Show Circuit Magazine - February/March 2019 by Show Circuit Magazine

TAYLA MASON - WHEN THE PRICE IS RIGHT | ONE LAST CLINIC WITH JEN HAMILTON

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EDITOR

At last, summer has arrived! The season is in full swing and entering the run-up to the Horse of the Year, and all over the country riders are busy trying to qualify. For other equestrians, the goal may not be achieving national honours – it’s more about building on successes day-to-day, whatever they may be. Katie Laurie is a household name to most of us, and she has certainly grabbed the headlines with her recent win in Australia, pocketing a cool $25,000 for her Grand Prix win at Willinga Park with Casebrooke Lomond. We have greatly admired this stallion for years – his scope is something to drool over! Now that Katie is an Australian citizen, she has new plans in the pipeline. We catch up with what is happening in her life on page 12. Hayley Morris and Samantha Morrison are also giving it their best in Australia and we celebrate their dedication to succeeding in the massive pool of riders in the land of Oz. Hayley and Miss Money Penny had a recent win at the Gatton World Cup Show and Sam Morrison is tackling Australia with gusto, having had a tremendous season last year. It is great to see that we can hold our own across the ditch. Congratulations girls! This issue features a number of ‘young guns’ coming up the ranks, all of them showing exceptional talent and dedication to their particular code, and we admire their grit and commitment to the sport we love. But it’s not all about our international stars. At home here in New Zealand, we have some fantastic talent, and as always, we enjoyed chatting with many of our talented riders from across the codes. A sneak peek into their lives beyond the farm gates is always an enlightening experience. Our training section also features three of our up-and-coming riders as ESNZ High Performance Leader Penny Castle gives valuable guidance to help improve their dressage. Jen Hamilton recently held her last clinic in New Zealand at Cheleken Equestrian’s beautiful farm. Jen has made an enormous contribution to show jumping in this country over the many years she has travelled here from her base in the USA. Now that she has made her last trip to Aotearoa, it just won’t be the same without her quick one-liners that make us all giggle! Whether you are a competitive rider or not, from time to time it’s important to take a step back and assess where you are at with your plans. Let’s be honest, riding horses is a great leveller! So perhaps as a starting point our measure of success should lie with an emphasis on improvement through positive training, with the welfare of our partner, the horse, always at the forefront. Whatever your hopes, dreams and goals may be, we hope you enjoy the journey!

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ABOUT SHOWCIRCUIT

COVER IMAGE

KATIE LAURIE & CASEBROOKE LOMOND Image by Stephen Mowbray Photography 10

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Our magazine is published bi-monthly. Articles reflect the personal opinion of the author and not necessarily the view of Waiata Publishing Ltd. This publication cannot be reproduced in whole or in part in any way without the publisher’s express written permission. All contributions are submitted at the sender’s risk. Waiata Publishing Ltd accepts no responsibility for loss or damage. © SHOWCIRCUIT Magazine 2019 All rights reserved.

IN THIS ISSUE FEBRUARY | MARCH 2019

OUR PEOPLE

12 18 22 26 32 38 46 50 58 62 64 70 76 82 88 92

TRAINING

100 Jen Hamilton | Training with Balance 106 Penny Castle | Dressage

PHOTO ESSAYS 114 Continental Cars Audi Festival World Cup 118 Te Kauwhata A&P Show 122 Southland Show Jumping 128 NZEPS Wairarapa HOYQ Pleasure Show

IN EACH ISSUE 112 132 133

Insider's Shopping Guide

Subscribe Equine Legal Advice

HEALTH 134 140 142 146

The Equine Nervous System Kissing Spine Rider Health Recipe

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ON THE COVER

This page; Katie and Casebrooke Lomond, Takapoto Show Jumping 2018 Image; Eye Witness Photography

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KATIE L AU R I E EMBRACING CHANGE WORDS Rebecca Harper IMAGES Stephen Mowbray Photography

Christmas came early for the Kiwi-born show jumper when she and the spectacular grey stallion Casebrooke Lomond finally nailed a big win on Australian turf – and now she’s officially become one of them, with confirmation of her Australian citizenship coming through.

he win in the showpiece Grand Prix class on the final day of competition at Willinga Park Jumping Grand Final in December completed a clean sweep of the three-day competition for Katie and Casebrooke Lomond, with Katie pocketing a cool $25,000 for the Grand Prix alone. No stranger to success in the ring, she has won everything there is to win here in New Zealand, including the Olympic Cup on five occasions, but a significant win had eluded her since moving to Australia nearly two years ago.

“It was the biggest win I’ve had since I’ve been here. I think I’ve had four second places in World Cups in Australia, so to finally pull off a big win was amazing,” she says. “I felt it was close and I really wanted to get that big one. I think that’s what made Willinga Park all the more special.” Katie and her husband Jackson purchased their 1,000-acre farm at Mihi, Armidale in New South Wales nearly two years ago and made the move to Australia with their two children – Grace, 4, and Royce, 2.

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“He’s really athletic and not such a heavy type, so he can handle jumping three days in a row and going fast. That’s what you need nowadays for a championship horse.”

Katie and Casebrooke Lomond placed 2nd in the Sydney Summer Show Jumping Classic SIEC World Cup qualifier

Sparky at home, were on fire the whole championship. Katie opted to take just her top four horses – Sparky, plus three she rides for Mike and Carissa McCall: Esteban MVNZ, McCaw MVNZ and Cera Caruso – on the show run for the final big shows of the year. “The babies had a break and I concentrated on the higher level horses for a good run of shows at the end of the season. Now the older horses will have a break for January and February, and that will be my time to get all the babies out and going.” Adding to the excitement at Willinga Park was the Triple Crown, a $50,000 bonus prize to anyone who could win all three Grand Prix titles at three linked shows. Willinga Park was the final show and Australian rider Tom McDermott had won the first two legs – but Katie and Sparky denied him the third win. “Tom winning two titles was an amazing feat in itself. My horses weren’t in the running for the Triple Crown – Sparky had missed one show and I swapped them around bit, so none of them jumped all three Grand Prix title classes – but it was an added incentive.” It was the first show held at Willinga Park and Katie says the venue was mind-blowing. “It is absolutely the most unbelievable grounds I have ever been

Image Libby Law Photography

Jackson runs the farming operation, fattening sheep and cattle, while Katie operates her equestrian business, Whispering Oaks, competing and producing horses from the property. The farm had no horse facilities at all when they bought it and Jackson did all the work, almost single-handedly building the 10-horse barn, arena and horse paddocks. They haven’t looked back since, and Katie has now made it official by changing her citizenship to Australian, meaning we won’t see her riding in the silver fern again. Competition-wise, she has ticked all the boxes a rider dreams of, representing New Zealand at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010, and the World Cup Final in Las Vegas in 2015 – something she hopes to repeat, albeit riding for Australia. “I really want to do it again but it does depend on horse power,” she admits. “It’s hard to take one horse from here and campaign overseas. It’s such a big amount of time out of your life, especially now with children and the farm, but they are setting up good facilities here to make it easier to get to big championships without having to be based overseas.” Top venues, like Willinga Park, are helping to bring Australia closer to the world stage, she says, pointing out that two of the riders who made the Australian team for WEG last year had spent their whole season jumping World Cups in Australia. Citizenship is the first step – the next will be changing her nationality to Australian. The process was actually relatively easy, given that she qualified by descent. Her father, Jeff, is Australian, as is her husband Jackson. “Citizenship means I will ride under the Australian flag,” she says. “I might not make an Australian team, but I will try!” Katie says she loved growing up in New Zealand, but that Australia is home now. “I loved the ponies and everything we did in New Zealand, it’s been amazing – but I love it here in Australia. We never see ourselves going back to New Zealand. The show jumping here is great and the kids will grow up and go to school here. It just felt like the right thing to do, to become Australian.”

Sparky strikes at Willinga Park

The final show for 2018 at Willinga Park was memorable for all the right reasons for Katie as she and Casebrooke Lomond, known as

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Katie and Casebrooke Lomond during the Gold Tour Horse Grand Prix 1.40-1.50m. Takapoto Estate Show Jumping 2018

to in my life. There were garden tours and architecture tours, I can’t even describe how amazing it was.” Sparky jumped out of his skin over the three-day show, winning every round he jumped in, and proving to Katie that he has what it takes to be a true championship horse. “The first day was a speed class, the second was a jump-off class and the third day was the Grand Prix. It was $2,000 for winning each of the first two classes and $25,000 to win the final class. I was stoked when he won the first two – he thrived on jumping every day and just got better and better, but I never expected to win the Grand Prix too. Because he was jumping so well, it was probably the first time I’ve been nervous before a class – I never get nervous! I think it was because I knew he could do it, so I just needed to do everything right.” That sort of prize money also makes a huge difference to their life, and to the farm, and she admits there was a lot of pressure. The Grand Prix was seeded and, since they’d won the first two classes, Katie and Sparky were last to go. There were five clears already, so she knew there was no room for error if she wanted to get into the jump-off. They jumped clear and progressed, along with the five other clears, one combination on a single time fault, and the fastest four faulter. The jump-off was also seeded on time, making Katie fourth last to go. “I followed Billy Raymont and he’s always super quick in a jumpoff. I watched exactly what he did and saw one place I thought I could be quicker, coming to the wall. Sparky just jumped awesome. I remember coming down to the last double and the commentator was saying ‘She’s nearly got her hand on $25,000’ and that’s all I could hear!” Fast and clear, Katie was in the lead, but had to wait for the last three riders to jump. None could match her and victory was hers. “I rang Jackson after I’d been – he was watching on the live stream and I stayed on the phone to him. I was lucky Zoe Shore had flown over from New Zealand the night before to help me. It was amazing to have a good friend with me.”

Depth in the team

Katie tries to have no more than 10 horses in work at once and is fortunate to have the ride on some outstanding horses, including her top mount Sparky and those owned by the McCalls. “Carissa had a concussion and a knee operation, so I’ve been riding the horses while she’s out of action. Now they’re really busy setting up a new business in New Zealand, and I’m very lucky to have the ride on their lovely horses.” Esteban MVNZ had competed at World Cup level in New Zealand with Carissa previously and had a bit of an ‘off’ year the first year Katie rode him. She believes that’s behind them now and big things are possible. They placed fourth in the Australian Senior Championships last year. “I feel like he’s really about to start going well in the bigger classes. It’s also nice having two horses to jump in the bigger classes, as you can swap them around a bit and it’s not all the pressure on one horse,” she explains. Also owned by the McCalls, McCaw MVNZ won the NZ Australian Championships Futurity in November, a significant competition for his age group, and Cera Caruso picked up a fifth place in the World Cup at Tamworth, as well as winning many classes in Australia this season. The starry 16.2hh stallion Sparky has just turned 10 and is owned jointly by Katie and Sheena Ross. Exceptionally well-bred at Goldengrove Stud Farm by Bert Elsthop, he is by Lansing out of the imported mare Lara I (by Calido I). “Sheena bought him as a two-year-old, had him broken-in as a three-year-old and did the work with him at home. Then she got hold of Dad and said she was keen for me to ride him. She brought

him round and he was really, really nice right from the start.” For the first two seasons he lived at Sheena’s place and Katie only rode him at shows; then he moved in with Katie when he was six and has never left. Super consistent from day one, he won the Four, Five and Six-Year-Old titles at the Young Horse Show and was second in the Seven-Year-Old. “He really loves his job. He’s actually quite keen to get to a jump and when he finishes and knows he’s done a good round, he puts his head down and does this dive – he’s always pretty pleased with himself! “He’s careful, and when you point him at a fence you know he’s going over. He’s really athletic and not such a heavy type, so he can handle jumping three days in a row and going fast. That’s what you Casebrooke Lomond loves to do his little dive after a class.

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need nowadays for a championship horse.” Sparky won his first World Cup in New Zealand as an eight-yearold, but moving from New Zealand Grand Prix level to Australian Grand Prix level was a big step up for him, Katie says. “He was up-and-down a bit for a season and is just getting used to jumping the bigger tracks. I feel like he’s really coming good and jumping confidently now.” Katie and Sheena have also decided that the time is right to offer Sparky’s services as a stallion. “We’ve never served from him before because we’ve concentrated on his jumping, but he’s not going to jump again until Aquis in May, so it seems like a good opportunity,” she explains. Sparky will head to the vet clinic in Tamworth in January, where he will be for a month, in order to clear quarantine and allow semen to be collected and frozen for use in New Zealand. “Being a New Zealand horse and half New Zealand-owned, I know there are so many people in New Zealand who have loved him and would like to use him, so the semen will be available in New Zealand and Australia,” Katie confirms. Coming up behind her top horses is a solid line-up of 1.30-1.40m horses, including seven-year-old Champagne NZPH, who won the Future Stars class at Aquis in May and recently stepped up to jump

Above: Esteban MVNZ (by Indoctro out of Wembley MVNZ by Matterhorn out of Seremonie VDL), 5th in the Speed Class of the Senior Title at Willinga Park in December 2018. Left: McCaw MVNZ (by Corofino 11 out of Heidi LVP [imp. Belgium] by Cassini 1 out of a Lennon mare), winner of the Future Stars Title at the Australian Championships at Boneo Park in November 2018. Below: Cera Caruso (by Casall out of Belcam Cymphony by Capone out of a Falkrich mare) competing in the Equitana Grand Prix in November 2018.

her first small Grand Prix. “She’s turned out at the moment and is about to come back in. I think she’s a really promising horse for the future and is owned jointly with Nicki Main.” Also at this level is seven-year-old Django, out of Flower Power by Lordano, a half-brother to Katie’s superstar mare Delphi. “He came over here later on and missed a bit, but just finished up in October jumping around the bronze final at Tamworth (1.30m). He’s also had a little holiday and will come back in soon.” Finally there’s eight-year-old Dandelion, also out of Flower Power and by Cardento, who has just stepped up to jumping Mini Prix level. “I really like her, she’ll be really cool,” Katie says. Next in the ranks are the babies, including a nice five-year-old mare called Queen Bee, owned in partnership with the Shore family. Out of Drossana, who jumped to 1.50m in America, she is also by Lordano. “She’s really well-bred, a little bit quirky but very careful.” Recently joining Katie in Australia were three young horses bred by her parents in New Zealand – five-year-old Mercedes (out of Double Dee and by Cardento), Boom (out of Katie’s well-performed Daffodil and by Kannan) and five-year-old Double Brown Dave (out of the prolific Flower Power and by Corofino II).

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Katie and Casebrooke Lomond during the Gold Tour Horse 1.40m Qualifier at Takapoto Estate Show Jumping 2018. Image Libby Law Photography “I think you always have to have young ones to be bringing up, and I love training the babies. You get to know them so well, as you’ve done everything from the start and it’s so rewarding to breed them and bring them through,” Katie says. “I’ve very lucky to have a strong team of horses through the grades and I’m excited about the future – there’s not one I wouldn’t keep!”

