094

Visit: amssaddlery.co.nz

CANTERBURY

EQUESTRIAN AUCKLAND

49 Main Road, Kumeu, Auckland

Phone: 022 585 1144

Visit: canterburyequestrian.co.nz

EAST’S OUTDOOR

WORK & LEISURE

109 Main Road, Makaraka

Gisborne, 4010

Phone: 06 868 8479

Visit: eastoutdoors.co.nz

EQUESTRIAN CENTRAL

74 High Street, Waipawa, Central Hawkes Bay

Phone: 0800 EQ CENT (372 368)

Visit: equestriancentral.co.nz

FOUNTAIN CITY SADDLERY

15A Lincoln Street, Hamilton

Phone: 0508 SADDLE

Visit: saddleryshop.co.nz

HR FISKEN & SONS

295 Tuakau Road, Pukekohe

Phone: 09 238 9414

Visit: hrfisken.co.nz

HIGHFIELDS EQUESTRIAN

2 Breakwater Road

Moturoa, New Plymouth

Phone: 06 751 2225

Visit: highfieldsequestrian.co.nz

HORSESPORTS

SADDLERY

U nit 2/84 Spartan Road, Takanini, Auckland

Phone: 09 269 6518

Visit: horsesports.co.nz

HORSEWYSE SADDLERY

4A Cloverlea Road

Palmerston North

Phone: 06 354 7787

Visit: horsewyse.co.nz

HORSELANDS DRURY 236 Great South Road (300m from Drury off ramp) Drury, South Auckland Phone: 09 294 6391

H ORSELANDS HAMILTON 789 Te Rapa Straight (one block south of the base), Hamilton Phone: 07 849 5266

H ORSELANDS KUMEU GRAIN 933 Waitakere Road (opposite the showgrounds), Kumeu, West Auckland

Phone: 09 412 7400

PREBBLE EQUESTRIAN

422 Gillespies Line, Palmerston North

Phone: 06 353 8822

SUMMIT GRAINS & SADDLERY

1 6 Oliver Street, Cambridge

Phone: 07 827 6091

Fax: 07 827 3881

Visit: summitsaddlery.co.nz

TAUPO EQUESTRIAN SUPPLIES

55 Titan Way, Taupo 3378

Phone: 07 377 8370

Visit: taupoequestriansupplies.co.nz

SOUTH ISLAND STORES

CANTERBURY EQUESTRIAN (CHRISTCHURCH)

823 Main South Road, Templeton, Christchurch

Phone: 03 349 6241

Visit: canterburyequestrian.co.nz

CANTERBURY EQUESTRIAN (NORTH CANTERBURY – WOODEND)

50 Main North Rd, Woodend

Phone: 03 310 0570

Visit: canterburyequestrian.co.nz

C ANTERBURY SADDLERY Cnr Racecourse & Yaldhurst Road, Riccarton, Christchurch

Phone: 03 342 9260

Visit: canterburysaddlery.co.nz

MARLBOROUGH EQUESTRIAN BARN

95 Battys Road, Blenheim

Phone: 03 578 8914

Visit: marlboroughequestrianbarn.com

RANGIORA EQUESTRIAN SUPPLIES

623 Lineside Road, Rangiora, Christchurch

Phone: 03 313 1674

Visit: rangioraequestrian.co.nz

R ICHMOND SADDLERY 430 Paton Road, Hope, 7081

Phone: 03 544 4177

Visit: richmondsaddlery.co.nz

SOUTH CANTERBURY

SADDLERY LTD

Shop 2, 300 Hilton Highway, Washdyke, Timaru

Phone: 03 688 2555

Visit: scsaddlery.co.nz

THE STABLE DOOR EQUINE

114 Hepburns Road

Ashburton 7776

Phone: 02 7220 2249

Visit: thestabledoor.co.nz

A LIFE OF

content

One of those quiet achievers in the world of show jumping, Rachel Malcolm is known for her innate ability to produce youngsters in a way that leaves nothing to chance and lays the perfect foundations for success in the future. The reigning Lady Rider of the Year is happiest doing just what she is doing, with the support of her husband, John, her children, and her mum Jackie

While well used to winning big classes and crowns, Cambridge mum of two Rachel Malcolm gets her biggest kicks from producing youngsters. She has brought through some very special horses who have gone on to do well in the hands of other riders on both sides of the Tasman. Her latest was Monte Carlo MVNZ, which she produced from a two-year-old through to her winning ride in the 2020 Lady Rider of the Year title. Monty and Onessa MVNZ are now based with Bella Du Plessis in Australia and doing well.

Rachel's current rising star is Perseus MVNZ, with whom she won the Land Rover Silver Tour Final at the Takapoto Classic 2023; there is also a clutch of youngsters in the paddocks at home.

"I think there's a lot of fulfilment and gratification in the process of producing horses," says Rachel. "There are a lot of rewards when you do things the right way. It's something I enjoy with any horse – whether it be racehorses or showjumpers, it all relates. I enjoy watching them progress."

She figures that her enjoyment and understanding of horses came many years ago when she did a short stint with Miranda Harrington in Europe. "I watched her

produce her young horses, which sparked something in me. It has really influenced what I do now."

Rachel and her husband, John, live at Cheltenham Stables with their two children, three-and-a-half-yearold Oliver and 11-month-old Will. It's an intensively run 20-acre property midway between Cambridge and Hamilton with 30 boxes, 14 yards and lots of paddocks to work breakers and pre-trainers and prepare two-year-olds for ready-to-run sales, with the odd showjumper to boot.

"It's very full-on," admits Rachel, but she loves it. She rides or long reins up to 14 horses a day, which keeps her fighting fit.

Rachel's jumping team is spearheaded by Perseus MVNZ. It includes a four-year-old Diarado she bought from Wendy Kedell, a three-year-old Cornet Obolensky out of Onessa MVNZ, a recently purchased two-year-old Colman filly bred by Jenny McIntyre, and a Diamant de Semilly yearling who is also out of Onessa MVNZ.

She's rebuilding after a little hiatus being a mum. "I have downsized my show jumping operation because we are just so busy with the rest of our business," she says. "But somehow, when you are busy, you just

WORDS - Diana Dobson IMAGES - Christine Cornege Photography

I THINK THERE’S A LOT OF FULFILMENT AND GRATIFICATION IN THE PROCESS OF PRODUCING HORSES.

make it all work."

She feels Perseus MVNZ has plenty of scope. "We always thought he would be good, and he's living up to all expectations. I'm excited to see what he can do in the future," she says. "The others are all very well-bred and good movers, but you honestly don't know until you get them out there and doing it. On paper, they should all be superstars, but there is more than that to make them into good horses."

Summer is the time for working her youngsters when the racing side of Cheltenham Stables is much quieter.

The process of producing the youngsters brings with it plenty of rewards for her. "You see what can evolve and how they develop and change, and I really enjoy the process of getting them there. I

get as much of a kick out of jumping a beautiful round on a five-year-old as from riding a big class on a good horse. While I love winning, I am more interested in doing a quality job."

That she has sold most of her good horses along the way doesn't bother her. "Lots have gone on to do well in the hands of others, which tells me I am doing something right and preparing the horse for the next person to enjoy."

But she still has her favourites. After much debate, she lands on Monte Carlo MVNZ as 'the one'. "He was a real winner. We had prizes through the six and seven-year-old ages, and then I returned after having Oliver to win the Lady Rider title."

She returned to the ring in January and won the muchcoveted trophy in March. "It was very special. He was such

Above and right - Rachel and PERSEUS MVNZ won the Land Rover Silver Tour Final at the Takapoto Classic 2023. Left - Looks like Oliver love of horses (ponies) is already installed. Pictured with his pony HR.

Right hand page - Rachel also rides breakers, pre-trainers and prepares two-yearolds for ready-to-run sales.

THE OTHERS ARE ALL VERY WELL-BRED AND GOOD MOVERS, BUT YOU HONESTLY DON’T KNOW UNTIL YOU GET THEM OUT THERE AND DOING IT. ON PAPER, THEY SHOULD ALL BE SUPERSTARS, BUT THERE IS MORE THAN THAT TO MAKE THEM INTO GOOD HORSES.

an ugly duckling as a young horse but definitely grew out of that. It was more rewarding because we were never sure what he was going to turn into!"

Rachel greatly appreciates the encouragement and support she receives from John to ensure she always has something coming through. "He makes sure I have horses there for the future. It would be easy to feel too busy and not have them there when you need them."

Given Will and Oliver's pedigree, it's no surprise there's a pony in the paddock already. Holly Rose is a cute-as-a-button little gelding who is nicknamed HR. "Oliver likes riding HR if you get him out, but I will let the kids dictate how much they ride. The pony is there if they want it.”

Mixing family and horses can be a challenge but Rachel would not have it any other way.

Below - Oldest son Oliver and the trusty family dog, Sadie.

Rachel's mum, Jackie, took a similar route, but her horse-mad child quickly took control. "Mum always had a horse at home and then got me a pony to ride. She let me keep doing it, paying the bills so I could keep going! She has always been my biggest supporter. She's now super Nana and often looks after the boys at the shows."

Rachel was eight when her first pony Aranui Lucifer came up the driveway at their Coatesville property. He had a name change, but in hindsight, his moniker should have given the aspiring young rider a bit of a heads-up. "I understood later why he was called Lucifer. He was a bit of a devil - a naughty little Welsh pony with a wall eye."

Rachel enjoyed Pony Club, showing, dressage and show hunter with Louie as he became known. However, the arrival of the 'little, hot, speedy" Anoushka set her on her pathway to success in show jumping. "She was a neat pony who was kind and just jumped everything. I was completely hooked after that."

Jackie soon gave up her dressage passion to help Rachel. "I was never very successful on ponies," she says - but the arrival of her hack Kabo Benny Boy soon changed that. "He was a very cool horse," says Rachel, who won Young Rider of the Year aboard him in 2009. Together they had placings in Lady Rider, and he carried her around her first Grand Prix. "He was the making of me."

She encourages others to make the most of every opportunity. "Just enjoy the moment and back yourself. Enjoy the journey, so you aren't always looking for the next thing but appreciate jumping a super 1.2m round rather than thinking of the 1.3m."

Lisa Coupe is her good mate, coach and sounding board. "She helps me with all my jumping horses. She works hard at what she does and does a great job."

Rachel is very content in her life. "Just being with John and doing what we do is a great life and lifestyle. It is cool to make a living doing something you love," she says. "I love my life. I enjoy being

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Rachel thinks PERSEUS M VNZ has the talent to compete internationally and hopes one day to take him to Australia over winter to develop him further.

a mum and living here in Cambridge. Hopefully, I will have something nice to ride next season; I am very content doing what I do."

She sees plenty to love about the national equestrian world –whether racing or show jumping. "It's special to be surrounded by like-minded people who are trying to reach similar goals (as yourself) and helping each other along the way," she says. "There's a lot of talent in New Zealand show jumping, and plenty of good people too. There are more and more nice horses and excellent venues. I feel it's improving all the time. It really is a cool community to bring kids up in and be around with other families."

Looking into the future, she doesn't see much change in her world. "I want to continue to make our business successful and nurture that. It's very important to us," she says. "First and foremost is our family and business. Showjumpers are something I love doing, but they are my thing on the side."

There is one thing she would love to do: take Perseus MVNZ to Australia to campaign in the winter. "It would be great to get over there and compete with him just to help develop him further," says Rachel.

But for now, she's basking in the satisfaction of another great season and planning her next moves. n

I LOVE MY LIFE. I ENJOY BEING A MUM AND LIVING HERE IN CAMBRIDGE.

HOPEFULLY, I WILL HAVE SOMETHING NICE TO RIDE NEXT SEASON; I AM VERY CONTENT DOING WHAT I DO.

HOOKED ON

eventing

One of a talented crop of the next generation of Kiwi eventers seeking to make it big on the world stage, Ginny Thomasen has experienced the thrill of top-level sport, with Badminton and Burghley completions to her name. It’s been a while between drinks, but this humble young woman has high hopes for her small but talented team of horses this coming season.

WORDS - Rebecca Greaves

AT HOME IMAGES - © Play Creative - Nicky Franks

COMPETITION IMAGES - Libby Law

It’s a new surname (albeit by just a few letters) for Ginny Thomasen - nee Thompson - and a new season ahead. Still, the goals remain the same – to represent New Zealand at the top level, with the Paris Olympics at front of mind.

Ginny grew up at Taupaki, near Kumeu, on a 10-acre block. Her mum was always keen on horses, and she and her sister got ponies at a young age. Ginny has never looked back.

“All my ponies were mega naughty. I used to get bucked off and eliminated everywhere – I think Mum was trying to put me off, actually.”

It was when she got her first hack that her love of eventing was cemented. She and her mum used to compete against each other at 2* level, and they bought and sold horses to fund the next one.

“I just love cross-country; the thrill of coming home through the flags inside the time is just the biggest rush. I’m an adrenaline junkie; eventing is my rush. It’s so variable with three disciplines. We are suckers for punishment – to get all three phases to come together at the same event is a challenge.”

The first horse Ginny bought herself was Star Nouveau (Paige), who ended up being her ticket to England. Paige was at Novice when Ginny purchased her, with an excellent cross-country record, but slightly questionable dressage and show jumping results.

“When I bought her, I was so excited because she was the first horse I had ever bought myself. She was beautiful, moved well, and had a

Ginny is pictured here with KATCHAFIRE

I JUST LOVE CROSS-COUNTRY , THE THRILL OF COMING HOME INSIDE THE TIME THROUGH THE FLAGS, IT’S JUST THE BIGGEST RUSH . I’M AN ADRENALINE JUNKIE AND EVENTING IS MY VERSION OF IT.

great cross-country record, if a slightly unconventional jump at times. I remember taking her to squad training and was so excited to show her off. Everyone told me I should sell her! I was a bit heartbroken, but I just got this feeling from her, one that I’d never had before.”

As it turned out, that feeling was right, and together they completed four 5* events, including Adelaide, Burghley, and Badminton twice. “Granted, it was with a few show jump rails and hot dressage tests. I wish I could have done them better, but it was exciting to do them.”

Their first 5*, at Adelaide in Australia, was a stepping stone to the UK to see if it was worth moving to the other side of the world. It was.

Ginny and Mitch (now her husband) packed up their lives and moved to the UK in 2018, initially basing with veteran kiwi eventer Blyth Tait for three weeks ahead of Badminton.

“Paige was such a good girl, but I felt like I made so many mistakes. The following year I wasn’t the fresh kid, and that second time at Badminton, I felt like I had found my feet. I remember being on cross-country and fist-pumping as I went past the New Zealand tent. I was having the dream ride, then I thought, ‘Shoot, I better not screw this up!”

As can be the way with horses, from the extreme high of a thrilling cross-country round, clear and inside the time, to the crushing low of eight poles down the next day, the event was the very best and the very worst rolled into one for Ginny.

The plan was to do Burghley a second time in 2019, but sadly Paige pulled up lame the day after her last gallop. “Her owners had flown over, and my mum had just landed. The time frame was too short, and we had to withdraw

Above - Tyler Porteous, Rowan Holloway, KATCHAFIRE and Ginny.

Below - Ginny rides Gladstone during the CCI4*-L cross-country at the 2022 Millstreet International Horse Trials, Ireland, owned by Elaine Butterworth and Anthony Quirk.

her. It was disappointing. I felt like she had one more 5* in her and felt slightly robbed. Covid happened, and we were aiming for Badminton, but then that got cancelled. My brilliant owners gave me the thumbs up to aim for Burghley, which then got cancelled too.”