At home in Australia

As much as she loved her New Zealand upbringing, Katie has found that life in Australia affords so many more opportunities. “It’s bigger, there are more people, more opportunities, more competition and the money here for the big classes is now quite good if you are jumping Grand Prix. “I still think New Zealand is a fantastic place as a kid to grow up riding and producing horses, but now I do prefer it here. There’s more competition that goes all year round and the bigger population means there are more people to produce horses for.” Katie’s goal is to keep producing horses that can jump to top level, as well as selling horses to make a living. “I’m very lucky to ride horses for owners to jump in the bigger classes. I’ve been lucky to have good horses and I still have one horse in share with Nicki Main, who has been a big supporter of mine over the last few years.” As well as riding full-time, Katie now has two young children, which has changed the way

she does things – but she wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s not been easy the last two years, being new to Australia and having two small children…but we find a way to make it work. It’s different, but it’s amazing.” Horses have been an enduring passion for Katie, something she has lived and breathed since she was a small girl. “When we were younger we were taught that if we wanted to do the horses, we had to do it ourselves. I think the reason we carried on was because we really loved it. “Since I’ve had kids, I’ve had someone working with us, but the last two shows I went to by myself. I said to Jackson how much I enjoyed it, all the stuff on the ground and just dealing with the horses. I’m that kind of person, I can potter in the stables for hours and hours. I like everything organised and perfect!” Although she’s no longer a Kiwi, Katie hopes to return to New Zealand soil in the future, particularly for shows like HOY and Takapoto. “Takapoto is an amazing show – I would love to come back for that. It’s good for New Zealand and good for getting riders between New Zealand and Australia.” Katie is grateful for her sponsorship from Mitavite and Hygain; Maddox Equestrian for Butet saddles and bridles, EquiFit horse jumping boots and FlexOn stirrups; long-time sponsor Tucci for riding boots; Equissage; and the one she can never forget – Chele Clarkin of the Cambridge Collection. C

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INTERVIEW WORDS Rebecca Harper

A FUTURE STAR This young eventer has been racking up the travel miles, recently returning from her first international competition at the Mitsubishi Motors Australian International Three-Day Event in Adelaide before hitting the road again to Puhinui International Horse Trials in December.

PICTURED: Lucy riding Carbon during the Bates Saddles Young Rider Championships CCI2*YR at the Mitsubishi Motors Australian International Three-Day Event. PHOTOS: Libby Law Photography

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hen Lucy Turner woke up to find a text message from her mum asking her - “When’s your last exam? Thinking we could go to Adelaide” – she assumed it was a joke. The 19-year-old from Lincoln is in her first year studying towards a degree in Sports Management at Canterbury University, and the surprising message came two days after Lucy and her horse Carbon had lifted the Young Rider title and won the overall CCI2* class at the South Island Three-Day Event in October. “It was actually Mum’s idea [to go to Adelaide], since we’d had such a good run at the South Island Three-Day,” Lucy recalls. “I thought she was mad!” But the timing was ideal, with the Australian National Young Rider Championships being held at the Mitsubishi Motors Australian International Three- Day Event in Adelaide. Lucy could ride in the Young Rider class, which was run in conjunction with the CCI2* competition. “So it was all go. I had to go and get a

unfortunate run-out on cross-country put paid to her hopes of finishing in the money. “It was at the second-to-last combination on the course. We had done all the hardest stuff and I just gave him a dumb ride into a skinny offset combination,” she says ruefully. “But otherwise it was a really good cross-country round. “I was definitely disappointed, as I really wanted to go clear. For the show jumping, we just used it as a bit of a practice round and Emily got me to try a few things, which led to a couple of rails. Overall, I was pretty happy and I just wanted to make the most of the experience. I’m so lucky and grateful to have had that opportunity.” Lucy learned a lot about dealing with the heat and being careful to ensure her horse didn’t get dehydrated, as well as the value of meeting new people and making contacts. “It was amazing – we got to stay at Shane Rose’s place, and having those kind of links is so important. I want to thank my coaches, Emily Cammock and Christine Weal, who were both over there with me, and my family for the opportunity to go.”

passport that day, because I didn’t have one!” she confesses. Although she didn’t put in the performance she was hoping for at Adelaide, Lucy still finished a creditable 20th place in the tough 2* competition and fifth overall in the Young Rider class, and says it was a great learning experience. “It was a huge experience – you just don’t realise how much there is to organise. I was very lucky to travel with my coach Emily Cammock. She’s done it all before and I was able to tag along with her, and learned a lot.”

Lucy returned to New Zealand on November 22 and hit the road again on November 30, bound for Puhinui with her other horse, Astek Victor, while Carbon stayed home for a rest after his big trip to Australia. “We probably do two to three North Island trips a year, depending on how the horses are going. My mum is really good; we have a family business that involves driving and transporting things and she used to be a truck driver. Travel is just something you get used to. Events are far away but you just do what you’ve got to do.”

LU CY TU R N E R They flew the horses from Christchurch to Sydney, where Emily had organised a horse truck so they could drive to Adelaide – a 21-hour trip on straight, flat roads. “Then we broke down in the middle of nowhere,” Lucy recalls. “It was an absolute adventure!” While she was disappointed with the overall result at Adelaide, she felt that she put in a solid dressage test. However, an

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“IT WAS A HUGE EXPERIENCE – YOU JUST DON’T REALISE HOW MUCH

THERE IS TO ORGANISE. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO TRAVEL WITH MY COACH EMILY CAMMOCK. SHE’S DONE IT ALL BEFORE AND I WAS ABLE TO TAG ALONG WITH HER, AND

LEARNED A LOT.”

Juggling horses and study Lucy has spent her first year at university living in the halls of residence in Christchurch, which is fortunately not too far from her family home in Lincoln, enabling her to travel home each day to ride. “I just have two horses at the moment, because of university,” she explains. “Two was definitely the manageable amount.” Career-wise, Lucy says she’s never been 100% sure what she wants to do, but she’d like to have a part-time job that would give her financial stability as well as allowing her to continue with horses. “I do love my horses and it’s ultimately what I see myself doing.” The diminutive Carbon is her top mount and she’s had the 14-year-old Thoroughbred gelding, by Drums of Time out of a mare called Chic Bella, for four years. “I haven’t produced him myself, he was doing 2* when I got him. He was my first proper hack and was that horse to take me up the levels and give me the experience I needed, which is exactly what he’s done. “He wasn’t easy – he wasn’t that developed on the flat and was a bit wobbly on cross-country, but now he’s very competitive in dressage, usually jumps clear cross-country and his show jumping is pretty reliable.” When she first rode him, Lucy found Carbon easy to work with. “He wasn’t flash or big, but he worked with me and that’s what attracted me to him the most. “He’s quite funny. He doesn’t have a lot of personality – he’s so chilled out and is a pretty laid-back character, but he does have his quirks. He goes berserk when I go to feed him!” The pair have forged a strong partnership and won many titles together, including the Junior Rider 1* Championship at Puhinui in 2015 (when Lucy was also second on her pony Tallyho Mystic) and the Young Rider 2* title at Puhinui the following year. PICTURED: Lucy riding Astek Victor in the Veterinary Associates CCI* at Puhinui International Three-Day Event, December 2018 PHOTOS THIS PAGE: Kampic.com PHOTO OPPOSITE PAGE: Eye Witness Photography

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Unfortunately Carbon was injured at the start of 2017, so was out for most of last year. But the combination have come back strongly in 2018, winning the South Island One-Day 2* Championships at the beginning of the year and notching up the top result at the South Island Three-Day in October. Lucy’s other mount is 8-year-old Astek Victor, by Voltaire II out of a Thoroughbred mare, who competes at 1* level. “He’s 17.1hh – quite big – and Carbon is 15.1hh. My two horses are chalk and cheese, both in size and to ride. Victor acts like a fouryear-old, he has so much character but he’s a bit of a gentle giant as well. I want to thank my grandparents W J & E A Drayton for their ongoing support, being the owners of both Carbon and Victor. “I would love to potentially go overseas one day and have a crack at 4*. Victor is a lovely horse and is definitely a long-term project. Hopefully he keeps doing what he’s doing and one day we might have a crack at that, all going well.”

The challenge of three phases Despite enjoying a lot of success in the show jumping arena, particularly at Pony Grand Prix level with her outstanding mare Tallyho Mystic, eventing is Lucy’s first love.

“I loved show jumping when I had a go, and was successful, but I definitely lean more towards eventing just because it’s more of a challenge to me. I love how you have three phases that are so different and you have to be on form for all three. That’s where all the training comes in – it’s the challenge and the variety. I just find it more exciting.” Lucy comes from a non-horsey family and has been riding since she was eight, coming up through Pony Club. “My parents bought two little Shetland ponies at auction to chuck in the paddock to keep the grass down. My sister had a friend who rode, and one day she came round and they jumped on the ponies bareback. They told me to come and have a go, and that’s where it all started!” She has had lessons with eventer Emily Cammock since she began riding and describes her as her ‘go-to’ person, as well as now training with Christine Weal for dressage. “I have always looked up to Emily. She’s one of the hardest-working people I know, and everything is done to such a high standard when she rides,” Lucy says. “I don’t even know how to describe her. She’s had some bad luck but she’s very resilient and she puts her head down and moves on. She’s just a really good role model.” C

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INTERVIEW

HAYLEY

MORRIS BEATING THE ODDS This young Kiwi show jumper is making her mark at senior level in Australia with her miracle mare, Miss Money Penny. The pair had their first start at World Cup level on Australian soil late last year. WORDS Rebecca Harper

PICTURED: Hayley and Miss Money Penny after winning Mini Prix final at Gatton World Cup Show 2018. Image: Humming Bird Photography PHOTO OPPOSITE PAGE: Miss Money Penny Image: Equico Studio

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y all rights, Miss Money Penny shouldn’t be alive. The plucky mare has defied the odds, surviving not one but two colic surgeries before coming back to have a successful jumping career at the top level. Overcoming this adversity has only strengthened the bond between Hayley and her special horse, known as Penny at home. Hayley, 24, grew up on a sheep and beef farm near Oxford in Canterbury, New Zealand, but has called Australia home for the last five years. Now based in a little town called Kalbar in south-east Queensland, about an hour from Brisbane, Hayley lives on Rangeview Farm, managing a busy sales and competition barn of show jumpers and eventers for Ross

and Mel Smith. “I worked for Ross and Mel at Burnham in New Zealand before they bought a farm here in conjunction with Matt Gaske, one of the leading 3* eventers here in Queensland. Matt is Mel’s brother and we’re all based here,” she explains. The move came about after Ross and Mel took a team of horses to compete in Australia one winter, and never returned. “Through the winter there wasn’t a lot on where we were in New Zealand, so we brought a team over to compete here,” Hayley recalls. “Mel’s family are originally from Australia, and I brought my Young Rider horse, Livewire, to get some more experience and mileage. It all went so

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“We got Penny when she was four, and she’s nine now,” Hayley says. “She was imported from Europe, and Ross first brought her in with investors. He rode her at one show, then passed her on to me to produce.” Having sold her Young Rider horse, Livewire, to Japan, Hayley was without a horse of her own, so she was blown away when her parents purchased Penny for her as a birthday present. “That was an amazing birthday. I don’t think it will ever be topped!” Penny has always been a winner in the ring, and the pair had many Young Rider wins when Penny was just five years old. But disaster struck when the mare needed colic surgery, and then a second surgery just two months later.

Hayley and Miss Money Penny at Boneo Cup Show in the Boneo Grand Prix

IMAGE Stephen Mowbray

“SHE’S VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE - SHE’S A WALKING MIRACLE YOU COULD SAY! SHE HAS BEATEN QUITE A FEW ODDS, BUT SHE’S A FIGHTER.”

well that we never went home!” Hayley’s parents are still in Oxford and, although Australia has welcomed her with open arms, she says that she will always be a Kiwi at heart. Her role at Rangeview is as farm manager and full-time rider. At any one time they will have 20 to 30 horses in work, from sales horses to schoolers, so life there is never dull. “I run all the training for the horses,” she says. “Ross sources horses for clients, so we have a lot of people coming in during the week to try them out – and to hopefully buy them, if they’re the right fit.” Hayley also fits in competitions on Penny. “We have two major teams, one show jumping and one eventing. Most weekends one truck goes eventing and one goes show jumping. I try to keep all of the horses fit and in competition work. It’s really busy, but I love it. I guess you can’t do it unless you love it! “I have an especially close bond with my horse, after everything I have been through with her. I really enjoy the people and the competition lifestyle, too. It’s just a good atmosphere over here.”

Penny’s journey

Penny is Hayley’s only competition horse at the moment, and the pair have experienced both the extreme highs, like winning Lady Rider of the Year at Horse of the Year in New Zealand in 2017, to the intense lows of two colic surgeries in two months. Last year they did an embryo transfer out of Penny, and Hayley now has a foal on the ground by Leonello, a stallion they had at Rangeview who has now gone to Europe.

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“She’s very lucky to be alive – she’s a walking miracle you could say! She has beaten quite a few odds, but she’s a fighter.” Penny had 18 months off to recover from her surgeries. “It knocked her around quite a bit, and it was tough for me as well,” Hayley says. “We didn’t really know what we were dealing with, so had to take every day as it came. She’s on a very strict feeding regime now, so she has a very different life to other horses. I call her my well-trained dog!” The vets came to the conclusion that Penny couldn’t handle too much feed at once. This means she’s not allowed hay and can only have a small amount of grass at once, so she spends most of her life in her stable or dirt yard. “She doesn’t get cranky, she knows the rules – but she will do anything for food. She looks as good as any competition horse, even with the diet she has. It’s just what we’ve had to do and she’s adapted. It’s worked well so far.”

Stepping up

This season the combination has stepped up another level, notching up their biggest win on Aussie soil in the Mini Prix at Gatton World Cup Show and contesting their first Senior Title at the Australian Championships, before having their first World Cup start in November. “Competing against people I look up to, who have gone to the Olympics or WEG, and to be able to knock it with the best of them – that’s a pretty big deal for me.” At the Australian Champs, Hayley’s goal was to make the top 20 and qualify for the final. Not only did she manage to qualify, she headed into the final sitting in first equal position. “It was a huge surprise to us all. In the final I had a couple of rails down and finished 12th, but I was really happy with her. The atmosphere was massive and we smashed our goal of being in the top 20. I have never stepped into a class that big before and neither has she – we’re both quite green at that level so I was very pleased. It took us three days in a truck to get down there, but it was definitely worth the trip and we gained a lot of experience from it.” The aim for the rest of the season is to contest some of the bigger Grand Prix classes and have some more starts at World Cup level. “Eventually I will look at taking her to America and campaigning her over there,” adds Hayley.

IMAGE Calico Pony

“COMPETING AGAINST PEOPLE I LOOK UP TO, WHO HAVE GONE TO THE OLYMPICS OR WEG, AND TO BE ABLE TO KNOCK IT WITH THE BEST OF THEM – THAT’S A PRETTY BIG DEAL FOR ME.” Alongside their Mini Prix win at Gatton, Hayley rates winning the 2017 Lady Rider of the Year as a career highlight. Penny also picked up the prize for Leading Mare at that year’s HOY. “We went there with the goal to win the Lady Rider. It’s a huge title and it was such an honour to go home and win a class like that. It’s the class every little girl wants to win when they grow up!” Hayley has big dreams, but she also knows the reality of the horse world and how hard it is to make it to the very top – not that it will stop her from giving it her best shot. “Horses are so hard – one minute you’re up, next minute you’re

down. At the end of the day I’d love to get to the Olympics and WEG and represent my country, but it all costs money and takes time.”

Finding her passion

Coming from a non-horsey family, Hayley was fortunate that her best friend growing up had horses. “I always loved going round to her place and riding her horses. I pestered Mum and Dad relentlessly until I started getting lessons at Kowhai, and the rest is history. “I fell into show jumping a little bit. I started out eventing on the ponies and loved that, but dressage was never my strongest suit and really I enjoyed the show jumping most. I got more of a thrill from jumping the bigger tracks and learning to ride a good jump-off.” It was through show jumping that Hayley met Ross and Mel, who would go on to become a huge part of her life. “They have been amazing. Words can’t really describe what they have done for me. They’ve made me the rider I am today and got me to where I am. They are my biggest influence, not just on my riding but also horsemanship, which I think nowadays is not as respected as it should be. I have learned a lot from Ross about dealing with young horses and tricky horses. Thanks to them, the future looks bright – who knows what could happen next?” Hayley is grateful for sponsorship from Pryde’s EasiFeed, Dynavyte and Elite Equine Performance Products. “I also need to thank my mum and dad. Without their support and help, I couldn’t have done any of this. And I’m grateful to my friends and family for encouraging me to go and do it, and not to be afraid. I was that kid who was never going to leave home, so to up and move to Australia was a big deal for me! “Ross and Mel’s family over here have taken me in too – they’re my Australian family.” C

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INTERVIEW

adison M SCHOLLUM taking life by the reins WORDS Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES Cornege Photography

This dedicated and determined young dressage rider has her sight set on the future with her team of talented horses.

urrently Madison’s team consists of Amador (Fritz), Kinnordy Golda (Golda, pictured right) and Savannah HH. Amador has been a part of her team for four years and Madison describes him as being the firm stable favourite. “Fritz and I have recently stepped up to Level 7. We were thinking that he might retire after the 2017-18 season, but he had other plans,” she recalls. “The step up has been a really fun learning curve and at 19 years young, he is feeling younger and better than ever!” The pair has enjoyed success after success while finding their feet at the new level, and Madison feels that they have become a true partnership. Kinnordy Golda is a newer addition to the team. “We purchased her last January, so we had a short but very successful first season,” she says. “I couldn’t believe my luck when we were able to buy her. She is an absolute dream! We had a great winter of training, but unfortunately a little injury has meant missing the first half of this season, so we are looking forward to getting back out after Christmas.” Madison will bring Golda back out at Level 4 and then work on consolidating Level 5 over the winter months. Savannah HH is the baby of the team, and is still learning the basics of being a dressage horse. “She is proving to be a very special horse and I can’t wait to get her out and about. I feel like we have an exciting future ahead.”

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“FRITZ AND I HAVE RECENTLY

STEPPED UP TO LEVEL 7. WE WERE THINKING THAT HE MIGHT RETIRE

AFTER THE 2017-18 SEASON, BUT HE HAD

OTHER PLANS.” Success and partnerships Madison’s biggest achievements to date include making the step up to Level 7 on Fritz, along with starting to establish the higher level movements. “It has been a tricky road with all of his quirks, but also incredibly rewarding to have been able to get as far as we have,” she says. Winning the Level 4 title at the New Zealand Opposite page: When Madison isn’t riding, she’s often reading about dressage. Young Rider Championships with Kinnordy Above: Madison and Amador during the Prydes EasiFeed FEI Prix St Georges Golda has also been a highlight. “That was really at Horse of the Year 2018. Image: Libby Law Photography exciting and unexpected, especially so early on in our journey together,” she admits. “It made me really eager to keep training, so we can improve our results and the arena so he is actually rideable and having him trust me continue doing well as we go up the levels together. I am very so we can get into the competition environment is the best of all,” Madison says. “When we got him, he was so worried and I excited for a big future with her.” Winning both the Level 4 and Level 6 Championships at the could not get through any sort of a test. It even got to the stage 2018 Rotorua Champs was another incredibly memorable day where we didn’t think I would be able to compete him at all!” Dealing with Fritz’s issues wasn’t the first time that Madison for Madison. “I was so happy that Fritz won a rug!” she says. “He deserved had to learn to cope with the quirks and disappointments that so often come with equestrian sport. some time in the limelight – he is such a special boy.” “None of my ponies or horses has been easy,” she admits. “I Long-term, Madison is looking forward to training both Golda and Savannah to Grand Prix. “I would love to take Golda to the have been let down on so many occasions with naughty ponies Sydney CDI to compete in the CDIY in a couple of years, when or soundness issues, and I have missed competitions and parts of seasons due to horse health issues and injuries. It’s we are established at that level,” she says. All the ribbons and titles are certainly nice, but they are just a real balancing act to make sure we humans and our horses are all happy and healthy and able to train and compete. But the icing on the cake when it comes to Fritz. “Getting Fritz to where we are today, making him happy in you can only take each day as it comes.”

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Above: Madison and Kinnordy Golda at the NZ Under 25 Dressage Championships. Image: Libby Law Photography

Representing New Zealand Last year Madison was selected to ride at the 2018 Arnage Warmbloods Young Rider Dressage Championships in Queensland, Australia as part of Team New Zealand. “It was such a fun and enjoyable experience, competing on borrowed horses and seeing what a competition is like in Australia compared to New Zealand,” she explains. “My goal was to win an Australian ribbon, so to come home with two seconds, a third and a fourth was crazy and very unexpected. It was just a dream, and extremely rewarding to see all of the training pay off.” Not one to rest on her laurels, Madison took everything she learned from the trip and put it into practice in her training when she got home. “It has also made me mentally strive to do my best,” she says.

All in the family “Aunty Lynley, Nana and Pop play a huge part in my day-to-day life, as my horses stay at their property,” she explains. “None of what I do would ever have been possible without them. Lynley helps with everything from looking after my horses to truck driving, grooming and being my continuous eyes on the ground. She is extremely helpful! Mum and Dad are helpful in everything they do and everyone offers so much support that I am truly grateful for. “I also train with Christine Weal and occasionally Jaime Amian. They are a huge help to me and my horses, making sure we are at our best and on the right track to achieve our goals.” Madison is an ambassador for Black Star Equine NZ and BetaVet, and is very grateful for their support. C

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INTERVIEW

Jesse presents Cleveland during the DHL CCI4* First Horse Inspection. Luhmühlen International Horse Trial 2018.

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Jesse Campbell

GOOD THINGS TAKE TIME WORDS Rebecca Harper IMAGES Libby Law Photography

It’s a new year with new goals and a new engagement for the young Kiwi eventer, who has been based in the UK for nine years. With an exciting team of talented horses at his Wiltshire yard and a wedding to plan, 2019 is shaping up to be a big year for Jesse.

aking a mark on the UK eventing scene is no mean feat, but passion and determination mean Jesse Campbell is poised to make his dreams into reality as he eyes selection for the Tokyo Olympics

next year. Packing his bags and moving his life to the other side of the world as a 20-year-old back in 2010 may have seemed daunting, but Jesse never doubted it was where he wanted to be. “It was always my dream to go overseas and ride there. There was never any doubt in my mind it was what I wanted to do and had to do. It was probably the easiest decision I had to make but, in terms of sticking it out, there have been tough times,” he admits. “But you have people on the end of the phone and that Kiwi spirit – stubborn, determined and maybe a bit stupid – to help you.” That conviction, along with an unstinting work ethic, has helped him to get through the highs and lows of international eventing. He now has a strong team of 15 horses for the upcoming season, and his future is looking bright, with another big change on the horizon.

Jesse and his British girlfriend, Georgie Strang, also a professional eventer, came to New Zealand on holiday over summer, and got 2019 off to the best start by getting engaged on New Year’s Eve. “I brought Georgie over to see New Zealand and show her around, and to see my family over Christmas,” he explains. “We stayed with Tim and Jonelle Price in Golden Bay for New Year’s, and we got engaged on New Year’s Eve.” Upon returning to the UK in mid-January, Georgie plans to move her 16 horses to Jesse’s yard at Ramsbury, in Wiltshire, where the couple will set up together. “Moving in together will be a pretty awesome thing,” Jesse says. “We do train together a lot and get on really well like that. To have that support and another pair of eyes on the ground will be great, and it will be nice to share the good times and bad times more. “I can’t wait to get back and get started, to be honest. I’m itching to get back on the plane – you come away on holiday and think you don’t want to see a horse, but then you start really missing them!” Jesse’s business, Jesse Campbell Eventing, has different facets to it, including buying and selling horses, coaching riders, and working towards his

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goal of becoming an Olympic gold medallist. “Part of the business is structured around achieving that dream and I’m incredibly lucky to have support from Kent Gardner and his family. Kent has come on board as an investor to help me towards my goal. “At the end of the day, New Zealand has produced some fantastic riders but what we struggle with, especially since the format has changed, is a lack of real horse power. Getting people to support you with quality horses is so important.” Jesse also has a few other owners on board, as well as Kent, and the aim for the upcoming season is to get four or five horses qualified for Tokyo, giving him strength in numbers and providing backup options should anything go amiss. “I definitely want to be at Tokyo, if I can do enough to make the team. I’m still short on mileage and experience at that top level and that possibly has held me back a bit, but has also made me more determined.”

Starting out in the UK

Above; Jesse at the Mondial du Lion FEI WBFSH World Breeding Eventing Championship for Young Horses, 2017. Below; Jesse and Cleveland in the CIC3*, Barbury Castle International Horse Trial July 2018.

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Jesse moved to England in early 2010 to work for Andrew Nicholson, and took two horses with him – Kaapachino and Too Swish. At 21, he became the youngest member of the ninestrong New Zealand High Performance Eventing Squad, all of whom are based in the UK. He was able to work and compete his horses while riding for Andrew, and a win in the 2* Under-25 class at his first event at Tattersalls gave him a boost. “That was awesome, and gave me the belief that I could do it,” he reflects. Jesse says that the 18 months he spent with Andrew was a great learning experience, but leaving when he was 22 to forge out on his own brought a harsh dose of reality along with it. “After I left Andrew’s, it was very, very difficult. There you are in quite a sheltered environment – you work hard, but things like feed orders and equipment are all taken care of. The very first morning that I was out on my own, I thought ‘how will I muck my horses out?’ I didn’t have anything, not even a hoof pick. I had a few saddles and bridles, but that was about it. “I had no clue about things like where to buy feed, where to get hay or straw… It was a big learning curve, but you mature and work things out pretty fast. It would have been easy to give up because it was difficult, but it was always what I wanted to do, so I made it work. Over time, I picked up more horses, and now things are looking really good.” Jesse says the biggest thing he has learned is that riding is only 50% of the job. “I wish I had known about networking a long time ago,” he admits. “Running a business and all the stuff you do off the horses is so important when it comes to what you do when you are on the horses. “If you have a good team around you and the business is going well, there’s less stress. Being in a good environment is key to doing well and riding well.” Although he was very successful as a young rider in New Zealand, Jesse had never ridden above 2*

“It worked in my favour, not coming in at top level. I was able to learn a lot more and develop my skills without having the pressure to perform at that level straight away. I think that really helped me.”

Jesse and Gambesie during the Showjumping for the CCI2*7YO. Mondial du Lion World Breeding Championships for Young Horses, October 2018

level when he moved to the UK. However, he believes that has worked in his favour. “We have talked about this quite a lot amongst the Kiwi riders based in the UK. If you don’t come in at the top level when you get here, you don’t get such a ‘bashing’ in terms of the feedback from home. There’s so much hope and expectation for those who come over and start at 4*. They’re good riders and they work hard, but there’s a lot of pressure – more, over here – from everyone, even yourself as a rider. “It worked in my favour, not coming in at top level. I was able to learn a lot more and develop my skills without having the pressure to perform straight away. I think that really helped me.” Jesse believes that while it’s incredibly hard to grow a business in the UK, from a sporting perspective, heading offshore earlier in their career could help other Kiwi riders too.

Kicking goals

With nine years of hard graft starting to bear fruits, Jesse now has a well-established yard, supportive owners and an exciting team of horses. The big results may be yet to come, but he is in a position where all the ingredients are there to make it happen. “In terms of being set up well, I’m happy with where I’m at, but in terms of being satisfied with my results, I’m still getting there,” he says. One highlight that stands out so far was completing his first 4* at Luhmuhlen with Kaapachino. Sitting a creditable fifth after dressage and coming home clear and bang on the optimum time in the cross-country phase, the pair eventually finished 14th. “I didn’t win, but it was awesome to think ‘I’ve done my first 4*, I’m here’. I put a lot of pressure on myself to get results, and through the NZ High Performance Squad, I’ve been able to tap into working with a sports psychologist. “They’re all about dealing with the good moments, not just the result. I’m very driven and sometimes you have to sit back and say ‘that was good enough for today, that moment felt good’ and that’s what you take home.” Placing fourth in the Young Horse Championships in 2017 with

six-year-old I Spye was another satisfying result for Jesse. “A big part of the business is buying horses and producing them, so when they perform well, it’s a brilliant feeling.” Having access to funding that’s available through the NZ High Performance Squad has been important to him. “I think it’s one of the best programmes around. It’s a tremendous help in upskilling us as riders, not only with squad coaches but also the individual coaches we can work with at home. We can’t take that for granted.” Having good, supportive owners has also been a key factor. “I’ve probably done things a bit differently, but I haven’t wanted to ride any old nag,” he admits. “Making sure I have good horses is key, and now I have 15 horses that all have the quality and talent to make it at the top level. That’s what excites me the most.”

The team for this season

Of the horses in Jesse’s current team, five are either competing at 4* level [formerly known as 3*] or stepping up to that level this year. The first of those is Amsterdam, a 13-year-old grey gelding who has been with Jesse since he was six. He placed second in the Nations Cup at Houghton Hall and completed his first 4* at Luhmuhlen last year. Jesse describes 12-year-old Cleveland as the star of the team, having placed fourth in the CCI3* at Camphire in Ireland last year and being successful in a number of CIC classes too. He will be aimed at Badminton this year, if his preparation goes well. Those stepping up to 4* this season will be nine-year-old Diachello, eight-year-old Gambesie, and I Spye, who is turning eight this year. “Diachello is super talented but also a big old teddy bear. He’d be the first horse I’d put anyone on in the yard. He’s lovely and incredibly good-looking too. Gambesie came to me halfway through last year and is also incredibly talented, I’ve got really high hopes for him. I Spye I have produced myself and he always tries so hard. Every time you go in the ring you know he’s fully with you, wanting to do the job, which is massively important.” In terms of what Jesse looks for in a horse, a good mind is his

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“If you have a good team around you and the business is going well, there’s less stress. Being in a good environment is key to doing well and most important consideration. “They have to be intelligent, and want to work with you and pick up things. It’s one of the hardest things to look for, but that’s my number one thing to find in a horse. Then, physically, things like a big engine, quite a lot of blood and a very careful jump.” These days, show jumping is an extremely important phase and a good event horse must be able to jump a clear round on the final day. “The courses are also incredibly technical now,” he says. “A good Thoroughbred is still good, but they can struggle with that. I’m not too fussed on their breeding to be honest, as long as they can get the job done. I’ve got all sorts – Irish, German, Belgian…” Clichéd as it may sound, the love of the horse is what keeps Jesse motivated every day. “I genuinely love all my horses. I enjoy working with them every day – that’s what gets you through the tough times and keeps you coming back for more. You have a bad day and then a young horse all of a sudden clicks with something – that’s a pretty special feeling.” In terms of his expectations for 2019, Jesse says it’s about managing the three horses stepping up to 4* level, to ensure they reach their potential. “This year will be about ticking all the boxes, getting the qualifications and getting them established – that will be the most exciting part of the year, bringing those horses on. Next year will be the year when people can see what they’re made of.” Cleveland is being aimed at Badminton, and Amsterdam will likely be targeted at a big event later in the season too. “It’s always special to have a Badminton horse, and it’s exciting to have a few more horses at that level,” he says. “Experience is a massive part of this sport and the more horses you have at the top level, the better!” C

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riding well.” Above; Jesse and Amsterdam 21 during the DHL Prize CCI4* Cross Country. Luhmühlen International Horse Trial, June 2018 Below; Jesse and Cleveland during the DHL Prize CCI4* Dressage. Luhmühlen International Horse Trial, June 2018

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INTERVIEW

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VICTORIA WALL This Waikato-based dressage star and entrepreneur is positively passionate about reaching her goals.