With the uncertainty created by a Covid world and the astronomical cost of running a horse at that level, they made the tough call to retire Paige and put her in foal.

“I hope her foals have the heart of Paige on cross-country. She’s still my favourite cross-country horse to this day; she was phenomenal, and I had so much trust in her. Paige was my one-in-a-lifetime, my go-get-experience horse.”

Ginny hopes that putting her to show jumping stallions will result in some show jumping ability and prove a winning combination. She has one foal on the ground, by Chris Burton’s show jumping stallion Caliber Royale, and a second brewing, by Diamant de Semilly.

She admits there was a time she considered selling Paige for good money, staying in New Zealand, and putting a deposit on a house – being responsible. She chose to throw caution to the wind.

“Mitch was quite keen on the house idea, but I was like, ‘Let’s go for the ride’. I’m lucky he’s so tolerant and supportive. As we all know, 5* horses don’t come around very often. I had to jump on that chance.”

Ginny says the move would never have been possible without owners Elaine Butterworth and Anthony Quirk, who had a background in racing but were keen to branch out into the eventing world, sending Ginny two exracehorses to school and event. Unfortunately, Ginny was a little dubious about their prospects as eventers.

“I loved that they put their horses first and wanted them to have the best start in life. I was about to take Paige

to Adelaide and told them I needed help to fund her to England. They were very excited and bought rights to her ownership by funding her English career. Mitch and I struggled to put food on the table, but Paige wanted for nothing! Whatever she needed, she got, be it physio or the water treadmill. We wouldn’t be here without them; they are such lovely humans. Their very first show was Badminton, so that set the bar high.”

Ginny admits the cost of running a horse in the UK came as a shock, even though she was warned. The only solution was to work harder to fund it.

The couple was fortunate to stay with Blyth, and it soon turned from a temporary to a more permanent arrangement, with them eventually taking over the rent and lease of his Cotswolds yard when he retired.

“He was phenomenal; he just said, ‘Stay with me, do Badminton, and then worry about real-world things’. It was complicated trying to find our own place, and, in the end, he said he quite liked splitting the rent. As I like cooking, he also quite liked having dinner cooked for him every night! He is such a golden human.”

Elaine and Anthony invested in a second horse, Star Anise (Annie), a Thoroughbred mare by Mettre En Jeu, flown over from New Zealand. Now 10, Annie did two 3*L last season, and the plan is to step her up to 4* this year.

“She has a big heart, and I do have a soft spot for a nicelooking horse. Heelan Tompkins told me about her in New Zealand, a nice, leggy mare, and lo and behold, she’s now here competing.

“I needed more horses and managed to get some livery

Above left - Ginny with their dog, Arlo. Above - Rowan, KATCHAFIRE and Ginny have some time to quickly talk during a grooming session.

horses to help pay the rent. We then flew over another horse of mine who had competed to 3* level in New Zealand to fill the gap at a higher level, who I then sold to a young rider.”

Family friends from New Zealand, Phillippa Levy and Ross Milne came on board as owners after seeing Ginny’s performances at Burghley and Badminton. They were keen to buy a young horse and, again, they were initially all shocked at the prices in the UK.

Blyth and Ginny flew to Ireland to try some horses. They ended up purchasing four-year-old Cooley Wish Upon a Star (Troy), a Belgian Warmblood by Comilfo Plus Z. Now eight, he completed the seven-year-old class at Le Lion last season, finishing 15th.

“He’s one of the easiest jumpers I’ve ever had; he has so much scope and is very careful. He has the jump to go 5* and is such a gentleman.”

Ginny and Mitch returned to New Zealand in December and were married on New Year’s Eve (fittingly, the day they met).

“It was so much fun; weddings are just the best time. Ours was very DIY on the farm, and the whole bridal party came for the week and camped out. There was a lot of fun and a lot of love.”

After honeymooning in Sri Lanka, they landed back on English soil on January 20 and hit the ground running.

“I have two lovely horses at 4* Long level, and all eyes are set on the big goal, qualifying them for Paris Olympics. But there’s a lot of homework to be done yet.”

The first Paris prospect is 12-year-old grey gelding Gladstone (Rocky) by Der Senaat 111, owned by Elaine

Right - Ginny rides KATCHAFIRE during the CCI2*-L cross-country at the 2022 Millstreet International Horse Trials, Ireland.

IT IS DEFINITELY NOT ALWAYS A GLAMOROUS SPORT. I WAS FORTUNATE TO GROW UP WITH PARENTS WHO MADE ME BELIEVE IN FOLLOWING MY DREAMS. I'VE ALWAYS LOVED HORSES AND THEY'VE BEEN A BIG PART OF OUR FAMILY, A PASSION.

and Anthony. The second is Capitaine De Hus Z (Alvin), by Cosinhus, owned by David and Karie Thomson. Both horses completed the Blenheim 4*L last year, finishing in the top quarter of the class.

Ginny met David and Karie through Mark Todd, and as Toddy was retiring, the couple invested in horsepower for Ginny and fellow young rider James Avery.

“They are both phenomenal jumpers, little pocket rockets. They’re both quite small, and I’m quite tall. They’re very different to Paige; bless her cotton socks. Alvin is a clever and sharp little intelligent dude, which sometimes comes with a bit of cheekiness.

“They are two super little models, and every time I ride them, I feel so lucky. There is work to do, with the odd flying change to tidy up, but both are very talented.”

Rounding out Ginny’s team of five is eight-year-old Katchafire (Donny), also owned by Phillippa and Ross. “He’s beautiful, moves well, is very good on the flat, and a lovely jumper, but he has been slower to produce. He will take a bit longer, but I believe he will become a lovely horse with time.”

Ginny considers her team of five eventers small, but she rates them all. “Ideally, that number will grow, but they are all quality horses. Now we just have to tick the boxes

IT WAS SO MUCH FUN; WEDDINGS ARE JUST THE BEST TIME. OURS WAS VERY DIY ON THE FARM AND THE WHOLE BRIDAL PARTY CAME FOR THE WEEK AND CAMPED OUT . THERE WAS A LOT OF FUN AND A LOT OF LOVE.

to achieve bigger and more wonderful goals, like Paris and beyond. I’m looking to doing 5* on both the big boys over the next few years. It feels like it’s taken a long time and a long journey to build my team. I am lucky to sit on them every day.”

She has two brilliant girls who work for her, and they also do a lot of racehorses to help fund the eventers. This includes pre-training, bringing horses back into work after a spell, and, with jumps yards nearby, some come to learn to jump. Others come to be sold after retiring from racing.

One thing Ginny hasn’t had to worry about is her Visa. Her mum is Scottish, and she has a British passport.

“If I had to leave New Zealand, the Cotswolds is stunning, not cheap, but stunning. Now, England feels like home. We love it. Initially, we didn’t. It was really expensive, and we

Above - A stunning wedding day for Ginny and Mitch, surrounded by lots of love! Image - Libby Law Photography

Right - Ginny rides COOLEY WISH UPON A STAR during the crosscountry for the CCI3*-L 7-year-old class at the FEI WBFSH Eventing World Breeding Championship for Young Horses. Le Lion d’Angers, France in 2022.

Right hand page - Mitch is committed to Ginny’s passion.

were run ragged all the time, not getting anywhere. As we were trying to set ourselves up, I worked at the track and the pub for the first two years, and Mitch has done all sorts of random jobs. For the first two years, we just survived. We found our feet in the second two years and got some owners.

“Eventing is definitely not always a glamorous sport. I was fortunate to grow up with parents who made me believe in following my dreams. I’ve always loved horses; they’ve been a big part of our family, a passion. That’s probably why I struggle to sell horses - I fall in love too easily.

“I used to breed mice as a kid; I was always an animal lover. I was that kid mucking out paddocks before school. I had a bizarre drive to keep going, and the horses always

had to come first. Horses are a massive tie, but I just love it, and on a good day, the feeling is like no other.”

Horses are not a nine-to-five job. Ginny is conscious about finding small ways to switch off and maintain a work-life balance with the odd non-horsey activity. She recently started CrossFit, and the couple has taken up squash. “It’s always a highly competitive match between us - and unfortunately for me, Mitch is much more athletic!

“Finally, England feels like home, and having a dog has been an amazing addition to our little family.

Just taking Arlo for a walk at the end of the day makes us pause for a minute, as the work isn’t ever finished once we’ve left the barn - there is always so much admin to be done.”

Ginny is grateful to be sponsored by Voltaire Design Saddles and Baileys Horse Feeds. n

Above - Ginny rides CAPITAINE DE HUS Z during the 2022 CCI4*-L showjumping at Millstreet International Horse Trials, Ireland.

Left- Ginny pictured with KATCHAFIRE.

Below left - Competing at Burghley Horse Trials in 2019 is considered one of Ginny’s favourite highlights.

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A THIRST FOR

knowledge

For her entire life, Tarryn Jones has been immersed in an equestrian lifestyle. Her parents train Standardbred racehorses, and for as long as she can remember, she has always had a firm hand on the pulse of the action.

Even as a kindergarten kid, Tarryn was in the thick of her parents’ training stables, bringing horses in, feeding and generally loving them. She couldn’t get enough. “I helped in the stables from an early age, before and after school, so I have had horses of one discipline or another around me all my life,” she reflects. “Thank heavens the horses were quiet and looked after me because I remember being out there helping even when I was at kindy!” She would travel with her family to the races every weekend and was also a member of the HRNZ Kidz Kartz for many years; her family even kept and worked several of the Kidz Kartz ponies at home. “I loved it all, the ponies, the racing and the friendships,” she says.

She began competing when she was 12 years old and had her heart set on one day focusing on eventing. “I enjoy the challenge of getting all three phases right on the day, which doesn’t happen often!” She laughs. “I love the support of my fellow riders, and the eventing officials are awesome too. I also do a lot of dressage and show jumping competitions. All are aimed toward improving my eventing results.”

Tarryn became hooked on eventing when she purchased her first ‘big’ horse from Emily

Cammock, and Emily quickly became her mentor. “Emily helped me from very early on. She has been a huge and brutally honest influence ever since. I have enormous respect for her and continue to learn so much from her. I consider myself lucky to call her a friend,” she explains. Kristie Hill has also been a huge help and influence for Tarryn, helping her a lot when she was very young. “Kristie ran the HRNZ Kidz Kartz program, and I just loved being a part of it,” she reflects. “She remains an extraordinary friend today and now works for Dunstan Horsefeeds, a valued sponsor of eventing at a regional and national level.”

Tarryn’s number one and very special horse, Damani (Darcy), tragically passed away late last year after a short battle with Colitis X, leaving her with just one horse of her own, a seven-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Apellido (Leroy). “Leroy came to me to be sold, and I knew right away that he was too special, and I needed to get him on my team from the first moment I rode him,” she remembers. “He is quirky on the ground and would be too much for many people, but that is what I like about him, and he has come a long way. He is a rewarding horse and always tries his heart out for me.”

Leroy started his eventing career in February 2022

WORDS - Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES - Michelle Clarke Photography

Tarryn pictured with sevenyear-old Thoroughbred gelding APELLIDO

and has been super consistent ever since, recently starting in his first 105 event. “We will now work on consolidating at this level before making the next step, but I am excited about his future. He has finished either 1st or 2nd in his last six eventing starts, so that is a pretty good record!”

A recent memorable achievement with Leroy was winning their class at the South Island Three-Day Eventing Championships. “It’s always good to win at those competitions, especially on a self-produced horse in his first season eventing. It was just very special and satisfying,” she says. “Leroy would be the most consistent horse I have ever sat on. Even though he tests me on the ground, he is perfect under saddle, and it was so nice for him to get that win on top of his successful season.” In addition to Leroy, Tarryn feels lucky to have the support

of some fantastic owners. “The Tempest (Stormi) is owned by Tracy Hunt and is another horse that joined my eventing team last year. I also have some other client horses on the competition team keeping me busy. I feel super lucky to have them all to ride,” she says.

The loss of her heart

horse Damani took its toll on Tarryn and was undoubtedly the most challenging time in her career to date. “He was the most rewarding horse I have ever had,” she says. “He always gave me 110% but kept me accountable with my riding, which has improved me as a rider.

Right - APELLIDO came to Tarryn as a sale prospect but she quickly realised how special he was and decided he was suited to an eventing career.

Right hand page competition image - Tarryn and HEZ ALL THAT JAZZ (owned by Nicky Kennedy) during the cross-country at the Eventing Canterbury One Day Event.

Some friends of mine made a brooch of his mane and tail that I wear when I compete, so he is always with me. It is a really special gift that I treasure and a lovely way of remembering him.”

“It’s never easy losing an animal, especially your best mate,” she reflects sadly. “I remain incredibly grateful to the fantastic vets at Rangiora Equine Services and Canterbury Equine Centre who were involved in Darcy’s care that day. He was that one-in-a-million horse that taught me so much, and I will be forever grateful for that.” Tarryn was also grateful for the support of her family and friends during that time. “They all know who they are and know how much I continue to appreciate and value their friendship,” she explains. “I am currently in a rebuilding phase and have had to change my mindset a bit. Everything takes time, especially when you produce the horses, but when it comes together, it is incredibly rewarding. Things don’t always run smoothly, but that is just part of the sport and life in general.”

Tarryn credits the support of her family and friends with a big chunk of her success so far. Still, she is also super motivated and driven, working hard to improve her riding, and she feels lucky to work with a huge range

Tarryn refers to the above horses as the ‘Brown Brothers’. THE TEMPEST (right) and APELLIDO (left).

Left: TAKODA at Ashburton Showjumping

I AM CURRENTLY IN A REBUILDING PHASE AND HAVE HAD TO CHANGE MY MINDSET A BIT. EVERYTHING TAKES TIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU PRODUCE THE HORSES, BUT WHEN IT COMES TOGETHER, IT IS INCREDIBLY REWARDING.

of people and horses across different disciplines. “I am very involved as an Educator in the wonderful HRNZ HERO program where we retrain and rehome retired Standardbred horses and showcase how versatile this amazing breed is,” she says. “I love Standardbred horses, and I feel having interests in other breeds and disciplines outside my passion of eventing gives me a much broader perspective and is useful in improving me as an allaround horsewoman.”

Patience and persistence are two essential qualities Tarryn identifies as important attributes for any rider to have. “Unfortunately, horses take time, and we can’t rush them. Every horse is different and requires their own way

Above:

Tarryn and her dog, Django

of training, and they all have their own time frame,” she explains. “We need to be open to new solutions and ways of communication. There is no single way to succeed; every horse is a new challenge, and it is all about finding mutual ground to successfully create a partnership with that horse.”

While she has a plan for each ride, Tarryn understands that it only sometimes works out how you intend. “Sometimes I achieve my goals for that session, and sometimes I don’t,” she says. “Horses have their own good and not-so-good days just like we do, and occasionally you have to accept that finishing on a good note is enough for that day.”

Tarryn has an immense love for fitness and has been a

Tarryn and DAMANI competing at the Eventing Canterbury FEI Two-Day Event.