WORDS Rebecca Harper IMAGES Cornege Photography

ard work and persistence is paying off for Waikato-based dressage rider Victoria Wall, who began her breeding programme with a dream to breed her own dressage superstar of the future. She started to breed her own horses with one aim in mind - to fulfil her goal to represent New Zealand on the world dressage stage. “Sometimes you have to design your own life. I was in a position where I absolutely fell in love with dressage, but it’s not cheap to do this sport properly and it took me a while to create the opportunity to be able to do it.” Through determination and hard work, she has built a business that could make her dream a reality and finance her equestrian aspirations. Her oldest progeny is now six and her top mare, Letty Lei EDH, has just stepped up to Grand Prix level. She also has several young horses in the paddock that she believes are very special. Victoria recently moved to Tamahere, between Cambridge and Hamilton, where she is leasing Sean and Lisa Cubitt’s property while they are overseas. This enabled her to bring nine horses with her, work from home and provides the perfect worklife balance that allows her to also spend time with her two sons – Baxter, 15, and Ollie, 11. Her business, Elite Equine Nutrition, produces organic feed supplements for horses and has gone from strength to strength. While the aim is to eventually buy her own property in the Waikato, the chance to first lease a well set-up equestrian property with excellent facilities was a good option for Victoria. “I moved down from Auckland at the beginning of August. It was absolutely the right thing to do and has given me a chance to get a feel for the place before buying myself. From an equestrian point of view, you’d be hard pushed to find a better place in New Zealand. It’s very central, the facilities are great and the pace of life is wonderful. There’s no traffic and I really enjoy the community here.”

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“Bottom line is, a horse that will be competitive at WEG or the Olympics is hard to find and impossible to afford. I genuinely think the best way to be successful is to breed them yourself, and I think it’s perfectly possible for us to breed that kind of horse in New Zealand.” Breeding your own

Image Dark Horse Photography

Victoria began her operation about seven years ago with the intention of breeding horses she could compete successfully at an international level. “I’m breeding one a year. I used to breed a lot more, but I don’t have the land,” she admits. “When I started out, the idea was to breed some foals for sale as well as keeping myself ‘horsed’. But the reality is that, in this market, you can’t make money out of breeding horses and it’s hard to sell foals. You have to be prepared to take those horses through to three-year-olds and that requires land, time and significant financial investment.” Financially, Victoria couldn’t afford to go out and buy a horse that could potentially be one of the top dressage horses in the world, so breeding her own seemed to be the best solution. “To buy that sort of horse when it’s under saddle requires you to have an open chequebook. The majority of horses for sale are horses other people have passed over, and the ones that are truly great are unaffordable. “Bottom line is, a horse that will be competitive at Victoria riding Letty Lei EDH at the Bates Nationals, competing in Level 8. WEG or the Olympics is hard to find and impossible to afford. I genuinely think the best way to be successful is to potential. She has recently stepped up to Grand Prix, and breed them yourself, and I think it’s perfectly possible for us to this season is intended as a mileage year, with an eye toward qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. breed that kind of horse in New Zealand.” “She’s the first horse I have trained myself all the way to Grand With such wide access to frozen semen now, the opportunity is there to breed spectacular horses, but Victoria believes more Prix and I have a definite plan for her,” Victoria says. “This season is about improving her strength, confidence and quality. I don’t feel attention needs to be paid to the quality of broodmares. “We have to make good choices with stallions, and not just treat like I have to thrash her around every show to do that. She’s so sensitive and tries very hard, she’s a horse that gives everything. our mares as incubators,” she explains. “The next season, in the lead up to Tokyo, that’s when I want her Her horses all carry the Elite Dressage Horses (EDH) suffix and she hopes to have the oldest progeny, six-year-old gelding Diamonds really performing and I would absolutely love to qualify for that. Forever EDH, out competing this season. By Hanoverian stallion I’m thinking of the long game.” Also in the stable is a four-year-old filly by Sir Donnerhall II, and Doringcourt, he is out of Victoria’s top ride, Letty Lei EDH. “He’s very, very talented but he’s had a few issues along the way a special horse called Nations Hit EDH, by Negro out of a Sandro – nothing that will stop him having a successful career though. Hit mare. At aged three he is yet to be broken in, but Victoria is He has so much power and it’s been hard to get the energy level particularly excited about him. Coming up behind them are three two-year-olds, two of which to what is appropriate for his stage of strength and balance. I’ve have been lightly backed. Victoria sends the horses to Chad had to take things slowly but, no question, he’s a special horse.” Letty Lei (Lucy at home) was herself a late starter, only being Ormsby to be broken in, and says he does a wonderful job. One of those two-year-olds, Furst Hit EDH, is still entire and broken in at age six. Now 11, she is starting to show her true

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Victoria with starry youngster Diamonds Forever EDH (by Doringcourt out of Letty Lei EDH).

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“As you ride and train these horses you learn what you can live with, and what you can’t. I like the horse to be uphill, use their body really well, be active, bend their joints and have a sensitivity to them.” Victoria plans to breed from him. “He’s by Fürstenball and we’re going to put him forward for licensing early next year. We have a wonderful opportunity, for the first time in Australasia, to put stallions forward for performance testing and licensing as Rheinland stallions.”

The right package

Temperament is a big consideration for Victoria, but several other factors also influence her sire choice, particularly joint articulation. “You have to be able to train them and have a relationship. I like them sensitive and I do have a natural affinity with hot horses – I find lazy horses quite frustrating. They have to want to work; it has to be their idea as well.” She wants a horse that is uphill and bends its joints. “I want to see the hocks really bending, knees bending, and I like to see them through their bodies and quite elastic. A really good walk and canter is non-negotiable, as you can build an incredible trot out of that. “As you ride and train these horses you learn what you can live with, and what you can’t. I like the horse to be uphill, use their body really well, be active, bend their joints and have a sensitivity to them.” As her breeding programme progresses, she says the progeny are improving exponentially over time. “I have two horses I think are pretty special, both Negros…but you can have all the promise in the world, and you’ve still got to produce it and see whether the magic happens. I definitely think I have a couple of horses that could make the dream happen, though. “It’s really interesting because so often it’s the other ones that surprise you. Lucy has really surprised me. I thought she was a

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good horse, but I nearly stopped at Level 5 with her. She always had activity, sensitivity and a desire to work, but she didn’t have elasticity and was never very good through her body. It was a real struggle. “I had a chat to a couple of my coaches and said to them, ‘don’t sugarcoat it!’ But they said she had all the Grand Prix work, so keep going, she will either give you her body or she won’t. About six months later, we got it.” When it comes to training, Victoria worked with Andrea Raves for the first five years, establishing a training system and foundation to build on. “I think it’s really important to stay with one person for the first five years, so you learn to develop a system. I still enjoy training with Andrea, but now train with others too. I especially love training with Peter Storr. It’s like a jigsaw – you take bits of information, which is how you develop your own style and way of riding. But you need that base of understanding as a foundation first, before you gain your own style and feel.”

A late starter

Victoria didn’t come to high performance sport until later in life, and dressage hasn’t always been her preferred discipline. “I was originally an eventer. I started eventing in my late 20s and was on New Zealand squads. I had a 3* horse and rode for Frances Stead (of Clifton Eventers) for a while,” she explains. “But to ride at that level you need a massive amount of support – financial and physical support – from a team around you. I just didn’t have that and it became way too hard. Frances supported me with the horses, but you still have to eat and have a life.” Deciding it was no longer feasible to continue eventing, Victoria took a break and instead dabbled in dressage with her 3* horse. “I taught him all the tempis, right up to singles. Then we discovered he had kissing spine and that was the end of him really.” Having the loan of Soo Wells’s Prix St Georges horse for a time only served to pique her interest in dressage, and it was then that Victoria decided to take control of her own destiny. She set out to create the financial stability that would allow her to pursue her chosen sport at the top level. “Dressage actually suits me and my personality far more than eventing did!” she admits.

Business sense

Victoria started out by importing a brand of feed supplements from the USA. Initially, things went well, but she learned a hard lesson about the value of owning your own brand. “It became apparent I was investing a lot of money into creating a market for a brand I didn’t own – and then parallel importers stepped in.” Realising she couldn’t compete with the parallel importers, Victoria had to change tack and figure out a way to create her own brand and product, which led to the development of Elite Equine Nutrition. “At the time I was involved with Alltech, and I went to their symposium in Kentucky a few times. I was so impressed with the products and the science behind them. Those ingredients weren’t really accessible to horse people in New Zealand, so that’s how Elite Equine was born.” The business has been the perfect fit for her. “My dad is involved with nutritional products for humans and I’m passionate about that too. It’s a market I understand, as I have an absolute passion for the management of horses.” Victoria truly believes the management of high performance horses is just as important as their riding and training. “It’s a neat little tie-in really, as is the breeding. Management, training and competition all combine to produce a great performance.” She’s also big on giving back to others and tries to help

“Sometimes you have to design your own life. I was in a position where I absolutely fell in love with dressage, but it’s not cheap to do this sport properly and it took me a while to create the opportunity to be able to do it.”

Victoria and the snuggly Letty Lei EDH

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“You have to be able to train them and have a relationship. I like them sensitive and I do have a natural affinity with hot horses – I find lazy horses quite frustrating. They have to want to work; it has to be their idea as well.”

Diamonds Forever EDH stands at an impressive 17.1hh

Horses (from left): Supa Passionata EDH, Letty Lei EDH and Diamonds Forever EDH

anyone who comes to her with a problem, whether it can be addressed by one of her supplements or not. “I do a lot of consultations and often end up giving advice and helping people with their training problems or health issues.” When it comes to her products, there are no shortcuts. “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right. What’s really important is that the product performs – if it does what it says it does, then it sells itself.” Elite Equine products are manufactured in New Zealand and are specially formulated for New Zealand conditions, with the fact they use exclusively organic ingredients as a point of difference. They have stockists around the country, as well as selling products online. “Life is kind of crazy,” Victoria says. “My office is at home; we

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have the products manufactured and housed at the plant, then drip-fed to my home, where they’re dispatched from. I have people here helping me with the horses, so it works really well. I like to be on-site and not too far from the horses. I can work and then run out to ride, and still have time to spend with my boys. “I’m also blessed that my partner John is so good to me – he fixes things, mows the lawns and harrows the arena – he’s the master of making problems go away! Somehow it all works. When you’re doing this kind of thing, multi-tasking is just the order of the day.” Naturally, Victoria is sponsored by Elite Equine and, although she’s not a Bates sponsored rider, she has had a long association with the business. “They look after me. I’ve been riding in Bates saddles for over 20 years and absolutely love the Monoflaps – I’ve got two!” C

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INTERVIEW WORDS Rebecca Harper PHOTOS Oz Shots Photography

Samantha

Morrison TACKLING AUSTRALIA

Moving across the ditch has been a steep learning curve for this young Kiwi show jumper, but she is relishing the challenges and opportunities that come with competing in a new country.

successful campaign in Australia last year opened Sam’s eyes to the possibility of competing overseas, and prompted her decision to move across the Tasman for a taste of the Australian show circuit. The 23-year-old packed her bags in June 2018, taking four horses with her, and is now based at Clint Beresford’s beautiful yard at Murrumbateman, just outside of Canberra. Finding the right balance for herself and her horses has been a challenge, especially with a new country, coaches and shows to contend with, but Sam says it has been a great move and she plans to stay in Australia for the foreseeable future. “Last year I came over for Aquis and EquiFest, and really enjoyed it here,” she says. “I thought I would like to have a go at it while my horses are still young, and it’s been a good move. I don’t think I’ll be moving back any time soon.” Speaking to Show Circuit while at home in New Zealand for the Christmas break, Sam admits she’s still settling into the Australian show scene, but is confident that the results will come with time. “There’s more competition [in Australia] and I’m still trying to find my feet over there. I haven’t had amazing results yet, but it has been a good challenge for my

top horses. I had done the World Cup series in New Zealand for three years, and it was the same shows, same routine. I wanted a change and a new challenge, to try something new.” She is enjoying the change of scenery, different people and atmosphere the move has offered. “Australia is a lot bigger! There are a lot of people and a lot more shows,” she says. “It’s probably more professional, too.” Although she is now based in Australia, Sam still plans to return to New Zealand with her top horse, Biarritz, for Takapoto and the Horse of the Year Show later this season.

The team Many in New Zealand will be familiar with Sam’s top horse, the spunky chestnut gelding Biarritz, known as Pierre at home. The pair has formed a strong partnership and Sam says he has been the horse of a lifetime for her. The 13-year-old gelding has had several World Cup starts in Australia and, while it has been a big step up for him, Sam is happy with how they have performed so far. Pierre, named in reference to his French heritage, is by the Selle Francais stallion Lindberg des Hayettes out of a Thoroughbred mare. Although he likes to throw in the odd buck and can be a bit hot, Sam wouldn’t trade him. “He’s a good boy. I’ve had him since he was rising eight

IMAGE RIGHT: Sam and Biarritz competing in the World Cup Round, Sale, Victoria, Australia.

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Image Cheleken Equestrian

and we’ve grown up together. I love him so much and he loves me – I think we just have a good bond and an understanding of each other. “We had a very successful run when we went over to Australia last season. This season we’ve had some good runs and won a few classes, but we’ve changed everything from country to coaches, and it takes a while for everything to come together again. We’re just trying to find that right formula for success.” Next in the team is eight-year-old gelding Corfu, who Sam is particularly excited about. “He’s a new horse for me. He’s just turned eight, and is by Centavos. I bought him off James Jackson, and he’s a real superstar – I have high hopes for him. He’s currently jumping in Futurity and 1.30m classes and is showing a lot of potential. He’s a very exciting horse for the future.” Up-and-coming five-year-old Cody doesn’t have a show name yet, but he’s by Corofino II and is also showing real promise. He is a half-brother to Biarritz and both horses were bred by Jenna Mahoney. “He’s still a baby and is very green,” Sam explains. “He hasn’t started competing properly yet, but he’s definitely one to watch for the future.” Also accompanying Sam across the Tasman was 11-year-old Balouboy du Busson, who is owned by the Morrison family but is campaigned in Australia by Merrick Ubank. “He’s performing extremely well at 1.25m and is starting to step up now. He was a stallion and is quite an extravagant horse. I think he just needed a man to ride him!”

“Biarritz and Corfu have a strict programme; they’ve obviously got to be fit, so I do a lot of fitness and work on the flat to make sure they’re supple, bending right and feeling good.”

ABOVE: Sam with her horse of a lifetime, Biarritz. OPPOSITE PAGE: Sam and the up-and-coming superstar Corfu. BELOW: Balouboy du Busson, owned by the Morrison family and competed in Australia by Merrick Ubank.