WE NEED TO BE OPEN TO NEW SOLUTIONS AND WAYS OF COMMUNICATION. THERE IS NO SINGLE WAY TO SUCCEED; EVERY HORSE IS A NEW CHALLENGE, AND IT IS ALL ABOUT FINDING MUTUAL GROUND TO SUCCESSFULLY CREATE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THAT HORSE.

sports fanatic her whole life. “I played netball competitively at a high level right through my school years and beyond,” she says.

“I always knew I wanted to work with horses, but I also knew it is smart to have a backup plan, so after completing Year 13, I completed my Personal Training Diploma. I believe fitness is a massive part of my riding, and you need to keep yourself as fit as your horse.”

Success isn’t always about winning for Tarryn but is instead about setting and ticking off little goals every time you go out.

“Winning is always a nice bonus, but achieving a specific goal at a

competition or just having the three phases come together really well and bringing home a happy horse at the end is always my main goal,” she says. “Winning is just the icing on an already really nice cake. It is nice when it all comes together, but realistically, I know it is not always going to.”

A typical day starts at 5.15 am with a session in the gym followed by work at a harness racing stable at Woodend Beach. “I am lucky that Mum feeds my horses in the mornings when she feeds hers,” she says. “When I finish at the racing stables, I head home to work the team of horses I have here. I often take one of mine to the

Tarryn and HEZ ALL THAT JAZZ at the South Island Three-Day Event 2022

beach in the morning and go for a ride after I finish work. I think the horses enjoy the beach as much as I do!”

Tarryn loves having plenty of variety throughout her days, and she credits that with keeping her motivated and having fun. She has recently been involved in prepping yearlings for the Standardbred Sales in Christchurch and helping Trelawney Stud at the Thoroughbred Sales in Karaka. “Life can get pretty full on, especially during yearling sales prep time, but it is a busy life that I love,” she says. “The Karaka Sales was an amazing experience, and I learnt heaps about presentation and different ways of handling

yearlings. I want to do more of this work in the future.”

The biggest life lesson Tarryn has for other riders is to put in the hard work and trust the process. “If you keep going and trust the process, even if you don’t see immediate results or improvements, the results you are working for will come! Never give up, seek advice from others you trust and also try and have a laugh while you are at it!”

She is also extremely grateful to her sponsors who support her journey; Bella Maitland Photography, Beyond the Bit and DSH Equine Myofunctional Therapy. n

Tarryn and TAKODA at the Eventing Canterbury Event 2022

COURSES FOR horses

Wairarapa-based cross-country course designer Chris Lever has made a name for himself with his bespoke hand-crafted jumps, and he’s in demand both here in New Zealand and across the ditch, recently attaining FEI 3* course designer status.

Since he left his role as a storeman at a supermarket to go full-time course designing seven years ago, Chris Lever hasn’t looked back. His packed schedule in New Zealand and Australia means he is busy yearround, with the Kihikihi International Horse Trial the highlight of his calendar.

Chris has earned a reputation for building fancy, bespoke jumps, including a replica Model T Ford and a steam train and carriage that took 12 days to build. His skill as a chainsaw carver has been useful in carving jumps from logs, a labour-intensive process. However, these days, he primarily works with 6x2 or plywood. Living just outside Masterton, Chris took up riding as an adult in his 20s and soon started competing on the local eventing circuit. “It was just the group of friends I got in with; they were all riding. We used to fill the truck with friends and family, and off we’d go.”

His first introduction to course designing was when he started volunteering at Tauherenikau, then home to the National Three-Day Event. His partner was involved with the event committee, and it was only natural Chris began to help out too. “We used to turn up, and the farmers

would be there with their tractors; all the wives and kids got stuck in too. I struck up a friendship with Andrew Puddy, who got me involved with building jumps.”

Sadly, Andrew suddenly passed away while Chris built the replica Model T Ford. “I dedicated it to him. He was a great friend and a long-time supporter of what I’ve done.”

From there, Chris started to build and design for Pony Club events and got involved with the Eventing Wairarapa group. With their encouragement, notably that of Olympian Tinks Pottinger, it was decided Chris should go and get some outside experience.

He duly went off to help John Nicholson, who was designing the Horse of the Year eventing course, then held at Flaxmere. The two hit it off, and John took Chris under his wing, greatly influencing his career.

“I started helping, then he started paying me, and it kind of exploded from there. I call it the John Nicholson curse. He was doing really fancy, decorative wood fences, which sparked my interest. I kept coming up the levels as a course designer and helping John. Then I started going to Australia, particularly Perth.”

Working as a storeman at a supermarket at that time,

WORDS - Rebecca Greaves IMAGES - Belinda Pratt Photography

GENERALLY, I CAN BE AS BUSY AS I WANT; IF IT’S NOT BUSY HERE, I CAN GO TO AUSTRALIA . IT’S TOTALLY DIFFERENT OVER THERE; THE NUMBER OF EVENTS IS MUCH GREATER, AND MORE MONEY IS AVAILABLE

he kept asking for more and more time off to go course designing. Eventually, they said, ‘No more time off’, and Chris took the risk of leaving his secure job and going course designing full-time. The rest is history. “Time flies when you’re having fun!”

He enjoys being able to put his own spin on a course. As someone who designs and builds fences for himself, he says it’s exciting to put together ideas and see them come to fruition.

“I like watching how my courses ride and seeing the enjoyment people get out of it. There are two parts; the first aspect is building and presenting a course to a level you enjoy, and the second is watching it ride. I remember the excitement I’d get at the start box and coming home - at the end, you just want to go again. Seeing that look on the riders’ faces, that’s what makes it worthwhile.”

Chris gets an equal kick out of designing the lower-level Pony

Club courses as he does for the top events. “I like getting the courses to a point where the riders and horses create a nice picture, and most get around and enjoy the experience.”

The work he gets in Australia has been a saving grace in allowing him to work year-round. When he first left the supermarket, he had fill-in positions driving trucks or doing firewood. The past couple of years have been so busy with course designing that he has been able to focus solely on that.

“The Australian season is much longer than here. I normally finish here and then head to Australia. I could work there year-round if I wanted to. It has led to me getting stuck in Perth twice during Covid lockdowns. This year has been a bit different - it has been wet, events have been cancelled, and the material costs of building jumps are 100% more than pre-Covid.”

Chris has lost jobs due to rising expenses and weather cancellations. “Generally, I can be as busy as I want; if it’s not busy here, I can go to Australia. It’s totally different over there; the number of events is much greater, and more money is available. I’m very lucky to have a good support group of friends in Perth, and two of my nieces are there.”

As well as Perth, Chris has worked in Melbourne and is heading to the 4* Adelaide International Three-Day Event later this year.

He rates Kihikihi as the highlight of his career. “Working with John, I’ve had a real love affair, if you like, with Kihikihi. Being the designer there is a dream job. I’ve gone from being John’s protégé the first year to now. It’s a role reversal, as he has given up, so he’s there now helping me and driving the tractor.

“Kihikihi is special; there’s something about that event. I think it’s what John has put into it; he puts every spare moment into the event, and even his wife is there dressing the fences. They don’t do six flowers - they do 60! It’s next level. The riders love it, and everything is just really, really nice.”

Chris

says the key

to successful course designing is balancing the ability of the horses and riders. Once you get to 2* and 3*, the focus changes from building an encouraging course to building a course that is testing.

“Everybody talks about the story of a course – a beginning, middle and end. To me, a good course encourages everybody to get going and ride in a good stride; there are a few questions in there, but the majority get home. It’s a tricky balance to test the best and encourage the rest. When I’m doing a course, especially in the middle I want to get the riders thinking.”

He says that, in some ways, it’s the middle heights that present the toughest challenge. “It’s easier at 3* and 4* as those riders have done the hard yards to

prove themselves. You can only go to that next level once you succeed at the previous level, and that works well.

“It’s harder at the lower levels, 95cm up to 2*, and more crucial to design courses that encourage people and still produce good riding - that’s where the crunch is. I’ve often been labelled a ‘soft’ designer, but I would rather people get home. It’s not about points for the course designer. You still have to have a competition, but you want a good picture.”

The second important consideration is the terrain available, as every event is different, and that has a big bearing on the course. His home course, Clareville in the Wairarapa, is completely flat, so they built mounds to provide differing terrain. Kihikihi, on the other hand, has plenty of variety.

Finally, he admits that budget is another consideration, especially with timber being so expensive now. “Some people just want to run an event, and some want to run something special. I’ve just done a new 95cm track for Kihikihi, and they wanted premium jumps to reflect what Kihikihi is about. The people helping also play a part. It makes a difference if people get involved and are excited about helping out.”

Left-hand page: Not only does Chris build fences, he has his own truck and crane to put them in place. The workshop, yard and garden all have bespoke fixtures.

A point of difference for Chris in New Zealand is that he has his own crane truck and container with all the tools he needs, which he carts to events. “What I do is professional, and I think it does set me apart. I take it seriously. Running costs for the truck have gone up phenomenally, though, so it’s ‘suck it and see’ whether I keep doing that now. But I wouldn’t want to do it any other way.”

Since he began course designing full-time, the most significant changes to the sport are around safety and the ‘safer profile’ of fences. Safety is always front of mind for Chris.

“The biggest factor that has changed is rotational falls and trying to stop or reduce those. Basically, a rotational fall is caused when the horse’s knee comes in contact with something that stops its movement. ‘Safer profile’ revolves around the knee and whether something on the fence can catch the knee.”

The two measures introduced to combat this are frangible devices used on fences, such as a skinny rail, where part of the fence will break away if enough pressure is exerted, and the 45-degree risk profile. “An example of this would be a wagon with a flat top and sides that fold up and down. The side would

be on the 45-degree angle, which helps reduce the risk of a fall.”

Life is hectic these days, and Chris’s riding has gone by the wayside, though his old eventer is still in the paddock. “I would get to events, and she’d be puffing away because I didn’t have the time to put into fitness for her or myself. I made a conscious decision to be a course builder and designer, not a rider.”

Sadly, this decision has bitten him in the behind. He recently

A few fences built by Chris:

Top image - Kelli Frewin is jumping the Kieran Oliver Truck

Middle right - Donna’s Dogs (Donna is Chris’s partner) with Casey Bolton-Smith showing sytle over this fence Botomm right - Cec Dalziell-Clout jumps the Fagan Motors Model T fence

gained FEI 3* course designer status and is also an Australian National designer, but a new rule could curtail his dream of making it to 4*.

“They changed the rule, and now, if you haven’t ridden to 3*, you can’t build at that level. I used to love cross-country, and it’s a real kick in the teeth. I’m hopeful it will be changed back. At most events, one designer does 3* and 4*, and someone else does the rest, which means there is little opportunity for me at 3*, too. If that rule had always been in place, it would have cut out a lot of people, and we would have very few 4* course designers in New Zealand.

I have aspirations of getting to 4*, but until they change that rule, I can’t really go any higher. I’m 100% happy with what I’m doing; I love it and don’t want it to change. I love the lower-level stuff, too; without those people, we haven’t got anyone to progress through to 3* and 4*. We must keep producing good courses and riders to reach the higher levels.”

In the meantime, Chris relishes his job and looks forward to seeing many more smiling faces cross the finish line having successfully navigated his courses. n

IT TAKES AN ARMY

As Cyclone Gabrielle unleashed her wrath on the country, equestrienne Elizabeth Charleston was one of many New Zealanders who watched events unfold with a growing sense of horror and desperation. Like many in the horse community, her thoughts quickly turned to the plight of the many displaced and injured horses and immediately getting vital supplies to the region.

Using the power of social media and her networks in the equine community, Elizabeth Charleston assembled what is now known as the #nzequinearmy. Leveraging the reach of her Facebook page, New Zealand Equestrian Scene, she helped coordinate the collection and delivery of vital supplies, delivered by helicopter and truck to those at the coalface in Hawke’s Bay.

Within hours, working from her home in Tamahere, Waikato, she was able to direct much-needed medical supplies and equipment to those in Hawke’s Bay who were in a race against time to rescue and tend to the many four-legged victims of the widespread flooding.

“A human needs a purpose in life, and people want to feel useful at a time like this. I think, collectively, people in New Zealand wanted to feel useful. Some ] picked up a spade, and I picked up a phone.

The power of Facebook, when used for good, is truly wonderful.

“I started the hashtag #nzequinearmy, and we brought an army of people together within a day. Every single member was valued. I feel bad that I couldn’t do more to actually help rescue horses. Still, my health and recent spinal fusion prevented that. I

had to be honest about my capabilities – the old Lizzie would have jumped in the helicopter!”

Lizzie grew up on a sheep and beef farm near Morrinsville. Her family is well known in equestrian circles, and horses have always been a part of life, from doing the lambing beat on her pony to winning many wide ribbons in the show ring, attending Pony Club Champs, and representing her state in showing while living in South Africa.

In 1992 at age 15, Lizzie was ‘discovered’, and the following year she represented New Zealand at the Ford Supermodel of the World competition. She lived and travelled around the world modelling, featuring as the face of campaigns for brands like Revlon. Through it all, her passion for horses has never wavered.

It was apparent to Lizzie early on that the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle was catastrophic. “I’m a bit of a weirdo; on my equestrian page, I always share updates on weather events. When you live on the land or are running equestrian events, you’re always interested in what the weather is doing. I expected it to be bad.”

When a friend sent her a video taken in the Esk Valley on Tuesday morning, she realised just how bad. “He was on his roof doing a running commentary.

WORDS - Rebecca Greaves AT HOME IMAGES - Christine Cornege Photography

A HUMAN NEEDS A PURPOSE IN LIFE, AND PEOPLE

WANT TO FEEL USEFUL AT A TIME LIKE THIS. I THINK, COLLECTIVELY, PEOPLE IN NEW ZEALAND WANTED TO FEEL USEFUL. SOME PEOPLE PICK UP A SPADE, AND I PICKED UP A PHONE.

Right - Jubilee was paddocked with Smooch and swam out of the left-hand side of the paddock when the flood waters came in. He was found on a neighbouring farm with a broodmare who belonged to the agistment property owner. The farm owner who found them says they would have had to swim through three fences and a lake to make it up the hill. Dave Kruger also treated Jubilee, and because one of the wire cuts was behind the knee joint and there was a risk it may become infected, he was transported to Massey University.

- Marek Pipi

Redclyffe Bridge, Tutaekuri River, Waiohiki. Photo taken: 14th Feb 2023 Image - Corena

Awatoto - Photo taken: 15th Feb 2023. Image - Corena

People next door had been screaming for help for hours, and no help was coming. I knew then we had to react immediately, that horses would be wounded and need feed and medical supplies.”

During her modelling career, while living in South Africa with her then-husband, Lizzie discovered first-hand what it was like to live in a state of emergency, with terrifying bushfires ravaging their region. “I would fight fires at night, then put on a bloody bikini and do my modelling job during the day. When I got home, I’d change back into my firefighting clothes. We had to evacuate the horses off our property and the estate where we lived.”

During the conflict in Zimbabwe, she was involved in rescue work with animals, too. The knowledge and skills gained during these tumultuous times proved invaluable after Cyclone Gabrielle struck.

“I was hearing about horses being washed away, and all of this information was lighting up my brain – do something, get help. I

know what it’s like to be in a bad situation and know no help is coming. The 111 operators had to hang up on people after telling them to look after themselves, and no one was coming. I can’t imagine how awful that would have been for the poor operators trained to help.”

She decided to focus on creating the infrastructure needed for people to send supplies for horses, and it quickly snowballed. Within 24 hours, thanks to the driving force of her good friend Lynley Schollum, they had organised and delivered donated supplies via two helicopters, generously given at no charge by Jonny Schick and Anita Vela.

“The morning after the first helicopters flew down, Lynley asked, ‘Lizzie, what do you need?’ I said I wanted drugs and a helicopter. By 8pm that night, we were packing those supplies donated by people and businesses around the Waikato and beyond. That was a huge deal to get that support. Those helicopters cost $2,500 an

This image - Lynley Schollum (another hero) took supplies via helicopter to Taradale. Right - Lizzie at Anita Vela’s house dropping off medical supplies to go in her helicopter for the first delivery.

I LOVE ALL HORSES AND HONESTLY DIDN'T CARE IF IT WAS A MINI, A RACEHORSE, OR A WARMBLOOD; IT WAS A HORSE.

hour to run. I’m so grateful to Lynley and her network - I was just frantic to get those horses the help they needed.”

Lizzie’s right-hand woman on the ground in Hawke’s Bay was a superhero, ambulance officer Ocean Hartrick. The first equine hub was set up at Montana Horse Arena, close to Ocean’s home and next door to an airfield. “I trusted Ocean. She’s not flaky, and she does what she says.”

She also had help from Alison Ritchie, who turned up at Lizzie’s house and helped contact the racing fraternity in Hawke’s Bay to check on their needs. Ali contacted Richard Fenwick, the track manager at Hastings racecourse, who proved to be a gem and immediately facilitated the delivery of hay and feed to the racecourse. The race day starting stalls were pulled out of their shed, repurposed as a hay shed. This then required a tractor and soft hands to unload deliveries, which was organised in record time thanks to the team from the NZ Farming Facebook page.

The racecourse became the second equine hub for deliveries and dispatch. Helping You Help Animals (HUHA) set up there, too. With stables, yards, and small paddocks available and vets on site, this was also established as a place to send injured horses.

As roads reopened and the link between Hastings and Napier was re-

established, they worked with Dionne Best from Napier RDA as a drop-off point for supplies and a hub to care for horses.

“Those three hubs are businesses, but they opened their gates and said, ‘We are here to help.’ They didn’t have internet, and phone coverage was dicey. It was like walking through a cave and lighting matches to see where I was going.”

Waipukurau Racecourse then started accepting deliveries, too, headed up by Kirsty Lawrence and a team of helpers.

Initially, it was daunting that they could not contact Gisborne. “Some horrific things have happened up there, but once we had contact, we realised Hawke’s Bay was worse in many ways.”

They pressed to create the same infrastructure and equine zones in Gisborne that they had done in Hawke’s Bay, but the lack of road access made it more difficult. Amy Hopkins at Gisborne RDA became the first point of contact in the area.

A small blessing in Hawke’s Bay was that the roads to the south were accessible.

“I’m used to dealing with emergencies and thinking on my feet, but I don’t know if we would have been as effective if it was another region that I don’t know as well. We’re all familiar with Hawke’s Bay because of the A & P Show and Land Rover Horse of the Year, and I think that resonated with people; we’ve all been there.”

Communication to the region was scarce, and the bush telegraph was working overtime, so Lizzie was conscientious about the information she posted on her page, ensuring her sources were reliable.

With an inbox bulging with messages and inquiries about all sorts of donations, not just for horses, it would have been easy to get overwhelmed. “Lynley told me, ‘Lizzie, we do one thing, and we do it good.’ That reminded me to keep focused on the horses and animals.”

The other avenue she worked on was finding a trusted place for people to donate money. Her inbox was inundated with

Above -“Smooch swam out of the right-hand side of the paddock through fences to higher ground with a mare called Polly. They were both found by non-horsey people who put them in a paddock and posted them on Facebook. We couldn’t physically get to them as all bridges were washed out and roads were closed. Luckily a fantastic horse vet named Dave Kruger lives in the Brekenridge area and treated Smooch. He is now at a friend’s property in Poraiti recovering,“ says owner Marek Pipi.

people asking where the best place to donate was.

They needed a dedicated bank account and someone who would make responsible decisions about where the money went to help the horses affected by Gabrielle.

“I contacted ESNZ, and they were quick to respond. I was grateful they could take charge of this role, and especially thankful to everyone who donated. Over that first weekend, they pulled in more than $60,000, which went to over $100,000 during the week.

“I love all horses and honestly didn’t care if it was a mini, a racehorse, or a Warmblood; it was a horse. We are responsible, as animal lovers, and it doesn’t matter if it’s yours or mine. We have a responsibility to

The railway lines will take years to repair. Image - Thoma Conrad

A house in Taradale where water met the ceiling and all materials disappeared. Image - Corena

these beautiful animals to have their backs.”

These days, Lizzie’s time in the saddle is limited thanks to a growing catalogue of injuries, notably serious head injuries. She has been widely recognised for the work she’s done raising awareness in this space, starting THINK (The Head Injury Awareness Network for Kiwis) and The Naked Challenge, where people were photographed naked, save for their helmet, with the tagline ‘I would rather go naked than not wear a helmet’.

Her campaigning saw her named a finalist in the NZ Women of Influence Awards in 2013 and awarded a Craig Ferrell MD Equestrian Safety Award that same year, alongside Lucinda Green and Charlotte Dujardin. She is also a two-time finalist in the Spirit of Attitude category at the Attitude Awards, celebrating those in the disability sector. She has served on the judging panel for the event.

Her head and spinal injuries have robbed her of many things, but she’s counting down the days until she can get back in the saddle, even for just one ride. She understands what horses mean to people.

“I know it will be the sweetest moment when I climb back in the saddle. We all know that just sitting on a horse and patting it brings joy. I knew that, for the Government, human life was more important, and I get that; that’s why I took this on.

“The lost and found horse posts really tore at the heartstrings. I couldn’t sit there and do nothing. I locked on to this and was very concise, but I wasn’t functioning as a normal human being in other departments of my life. I was living on a cocktail of pain relief medication to get me through, which wasn’t sustainable.”

With this in mind, and her father’s looming hip replacement surgery that involved potential complications, Lizzie signalled after two weeks that with the three equine zones established and communication in Hawke’s Bay restored, they were able

to direct their own future, so she would be reducing the level of intensity of her role.

Lizzie hopes lessons will be learned from Gabrielle and believes we must be better prepared to respond to events like this in the future. “I think this event has shown us we need a blueprint for the future on how we deal with emergencies like this.

“I want to thank people for trusting me and the plan that was forming to establish equine zones and get supplies to the region. It also meant a lot to me that people trusted me during this disaster to provide information, to better serve the people on the ground helping the horses.” n

Above - The rail bridge on the Eskdale river. Right - A house is Eskdale that was completely covered in slash and slit. Images - Thoma Conrad

WORDS Caitlin Benzie & IMAGES - Belinda Pratt & Caitlin Benzie

I AM SO PROUD OF BOTH OF MY BOYS!

JOEY EXCEEDED ALL MY EXPECTATIONS WITH OUR NEW NZ RECORD SCORE.

I TRULY FEEL SO BLESSED TO RIDE THIS INCREDIBLE HORSE EVERY DAY.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SEND A BIG THANK YOU TO THE SHOW COMMITTEE AND ALL OF THE SPONSORS FOR A FANTASTIC EVENT!

- MELISSA GALLOWAYMelissa Galloway and WINDERMERE J’OBEI W during the Superior Rubber Surfaces Super 5 FEI Grand Prix 2022 CDI 3*

Image - Belinda Pratt Photography

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1. Paige Fitzgerald - GREENMOOR EUPHORIA in the Affordable Pools FEI Pony Individual 2. Ashleigh Webster - DU SOLEIL SSH, in the Elite Frozen Foals 5A 3. Gaylene Lennard - JAX JOHNSON, 3rd in the Superior Rubber Surfaces Super 5 FEI CDI 3* 4. Cindy Wiffin - SANTANA MH in the Copyright Fashions 5C 5. Vanessa Way - NSC FURST ROCK DW, 1st in the Custom Logistics Super 5 PSG 6. Rochelle Spiers - ORINOCO FAB, River Park Farm Four-year-old title winner 7. Cooper Oborn - IRISH COFFEE, 1st in the Equissage Advanced 6C 8. Casey Burton - FANCIFUL MH, Bates National Preliminary Champion

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This year, the Bates Dressage

Nationals celebrated Dressage and the incredible 25 years that Bates Saddles and David Jones-Parry have steadfastly supported the event. It was a busy week for judges, stewards and the organising committee, with upwards of 30 championship rugs up for grabs across nineteen different levels of competition.

On the back of her European campaign, golden girl Melissa Galloway and her wonderful Windermere J’Obei W once again came out on top in the CDI3* Grand Prix by winning every test and breaking New Zealand records along the way. Wendi Williamson and Don Vito MH were hot on Melissa’s heels all week to comfortably claim the Grand Prix Reserve Champion title; at only ten years old, he’s undoubtedly a very exciting horse for the future. Seeing all horses in the CDI3* making the 70% mark in the freestyle was exciting, demonstrating the growing strength in New Zealand Dressage.

Two horses also retired from international Grand Prix ranks at this show. Ardmore, who has given his rider Lucarne Dolley huge success at Youth level, was retired from competition. Aphrodite, bred and owned by the Stuchbery family, is stepping down from

the top level to now be ridden by Cooper Oborn’s partner, James Blackwood. ‘Snickers’ and Cooper had a fantastic end to their story together, winning the Anamour Memorial Trophy for the best-performed Anamour and the Takanui Trophy for the bestperformed mare.

The Medium Tour presented an incredibly close battle between Brina Carpenter riding Sheena Ross’s ex-Grand Prix campaigner Parkridge Disco SW, and Vanessa Way riding Renee Etherington’s BL All By Chance. Brina and Danny had the upper hand over the first two days, taking the win in Inter A and B with 68.2%. However, when it came to the freestyle and the all-important 1.5x points, Vanessa and ‘Oscar’ were named the Medium Tour Champions with a convincing win on 70.2%, with Brina second on 68.8%. Brina also won the VW Pro Am Championship, with Angela Hooper and Surreal BC finishing Reserve.

It was anyone’s game in the Small Tour, with Vanessa Way and the giant NSC Furst Rock DW winning the first day of competition with a 72.4%. Melissa Galloway and her very hot, home-bred Windermere Integro were close on her heels on 72.3%, with Susan Tomlin and Dance Hit SW on 70.1% and

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youth rider Madison Schollum and Kinnordy Golda on 69.6%. The placings were mixed around for the freestyle, with Madison first, Vanessa second, Susan third and Melissa fourth. The final day of competition saw Melissa and ‘Elmo’ pull out their best test of the week for a convincing win in the Int 1 on 73.9%; however, that wasn’t enough to stop second-placed Madi and ‘Golda’ from retaining their Small Tour title from 2022, with Melissa having to settle for Reserve.

Level Six has been seriously tough all season, having been likened many times to the ‘Advanced Olympics’. The first day saw Wendi Williamson and the imported (now gelded) stallion Fugato SW win on 72%, with Vanessa Way and NSC Jolie DW in second, Cooper Oborn and his imported Irish Coffee in third and young rider Samantha Belsham, in only her second start at this level taking fourth with a highly respectable 69.6%. Cooper and ‘Irish’ were able to head off the competition over the next two days with their huge arena presence though, convincingly winning the 6C on 72.5% and also the 6A with a whopping 75.4% to finish their first full season together as the Level Six National Champions – paving the way for what is likely to be an incredibly exciting international combination for the future. Samantha carried on with her solid scores at this relatively new level for the pair to take a deserved win in the VW Pro Am Championship, with Francesca Masfen and ex-eventer Kinnordy Gallilee finishing Reserve.

The Treadlite FEI, Young Rider classic was once again taken by Ben Weir riding Melissa Steed’s NPE Del Rico, winning all three classes with the classic showmanship everyone is becoming used to seeing from this combination. On her wonderful schoolmaster Ruanuku R, Gemma Lewis fended off the rest of the competition to finish second to Ben in each test, resulting in Reserve Champion.

The Advanced Medium Championship was another level that had a mixed bag of winners, with Penny Pearce and Papanui Just Dynamite, Cooper Oborn and Joniro and Cindy Wiffin and Santana MH each winning a test. Ultimately, it was a much-deserved win for Penny Pearce after a tough couple of months, with Cooper Oborn and his eight-year-old Johnson-bred gelding taking Reserve.

1. Jayna Dinneen - WONDERLUST, 2nd in the Dunstan Horses Feeds Super 5 Medium 4B 2. Hanna Luostari - OLDEBROOKE DEBUT, Fiber Fresh Bronze Elementary Champion 3. Kim Whitelegg - RIVERPARK ROCKETMAN, in the River Park Farm-DNZ Young Dressage Horse Four-year-old Round 1 4. Henrike Puketapu - HSP RAVEN, 3rd in the Fiber Fresh Elementary Test 3A 5. Hanna Luostari - OLDBROOKE DEBUT, Elementary Bronze Champion 6. Wendi Williamson - DON VITO MH, 2nd in the Brett Kendall & Rosemary Carter FEI Grand Prix Special CDI 7. Melissa Galloway - WINDERMERE INTEGRO, 4th in the Equestrian Country Small Tour FEI Intermediate I Musical Freestyle

1 2 3 4 5 6

1. Frankie Lawn - PIED PIPER TRICK OR TREAT, 1st in the Affordable Pools FEI Pony Musical Freestyle 2. Madison Schollum - KINNORDY GOLDA, Small Tour/Level 7 Champion 3. Renai Hart - SMILLA, Elite Frozen Foals Silver Advanced Medium Champion 4. Vanessa Way - BL ALL BY CHANCE, 1st in the Jamarqui Equestrian Medium Tour Musical Freestyle 5. Cooper Oborn - JONIRO, 1st in the Back on Track Super 5 Advanced Medium 6. Rebecca McKee - SOLO, 3rd in the Equestrian Country Medium Tour FEI Int B 7. Nicky Daulton - HPH PHELIX PHELICIOUS, in the Equissage Advanced 6C 8. Rachael Sutton - DERREEN PARK JISELLE, in the Copyright Fashions Advanced Medium 5C 9. Susan Tomlin - DANCE HIT SW, 3rd in the Custom Logistic Super 5 Small Tour PSG 10. Vanessa Way - NSC JOLIE DW, 2nd in the Ridir Clothing Advanced

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Candice Nichol and Falcon O made their big trip up from Waimate worth it, winning the all-important 1.5x point class to take out the Medium National Championship; this combination was also named the River Park Farm Six-Year-Old National Champion. Vanessa Way and Bugatti MH had to settle for Reserve Champion, but this is another of Vanessa’s horses with a bright future ahead.

The Affordable Pools Pony Classic was another mixed bag, with Paige Fitzgerald and Greemoor Euphoria, Frankie Lawn and Pied Piper Trick or Treat, and Gemma Lewis and Pennyweight Effervescent all having a win. However, in the end, the title was awarded to Frankie Lawn, while Paige Fitzgerald completed her stellar season as Reserve Champion.

In the Fiber Fresh ESNZ Para-Equestrian National Championship, Grade I went to Jodie Thorne and the gorgeous Ira Hayes, Grade II to Aimee Prout and Laghmor, the ever-popular Anne Watts and Josephs Dream (IV) and Grade V to Chelsea Burns and ex-eventer

Young rider Claudia Younger on her family’s home-bred CDS Donnerstern, was the clear winner in the Elementary National and Silver Championships with two wins and a second, with Reserve Champion going to Alison Summers and ex-show jumper Regent Street.