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The right formula Moving to a new country is a big adjustment for both rider and horses, requiring the team to start from scratch and figure out what works, including finding the right coach. Sam has had help from Grant Hughes and Merrick Ubank since moving to Australia, and recently started working with Gavin Chester. “My biggest help so far has come from Merrick. It’s definitely hard to find the right person for me, and for the horses, because everyone has their own way of training. But we’re getting there.” One major difference between the countries is the time spent on the road doing ‘show runs’ in Australia, which often requires travelling straight from one event to the next for several weeks. This demands a higher level of fitness for the horses, especially when compared with competing at one show at a time in New Zealand before returning home. “Biarritz and Corfu have a strict programme; they’ve obviously got to be fit, so I do a lot of fitness and work on the flat to make sure they’re supple, bending right and feeling good,” Sam explains. “I don’t jump them too big at home, just do lots of exercises.

“There are so many shows in Australia, so we go on show runs. I’ve just done a run to Melbourne – four weeks on the road and four different shows. Show preparation before the season is huge, because once the season starts you don’t have a lot of time at home to work on fitness. Getting Pierre fit enough to go on show runs like that, especially when you’re travelling for 10 hours, has been a bit of a challenge!”

A love of horses Having had a pony since she was a tiny tot, horses have always been part of Sam’s life and she says even if she couldn’t ride, she’d still want to be around them. “Mum really loves riding and was very horsey. When I was young we lived in Auckland, and my cousin was a top eventer. I had a really naughty little pony called Toby and from age two I used to ride him on the lead rein.” The family then moved to Tauranga and Sam begged her mum for another pony. “I started having riding lessons, and when I was seven I got my first proper pony. It was very naughty as well – I fell off almost every day!” But the regular falls didn’t deter Sam – if anything, she just became more determined. And when her second pony came along, her prospects greatly improved. “My second pony was the best pony in the world – he was amazing. I’m glad I had the first one to keep me humble though!” Sam and her pony Coruba attended Pony Club

and started eventing. “I did a bit of everything, but I really didn’t like dressage and I saw a lot of falls on cross-country. I know it doesn’t always happen, but I just didn’t like the thought of my horses getting hurt on the cross-country course. And I really loved show jumping.” Sam got her first real show jumper when she was 17, and it snowballed from there. She rates her World Cup wins in New Zealand, and competing at Aquis and EquiFest last year with Pierre, as the highlights of her riding career to date. “That run was a huge achievement for us,” she says. “The whole experience was amazing, and he stepped up so well.” Her main goals in Australia are to be competitive in the World Cup series with Biarritz, and to get Corfu up to World Cup level and see how far he can go. “I would love to come back over to New Zealand and win the Olympic Cup, too!” She is also hopeful that her good mare, Frangipanne de Toxandria, will be able to return to competition. Fran is currently out with an injury, so has stayed home in New Zealand for now. Sam is sponsored by CWD, BetaVet, Purepine Shavings and Equissage. However, she credits her biggest supporters as her family, friends and those who have coached her over the years, especially Duncan McFarlane, his wife Helen McNaught, and Jeff McVean. “But mostly, I couldn’t do this without the support of my parents.” C

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Steffi

INTERVIEW

W H I Ta TA K E R young professional WORDS Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES Michelle Clarke Photography

Young gun Steffi Whittaker has been a star of the show jumping circuit for several years. She currently competes her two exciting horses, the impressive 13-year-old chestnut stallion Eros K, and the striking bay mare On the Point Eve.

he 18-year-old show jumper, who was recently named on the TransTasman Young Rider team, has had no shortage of career highlights. A pivotal moment came at the North Island Show Jumping Championships in 2013, when she won the Pony Grand Prix in a strong class of 34 ponies. “I was the only clear that day, and it was nice to know that I could compete in the North Island against the best pony riders,” Steffi recalls. From there, she went onto win the 2017 Pony of the Year title with Moonlight Glow, a result that is right up there as one of the Christchurch teenager’s favourite moments. “He is such an amazing pony, and he definitely deserved his name on that prestigious Somerset Fair Trophy." Since then, some of Steffi’s highlights have included winning the Junior Rider of the Year with Ngahiwi Cruise, and competing in the FEI World Jumping Challenge twice, which qualified her for the final in Morocco. “It was such a great experience for me -

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representing New Zealand and getting to meet riders from all around the world. I was also thrilled to be short-listed for the Youth Olympics, which has been a long-term goal of mine for a while. “Some of my other proudest moments include competing in my first World Cup this season and placing fifth, and also being awarded Best Presented (which is how we always like to turn them out); winning at Equidays in the South Island and also in the North Island; and taking the win in the speed class at Jump for Cancer in Hagley Park. It’s a great event for a wonderful cause! "I also can’t forget the feeling of winning the Premier League at the Christmas Cracker Show two years in a row and finally, getting selected onto the New Zealand Young Rider Team to compete against Australia in Gisborne in late January was an extremely proud moment for me and my family.”

Stallion power

Steffi and her 13-year-old stallion Eros K have come together to form a formidable partnership. In Steffi’s first World Cup start they placed fifth,

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“SHE IS A TRULY BEAUTIFUL MARE; LOVELY TO RIDE, A BIT QUIRKY AT TIMES BUT I AM REALLY LOVING HER! Above: Steffi and On the Point Eve on their way to the win in the Grand Prix at Equidays 2018. Image Cornege Photography Left: Steffi fell in love with Eve right from the beginning, and describes her as a pleasure to ride. Top right: Steffi and Eros K competing in the World Cup at Hawke's Bay A&P Show, October 2018. Image Kampic.com Below right: Eros K has a great nature and is extremely easy to handle.

and they followed that fantastic result with another fifth in none other than the prestigious Lady Rider of the Year class. Eros K was later named Stallion of the Year. “I am excited for the future with his progeny. We purchased Eros in August 2017 from Josh Barker and I have formed a great partnership with him quite quickly,” Steffi explains. “He has the most amazing temperament for a stallion. We had never considered buying a stallion to compete, let alone to have him as a commercial breeding stallion as well. We have had six mares to him this season; he has three foals on the ground from last year, and they all look pretty special. He really took our hearts when we went to see him because he is the complete package – he is all class and has the biggest heart.”

On the Point Eve

Steffi purchased Eve in September last year after falling in love with her while working for Katie Laurie at her base in Armidale. Eve, a starry jumper, was even more appealing to the Whittaker family for her potential as a breeding foundation mare for the future. Unfortunately, so far they have had no luck with embryos from her. “She is a truly beautiful mare; lovely to ride, a bit quirky at times but I am really loving her! I really think she and Eros would make beautiful foals, so hopefully, we can welcome some of them sometime in the future,” Steffi says. The pair started their competitive career on the right

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“WE HAVE HAD SIX MARES TO HIM THIS SEASON AND HE HAS THREE FOALS ON THE GROUND FROM LAST YEAR - THEY ALL LOOK PRETTY SPECIAL.” note when they decided to put in a late entry for the North Island Equidays Grand Prix. The gamble paid off for the new partnership when they took out the impressive win in their first Grand Prix together. Steffi was a little apprehensive about riding indoors, as there is little opportunity in the South Island for indoor competition, but she didn’t need to worry as they made easy work of the tight course in the exciting atmosphere. Working for Katie was an inspiring time for Steffi, who came away not only with a new horse but also having had the opportunity to ride a range of different horses, which she says was very beneficial to her riding and training. “I love watching Katie’s rounds and felt very lucky to be able to work and train with her," she reflects. "I also find Tim and Jonelle Price so inspiring with their careers and what they have achieved.” Aside from her two main stars Eros and Eve, Steffi also has a few other notable horses she is training in the background. “I have my gorgeous four-year-old pony Daisy Dream WSH, who we bred. She is by Thomas RF out of a Not Fair mare, and I have broken her in and produced her so far myself. At some point in the future, I will have to offer her for sale, and I would like to put that money into another young one to bring through the age group series." She is also excited about her mare Carpe Diem (Cassini D’Eclipse x Miss Lindauer) who has just produced their first Eros foal. “I am really looking forward to the future with them!”

Goal-focused

Always one to have her eye on the prize, Steffi is continually setting and overturning goals throughout the season. “Short-term, my goal would be to place in the bigger classes at Horse of the Year, and I am really looking forward to Takapoto Show Jumping in February; it looks amazing, so I’m very excited to be competing there!” she says. “Also, I have a goal to keep achieving clear rounds in all my classes. “Long-term, I would like to be producing trainable young horses. Now that we have our stallion, Eros K, we are looking to the future and trying to get a foundation established with some quality mares.”

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“I LIKE TO LOOK OVER MY VIDEOS AND SEE WHAT THE GOOD PARTS WERE, WHERE I COULD IMPROVE, OR HOW I COULD HAVE GIVEN THE HORSE A BETTER RIDE.” Above: Whittaker Equine Stables is fully set up to accommodate Steffi's competitive show jumping team alongside the racehorses that her father Jeff is involved with. Below: Steffi always finishes a ride with a nice hack out on the tracks.

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It is no secret that to compete at the highest levels in show jumping, riders need to have a great support network of trainers, sponsors and owners. “Having some outside owners is really high on my list of goals. With that support I can continue to remain focused, aiming for World Cup starts and New Zealand team selection. I have been very lucky – I haven’t had many low points to date with my riding, but recently we lost an exciting colt, and also one of our broodmares and her foal, which was really disappointing.” Having grown up in a racing stable, Steffi is well aware of how tough life can be at times. “There are always ups and downs, wins and losses, so I have always known that you just have to keep working away with the horses and the life we love. For me, when I have lows or make mistakes, I like to consider what I could have done better, and it makes me train harder. When I do well, I also like to look over my videos and see what the good parts were, where I could improve, or how I could have given the horse a better ride. "Most of all, I really do try to appreciate the big wins and live in the moment. When you have a big success, you have to embrace it because you never know what’s coming next.”

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Above: Steffi and Eros K had a successful Canterbury A&P Show, placing 2nd in the Grand Prix and taking out the Young Rider class. Below right: Steffi's first Eros K baby for the 2018/19 season, out of a Cassini D'Eclipse (Lindberg) mare. Helping Steffi on her way to success are her long-term trainers and mentors Helen and Duncan McFarlane, who have been guiding her for about five years. “They have had a huge impact on my riding and have helped me so much to improve my training. I always take the opportunity to have them walk the courses with me when we are up north,” she says. “Ross Smith and Jeff McVean are always a great help to me as well. You can learn so much from different trainers, and I always jump at the chance to train with them when they are in the South Island.” Aside from her own competition and training, over the past few years Steffi has also been focusing on teaching clients and schooling horses. “I have a great bunch of kids I help at shows, warming up and walking courses. For me, it’s very exciting to see them all doing so well. It’s also a great reminder about what I need to work on myself to make sure I am doing the right thing. I really love helping the younger ones!” Steffi currently works for Berkeley Thoroughbred Stud, who are very supportive of her time away show jumping.

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Above: On the Point Eve has settled in well after she was purchased in September 2018 from Katie Laurie. Below: Steffi's exciting young pony Daisy Dream WSH, a 4-year-old by Thomas RF out of Fair Deal (Not Fair).

Teamwork makes the dream work

Steffi’s team is a family affair, starting with her parents Trace and Jeff. “I’m so lucky to have Mum driving me up and down the country. She’s everything to me, and is always there when I need her," Steffi says. "She’s great at helping me manage my horses on a daily basis when I’m working, and helps to keep them conditioned with Equissage and massage. She’s always at the practice fence too, of course. Dad is awesome as well! He gets to do all the mundane jobs but is good at mentoring me as he has coached New Zealand rugby league teams. He does try to come to watch when he can, but keeps everything ticking over at home, so it is not always possible for him to come to shows.”

“I’M SO LUCKY TO HAVE MUM DRIVING ME UP AND DOWN THE COUNTRY. SHE'S ALWAYS THERE WHEN I NEED HER.” Her brother Josh is an equine dentist, and Steffi is very grateful to have him look after her horses. “My grandparents, Lindsay and Judith Blackmore, normally come to most shows, which I’m so grateful for, and also so lucky as they own Eros K," she explains. "Grandad is a great help – he is called the Number One groom!” Last season, Steffi was fortunate to ride Katie O’Neill’s Tribute OL in the Junior Rider classes. Even more fortunately, Katie’s daughter Gracie Flett travelled with them, and helped groom for Steffi. “I was so lucky to have Gracie – she should be Groom of the Year!” Also part of Steffi’s team are her sponsors NRM, Equissage Therapy New Zealand, Leg Up Equine Oil, One Black Horse and Equus Lifestyle. “I’m extremely lucky to have great sponsors on my side. I have had NRM and Equissage Therapy NZ supporting me for some time and recently, Leg Up Equine Oil have come on board – these are the best products I could have for my horses. And One Black Horse and Equus Lifestyle are now bringing in Italian clothing, so I’m really looking forward to promoting them in the future!” C

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INTERVIEW

Brayden Aarts - LT HOLST AUNTY ANNETTE

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BRAYDEN

AARTS

GRAND AMBITIONS WORDS Rebecca Harper

This show jumping young gun will soon be winging his way to Europe to gain further experience in a large Dutch show jumping stable, as he pursues his dream to one day make it to the top of the sport.

t just 16 years old, Brayden has already established himself as a force to be reckoned with at Junior and Young Rider level here in New Zealand, putting together a string of consistent results with his team of show jumpers. Hailing from Pukekawa in South Auckland, Brayden spent three months in Holland over the New Zealand winter, working at Springstal van der Vleuten, where he will return in mid-January. “It’s a show jumping stable and they produce very good horses,” he says. “They asked me to come back and help train and compete horses for summer.” Being immersed in the show jumping environment in Europe gave Brayden a thirst to better himself, and he rates it as one of the greatest experiences of his life so far. “I learned so much from just watching, attending a lot of shows and grooming, and seeing the top riders go. Watching so many good riders makes you want to keep improving yourself, and that’s what I tried to do every day at the stables. I can’t wait to go back. “I got to ride a lot of young horses and well-schooled horses over there – a big variety – and it hugely improved my riding for this season [in New Zealand]. I think that improvement is starting to show in my results now, too.” Ever since he started riding, Brayden’s ambition was

always to head offshore. “I never wanted to just stay on the New Zealand scene, and I knew that if I wanted to make it overseas, I needed to get over there when I was young,” he explains. “Now I’ve had that break and found the right stable, so I just have to put in 110% effort when I’m there.” He doesn’t know how long he will be overseas for this time, but it’s likely to be long-term, hopefully more than two years. Initially, he had planned to finish the season in New Zealand and head over to Holland in April, but the van der Vleuten stables were keen for him to be there earlier, so his season at home will come to a premature end. “My horses will be turned out, and there are a couple on the market at the moment,” Brayden says. “They’ve had a full-on start to the season but now they’ll just go in the paddock and get fat!”