The Novice National Champion was again claimed by the all-important 1.5x point class winner, with Holly Leach and her imported HPE Barbados flying their way to Champion. Lorraine Ward-Smith completed a fantastic week on her home-bred horses to finish as Novice Reserve Champion and the Vanessa Way ProAm Grand Prix Reserve Champion.

To round out the championships, Casey Burton and the fouryear-old Matthews Hanoverian-owned Fanciful MH made a clean sweep of their classes to finish as the Prelim National Champions at the mare’s first-ever show, with Ottilie Upshall and her adorable little palomino El Segundo taking Reserve.

DSE Lannister.

PRELIMINARY - HEMA’S DELIGHT COFFEE & FOOD

PRELIMINARY BRONZE CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Rochelle Robertson - JHY FANCY PANTS

Reserve: Renee Hogg - CDS DONNERNOIRE

PRELIMINARY - HEMA’S DELIGHT COFFEE & FOOD

PRELIMINARY SILVER CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Samantha Fechney - S HOCKINGS SHOWMAN

Reserve: Charlotte Grant - NOW’S THE TIME PSH

PRELIMINARY - BATES NATIONAL PRELIMINARY CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Casey Burton - FANCIFUL MH

Reserve: Ottilie Upshall - EL SEGUNDO

NOVICE - CLASSIC EQUESTRIAN BRONZE NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Rebecca Merrick - BEAUFIELD FLORENCIA

Reserve: Jessica Sutherland - EASY GOING

NOVICE - KIWI ARENA RAKES SILVER NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Helen Young - VOLLRATH LORDE

Reserve: Mckenzie Dew - ROOF OF RECKONING

NOVICE - BATES NATIONAL NOVICE CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Holly Leach - HPE BARBADOS

Reserve: Lorraine Ward-Smith - FERNLEA DIAMOND HILL

ELEMENTARY - FIBER FRESH BRONZE ELEMENTARY CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Hanna Luostari - OLDBROOKE DEBUT

Reserve: Kylie Littleford - SWEET LUCILLE

ELEMENTARY - FIBER FRESH SILVER ELEMENTARY CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Claudia Younger - CDS DONNERSTERN

Reserve: Sarah Schnell - KYREWOOD MONTE CARLO

ELEMENTARY BATES NATIONAL ELEMENTARY CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Claudia Younger - CDS DONNERSTERN

Reserve: Alison Summers - REGENT STREET

MEDIUM - FIBER FRESH BRONZE MEDIUM CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Augusta Hampton - AMAGE RHUMBA

Reserve: Fiora Au - PIA

MEDIUM - FIBER FRESH SILVER MEDIUM CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Bronwyn Paul - LINDT

Reserve: Yvette Wilson - CRYSTAL MT VITORIA

MEDIUM - BATES NATIONAL MEDIUM CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Candice Nichol - FALCON O

Reserve: Vanessa Way - BUGGATTI MH

ADVANCED MEDIUM - ELITE FROZEN FOALS BRONZE

ADVANCED MEDIUM CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Vicki Gibbs - DONERO RH

Reserve: Alice Cochran - ALACATRAZ

ADVANCED MEDIUM - ELITE FROZEN FOALS SILVER

ADVANCED MEDIUM CHAMPIONSHIP

Renai Hart - SMILLA

Sophie de Clifford - RIVVERROCK NIGELLA

ADVANCED MEDIUM - BATES NATIONAL ADVANCED MEDIUM CHAMPIONSHIP

Penny Pearce - PAPANUI JUST DYNAMITE

Cooper Oborn - JONIRO

ADVANCED - VW DRESSAGE PRO AM ADVANCED CHAMPIONSHIP

Samantha Belsham - DOLCETTO II

Francesxa Masfen - KINNORDY GALLILEE

ADVANCED - BATES NATIONAL ADVANCED CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Cooper Oborn - I RISH COFFEE

Reserve: Vanessa Way - NSC JOLIE DW

SMALL TOUR - VW DRESSAGE PRO AM SMALL TOUR

CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Anna Wilson - NEVERSFELDE RUPERT

Reserve: Kathryn Corry- ANUSCHKA PSH

SMALL TOUR - BATES NATIONAL SMALL TOUR

CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Madison Schollum - KINNORDY GOLDA

Reserve: Melissa Galloway - WINDERMERE INTEGRO

MEDIUM TOUR - VW DRESSAGE PRO AM FEI

INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Brina Carpenter - PARKRIDGE DISCO SW

Reserve: Angela Hooper - SURREAL BC

MEDIUM TOUR - BATES NATIONAL FEI INTERMEDIATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Vanessa Way - BL ALL BY CHANCE

Reserve: Brina Carpenter - PARKRIDGE DISCO SW

GRAND PRIX - VW PRO AM DRESSAGE GRAND PRIX

CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Carole Christensen - VOLLRATH LEILA

Reserve: Lorraine Ward-Smith - FERNLEA DIAMOND DAY

GRAND PRIX - GRAND PRIX CLASS 901 WINNER and GRAND PRIX - FREESTYLE CLASS 906 WINNER

Melissa Galloway - WINDERMERE J’OBEI W

GRAND PRIX - BATES NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Champion: Melissa Galloway - WINDERMERE J’OBEI W Reserve: Wendi Williamson - DON VITO MH

FEI YOUNG RIDER CLASSIC

1st - Ben Weir - NP E DEL RICO

2nd - Gemma Lewis - RUANUKU R

PONY CLASSIC

1st - Frankie Lawn - PIED PIPER TRICK OR TREAT

2nd - Paige Fitzgerald - GREENMOOR EUPHORIA

ANAMOUR MEMORIAL TROPHY

APHRODITE - Cooper Oborn (Grand Prix)

HELEN HOLDEN MEMORIAL TROPHY (AMDG)

Samantha Belcham - DOLCETTO II

Brina Carpenter - PARKRIDGE DISCO SW

Sarah Holmes - NINA DW

Anfela Lloyd - CASHIN’S WORLD STAR

NZ HANOVERIAN SOCIETY AWARD

BEST PERFORMED HANOVERIAN - PRELIMINARY to MEDIUM

Medium Reserve Champion: Vanessa Way - BUGATI MH

GATESHEAD EQUESTRIAN BEST PERFORMED PONY -

PONY RIDER - BATES CHAMPIONSHIPS PRELIMINARYELEMENTRY

Piper Crake - CINDER STRIKE

BEST PERFORMED PONY - SENIOR RIDER

BATES CHAMPIONSHIPS PRELIMINARY - ELEMENTRY

Kimberley Trow - Master Daniel of Nicholas Lodge

TiES BEST PERFORMED THOROUGHBRED

Samantha Fechney - SHOCKINGS SHOWMAN

S Our hopping guide

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ACCURATE TEST WITH VANESSA WAY

RIDING

Accuracy can be one of the most overlooked parts of a winning score. Many riders have great quality in the work, but they lose marks by not being accurate. Top rider and trainer Vanessa Way shows how to fix common problem areas for better marks.

Vanessa rides NSC ANDREAS (recently retired) during the Waikato Equine Veterinary Clinic FEI Grand Prix at Oro Dressage by the Lake at Takapoto in 2021.

WORDS - Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES - Denise Flay Photography

ABOUT OUR TRAINER

Dressage rider Vanessa Way has trained and competed in New Zealand and Europe with considerable success. She has represented New Zealand at numerous international competitions which include winning a Grand Prix class at Myerscough in England. She has won multiple national titles, including the New Zealand Grand Prix Dressage Championship and Grand Prix Horse of the Year.

One of Vanessa’s most notable horses was KH Arvan, who she rode to many of her international victories. Another of her exceptional horses was NSC Andreas, whose best score at Grand Prix was 75%.

Born in 1972 in Red Wood City, California (where her parents were based for work), she came to New Zealand with her family when she was four and rode from a young age. In 1993 she won the NZ Eventing Young Rider Championship. In 1998, after a horrific rotational eventing accident in which she broke her back in five places, and her horse died on impact after breaking his neck, Vanessa began her dressage career. She is known for her strong work ethic, dedication to her horses, and commitment to excellence in dressage.

In this training feature, Vanessa rides Bugatti MH (Buggs), a six-year-old by Benico, on whom she recently won the Champion Medium Dressage Waikato Premier League with a score of 77%.

CENTRELINES AND HALTS

Good centrelines and halts come down to practice and discipline. Make sure you master them in your trainingdon’t wait until the day of the show, or even worse, your test, to start practising them and expect a good outcome. Your centreline entry sets the tone for the test. Make it count with an excellent first impression and follow up with a good centreline and final halt to reinforce that impression.

“The halt and centreline are worth the same mark as the harder movements. You could even say this movement is more important because it is done twice - at the beginning and at the end of the test. If you can’t begin your test with a 10 for your entry and halt, there’s a lack of discipline because there’s no reason you can’t train for your halt to be a 10,” Vanessa says.

A good centreline movement will show a quality trot or canter (depending on the level). The judges want to see straightness and a clear and balanced transition. The most common way to lose marks in a test is through crooked centrelines and halts, halts not square or resisting, and overshooting or undershooting the turn.

TRY THIS:

Remember, the quality of the halt comes down to the quality of the gait beforehand. Halts should be ridden forward and not backward, so think about trotting or cantering the hind legs so they are jumping under the horse into the halt. The halt should come from the hind end, not the front.

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RIDING A STRAIGHT CENTRELINE

n If you undershoot the turn, you can gradually sneak back to the centreline. However, if you overshoot, it ruins the whole centreline movement and is hard to come back from.

n Use your corners to help set up the centreline, have the horse off the inside leg and travelling straight through the hand and rein. Look straight at the judge at C - this gives a good point of reference to aim for and provides the judges with an impression of confidence.

n Keep even pressure between both reins and legs. This is important because it supports the horse in maintaining straightness and quality of the gait down the centreline.

THE TURN ONTO THE CENTRELINE-

“Often horses will come around the turn with haunches in. We need them to come around the corner straight. Look around the track of your turn. Remember, horses are two metres long, so you need to look two metres ahead if you are going to make it. Make your turn with your inside leg on and control that inside hind leg. Look where you are going and turn the shoulder,” Vanessa reminds.

TOP TIP:

Turn onto the centreline off your better rein whenever possible.

TRAINING THE HALT

The quality of your trot or canter significantly influences how good the halt is. Building balance, straightness and adjustability goes a long way in achieving a super halt. You can start by building your half-halt and transitions in preparation for the halt.

“People make the mistake of using too much rein in the halt, which means the hindlegs have nowhere to go, which causes bad halts,” Vanessa explains. “We really want to stop the horse as one, but it is not easy. Never adjust a horse left or right. It should always be forward, so the horse learns to halt square. Never let the horse step back. If you have to make a correction, the horse should step forward.”

You can use the walk to improve the halt by asking for a bigger step and swing in the walk and then coming back into a shorter, more collected walk to help the adjustability and, therefore, the halt. Always train your halts on a straight line, not a curve, where it is harder for your horse to make a straight and square halt.

Remember, the halt in the test should be immobile for at least three seconds

TOP TIP:

Practise your halt at different points on the centreline to avoid the horse anticipating you will always ask for the halt at X.

RIDING SHORT SIDES AND CORNERS

“How we ride the depth of our corner depends on the level we are riding at. If we are riding in the lower grades and the circles are the equivalent of 20m, you don’t need to go as deep into the corner. As we go up the grades, the corners get deeper. At the top level, the corners are the equivalent to a three-metre circle,” Vanessa explains.

TOP TIP:

If you have problems with corners, popping in a circle of the correct size is brilliant.

“Most problems people have with corners come not from the corners themselves but from how the short side is ridden. If you don’t have the horse in shoulder-fore, you go around the first corner and don’t have the horse straight. Then, by the time you reach the second corner, the hind legs are in,” she explains.

When practising corners, Vanessa likes to start with her favourite exercise. She rides the leg-yield from the three-quarter line to the wall, checking that the horse is nicely off the inside leg and into the outside rein and getting a bit of positioning. “As I approach the corner and ride through and out, I want to ride a nice shoulder-fore around the short side into the second corner. I always like to visualise getting the hind legs into the peak of the corner and getting my forehand away. It’s really about riding the shoulder-fore remembering the horse’s hindquarters are

Make sure you are riding enough circles. They are an important part of the tests and our lateral work is only as good as our circles so training them is essential.

wider than the shoulders, so we have to keep the forehand in alignment,” she says.

You can improve the corners by riding 10m circles. “Have the horse positioned around the inside leg and keep the rhythm,” Vanessa encourages. “Circles are our friends. Our lateral work is never better than our circles. Getting the circles correct, training them well at home and keeping in mind accurate shape is essential. Circles should look like circles.”

ACCURACY - many riders need to remember that their horses are two metres long. They often start the circle too late and finish the movement late. The markers must be the point of the start and finish.

TOP TIP:

Make sure you train on both reins equally.

To make sure the horse stays straight through the corners, keep them in shoulder-fore as you ride through.

When Vanessa rides out of the corner she likes to visualise getting the hind legs into the peak of the corner to ensure straightness as she rides out.

RIDING TO MARKERS

It’s really easy to lose points by not riding to your markers. Know the arena layout and your test inside out so you have confidence in where you are going. Then, ensure you are looking at where you are going during your test.

Vanessa reminds riders that the horse’s body extends not only in front of but also behind them, so usually, the rider should aim for the movement to begin slightly before the marker to accommodate the whole horse. For this reason, it pays to finish movements slightly before the marker, too. It will be too late if you start the movement right at the marker.

TOP TIP:

Even if you’ve ridden the test before, you should begin relearning it at least two weeks before the competition. The more time you have to commit the test to memory, the less stress you’ll put on yourself before the competition

Riding past the marker: Remember our horses are two metres long when riding to markers.

good shoulder-in is not only invaluable in your dressage tests but also helps in training other movements.

ACCURACY IN LATERAL MOVEMENTS SHOULDER-IN

✓Shoulder-in is one of the first lateral movements seen in competition. Still, it is far more valuable than just another test movement. If you can master shoulderin and control of the shoulders, you will be able to ride the whole test better - in particular, corners, setting up centrelines and circles.

While shoulder-in is one of the first lateral movements, don’t be fooled into thinking it is easy, as rider errors are common when performing the exercise. Shoulder-in is a three-track movement, and the horse should maintain a 30-degree angle throughout. While riding the shoulder-in, the rider’s upper body should be parallel to the horse’s shoulders. To award high marks, the judges look to see the angle maintained in good rhythm and balance. Remember to straighten and ride out of the shoulder-in at the end of the movement.

TOP TIP:

In all test movements, show a clear transition in and out of the movement. A lot of riders lose marks because they don’t finish the shoulder-in. You need to ride straight out of it.

A

COMMON ISSUES WITH SHOULDER-IN

NOT MAINTAINING THE LINE/ FALLING ON THE INSIDE LEG

“Often riders have problems keeping their horses to the track in shoulder-in. I teach my horses to come along on the three-quarter line and do a baby shoulder-in, then leg-yield back over to the track, then shoulder-in on the track. This teaches the horse to stay off the inside leg and not come off the track. Once I have done this exercise, I test it in the shoulder-in,” Vanessa explains.

TOO MUCH NECK BEND

When this happens, the shoulders remain on the track with only the neck bent. Make sure you are using your outside rein along with your inside rein throughout the shoulder-in to maintain the angle.

Too much angle. Shoulder-in should be on three tracks.

Remember to sit on both seat bones and not over to one side. Vanessa demonstrates how sitting crooked disrupts the fluidity and quality of the movement.

LACKING RHYTHM

This is a common issue that loses marks. The horse changes rhythm in the shoulder-in, often dropping behind the leg. Remember, the rhythm should stay the same when you start a movement.

HALF-HALT

“When I do my half halt, I sit deeper, take my leg away to let the horse sit back and balance under the seat,” Vanessa explains. Keep your legs down and around the horse and use the rein aids to guide the horse, resist the temptation to use too much rein aid. Also remember to sit on your seat bones evenly throughout the movement and don’t forget to ride straight out of it when you have finished.

Inside rein creates flexion while the outside rein controls the bend

Inside leg stays at the girth and the outside leg stops the horse swinging out

TOP TIP:

When riding the shoulder-in, it is essential to remember to keep the outside leg on. Think about pointing the toe forward as if pointing to the centreline.

Be careful not to add too much bend to the shoulder-in.

TRAVERS

Travers is another lateral movement where riders tend to lose marks. It should always be ridden on four tracks with a nice bend through the horse. The most common test issues with the travers are not enough inside bend, not enough angle and horses losing rhythm throughout.

If you are having trouble with the angle, you can use leg-yield along the side, get the angle and then put the bend back in. “There are lots of little tricks we can do to help teach the young horse,” Vanessa encourages.

“The worst thing you can do on a horse that is learning is to expect a perfect travers straight away. What I say to my pupils is to get an answer. You might flex outside, get the haunches in, and build on that. Everything must be clear, so we need a system to teach and help them understand. We don’t want to put everything all together in one heap because then it becomes miscommunication, and the horse doesn’t understand.”e in the middle of the chest.

TOP TIP:

In all lateral work, the head must be in the middle of the chest. Slow, steady and continuous correct training will make your horse stronger and more balanced

Inside rein creates flexion while the outside rein controls the bend

Inside leg stays at the girth and the outside leg moves to behind the girth

TOP TIP:

A correctly ridden travers will improve the horse’s engagement and collection and free the shoulders. For the rider, it will highlight coordination, stiffness and crookedness whilst teaching the rider how to feel and control the horse’s hind legs.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY

n The horse should be rounded, relaxed, and maintain a good rhythm before beginning this exercise.

n It is often beneficial to ride shoulder-in before starting this exercise.

n The horse should bend around the inside leg.

n The rider’s shoulders should be parallel to the horse’s shoulders.

n The outside rein controls the movement forward and sideways, as well as the outside shoulder.

n Half-halts on the outside rein will maintain control of the outside shoulder.

n When applying the outside leg, the rider must continue touching the horse with the inside leg at the girth to maintain the bend.

n This exercise can be performed in all three gaits.

Vanessa rides a great example of correct travers

COMMON PROBLEMS IN TRAVERS

Above - while Buggs’ hind legs are in (which is a great way to start when first introducing the travers), it is incorrect for a test. Vanessa suggests showing more angle - travers should be on four tracks - and the bend needs to be increased.

HALF PASS

When riding a correct half-pass, your horse should be slightly bent around the inside leg in the direction of travel. The forehand should lead with the horse showing freedom of the shoulder and engagement of the hind leg with even rhythm and suppleness. It is easy to think of the half-pass as simply a travers ridden on the diagonal line; therefore, the aids are the same.

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

n Inside leg on the girth to maintain bend

n Outside leg back behind the girth, asking the hindquarters to move in

n Inside rein maintaining the bend

n Outside rein on the neck

n Rider’s shoulders parallel with the horse, looking to the marker

n Position the marker to see it between the horse’s ear

Above - Vanessa demonstrates a better angle, but Buggs lacks some suppleness and bends through the rib cage.

TOP TIP:

In trot, the half-pass should demonstrate a fluent collected trot movement on a diagonal line with a greater degree of bend than in shoulder-in. The fore and hind legs cross while balance and cadence are maintained.

Outside rein regulates bend, inside rein maintains bend

Outside leg behind girth, inside leg at the girth

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

n Often riders find themselves sitting crooked when they first begin riding the half-pass but try to avoid this. Keep your weight equal through your stirrups and seat bones for an accurate half- pass.

n When beginning, be satisfied with achieving a few quality steps at a time - don’t expect a full diagonal of half-pass right away.

n When riding a full diagonal half-pass, position so you are looking at the marker between the ears of the horse; this will ensure the angle is correct.

n Often riders can become confused between leg-yield and half- pass. While both movements require the horse to move forward and sideways, the main difference is that leg-yield is ridden straight, while the half-pass requires bend in the direction of travel.

n Quarters-leading is one of the common mistakes riders make. When you begin the half-pass, try turning onto the diagonal as if you are riding across it and then ask for travers.

n Alternatively, sometimes riders find themselves with the quarters trailing; in this case, use more outside leg to close the quarters and bring them over.

n Finally, remember the half-pass is different to leg-yield. Ensure you have enough bend, so you aren’t just riding a leg-yield.

Half-pass –quarters trailing

Correct half-pass angle and bend

Half-pass –quarters leading

EXTENDED TROT

Some horses naturally find extended paces a lot easier than others. Still, either way, you can always train the extended trot to be better. The judge not only wants to see maximum ground cover but also a good rhythm, push from behind, uphill balance and swing through the back while maintaining a round outline and with no significant increase in tempo. It’s not about pushing the horse faster but, rather, asking for a bigger stride.

Riders commonly lose marks in their extended paces by not allowing the horse to lengthen the frame with the stride. Correct extension means the whole body lengthens, so remember to allow the rein forward. Another area where riders throw away marks is not showing the transitions in and out of the extension. You must show a clear difference for maximum marks. It’s no good delivering fantastic extensions that don’t show clear transitions.

VANESSA’S TOP TIPS FOR ASPIRING RIDERS

1 2 3 4

MINDSET IS EVERYTHING

Dressage is mentally challenging in many ways, so a positive mindset is critical. Please keep it in perspective, and enjoy every moment, even the hard days. Vanessa likes to stay positive always and tries to come out of every day with something positive. There will always be points to work on but remember where you started and how far you have come. Positive self-talk is a game changer.

SEEK OUT YOUR OWN KNOWLEDGE

In New Zealand, it is more challenging because we don’t have a lot of professional stables to go to and learn to ride at, so it is up to us to be motivated and seek out knowledge. So much knowledge is available online, in books, and in podcasts. Be driven to learn about as much theory as possible.

IF YOU GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN FROM THE BEST, TAKE IT

Vanessa describes herself as the world’s oldest working pupil when she went and learnt from Carl Hester. Learning about everything from riding to what goes on behind the scenes and management in those top stables is invaluable. Find a great mentor and get yourself to the best trainer to improve your progress.

CONSISTENCY IS KEY

Look at your test sheets, note which movements score below seven, and be accountable for what you need to improve to achieve 70%. Work on everything below a seven and get those marks up. It will keep you honest, successful and at the top of your class. If you want to be competitive, it’s all about the test. Practice as often as possible to improve your test riding - ride through the whole

thing, and don’t quit or pull off a movement because it didn’t go well because you don’t get to do that at shows.

5 6 7

MOCK TEST DAYS IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND MANY COMPETITIONS.

Vanessa recalls that Carl doesn’t always go to many shows. Still, he does have mock test days where he will go to a venue, have a ride time to be ready for, plait and turn the horse out in show turnout and have a retired judge there to score. If you go to shows prepared, you know you have done everything you can to be successful. Sometimes things go wrong, but you know you have given yourself the best chance to succeed.

BE ACCURATE ALWAYS

It does no good to not be accurate during your training at home and then expect accuracy when you go to a show. If something isn’t right at home, then correct it. Ride the horse at home as you want them to go at the show. Think about what marks you would be given for each movement you are doing at home and ride with a purpose. Every ride must mean something. Train with discipline and with great attention to detail.

DON’T BE PUT OFF IF YOU CAN’T AFFORD A SCHOOLMASTER.

Riding a high-quality young horse can be far more beneficial than riding a schoolmaster who is stiff and lacks the elasticity to teach you feel. Don’t be discouraged if you can’t afford a schoolmasteryou can learn as much and sometimes more about training by getting a young horse. Getting to Grand Prix is a long, hard road with many twists and turns. Work hard on your knowledge, believe in yourself, and don’t give up.

WORDS Ashleigh Kendall - IMAGES Show Circuit

One of the most common yet misunderstood aids used in equestrian sports is the half-halt. We have all heard of it, but it can take a long time in the saddle to feel like you understand and can use it effectively to influence the horse positively. The mystery can be solved with our helpful guide.

WHAT IS A HALF-HALT, AND WHY IS IT USEFUL?

To begin, let’s look at precisely what a half-halt is. It is the application and timing of the leg, seat and rein aids to balance the horse on the hind legs and lift the wither, which in turn improves the gaits and promotes a soft connection with the horse in self-carriage.

It is essential to time the three aids deliberately. The horse should continue pushing forward to the bridle throughout the half-halt. With too much rein and not enough leg, the horse will slow down and lose the connection. With too much leg and insufficient rein, the horse will run through the bridle, losing the connection. Think about gathering the energy and power of the horse’s hind legs and encouraging them to step up and underneath the body. We are not looking to inhibit the energy in any way, so the movement can be tricky to master initially.

It is also helpful to note that, as riders, we need to learn to use halfhalts effectively. It’s the same for our horses - it takes time for them to understand the aid and develop the strength to use it fully. Start small. Over time, it will become more consistent, so don’t get despondent if it takes a while to click. That is totally normal.

Do

SOME WAYS THE HALF-HALT IS USEFUL:

n Shifting the weight to the hind legs and creating freedom in the shoulder

n Developing self-carriage

n Softening a horse who tends to lean on the bit or is heavy in the hand

n Developing the paces

n Ensuring your horse is paying attention and ready for the next aid

n Rebalancing through corners

n Achieving square halts

n Seamless transitions

n Preparing for movements of any kind

HOW TO RIDE IT

your aids.

First, it is essential to remember that the horse must move forward from the rider’s legs and seat before asking for a half-halt. It’s no good asking for a half-halt if the horse isn’t maintaining positive impulsion and is behind the leg, as there’s no energy coming from the hindquarters to use. Work on establishing impulsion if your horse isn’t moving freely forward. We should always use our legs and seat before our rein aids. Next, when gathering the energy from the hind legs, the rider’s seat closes around the horse’s back. Think about tucking your seat bones under you so that you can engage your core. Your legs should always be on the horse’s sides, and when you halfhalt, you close them around the horse.

Finally, and only after your leg and seat aids, you use the rein aid. Remember to soften the rein when you get the desired softening in your horse and the shift in balance. Try not to hold onto the horse for too long

Remember that the pressure and timing you use in the halfhalt (or any aid for that matter) will be unique to each horse and rider combination and can be variable as the ride progresses and your horse warms up. Continually refine your methods to ensure you get the best from each horse.

A good half-halt is almost invisible to the eye. That is when you see good dressage riders gliding around the arena, looking like they are doing nothing at all. They have refined their aids so much that while working very hard, they appear to be just sitting there enjoying the ride. If you are struggling, don’t worry, this is common, and for many riders, it does take many years in the saddle to get a feel for how it should be. Learning to ride well is an ever-evolving process in which you become stronger and more knowledgeable. If you are doing it right, then you never stop learning.

not let the half-halt last longer than one stride. Pulling on the reins or bracing for too long against the horse may cause the horse to lean against your hands, rush off, or become unresponsive to

TRY IT FOR YOURSELF

Transitions are the number one way to introduce and refine the half-halt. Begin by picking up the trot. You can ride either large around the whole arena or on a circle, which is initially the most straightforward for you and your horse. Establish a good working trot, sit, close your seat, put your legs on, and gently squeeze your fingers to ask the horse back to the walk. Walk six strides and then again, close your seat and legs, gently squeeze with your fingers to ensure the horse stays balanced on the hind legs and ask for a trot. Repeat the transitions until the horse becomes more responsive and balanced

in the half-halts. When your horse understands the exercise, you can walk just a few strides or even almost walk and go on again. This is an excellent exercise for strengthening and quickening the hind legs. Just make sure you are seeking to keep the hind legs active. Think trotting the hind legs under in the transition. You can ride the transitions from any pace; the walk/ trot/ walk is a great place to start but don’t hesitate to mix it up and ride trot/ canter, canter/ walk, trot/ halt or any combination

CANTER TROT CANTER TROT

EXERCISE: The trot should be a nice, controlled trot. As in - running out from under you is not an option! Develop a cadenced, rhythmic trot, and then canter. Return to trot in a 20-metre circle, ensuring your horse is balanced by using halfhalts and stepping under, then pick up canter to complete the line.

CIRCLES

Circles are great for connecting the horse through the bend and getting them stepping under nicely with the inside hind leg. Don’t think that circles are basic because there are countless exercises you can ride on your circle. Also, your lateral work is only as good as your small circles. Riding circles in terms of refining your half-halt is hugely beneficial. The key to a wellformed circle is constant rebalancing through half-halts, so riding circles of any size can be invaluable.

TROUBLESHOOTING

15-METER CIRCLE TROT

20-METER CIRCLE

The canter should be a nice, controlled canter! Once again, keep your horse ‘on the aids and use half-halts’ to avoid rushing or running.

10-METER CIRCLE CANTER

15-METER CIRCLE TROT

EXERCISE: Ride in trot on the first 15-metre circle, and do a full circle on the next loop; as you reach the centre line, half-halt and transition to canter and ride a 10-metre circle in the other direction. You don’t want any straight lines between the two circles but go straight from one to another. After completing the 10-metre circle, half-halt and transition to trot in the next 15-metre circle. You can also ride this exercise by swapping out the paces in the circles.

As discussed, establishing an excellent half-halt feel can take many years of riding a variety of horses. It is a process of trial and error, learning by doing, making mistakes, refining your aid and timing and then trying again until you start to get it more consistently correct. With that in mind, here are some common errors riders make.

NOT GIVING THE REIN

A good half-halt is a moment where you send the horse up to the contact, then give the rein and soften with the horse. If you don’t give the rein or are rigid, then the half-halt won’t be effective, and you will likely be met with resistance from the horse - the opposite of the goal. Half-halt, give the rein and repeat if necessary.

NOT ENOUGH HALF-HALTS

Riders can get trapped into the mindset of wanting to keep everything nice and end up just sitting there, hanging on, and not making adjustments. Half-halt as often as you need to. Good training isn’t

always about everything being smooth. Make changes and improve your horse’s way of going. Allow them to be stronger and better in the work.

TOO MUCH HAND

The key to an excellent half-halt is to use enough seat and leg aid first and then the rein aid. Too much hand and you disrupt the positive energy of the horse and lose the opportunity to form a true connection from the hind leg to the contact.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Half-halts are a process to teach both horse and rider. Still, an easy way to know if you are using them effectively with a good feel is when your horse is becoming stronger, more connected and balanced in the work. Remember, developing feel and timing is a matter of trial and error. Don’t deny yourself the opportunity for improvement by not wanting to try for fear of making a mistake!