Gaining confidence

Brayden’s mum decided to get back into riding when he was ten, so he thought he’d have a go as well. Although he started jumping on his second day of riding, Brayden admits he was too scared to canter at first, but plenty of time spent out trekking gave him confidence and sparked his love of riding. “I started trekking every weekend,” he explains. “Spending nine hours a day riding, just getting that time in the saddle, getting out of the arena and

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IMAGE Cornege Photography

ever. We’ve also won the Junior Rider series previously.” Also in the team is 10-year-old Binverter, by Distelfink, who has had success at Young Rider level, while the most recent addition to his string is Astek Ventura, an eight-year-old warmblood mare, who is currently competing at Junior Rider level. “She’s got a lot of scope but just needs more ring time, as she’s still quite green,” he says. Rounding out the team is LT Holst Aunty Annette, a 10-year-old warmblood mare who Brayden competes in Grand Prix classes. The pair had their first win at this level earlier in the season, taking out the Grand Prix at Northland. “Our bond started to come together this season. She’s starting to really listen to me and all the training is paying off. Winning that Grand Prix was a really nice achievement because I still haven’t had a lot of experience at the higher heights.

like less is more with “myI feel horses…if they’re having

Brayden riding GEORGE JETSON during the FMG Young Rider at Showjumping Auckland’s Grand Prix Show in 2018

doing fun stuff. “I got more and more confident, and started jumping fallen trees. I just fell in love with jumping.” Brayden began hunting and became even more fearless, galloping across country and jumping whatever came his way. “Then I found my way to show jumping. I had a really nice pony, Just Nuts, who helped me work my way up. Over the years hunting faded and all my effort has gone into show jumping. But trekking is where I really got that time in the saddle and fell in love with horses.” When his team of horses got up to six, it became hard to fit school in around riding, so he moved to correspondence schooling in order to juggle both. Although horses take up most of his free time, Brayden still finds time to do “normal teenager stuff” and enjoys mucking around on his motorbike too. When it comes to horses, he enjoys the challenge of working with an animal. “I really like the challenge of having a companion to work with, and how the results you get come from hard work and the bond you have with your horse. The reward of winning a class after all the training you’ve put in is very satisfying, and it’s a great feeling when it all pays off.”

The team

Currently Brayden has a team of four jumpers, including the 15-yearold Australian Thoroughbred, George Jetson, who he competes in the Young Rider classes. “I’ve had him since I first started show jumping, when I was about 11. He’s really brought me up the ranks and has won three Young Rider classes in a row this season – he’s the most consistent horse

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a bad day, or if I am, I get off. I only really work on things when I feel like they are willing. I don’t force them.

”

“I’m really using all of my horses here as stepping stones towards being able to ride as many different horses as possible and to get experience at bigger heights. Ultimately, I’d like to go overseas and start from scratch – to ride in a stable and eventually build my own team. The ultimate goal would be to get on the Longines Tour, riding with the best riders in the world, and to become one of the greats.”

Less is more

Brayden tries not to over-complicate things when it comes to training his horses, and focuses on keeping them happy. “I feel like less is more with my horses…if they’re having a bad day, or if I am, I get off. I only really work on things when I feel like they are willing. I don’t force them. “I base every day on how they feel and how I feel, rather than on a set training programme. I’m lucky that we have heaps of cropping and market gardens around here and I can do lots of riding outside the arena. It keeps the horses fresh and I can go for a nice gallop every now and then. I try not to fry their brains, especially the young ones – I want to feel that they are working with me.” Brayden has confidence in his own ability to train his horses, but says Jeff McVean has been a big help to him. “He has helped me a lot with my horses, but also my mind-set and giving me that edge to want to win – training to win and getting that real hunger to be the best. In my preparation to go to Europe, he was really great as well.” Brayden is grateful to his sponsors, Animal Health Direct Ltd, Arlington Equestrian and his parents. C

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20 QUESTIONS WITH

INTERVIEW

Abby’s 11-year-old chestnut gelding Anonymous was on fine form to win the Auckland Council CCI2* at Puhinui International Three Day Event 2018

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ABBY LAWRENCE Words Rebecca Harper IMAGE Eyewitness Photography

With an equestrian business based in Te Puke, this hard-working eventer spends her days riding, training horses and coaching. Her eyes are set firmly on making the Senior Oceania team in May and she has two promising mounts that she hopes will be capable of stepping up to 4* in the future.

What would you consider to be the biggest partway through the warm-up. achievement in your career so far? When you look for a new horse for yourself, what do There are a couple that spring to mind – winning the 3* at Kihikihi you look for first? was pretty awesome, and likewise winning the 2* at HOY last year, especially as that was a bit of a surprise! – but my first big achievement was making the Senior Oceania team when it was last in New Zealand, riding Pseudonym.

What are your riding goals?

First and foremost would be making the Senior Oceania team in May at Taupo Three-Day. Further afield, I have a couple of horses I hope will go 4*, and I’m aiming to make a senior championship team as well.

I’m a massive ‘gut feeling’ person. If I get a really good feeling, that’s usually the first thing I look for. And then, obviously, they have to have a good attitude.

What is your favourite thing about eventing?

I think the comradery within the sport. In eventing circles, if something goes wrong or you’re not sure about something, there’s always someone in the truck park who will offer to help.

What is the most challenging part of progressing in sport? How do you handle high-pressure situations, for this It takes a long time. It’s difficult to come across a horse you really example right before you enter a big class? click with, and then it’s a time game of developing the relationship I’ve done a lot of work with a mind-set coach, Jane Pike of Confident Rider, and have some processes in place. It has become a skillset I’ve developed over a few years. I try to follow the process as much as possible at every event, which makes high-pressure situations more bearable. The overall result is really important but, for me, each one is just a stepping stone in a big picture. If I make a mistake there will always be another opportunity, and when I think of it like that, it helps take the pressure out of the equation and I generally come out with a better result!

Tell us about the horses in your team?

My two top horses are Charlton Yamani, who is at 3*, and Anonymous, who is at 2*. Both are 11-year-olds and both are Warmblood crosses. I also have a mare, Indy RE, who has done 2* and is currently on the market, a 1* horse called Django, and a Pre-Novice horse called Lion Rock, who is also on the market.

What is your best riding strength?

Probably cross-country – that’s why we all event! I think the adrenaline and feeling you get after you finish a tough crosscountry track is something we thrive on, and we’re always looking to get that buzz. Over time you develop almost a want for that, so you put yourself in the best situation to re-create that rush over and over again.

What horse, past or present, would you like to take a spin on? That would be a two-way tie between Shutterfly and Valegro. Shutterfly makes everything look so effortless, doesn’t he?

Who was your riding idol growing up?

There have been a few. Growing up, Nicoli Fife was quite influential for me, and also Trudy Boyce when I was coming up through Pony Club. Then there are the big ones like William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell and Mark Todd – those guys are all pretty phenomenal.

and skillset, and both being physically able to carry on up the levels to get to the top. It’s not something that happens quickly.

Are you superstitious – do you have any good luck charms or lucky clothing/equipment?

Not really. I do have my one whip, just a little short black whip, that I’ve had for a long time. I don’t like carrying any other whip.

Who are your riding mentors?

Debbie Barke, who has been my dressage coach for a long time. More recently, Jock Paget has been hugely helpful and influential for me. We’re so lucky to have him back in the country.

How have they influenced your riding?

Debbie has helped me since I first went onto hacks, and she’s the person I’ll go back to if I’m unsure of anything or struggling to work through something with a horse. We’re on the same page and she’s a very good sounding board and support person. Jock has really made me go back to the basics and helped me to understand why horses react the way they do, and how their bodies react in certain situations. He’s helped me to fine-tune things and it’s now starting to show through in my results, which is a very nice feeling.

Tell us a bit about yourself outside of horses?

Horse are mostly all-consuming, but my time away from horses usually involves doing something chill and low-key, like hanging out in nature at the beach or lake – they’re very grounding places for me. And who doesn’t like chilling out with Netflix? But also, I’ve started a sort of side business around low-tox living and natural alternatives for the home. It’s all essential oils-based and is something I’ve been learning about and getting into for the past six months. I also have a relaxation massage qualification, which I’m looking at doing more of. The massage and essential oils tie in well together.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a professional Are you sponsored by any brands? event rider? If I had a dream job, I would probably work in a chocolate factory! I did study as a personal trainer and gym trainer when I left school, but didn’t really follow that path. I just fell into riding, and now I’m not really sure what else I would do.

Jane Pike from Confident Rider, Equissage NZ and Prestige Equestrian. And my parents! I do hope to welcome some more sponsors on board in 2019!

Hand me your worries and nerves, and I’ll give them back to you when you’re done.

jumping has historically been my Achilles heel and I’ve always found it a little bit difficult. Now that I’m starting to develop more on the flat, the idea of passage and piaffe and one-time changes is quite appealing – but I don’t intend to give up eventing any time soon!

If you had to switch your discipline, which one would What’s the best piece of advice that you could give you choose? to a student who is about to tackle their first event? I change my mind on this, but I’d probably go to dressage. Show Do you have any pre-cross country rituals?

I’m quite anal about my tack. I have to put my own horse’s crosscountry boots on and always double check my saddle before getting on. I always ride through the course a couple of times in my head – walking from the truck to the warm-up, and again

Describe yourself in one word. Quirky. C

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INTERVIEW

A The

TEAM

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

With his stable star Double J Bouncer, popular 23-year-old show jumper

HARRY FEAST has notched up a lot of kilometres and many victories. We talk with the downto-earth Cantabrian about his successes and what’s in store for the future.

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WORDS Pip Hume IMAGES Dark Horse Photography

ten years old, Double J Bouncer is just coming into his prime as a top-level show jumper, after taking out the National Grand Prix Series last year. “I bought Bouncer as a four-year-old,” Harry explains. “He had done just a couple of small shows and had placed in the Four-Year-Old Championship at the Young Horse Show. I tried him out and really liked him; he was genuine and quite straightforward, and he's continued on like that and been really good to produce. He's the first horse I've produced, so we've both learnt as we've gone along! I didn’t really know much at all, so to end up being as good as he is shows what a good brain he's got. He has a huge heart and tries so hard." Harry also owns Bouncer’s full sister, Double J Barista. “She’s very different to Bouncer; she’s a bit sharper and sassier. She feels like she has the scope, as long as we can keep her mind on the job,” he says.

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With good results in the Six-Year-Old classes so far this season, Barista appears to be well on track for a high-level career. Harry’s five-year-old, Double J Blueprint, isn’t a full sibling to the others but is by the same stallion, Double J Repicharge. He says that Blueprint is going to be a really nice horse, but will be competed by his younger sister, 19-year-old Kaitlin, for now. “I was going to end up with too many for next season, and she was one short," he grins. "They get on well together so it's a win-win!” The ‘too many’ horses in Harry’s team include his two fouryear-olds, who have both been broken-in and had one show jumping competition start before being turned out for a break. They will come back in over winter. “Those two are both very exciting – they’re both well-bred. One is by Indoctro VDL, bred by East Coast Performance Horses, and the other is by Zirocco Blue VDL, bred by Lake Taupo Holsteiners. I really like both of them and can’t pick a favourite. They both seem like the real deal!” There’s also a ‘very nice’ three-year-old by Corofino II, bred by East Coast Performance Horses, who is currently away being broken-in. Bringing on the young ones is one of Harry’s favourite parts of the show jumping scene. "I like working with my horses and building a partnership. I try to work with them as individuals instead of trying to make them fit a mould. It’s so satisfying when they go out and jump a good round, or have a good win in the age group classes.” He generally buys a three-year-old every year, usually already broken-in but occasionally unbroken. “But I went a

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bit overboard this year and ended up buying three – I can be a bit impulsive!” he admits. “A horse’s breeding is a big part of their attraction for me. If I see one I like, and I like its breeding, I’m willing to give it a go.” “As three-year-olds, even if they are brokenin, you can’t tell a lot, but I like something that shows a good technique when it’s freejumped. I want them to look like jumping is natural for them. I like them to have a good personality, too – in the long run, when you are asking a lot of them, you want them to give you that little bit extra and help you out. I try to always have young ones coming through so I can sell some to keep going. It’s frightening how much it all costs!”

The day job For the past 18 months, Harry has been employed as Sales Manager for Seahorse Supplements, and it’s a role he talks about with his customary enthusiasm. “Their product is great, and as employers, they are absolutely fantastic. It’s not a huge business, so while my role is that of Sales Manager, we all tend to work in together. I work 35 hours a week, and they are quite flexible about how I work those hours so I can fit the horses in. They are also very good about letting me have time off for shows.” Along with the support of his family, Harry is grateful for the long-term sponsorship

of McMillan Equine Feeds, Syncroflex and Zilco, who have supported him for a number of years. Also part of the Feast team are South Canterbury Saddlery, Kingsland Equestrian NZ, CWD Saddlery and Sophie Simson Photography. Nicolette Gelderman of Living Anatomy of the Horse has looked after the horses for a few years now, while Sophie Hargreaves Rider Physio helps keep Harry in shape.

The early years Harry’s riding career began when he was eight years old. "Mum and Dad were totally non-horsey," he reports. "I had my first sit on a pony belonging to family friends, and I got my own pony fairly soon after that. I did some low-level eventing, some show jumping, and quite a bit of hunting, which I really loved. I don't know if I would be as brave now as I was back then!” He started concentrating more on show jumping when he was about ten years old. “I had some ‘not-so-nice’ ponies at first, but then my last pony, Thunder Mountain Keystone, was really cool. I got quite hooked on show jumping and jumped one Pony Grand Prix, finishing third. But I got too tall after the first season and moved onto hacks. "I've been focused on show jumping since then. Once I started having some bigger wins, I really started to enjoy it. Those good results

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“I was going to end up with too many horses next season, and my sister was one horse short. They get on well together, so it’s a win-win!”

ABOVE - Harry competing on Double J Bouncer motivate you and give you something to work towards. Earlier in my career, I didn't really try to be super-competitive, but I've become more determined over the past few years and I like to go as well as I can."

The road to success Show jumping appeals to Harry because it's very clear-cut. "It's not a matter of opinion - if you have a rail, you have a rail,” he says. Local show jumping supporter, owner and trainer Fiona Gillies has been a huge help to Harry over the past few years, and more recently, he has benefited from Jeff McVean’s advice and training. “I've been training with Jeff over the past six months. With every horse I come out on for a lesson, he picks up the small things that make a big difference. He’s all about giving the horses confidence and making little changes that really improve them. Each horse is treated completely individually – there’s no formula. He has given me some good exercises for each horse for the areas that need improvement. “Every time, I go away from a lesson feeling more confident, and the horses are feeling more confident too.” In the medium-term, Harry wants to produce more of his own horses to compete at the top level. “So far, Bouncer is the only horse I’ve produced to top level, but the young ones coming on are starting to get more and more exciting! I’d love to take one to Australia to compete if they end up being good enough for that, and my ultimate goal would be to ride on a New Zealand team, but I’m not putting too much pressure on myself to achieve that. It will require the opportunity and the right horse.” C

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BELOW - Harry with Blue, his four-year-old by Zirocco Blue VDL.

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INTERVIEW

4 2 IN THE

HOURS LIFE OF

Duncan Norrie

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WORDS Pip Hume IMAGES Dark Horse Photography

Canterbury horseman Duncan Norrie’s life completely revolves around horses, and his equestrian interests are incredibly diverse. Alongside his ‘day job’ as a farrier, and together with his partner Taylor Burnett and close friends Mike and Sarah Fitzgerald, Duncan also has a small sport horse breeding operation, a team of show horses including the Warmblood stallion Caithness Emperor, and a couple of Thoroughbred racehorses, which they own and train.