VITAMINS AND MINERALS IN THEIR MOST BIO-AVAILABLE FORM

Bioplex® organic minerals

Fully fortified with vitamins

Natural Vitamin E

30g daily dose for a 500kg horse

LOOKING

AFTER YOUR HORSE’S SMILE

Much like humans, horses’ teeth play an essential role in their overall health and well-being. Good nutrition is at the heart of every healthy animal, which begins with healthy teeth that allow us to chew, digest and absorb nutrients efficiently.

A horse can have up to 44 teeth, including 12 incisors, 12 premolars and molars, four canines and four wolf teeth. Routine dental check-ups and maintenance ensure each of these teeth is in good condition and that our horses remain happy and healthy.

HOW OFTEN DOES MY HORSE NEED A DENTIST?

It is recommended that a horse is seen by a dentist at least once annually. However, performance horses and young horses should be seen by a dentist every six months or less. If your Equine Dental Technician (EqDT) or veterinarian identifies a problem in your horse’s mouth, they may request a treatment plan involving follow-up visits within these timeframes.

During a foal’s first few weeks of life, it is important to check their incisor teeth and ensure the top and bottom teeth align and meet evenly. This ensures that the molars will also align evenly. Foals and young stock with a misalignment in incisor teeth are commonly known as having an overbite or being ‘parrot mouthed’ (where the top incisor teeth overhang the bottom ones) or having an underbite or being ‘monkey mouthed’ which is the opposite. Misalignments can be to various degrees; however, if you notice this, consult your EqDT or Veterinarian.

A horse should also receive dental treatment before being bitted or started under saddle. This ensures any problematic teeth are extracted and any potential problems associated with pain are treated to maximise the horse’s comfort. As horses are habitual animals, if any pain-associated problem is left unattended, it will likely manifest into behavioural problems and trigger a ‘fight or flight’ trauma response

WORDS - Elise Cacace MAIN IMAGE - Alan Oliver / Alamy Stock Photo

OUR EXPERT:

Christine Tipper - QEqD

After qualifying as an Equine Dental Technician (EqDT) in 2014 at the New Zealand Equine Dentistry School, Christine returned to the Bay of Plenty, where she started her business alongside other work commitments. She is horsemad (like the rest of us) and believes you can never stop learning.

Christine has since further qualified in Human and Equine Bowen Therapy in 2018, focusing on the biomechanics of how teeth can affect the anatomical functions of the horse and vice versa. When not working or visiting her clients, she enjoys time with friends, family and her animals while keeping fit and running the family beef farm in Awakeri.

BABY TEETH

Horses under five years old often experience the most significant dentistry issues due to their skull still growing and expanding in size. During this time, it is recommended that they are seen by a dentist every six months to keep on top of any potential problems.

BEFORE ONE YEAR OLD… horses only have incisors and premolars. These stick around until the skull can accommodate more dental milestones.

AT ONE YEAR OLD… the horse will begin erupting permanent molars. This takes place right up until they are three years old.

AT 2 ½ YEARS OLD… the deciduous dentition (commonly known as baby teeth, milk teeth or caps) is shed. After a tooth cap is shed, it then takes six months for the permanent tooth to reach the occlusal surface and be utilised to break down food. The deciduous dentition continues to shed until the horse turns 4 ½.

AT FIVE YEARS OLD… a horse is understood to have full adult dentition.

Eruption cysts are common in horses under five years old and may arise as the horse’s jaw changes shape. Eruption cysts occur during the eruption of premolars and are located in the maxilla and mandible, more commonly known as the top and bottom jaws. They appear as hard lumps along the jawline that may be sensitive to touch and are caused by the expansion of the jaws to accommodate the root formation of permanent adult teeth. When the cap of a tooth sheds, the adult tooth erupts upwards into place, and the cysts settle down.

Regular dental check-ups can prevent these caps from becoming retained or ‘stuck’ – one of the leading causes of significant dental problems. If left untreated, the correct balance of the horse’s teeth may be compromised.

COMMON PROBLEMS

WOLF TEETH are supernumerary teeth that serve no purpose to the modern horse. The horse’s dentition changed throughout evolution, and this tooth became redundant and absent in many horses.

The wolf tooth is known as the first premolar, erupts at five to eighteen months old. It is possible that a horse could have four wolf teeth, but they are more prevalent within the upper arcades. These teeth can vary in size from 1-25mm and can have varying root sizes from 0-33mm in length.

Due to the location of the teeth, they may cause bitting issues commonly exhibited as discomfort due to a fracture of the wolf tooth. However, not every horse will need their wolf teeth removed by a qualified equine dentist.

RAMPS can be found on both the first upper and lower premolars and the last upper and lower molars. Unlike a hook, a ramp can take up a larger portion of the tooth and occur due to abnormal wear of the tooth. These normally occur due to the misalignment of the upper and lower arcades. A ramps is an overgrown tooth at the back of the mouth that restricts the horse’s ability to chew side to side, resulting in an abnormal open-mouth chewing motion.

PARROT MOUTH in horses is found in any breed, style, gender, and age, although it is usually found in horses between six and twelve months old. It is not known whether it comes from trauma, illness, or if it is genetic, but the condition is caused by either the bottom jaw (mandible) being too short or the top jaw (maxilla) being too long. Some experts believe it happens when a mare and stallion are bred with completely different head styles. Even if they both have normal teeth and jaws, combining the two different styles of heads causes a mismatch that produces this condition.

Because parrot mouth is a dental and medical problem, the veterinarian may refer you to an equine dentist. However, a physical examination to rule out other conditions is usually warranted. Provide as much information as possible about your horse’s medical history and any behavioural or appetite changes. Your veterinarian will do a complete physical, which includes blood tests, urinalysis, and a faecal examination.

Checking your foals teeth is essential, as conditions like ‘parrot mouth’ may arise.

CAPS can be found between the first and fourth years of a horse’s life, the permanent teeth begin to grow in, but in order for them to grow in normally, the deciduous teeth (baby teeth), must shed. Deciduous teeth that have not been lost and sit on top of the permanent teeth are called caps. A failure of the caps to shed can result in the permanent teeth growing in at an abnormal angle, uneven surfaces of the teeth opposite to the unshed cap, or failure of the permanent tooth to grow in at all.

If your horse is showing any symptoms of dental problems, such as difficulty eating, dropping feed when eating (called quidding), unexplained behavioral problems, resisting the bit, or head tossing, have the horse examined by your veterinarian. Sometimes there are no signs of problems and occasionally an older horse may be found to still have a retained cap after many years.

HOOKS are razor sharp edges and/or corners on a horse’s teeth which develop as they chew their forage. Hooks on the teeth can cut up the inside of their cheeks quite badly and cause the horse a lot of pain. In the very worst cases the horse will stop eating due to the pain.

Because horses’ teeth grow continuously and never wear completely evenly, virtually all horses end up with hooks on some of their teeth. These problems are more severe in some horses than others.

Horses’ teeth need to be regularly floated - this is the term equine dentists use to describe the process of filing or grinding the sharp points off the teeth.

CIRCUIT

PERIODONTAL DISEASE is probably the most common and the most painful equine dental disease we come across. In dentristry, this is the main reason horses quid (drop feed) and lose weight. The forces at which a horse chew at will often exceed 150kg and if there are gaps between the teeth then feed can become deeply impacted. If food packing or gum diseases are detected in the early stages, it is often easily correctable. More advanced cases will need more invasive treatment and sometimes extraction of teeth.

REGULAR ROUTINE DENTAL TREATMENTS ALLOW THESE PROBLEMS TO BE CORRECTED EASILY BEFORE THEY BECOME MAJOR ISSUES.

Wolf teeth usually erupt when a horse is between five and eighteen months of age.

TEETH & DIET FIBRE

Quality amounts of fibre are an essential part of a horse's diet. Fibrous foods such as hay stimulate the salivary glands and aid digestion, acting as a buffer in the stomach and hindgut. Fibre also acts as a kind of toothpaste, preventing the build-up of tartar around the canines and surrounding teeth.

SUPPLEMENTATION

Additional supplementation may be required for horses living on rough and sandy terrain due to a lack of minerals in their surrounding environment. Mineral deficiencies in horses compromise the strength of their teeth, increasing their susceptibility to tooth fractures and ultimately shortening their life expectancy.

Older horses may also require supplementation or specific feeds as their teeth begin to deteriorate with age. When an old tooth no longer has a reserve crown to erupt, it may expire and fall out or need to be extracted by a dentist. Missing teeth can lead to weight loss and the lack of a topline, so supplementation and extruded feeds will take pressure off the teeth and enable the horse to get essential nutrients and amino acids without breaking the feed down themselves.

It is important to consult with an equine health professional if you have any concerns about your horse's dietary requirements, which depend on their overall health, teeth, environment, workload and discipline.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS THINGS GOING WRONG

Problems with a horse's teeth are often determined through a process of elimination, as symptoms may also indicate a body, posture or general health issue.

GENERAL SIGNS:

n Weight loss or excessive weight gain

n Loss of topline

n Swollen cheeks or packing grass in cheeks (quidding)

n Foundering or metabolic imbalances

n Spilling feed or eating slowly

n Abnormal nasal discharge

n Smelly breath

n Swelling of jaws

n Face sensitivity

SIGNS IN THE RIDING HORSE:

n Mouthing or chewing the bit

n Opening mouth or trying to put tongue over the bit

n Tilting head to avoid contact or refusing to take a contact

n Head flicking or a high head carriage

n Bit preference

n B olting upon contact

n Sudden change in work ethic – reluctant to work or displaying a change in behaviour

RIDING VERSUS NON-RIDING HORSES

It is just as important to check our non-ridden friends' teeth. Whether you have a miniature, a broodmare, an old horse or even a donkey, they all need their teeth checked annually or as per their dental treatment plan. Ideally, we shouldn’t wait until we start seeing symptoms before contacting a dentist, as clinical issues can manifest into serious problems in a short time and cause pain and sensitivity in the mouth and systemically throughout the entire body.

PREVENTING DENTAL PROBLEMS

In humans and horses alike, booking regular dental examinations is the most obvious way of preventing dental problems. Dentals can be carried out by an EqDT or trusted veterinarian. Don’t be afraid to ask about their level of training!

Assessing the anatomical structure of a ridden horse's mouth is also important when deciding what bit suits them best.

Anatomically, a horse's mouth only has enough room for the tongue. Putting a foreign object such as a bit in their mouth makes it paramount that their oral health and comfort are maintained. A professional evaluation will help to avoid habits associated with pain responses.

A HORSE’S TEETH PROVIDE UP TO 60% OF THEIR TOTAL DIGESTION BEFORE FOOD EVEN REACHES THEIR STOMACH AND HINDGUT.”

TO SEDATE OR NOT SEDATE

Over the past few years, sedation has been a hot topic for discussion among the equestrian community. Sedation often enables a more thorough examination to be carried out along with pain relief and is administered on a case-by-case basis. Usually, the equine health professional you are using will make an assessment as to whether sedation is required or not. Equine Dental Technicians (EqDT’s) are not legally able to carry or administer sedatives. Therefore, they will carry out most of their work on horses without sedation. However, most EqDT’s will have great relationships with their local veterinarians, who can sedate and work collectively to achieve the desired outcome for the horse.

REMEMBER:

Veterinarians will determine the appropriate sedation dose and monitor the horse’s vital signs during the procedure to ensure the horse’s safety.

LONG-TERM HEALTH AND LONGEVITY.

COMMON

ISSUES

that may require a horse to be sedated include a significant pain response associated with dental pathology, where the horse becomes unsafe to treat. These pain responses may be triggered by significant teeth imbalance issues, tooth fractures, tooth extractions, endodontic procedures or even past traumas.

IS MY HORSE MORE AT RISK?

Although no specific breeds are more prone to dental problems, miniature horses and small ponies are definitely among the most problematic. In simple terms, they are a large horse living in a small body, containing the same number of teeth and having the same anatomical structure as their 15hh+ counterparts. They even have the same number of hair follicles, hence the crazy amount of mane they possess!

Often miniature and small ponies, as well as donkeys, get overlooked for routine dental treatment, which in turn causes their teeth to fall out of balance and become painful. These issues can then go on to compromise their systemic health, leading to metabolic issues such as laminitis.

CIRCUIT

IT’S ALL CONNECTED

A horse chews an estimated 30,000 times a day, so having functioning teeth is vital for a healthy horse. Minor issues or imbalances can quickly turn into severe problems if left untreated. When a small part of the horse is compromised, a domino effect will put pressure on the remaining systems, eventually leading to systemic failure over time or chronic illness. More often than not, horses encounter jaw tension associated with tension in their body, which is caused by dental issues. This is known as hyoid dysfunction.

Most people will agree that maintaining a horse’s dental health is better (and cheaper) than trying to fix any systemic problems down the road. The goal is to maintain occlusion in the horse’s mouth, meaning all teeth are aligned perfectly, and homeostasis in all bodily systems is maintained. This aids in peak performance and protects your equine friend’s health and overall life expectancy.

PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE, AND REGULAR DENTISTRY IS A SMALL INVESTMENT IN THE BIGGER PICTURE, FOR YOUR HORSE’S

POINT DENTAL CHECK THAT YOU CAN DO YOURSELF...

Healthy, mature horses have to go to the dentist too! Or, at least have the dentist come to them. Is it annual check-up time for your horse? Horses younger than five years of age, seniors or horses with a history of dental problems should be examined twice a year. Use this simple checklist to detect potential issues between visits.

To get your horse to open their mouth easily, slide the end of your thumb through the corner of the mouth and push it gently into the roof of the mouth. As soon as the horse opens its mouth, release. It will be easier when you need to look in their mouth again later. Be careful not to get your thumb between the rows of molars that start about 3 cm behind the corner of the mouth. Those teeth can crush or even amputate a finger.

1.

2.Watch your horse eat. Does he drop grain or tilt his head to the side while chewing? Such behaviours are tell tale signs of problem teeth. The most common clinical cases of weight loss involve aged horses that are unable to eat long-stemmed hay because of diminished grinding capacity.

7.Inspect the incisors. Note how many are present and the alignment. By the age of five there should be six permanent incisors, top and bottom, for a total of 12. Equine incisor teeth develop certain wear-related visible features that are traditionally used for estimating age.

8.Observe the eyes and nostrils for unusual discharge or swelling. Because of the direct communication between the teeth and the sinus, infection of the tooth can easily lead to infection of the sinus.

9.Check the parotid salivary gland and lymph nodes for inflammation and swelling. The parotid salivary gland is located in the throat latch area. The lymph nodes are located under the jaw and usually associated with the familiar swelling that occurs with strangles.

3.

Stand in front of your horse (with him restrained) and compare one side of his head to the other. Be careful he doesn’t throw his head and hit you. Make a note of any swellings or indentations that are on one side, but not the other. You are checking for symmetry (one side balanced with the other).

4.

Place your fingers on either side of the outside of the cheek, about where the back teeth start. Gently feel along the side of his jaw. See if you can feel the top and bottom row of molars.

10.Use your finger tips and palpate gently around the temporalis muscle (located above each eye) and masseter (large muscle covering the jaw). Compare muscles for similar size and note any soreness. If the muscles are more developed on one side, this may be a sign that your horse prefers to chew on that side.

5.

Whilst performing the exam above, feel for hooks, missing teeth, feed packed between the molars and the cheek cavities for any bulges and inflammation. Call your veterinarian or equine dentist if you find discomfort or anything questionable. We all hate a visit with the dentist, but putting it off will make it worse.