YEARS OLD

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by the

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EMPEROR

SUPREME

Showing TITLES

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-SHOWINGRUNNER UP

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I am not a morning person – unless it is a show day! Usually, I snooze my alarm clock about four times before my partner Taylor comes in, turns the lights on and tells me to get up! He’s up first when he’s riding track work first thing in the morning. My day starts with checking and feeding all of the horses – including any breakers and schoolers Taylor is working with. We’ve got a small herd of four broodmares with a mix of Thoroughbred and Warmblood bloodlines for our sport horse breeding operation, plus the youngstock. I’m passionate about breeding and get a thrill out of producing the young horses, so I will definitely continue down that path. I’ll grab a coffee before I head off to my first shoeing job of the day. I’m a coffee drinker and I drink LOTS of coffee to get me through the day, but I don’t have breakfast until later in the morning, after I’ve done my first couple of shoeing jobs – it’s breakfast and lunch all in one go. I love McDonald’s or a pie, although where and what I eat depends on the area where I am working. I know where all of the good bakeries are!

8:30 - 9 AM My first shoeing client of the day. I generally aim to shoe at least seven horses a day, and I will do probably a dozen trims on top of that. I shoe five days a week, and then there are always the urgent jobs and ‘lost shoe’ emergencies on the weekends. Even when I’m out competing, there will be a stream of desperate people clutching a shoe lining up at the truck!

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I a lways h av e

Coffee

on my minD Making money is the main driver in my business because that’s what supports the breeding and showing, but I love that I get to work with horses, and every day there are different people to talk to. I enjoy working with my clients and the different vets and other equine professionals. With my interest in showing, I like a straight horse, so I’m very interested in analysing the gaits and shoe wear so that the hoof is as balanced as possible. When it goes to plan, it’s so rewarding and I get a lot of satisfaction out of a neat and tidy job. I also love that I don’t have to answer to anybody else. If I want to go to a show, I rip that page out of my diary and it doesn’t even exist as a work day! I originally learned to shoe because growing up on a fairly remote sheep, beef

DUNCAN’S

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and cropping farm near Methven meant that getting a farrier was sometimes a real challenge. Dad bought me my first pony when I was very little, and throughout my childhood, I did some basic Pony Club stuff. I got into showing because our neighbours were into it. I had one year in the show ring riding ponies, but I was very lanky, so went onto a park hack early on. I had a lovely little partbred Arab mare called Hakuna Matata that I broke-in and produced from scratch, and she went on to win Champion Park Hack at Canterbury A&P one year. Sarah Fitzgerald, Taylor and I operate as a showing team – the West Melton crew! I’m the truck driver (and farrier), Sarah is the turnout queen, and while Taylor is new to the showing scene, he has learnt to stitch plaits and turnout. Typically we would have seven or so horses and ponies between us at a show, so we all help each other out with tacking up and horse holding – especially with the greenies, who can be a bit feisty at their first few outings! It’s very full-on during the season and we are showing pretty much every weekend. And I’ve just become an RAS judge as well, so I’ll be in the ring judging over the second half of the season. This season I’m competing my hack, Aspen Glow (by Dansinga). Sarah Bostock imported her from Australia, where she had been shown in-hand. She’s a lovely, elegant, nice-moving type, and she’s full

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IMAGE Michelle Clarke Photography

CL U T C H IN G A SH OE L I NI NG U P AT THE T R U C K !

Duncan and Caithness Emperor at the Canterbury A&P Association in November 2018

“ I LOVE SHOWING SEEING THE HORSES NICELY PRESENTED AND THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL. ” • •

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I have lots of Bates Saddles, but my favourite is the Bates Isabell Sparrow Saddlers custom-make my bridles they fit like a glove, and the leather is so soft. SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Thoroughbred so can be quite hot. She’s having a good season so far and recently took the Champion Hack title at the South Island Premier Show. I’ll produce her for a couple of seasons before she goes into the broodmare herd. Our Warmblood stallion Caithness Emperor (Louie) is a pleasure to take out and is competed by either me or Sarah, depending on which other horses we have on the truck. He’s a smaller horse at around 15.1hh so Sarah, who is small and light, looks better on him than I do! He has done a lot in-hand and has never come home without the Champion sash – he was Champion Led Horse at Canterbury A&P Show and also Champion Ridden Stallion. He’s also had three Ridden Supremes so far this season, and two Led. To make up the numbers, we will have a couple of young ones onboard and two or three of Sarah’s ponies, which are ridden by her daughter Paige. We’re lucky to be sponsored by UberSnug Horsewear, so we can get a lot of prep and plaiting done the night before, and the horses come out of their hoods and bodywear gleaming and without a hair out of place! We’re also sponsored by Comfort Gut (Stamanol NZ) which keeps our horses feeling and looking great, even when they are constantly travelling and living in stables and yards.

5 PM I ride two or three horses each night after I get home from my shoeing run. I’m very lucky because Taylor will have one tacked up and ready for me so I can hop on and start riding, then as I finish each one he has the next one ready to go, and he puts them away when they are done. He’s a huge help to me. Taylor also works with horses full-time as Taylor Burnett Equestrian – he rides track work and does breaking-in, schooling and lessons. He also usually does the day-to-day riding and training of our two Thoroughbred racehorses.

7 PM By seven, we are usually thinking about dinner. I can cook, but I’m a ‘throw something together out of what I can find in the fridge’ kind of cook. I do practical, everyday meals.

Duncan’s show hack Aspen Glow is an Australian-bred Thoroughbred Taylor loves to make chef-style meals; he likes to plan and study and make something really delicious when we entertain our friends.

8 PM After dinner, there are always shoeing bookings and paperwork to do. I try to be organised for clients, especially my Nelson clients where I do a run every six weeks. I like to give them their next shoeing dates as soon as I get home from the run. There’s also the administration such as GST- I hate that side of the business but it has to be done! This season is a lot less hectic than last, because our stallion, Louie, isn’t being used for breeding. Last year I was taking him to the vet for collecting at six o’clock in the morning or at ten o’clock at night! This season we’ve opted to concentrate on competing him in the show ring.

9:30 PM The team’s four broodmares have a mix of Warmblood and Thoroughbred bloodlines.

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We call it a night by about 9:30 pm. I used to be more of a night owl, but unless there’s a GST return that needs filing or something like that, I try not to stay up too late. C

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INTERVIEW

N O S A M A

L Y TA HEN THE W S I E PRIC T! H G I R

An early morning message from one of the world’s best has led to the opportunity of a lifetime for this talented young eventer from Wellington. WORDS Ashleigh Kendall

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IMAGE Eyewitness Photography

arly one morning in September last year, Tayla woke up to find a message from Jonelle Price on her phone that would turn her life upside down – in the best possible way. Jonelle wanted to let Tayla know that their current rider was leaving their eventing yard at Mere Farm in the UK, where she and husband Tim are based. Tayla had worked for the Prices once before, and Jonelle wondered if she would be interested in moving to England to take over the role and ride for them. “Naturally I didn’t have to think about it for long!” Tayla says. “It’s the best opportunity I’ve ever been offered, and I am so excited and grateful that they thought of me.” She set off on her adventure at the beginning of January, and her two horses Centennial and Westlink are due to follow at the end of February. “I am looking forward to training and competing them over there, but I haven’t looked at the calendar yet,” she explains. “I will be taking it easy to begin with, and will decide when to start competing depending on how they acclimatise.” Tayla enjoyed success last season with Centennial, competing the lovely big gelding at three 2* events, and she is feeling very hopeful about their potential overseas. Westlink, although young, is beautifully bred, by Drum of the West out of proven mare Cufflink. Tayla can see the mare competing at international 4* level some day, thanks to Westlink’s athleticism and mental attitude for eventing.

“IT’S THE BEST OPPORTUNITY I’VE EVER BEEN OFFERED AND I AM SO EXCITED AND GRATEFUL THAT THEY THOUGHT OF ME.”

Tayla at Kihikihi International Horse Trial, April 2018

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Both pages: Tayla and Centennial, winners of the Eventing Wairarapa Spring Horse Trials CNC2*

Hitting the British eventing circuit Prior to leaving New Zealand, Tayla had a team of seven horses ranging from young horses through to competing at 2*. Some of her biggest thrills over the years include finishing third and ninth in the 1* at the NZ One-Day Championships, placing third in the Pro-Am series for 2017/2018, winning Leading Rider at the National Young Horse Show in 2017, and captaining the winning Oceania Young Rider team in 2015. Once her horses are settled and happy in the UK, Tayla is looking forward to competing at 2* on Centennial and hopefully starting him in a three-day event. Long-term, she has her sights set on the big ones – the Olympic Games and World Equestrian Games. Tim and Jonelle currently have around 24 horses in their yard and as they are often away competing, Tayla will have ample

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opportunities for riding. She is aware that there are many challenges to come as she moves her whole life to the other side of the world, but is ready to embrace the new opportunities, and is looking forward to furthering her knowledge and having the chance to compete overseas. As she has worked for Tim and Jonelle before, Tayla is feeling confident and secure in knowing what lies ahead. ”I’ve been lucky enough to be offered this job, which allows me to go into a safe environment, knowing that people are going to look after me. I’m pretty excited to take on the competition over there but also to have the guidance of two of the best riders in the world at the moment,” she says. “Ultimately my goals are to be picked on the New Zealand team for a world championship, and with help from Tim and Jonelle, hopefully that will happen. They are such a power couple, and their hard work and success

“IT’S TAKEN A LONG TIME TO BUILD MY TEAM UP AGAIN, BUT NOW I’M NEARLY BACK TO WHERE I WAS BEFORE.”

IMAGES BOTH PAGES Dark Horse Photography

is inspiring.” While Tayla is excited to taken on this new opportunity, it has required her to sacrifice her own studies. With only six months to go in her Masters degree in Management, she has made the difficult decision to put her education on hold. She is yet to decide whether she will continue to study extramurally, or if she will wait to complete her degree when she returns.

A team effort from the ground up Tayla has always had horses in her blood. She started riding at four years old, and always went along with her mum when she was competing at horse shows. Five years later, it was Tayla who was out competing under her mother’s guidance. “My mum [Sonya Mason] is just amazing. She is so supportive and is truly one of the main reasons I have managed to achieve what I have. She is mum, groom, chief supporter, breeder, truck driver, organiser, etc!” Some of Tayla’s proudest moments have been a long time in the making. She has bred and started most of her horses, so to achieve at the bigger heights has been huge for her.

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IT WAS A HARD TIME FOR TAYLA, BUT SHE KNEW SHE HAD TO KEEPING

Tayla and The Innkeeper at Kihikihi International Horse Trial & NZ One-Day Event Championship 2018

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IMAGE Eyewitness Photography

PUSHING PAST IT. Three years ago, however, Tayla suffered a huge blow – one that she still finds it difficult to talk about. “My top horse Sonidor fell in the water at the Young Rider 2* at Puhinui. Unfortunately, the sharp gravel in the water jump grazed her knee and went right through her joint and out the other side,” she recalls. “Sony was a horse I’d bred, broken-in and produced myself. We did months and months of rehab, first at the vet’s and then at home, and I was absolutely heartbroken when I found out that the treatment hadn’t worked. Sony had to retire from competition due to the joint seizing. It was the hardest event in my life so far, especially as I’d retired two of my other 2* horses [Lucy with Diamonds and Royalty] at Puhinui as well.” Her team had suddenly shrunk substantially. It was a hard time for Tayla, but she knew she had to keeping pushing past it. “I had a few good friends and family that helped me,” she recalls. “I learned to be patient and trust that the horses I was producing, although young at the time, would eventually get me back to where I had been. “Centennial going 2* was such a good feeling. It’s taken a long time to build my team back up again, but now I’m nearly back to where I was before,” she says. “My dressage coach Penny Castle is like my second mother. She has been teaching me since I was nine – and I’m 24 now! She has helped me so much on the flat and is always supportive and proud, which is so cool. Vanessa Brownie helps me at home, and with a large team of horses, her help is hugely appreciated.” Tayla is also very thankful for the support she has received from her sponsors over the years – Hinterland, Devoucoux, Vets on Riverbank and Gate Pa Complete Health Shop. With a whole new adventure in her sights, it will be exciting to follow Tayla, Centennial and Westlink’s progress as they settle in at Mere Farm and embark on their competitive careers on UK soil. C

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INTERVIEW

FARMING, FAMILY & FRIENDS

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WORDS Pip Hume IMAGES Dark Horse Photography

We visited North Canterbury couple Andy and Angie Mason at their spectacular property, historic Amberley House, in spring. The magnificent gardens were just coming into bloom, and the family was eagerly anticipating this year’s crop of sport horse foals.

urchasing Amberley House four years ago was a dream come true for the Mason family. “When we decided to look for a property, we were living in Christchurch, in Merivale,” Angie explains. “We wanted to live more rurally and expand our farming operation. I knew I wanted a big, old house in the country, near the sea – and I wanted stables! Realistically, I didn’t think we would find anything close to my wishlist, but as soon as Amberley House popped up, I knew this was it."

Farming With a farming background and a DipAg from Lincoln University, Andy had moved into real estate, property development and company governance in the city. His desire to return to hands-on farming was one of the drivers for the move. “Our farming operation consists of a block at Culverden,

about an hour away, and our home property at Amberley House,” he says. “Amberley House is about 40 hectares now, which includes some land we’ve just purchased from the neighbours, which was formerly part of the property. The gardens cover roughly 6.5 hectares. Then we’ve got 1000 hectares in the hills near Culverden, where we run a large Angus cow breeding herd, with calves and heifer replacements being finished at Amberley. "Our sport horse breeding operation also runs between both properties. Generally, the mares foal at Amberley House, while the youngstock have the benefit of the ‘big sky’ playground in Culverden! “Our goal is to run a fully integrated farming operation, maintaining and enhancing our commercial viability. We’re in a development phase at the moment. Amberley House has been stocked with horses forever – for a fair number of years it was a Thoroughbred breeding

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operation which produced the well-performed racehorse Sailing Home – so we’re working through a pasture renewal programme. Our aim is to bring the weaned calves down to Amberley House and cycle them through the paddocks, to help with pasture, weed and parasite management.” The sport horse breeding operation has sprung out of Andy and Angie's long-term love of horses. “We’re lucky to have acquired some really lovely broodmares, including Kirsty Schist’s German import Playgirl who did very well in the dressage arena and Elodie, dam to Graffiti MH,” Angie comments. “I suspect that because people know we treat our horses like royalty, that has opened up some opportunities because they have mainly come to us via word of mouth. “It’s absolutely important to us to build a broad base of the highest quality mares we possibly can. We’ve got foundation mares that we know are brilliant, and we’re very impressed with the crop of foals from last season.” While Angie’s passion is dressage, Andy is more interested in show jumping, so the foals are a mix of dressage and show jumping bloodlines. Last year’s foals were sired by Carrera VDL,

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Pennsylvania, Vollrath Lessing and Centavos, while this year Swarovski and Senator VDL were used. The 2019 crop is looking to be the largest yet, with over a dozen of their own mares set to foal at Amberley House. The most exciting development for the stud, however, has been the purchase of Hanoverian stallion Remi Lion King. “We went to see Lion King during HOY 2018,” recalls Angie. “We decided to take the scenic route via the Napier-Taihape Road and down through the Paraparas to Whanganui – it took us five-and-ahalf hours! We totally fell in love with Lion King – he has so much presence and is so kind, plus he had everything we were looking for from a breeding perspective.” The initial plan was for Lion King to compete in the dressage arena with local dressage rider Kirsty Schist. However, with Kirsty sidelined by injury, Lion King has shown his versatility by impressing at his first show jumping outings with Georgie Dormer. “We think it’s important for Lion King to be out competing, so he’ll continue do both dressage and show jumping,” Angie explains. “We’re also using him for breeding, but we don’t plan to put him over all of our mares, as we continue to select sires that

complement each individual mare and help to grow our breeding herd. We want to do our best by Lion King as well, especially for the first crop.” Lion King has also been used over outside mares, especially in the South Island where the opportunities for mare owners to meet and watch a dressage or jumping stallion competing are limited. “We love breeding horses,” Angie says. “If we don’t breed an Olympic gold medal winner, we will breed something that wins at HOY or at McLeans Island or at Amberley A&P Show – or it might just be someone’s once in a lifetime hack. I just couldn’t bear to breed a horse that won’t have a lovely life; to put my heart and soul into something that might end up as dog tucker. “As long as we can retire them comfortably, our horses will have a home here for life.”