11.Check the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) for pain. The ability to move the jaw properly - side to side, up and down, forward and back - affects not only the ability to chew and digest food, but also affects the body’s balance and biomechanics. Proper function of the TMJ mechanism is vital to horse health.

6.

Youngsters can look like they have bumps along the jaw line, but this is usually caused by permanent teeth looking for space to grow. A horse reaches full dental maturity around five years old. Some are late developers, so permanent teeth may erupt at slightly different times. If there is tenderness or pain it important to get a second opinion. A quick extraction maybe what is required.

12.

On the performance side, dental discomfort can manifest itself as head-tossing, head-shyness, resistance to being bridled, evasion of rein contact, lugging on one or both reins, overflexing (going behind the bit), a head-up/hollow-backed way of going. Not surprisingly, tooth and mouth pain can cause irritable behaviour.

GASTRIC ULCERSIN PERFORMANCE HORSES

Gastric ulcer syndrome (EGGUS) is a condition that occurs when there are erosions or ulcerations in the lining of the stomach. It is a common condition in horses and can cause discomfort, pain, and decreased performance.

Risk factors for gastric ulcer syndrome in horses include stress, intensive training, infrequent feeding, prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and changes in routine or environment.

Symptoms include decreased appetite, weight loss, poor body condition, colic, changes in behaviour, and poor performance.

A veterinarian can diagnose gastric ulcer syndrome in horses through endoscopy, which involves passing a flexible tube

ANATOMY OF THE EQUINE

STOMACH

The equine stomach is a muscular sac located in the upper left portion of the abdomen. It has a unique structure and function that allows horses to graze almost continuously, even while on the move. The equine stomach is divided into two regions: the glandular and the non-glandular regions. The glandular region comprises about two-thirds of the stomach. It secretes hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes that help break down food. The non-glandular region, also known as the squamous region, does not secrete digestive enzymes and is more prone to ulcers.

OVERVIEW OF THE ANATOMY OF THE EQUINE STOMACH:

SACCUS CECUS (NON GLANDULAR SECTION): This refers to the nonglandular portion of the blind sac, which is a part of the equine stomach. The non-glandular section refers to the upper part of the stomach that lacks glandular tissue and secretes minimal amounts of mucus. This area is more susceptible to injury from gastric acid and digestive enzymes, which can lead to gastric ulcers in horses.

CARDIAC

SPHINCTER VALVE

: The cardiac sphincter valve in horses is also known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). It is a ring of muscle located at the junction of the esophagus and stomach and acts as a barrier that prevents the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus.

The LES plays an essential role in maintaining the integrity of the digestive system and protecting the delicate lining of the esophagus from damage caused by gastric acid and digestive enzymes. Dysfunction of the LES can result in gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and other esophageal disorders.

with a camera through the horse’s nose and down into the stomach to visualise the ulcers.

Treatment involves a combination of medication, diet modification, and management changes to reduce stress levels. Medications such as omeprazole or ranitidine can help reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach and promote the healing of existing ulcers. Feeding horses small, frequent meals throughout the day and providing access to forage can also help reduce the risk of ulceration.

ESOPHAGUS: The esophagus in horses is similar to that of other mammals in terms of its structure and function. It is a muscular tube that connects the pharynx to the stomach and plays a crucial role in transporting food and liquids during the digestive process.

The equine esophagus is approximately 1.5 meters long and is composed of several layers of tissue, including an inner mucosal layer, a submucosal layer, a muscular layer, and an outer layer of connective tissue. The muscular layer consists of smooth muscle, which allows for the rhythmic contractions necessary for peristalsis.

Horses are unique in that they are obligate nasal breathers, meaning that they cannot breathe through their mouths. The epiglottis, a flap of tissue located at the base of the pharynx, plays a critical role in preventing food and liquids from entering the trachea during swallowing.

PYLORUS The pylorus is a muscular valve that separates the stomach from the small intestine in horses and other animals. It plays an important role in the digestive process by controlling the flow of partially digested food, known as chyme, from the stomach into the small intestine.

The pylorus is composed of smooth muscle and is under the control of the autonomic nervous system. Its function is regulated by several hormones, including gastrin and cholecystokinin.

GLANDULAR SECTION

The glandular section of a horse’s stomach is the part of the stomach that contains the gastric glands, which are responsible for producing gastric juice. The gastric juice contains hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes, including pepsin, which help to break down food into smaller particles for absorption in the small intestine.

The glandular section of the horse’s stomach is divided into two regions, the fundic region, and the pyloric antrum. The fundic region is the larger of the two and contains the majority of the gastric glands. The pyloric antrum is located near the pylorus, the valve that regulates the flow of food from the stomach to the small intestine.

FUNDIC GLAND REGION: The fundic gland region in horses is the upper part of the stomach that contains the majority of the gastric glands. These glands secrete gastric juice, which contains hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes, such as pepsin, that help to break down food in the stomach.

The fundic gland region is lined with specialszed cells, including parietal cells, chief cells, and mucous cells, that work together to produce and secrete gastric juice. The parietal cells produce hydrochloric acid, while the chief cells produce pepsinogen, the inactive form of pepsin. When pepsinogen is exposed to hydrochloric acid, it is converted to pepsin, which is the active enzyme that digests protein.

MARGO PLICATUS: The margo plicatus is a distinct boundary line in the stomach of horses that separates the glandular and non-glandular regions. It is a ridge-like structure that runs around the inside of the stomach, forming a boundary between the smooth, non-glandular section of the stomach and the glandular section of the stomach.

The non-glandular region of the stomach is located above the margo plicatus and is lined with squamous epithelial cells that are not designed to withstand the acidic environment of the stomach. This region is more susceptible to developing ulcers in horses, especially in areas of stress and poor diet.

The glandular region of the stomach is located below the margo plicatus and is lined with gastric glands that secrete gastric juice, which contains hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes that break down food.

The margo plicatus is an important landmark in the equine stomach and is often used by veterinarians to help identify the location of gastric ulcers during endoscopy. Gastric ulcers in horses are a common problem, and early detection and treatment are important for the horse’s health and well-being.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT THE PREVALENCE OF GASTRIC ULCERS CAN RANGE FROM 50-60% IN PERFORMANCE HORSES.

1 2 3 4

THE VARYING DEGREES OF STOMACH ULCERATION

GRADE 0 Stomach lining is intact and there is no appearance of reddening.

GRADE 1 Stomach lining is intact but there are areas of reddening.

GRADE 2

GRADE 3

Small single or multiple ulcers

Large single or multiple ulcers.

GRADE 4 Extensive ulcers which have merged to form areas of deep ulceration.

WHAT IS THE NORMAL PH LEVEL OF THE EQUINE STOMACH?

The normal pH level of the equine stomach can range from approximately 1.5 to 4.5, depending on the region of the stomach.

The glandular region of the stomach, which is the upper portion, secretes hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes to break down food. The pH in this region is typically between 1.5 to 3.5.

The non-glandular region is the lower portion of the stomach, does not secrete digestive enzymes and is more prone to ulcer formation. The pH in this region is typically

between 4.0 to 4.5.

It’s important to note that the pH of the equine stomach can vary depending on various factors, including the horse’s diet, age, and stress levels. For example, a diet high in grains can increase stomach acidity, while stress can decrease pH.

Measuring the pH of the equine stomach can help diagnose gastric ulcers or other digestive issues. A veterinarian may use a pH meter or a gastroscope to measure the pH level and visually examine the stomach lining

EXERCISE AND GASTRIC PH

Exercise can have an impact on the gastric pH level in horses. During exercise, there is an increase in blood flow to the muscles, which can lead to a decrease in blood flow to the digestive tract, including the stomach. This can cause a reduction in gastric motility and a build-up of acid in the stomach, leading to decreased pH.

Studies have shown that intense exercise, such as racing or eventing, can cause a significant decrease in gastric pH in horses. This decrease in pH can increase the risk of gastric ulcers, which are common in horses and can cause discomfort, pain, and decreased performance.

To minimise the risk of gastric ulcers in horses during exercise, it’s crucial to provide adequate hydration and nutrition before and after exercise. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals throughout the day can also help maintain a consistent pH level in the stomach.

In addition, some veterinarians may recommend giving horses antacids or other medications to help buffer the stomach acid and prevent gastric ulcers during periods of intense exercise. It’s essential to consult a veterinarian to determine the best management plan for each horse based on their specific needs and activity level.

CLASSIFICATIONS OF

ULCERS

TWO MAIN CLASSIFICATIONS OF ULCERS IN HORSES ARE:

SQUAMOUS GASTRIC ULCERS: These are ulcers that occur in the upper, non-glandular portion of the stomach. This portion of the stomach is not designed to withstand the acidity of gastric juice, and therefore, it is more susceptible to ulceration. Squamous gastric ulcers are more common in horses under stress, fed highconcentrate diets, or with limited access to forage.

GLANDULAR GASTRIC ULCERS: These are ulcers that occur in the lower glandular portion of the stomach. This portion of the stomach is designed to produce gastric juice, making it more ulcerative-resistant. Glandular gastric ulcers are less common than squamous gastric ulcers, and a bacterial infection or another underlying disease typically causes them.

Both squamous and glandular gastric ulcers can cause similar symptoms in horses, such as decreased appetite, weight loss, poor performance, colic, and changes in behaviour. Working with a veterinarian to diagnose and treat gastric ulcers in horses is essential, as early diagnosis and treatment can help prevent complications and promote healing.

WHICH HORSES ARE PREDISPOSED TO GASTRIC ULCERS?

Horses of all breeds, ages, and disciplines can develop gastric ulcers. However, certain factors can increase a horse’s risk of developing gastric ulcers.

HERE ARE SOME CONTRIBUTING FACTORS:

STRESS: Horses subjected to stress, such as competition, transport, or confinement, are at a higher risk of developing gastric ulcers. Stress increases the production of stomach acid and decreases the blood flow to the stomach lining, which can lead to ulceration.

INTENSIVE

TRAINING:

Horses that undergo intensive training or exercise are at a higher risk of developing gastric ulcers. This is because exercise can increase the production of stomach acid and decrease the stomach’s protective mechanisms.

USE OF NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDS):

Horses given NSAIDs for prolonged periods are at a higher risk of developing gastric ulcers. NSAIDs can reduce the production of prostaglandins, which help protect the stomach lining.

LIMITED ACCESS TO FORAGE: Horses with limited access to forage or fed a high-concentrate diet are at a higher risk of developing

gastric ulcers. Forage helps to buffer stomach acid and promote saliva production, which can help protect the stomach lining.

CHANGES IN ROUTINE OR ENVIRONMENT:

Horses that experience changes in routine or environment, such as a change in feed, housing, or training, are at a higher risk for developing gastric ulcers.

Not all horses with these risk factors will develop gastric ulcers, and some horses without these risk factors can still develop gastric ulcers. Therefore, monitoring horses for signs of gastric ulcers and working with a veterinarian to diagnose and treat the condition is essential.

GASTRIC ULCERS IN

FOALS

Gastric ulcers are a relatively common problem in foals, particularly those that are stressed, weaned early, or fed diets that are high in concentrates. Gastric ulcers occur when the protective lining of the stomach is damaged, allowing acid to come into contact with the sensitive tissues underneath.

SYMPTOMS OF GASTRIC ULCERS IN FOALS MAY INCLUDE:

n Poor appetite or picky eating and weight loss

n Teeth grinding or other signs of discomfort during or after feeding

n Colic

n Diarrhea or loose stools

If you suspect that your foal may have gastric ulcers, it is important to consult with a veterinarian who can perform a physical exam and recommend appropriate diagnostic tests, such as endoscopy or bloodwork. Treatment may involve changes to the foal's diet, administration of medications to reduce acid production or protect the stomach lining, and management of stress factors. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to address severe ulceration.

IT’S THOUGHT THAT UP TO 50% OF FOALS DEVELOP STOMACH ULCERS DURING THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF LIFE.

GASTRIC ULCERS CAN HAVE A PARTICULARLY NEGATIVE IMPACT ON PERFORMANCE.

HORSES WITH ULCERS MAY EXHIBIT A REDUCED WILLINGNESS TO WORK OR BE HANDLED.

HOW CAN I TELL IF MY HORSE HAS ULCERS?

Gastric ulcers are a common problem in horses, and there are several signs that may indicate that your horse has ulcers. Here are some of the most common signs:

CHANGES IN APPETITE: Watch for decreased appetite or reluctance to eat. They may also exhibit signs of discomfort while eating, such as grinding their teeth or stretching their neck.

WEIGHT LOSS: Horses with severe gastric ulcers may lose weight, even if they continue to eat normally.

CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR: Look for become constant irritability, anxiousness, or a depressed attitude. They may also exhibit signs of discomfort or pain, such as biting or kicking when being saddled or groomed or being handled.

POOR PERFORMANCE: A horse with gastric ulcers may have a decreased ability to perform, as they may be uncomfortable or in pain.

TURNOUT: Allowing horses to graze or access hay forage throughout the day can help reduce stress and prevent the development of ulcers.

MEDICATIONS: Medications such as Omeprazole or try Equestra which comes in granular form (you can pop it into feed), as they can help reduce the amount of acid produced in the stomach and promote the healing of existing ulcers. These medications should be prescribed by a veterinarian and used as directed.

STRESS REDUCTION: Reducing stress levels in horses can help prevent the development of ulcers. Providing a calm, quiet environment, minimising changes in routine, and using calming supplements or natural remedies may help reduce stress levels in horses.

REGULAR EXERCISE: Regular exercise can help promote gastrointestinal health and reduce the risk of developing ulcers. However, horses should not be exercised on an empty stomach, which can increase the risk of ulcers.

COLIC: Colic or abdominal discomfort is common, which can range from mild to severe.

WHAT CAN I DO TO REDUCE THE RISK OF ULCERS?

There are several things you can do to help reduce the risk of gastric ulcers in horses:

PROVIDE CONSTANT ACCESS TO HAY OR PASTURE: Horses are naturally grazing animals, and their digestive systems are designed to process food continually throughout the day. By providing free access to hay or pasture, you can help to ensure that the horse’s stomach is not empty for long periods, which can contribute to ulcer formation.

FEED SMALLER, MORE FREQUENT MEALS: Feeding smaller, more frequent meals can help to reduce the amount of acid that accumulates in the stomach and can also help to prevent the stomach from becoming completely empty.

POOR COAT CONDITION: Look for a dull or rough coat, as they may not be absorbing the necessary nutrients from their diet.

HOW TO MANAGE GASTRIC ULCER SYNDROME

Gastric ulcer syndrome is a common digestive disorder in horses that can cause discomfort, pain, and decreased performance. Here are some ways to manage gastric ulcer syndrome in horses:

DIET: Feeding horses small, frequent meals throughout the day can help reduce the amount of acid in the stomach and prevent the development of ulcers.

AVOID SUDDEN CHANGES IN DIET: Abrupt changes in diet can disrupt the delicate balance of bacteria in the horse’s gut, which can increase the risk of ulcers. If you need to make changes to your horse’s diet, do so gradually over a period of several days to allow their digestive system to adjust.

USE APPROPRIATE MEDICATIONS: If your horse is at high risk of ulcers, your veterinarian may recommend the use of medications.

By implementing these strategies, you can help to reduce the risk of gastric ulcers in your horse and promote overall digestive health. C

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