Friends An interesting innovation for the Mason family has been the ‘Wwoofers’ (Willing Workers on Organic Farms) who have stayed at Amberley House. “We employ Hannah Copeland, who works full-time with the horses, and then along the way we’ve had literally dozens of Wwoofers – young backpackers who are travelling the world and looking for a Kiwi experience,” explains Andy. “The sort of person who puts their hand up to be a Wwoofer at Amberley House typically doesn’t mind getting up in the morning and helping out with chores.

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Many of them come for the equine experience as an extension of what they were doing at home, or to experience life on a New Zealand farm. A few years ago we had a big influx of Wwoofers and every fence on the place got painted after a few of them decided they wanted a project! “Most of them have been of a similar age to our oldest children [in their early 20s] so our kids now have friends all over the world. They tend to be mainly European – we get a lot of Dutch and German Wwoofers – but they have come from places as diverse as Mongolia. They have a separate cottage down by the stables, so they have a bit of freedom, and when there are six or eight Wwoofers on-site it's like a big international party every night. Some have come for a weekend and ended up staying for months!”

Family With seven children in the blended Mason family, Amberley House provides space enough for everyone. The two youngest, 13-year-old Alex and 15-year-old George, attend school in Christchurch. The twins, Charlotte and Rhiannon, are 21 years old, Ella is 22 and William, at 24, is the oldest. Tragically, Angie's daughter Jamie developed leukaemia and passed away three years ago, at the age of 18. A further blow to the family came when Angie sustained a serious head injury, which meant that she was unable to continue with her high profile Christchurch HR consultancy business. “I loved my job, but after my head injury it’s farming for me now,” says Angie. “And I have to admit that it’s much more complex than I thought!” C

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INTERVIEW

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BrBELLIAN onte On the way up At only 24, Bronte has been through her fair share of highs and lows but she continues to shine with optimism and knows the best is yet to come.

WORDS Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES Show Circuit Magazine

rowing up with a love of horses and with cousins and friends who rode, Bronte caught the riding bug at a young age, but it wasn’t until she was ten years old that her mum, Sharon, finally caved and found her a lease pony. “I had my first pony right up until this year, when sadly he had to be put down at the age of 28,” Bronte says. “I leased him to a lovely home, but always kept ownership of him. Mum originally leased him for me when I was ten years old to see if I was serious about riding, and he ended up being given to us.” Bronte comes from humble beginnings, recalling that her first saddle cost just $50. “Mario was an Arab x Kaimanawa and wasn’t exactly an ideal beginner’s pony,” she says. “He often used to chuck me off or pull me off over his head, but he taught me a lot.” As the years passed, Bronte was never far from horses, and she has now built up a very exciting team for the future. She currently has four horses in her team, with Rosari Dante as her number one. Standing at 17hh, he is 13 years old and is a quirky Hanoverian gelding by Don Picardi out of Kinnordy Gera. Dark by Design (Kasper) is a nine-year-old black warmbloodcross by Sir Jasper, and Bronte will be competing him in the Novice Saddle Hunter ring this season. She also has two up-and-coming young stars in Rosebrook Magic Happens (Harry), an Australian Warmblood who she imported a year ago, and a project horse

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called Bryn, who is a four-year-old Thoroughbred by Fully Fledged. “I am super partial to chestnuts!” she admits. “When I’m looking for a horse, I like a big kind eye and an attractive head – anything that catches my eye! I’m a bit of a sucker and often pick looks over manners.” Bronte re-homes off-the-track Thoroughbreds, so her team is regularly changing. “I do a fair bit of re-homing for friends who are racehorse trainers, and in the past I have also rescued horses from the dog tucker yards,” she explains. “Some of the rescue horses have become successful horses, and it’s super rewarding to see these horses get their second chance out on the eventing and showing scene.” One of Bronte’s most successful horses that was saved from dog tucker is Overnight Success, who is now eventing very successfully with young rider Scout Lodder.

Striving through adversity It hasn’t all been smooth sailing for Bronte over the years. “About five years ago, I fell from a friend’s horse onto the road. I fractured my back in two places and cracked two ribs,” she recalls. “As a result, I was unable to exercise or move around a lot for some time, which led me down a path to where I gained excessive weight, which spiralled out of control. I remember going to Horse of the Year one year to watch and wishing that I could be out there too, but I knew that at the weight I had let myself get to, it just wasn’t possible.” That day marked a turning point for Bronte, and rekindled her desire to return to competitive riding. She purchased Dante, who she describes as her dream horse, in late 2016 as a motivation to get back onto the scene. Then in August last year, she made the brave decision to take her health back, and underwent a gastric sleeve surgery. Astonishingly, she has lost 62kgs to date. When Bronte did get back into the ring, she exceeded her expectations by winning Runner-Up in the Rising Star Saddle Hunter title class at Horse of the Year in 2017. It was a stunning

“I DO A FAIR BIT OF RE-HOMING FOR FRIENDS WHO ARE RACE TRAINERS AND ALSO HAVE IN THE PAST RESCUED

HORSES FROM THE DOG TUCKER YARDS, SOME OF THE RESCUE

HORSES HAVE BECOME SUCCESSFUL HORSES” 90

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Sarah gave EQUADOR MW an outing recently at Te Aroha A&P in the showing ring

“NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR GOALS AND PUSH YOUR LIMITS, WE ALL HAVE OUR UPS AND DOWNS BUT PUSHING YOURSELF OUT OF YOUR COMFORT

ZONE CAN SOMETIMES BE THE ONLY WAY TO GROW.” result, especially considering it was her first time riding at Horse of the Year. “Competing as a plus-size rider in the show ring was very daunting for me, and it was an emotional roller coaster that day, but a very memorable one for me!” She understands that other riders face similar struggles with their self-confidence, and has some sound advice. “Never give up on your goals, and push your limits,” she urges. “We all have our ups and downs, but pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can sometimes be the only way to grow. Taking small steps in the right direction every day is what breeds success.”

Riding forward As much as she adores him, Bronte has found Dante to be a bit of a challenge at times, so her focus for this season is to become more consistent in their performances. “He can be extremely quirky and unpredictable at times – you either have a perfect day or it’s a total write-off! He is a typical ginger,” she laughs. “I am working on creating a nice balance with him. My ultimate dream and the long-term goal is to win a title class in the showing section at Horse of the Year.” She is quick to credit her family and friends for their support. “My mum is my biggest supporter and helper in my team. She is the feed queen and prides herself on making sure the horses are always fed the best feed and supplements, and that they’re always fed on time!” Bronte laughs. “My friend Glenda is also a huge part of my team. She rides the horses with me at least three or four times a week and helps me out with the young ones a lot. I have converted her somewhat from an event rider to a showie, although she won’t fully admit to that!” Bronte is very grateful to both of her parents, who are her main sponsors. “I’m fortunate to have such supportive parents who help me out in every way possible. Also, Jeremy from Dynavyte NZ supports my team and keeps them looking and feeling great.” She also finds support in her good friends Greg and Corey from GC Equestrian. “They have been a huge help with my training, and have been such amazing supporters throughout my journey with Dante.” C

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INTERVIEW WORDS Pip Hume IMAGES Eyewitness Photography

Larissa Srhoy

POSITIVE &

DETERMINED

The first part of the season didn’t go exactly to plan for this 29-year-old eventer, but the laid-back Cantabrian doesn’t let the ups and downs of the sport get in her way.

ith a plan in place for the 2018/2019 eventing season, Larissa Srhoy was hopeful that things would go her way. But she’s no stranger to the ups and downs of equestrian life, and her outlook remains characteristically positive. “After a good start to the season at Eyreton in August, at the Eventing Canterbury event in September I withdrew my number one horse, Rocky (Rockquest), before the cross-country because he didn’t feel 100%. It turned out that he was a bit footsore, but it was unfortunate to miss going around that cross-country,” Larissa admits. “Then I went in to book an appointment for surgery on my ankle, which I broke a couple of years ago. I’ve

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been having a few issues with the metal hardware that they put in, and I thought that there would be months of waiting before I could have the surgery to remove it. As it happened, it got done almost immediately, but that meant I missed the South Island Three-Day Event! “Mum [Tarnia] and I had a North Island campaign planned, starting with the Spring Horse Trials at Clareville near Carterton, then travelling up to Rotorua for the Riverdale event and finally heading to Puhinui. I took Rocky, Syd (Heads Will Roll, owned by Denise Youngman) who is the newest member of the team and competes at 105cm, and my 95cm horse Art (Copper Tone). Mum also took her 95cm horse Double Black. “But at our first event at Clareville, Mum had an unfortunate fall in the show jumping when her horse

This page: Larissa and Rockquest in the trot-up for the Auckland Council CCI** at Puhinui International Three Day Event, December 2018 Left: Larissa and Rockquest loving the cross-country course at Puhinui, December 2018

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You can pick up a NICE HORSE, and as long as you have the

ABILITY to train it CORRECTLY and ride it well, you can be very

COMPETITIVE. Larissa and Rockquest on cross-country in the Auckland Council CCI** at Puhinui International Three-Day Event, December 2018. overjumped one of the fences – he's got a real ping in him! Mum caught a hoof on the way down and got concussed. After that, I was a bit stressed and distracted, and organising my three rides wasn’t easy! That led to a rider error with Art where I missed a jump on the cross-country. I had a good ride with Rocky though; he cruised around the cross-country. He’s a machine and loves jumping – you could put a monkey on his back and point him at a jump and he would jump it! "At Riverdale, the conditions weren’t favourable, so I decided to save my two Puhinui horses and withdrew them, which was a shame because it’s a lovely course. I did take Double Black around the Pre-Novice simply because he was on the truck, and he went double clear – he is a cross-country machine! Syd had a stop when he slid into a fence because it was so wet and slippery. He’s very talented and just needs consolidating.” After Riverdale, Larissa based her team at the National Equestrian Centre in Taupo for the lead up to Puhinui. She flew home for a few days’ work (she is a qualified massage therapist), while her father drove up from Canterbury with a load of hay, and to keep Tarnia company and lunge the horses to keep them ticking over. “I think they had a nice break together!” laughs Larissa. She confirms that she couldn’t be happier with how her horses performed at Puhinui. “They tried their hearts out and did the best they could in the conditions. I was a bit disappointed with Rocky’s placing after the dressage – even on his worst day he’s a top ten horse, and more usually top five. But the mud was very testing for him; he never likes to go in puddles and get his toes muddy, so we went up the centre line and hit that mud and it was just a mess!” Thankfully, the going on the majority of the cross-country was good, and she walked the 2* course after the 105cm class to see how the lines were holding up. The warm-up area was deep and Rocky pulled a front shoe there which had to be tacked on before

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Larissa and Rockquest, 2nd in the CNC2* at Eventing Wairarapa Spring Horse Trial. IMAGE Dark Horse Photography

the pair started, then he lost the other front shoe on the course somewhere, but he flew around, and also show jumped well. The next outings planned for the team are Eyreton, where Rocky will compete at 2*, then two events at McLeans Island, where he will step up to 3*, followed by Taupo Three-Day.

Up for a challenge Larissa's mother Tarnia has ridden at the upper levels of dressage and has recently returned to eventing competition, so it's no surprise that Larissa has ridden all of her life. As a child growing up on a rural property near Ashburton, she started out at Pony Club. “I did Springston Trophy for about five years, and then when I was 15, I went to Pony Club Champs. I only went once, and then went on to ESNZ Horse Trials on my horse Jack (Just Be Nimble). “Jack was a brat and very quirky,” she continues. “You couldn’t take him out to a competition with another horse, because he would scream out all day long. But he was a brilliant point-and-shoot jumper, and gave me the confidence to go up through the heights – we went to 2* together. “After Jack I had Starburst, and he was

the perfect first hack. He is really laid back and genuine – the nicest temperament you could ever have. We never thought he had much scope, but every time we took him up a level he just carried on! As a 2* horse we thought he wouldn’t have the scope for 3* so we should sell him, but when we had a go at it, he had plenty of scope! He’s 22 years old now and in the most perfect forever home where he goes hunting a few times each winter, and the rest of the time hangs out with his girlfriend.” Larissa is drawn to eventing by the thrill of galloping around the cross-country course – as she points out, that’s the part every eventer loves, otherwise they would be doing a different discipline! The variety is another drawcard and the challenge of having to be competitive in each phase. She also loves the fact that you don't need a highly-bred, expensive Warmblood to be successful. "You can pick up a nice horse, and as long as you have the ability to train it correctly and ride it well, you can be very competitive. Your horse may not be the world's biggest superstar in terms of movement or jump, but you can train it to do well. It's the best feeling when you step your horse up a level or you fly around Puhinui or Taupo because the training has

been done correctly." As a young rider, Larissa had dreams of riding at Badminton and Burghley. “As you get older, you get more realistic and your priorities can change,” she says philosophically. “But if Rocky gets to 3* and handles it well, or if another of my horses makes the grade, I’d love to have a crack at Adelaide!”

Wedding plans

Larissa and Rockquest in the CCI** show jumping phase at Puhinui International ThreeDay Event, December 2018. IMAGE Kampic.com

With her horses having a short break after Puhinui, Larissa has been busy planning her wedding in April to partner Jason. “He’s not a rider,” she laughs. “But he is incredibly supportive, and as a heavy diesel mechanic, he’s great with the truck. He’s from a farming background, so he’s good with the horses, and he loves working around the property, fixing fences, and building things.” Larissa appreciates the support of her sponsors, Hinterland and Vicky Pratt Bodyworks, and most of all that of her parents. “My devoted parents are amazing. I definitely couldn’t do it without them.” C

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In 2018 ESNZ embarked on a journey, the pathway of which will become clearer in 2019 and beyond. Thanks to funding from Sport NZ, we have developed a platform around our values and culture, which will become the driver for everything we do. We have spent two years getting the organisation back on its feet and into a position of strength, both financially and capacity-wise. Now is the time to take notice of the feedback and find new and better ways to deliver value. We have been challenged about the way we work, and how we demonstrate value to our members. In 2019 we will be developing and encouraging a positive, welcoming and open culture, communicating better and demonstrating value for our members and volunteers. We will continue doing what we do well – at all levels,

on and off the ‘field of play’ – and we will celebrate our successes, so we can all share in the delight of winning. One of our major projects for 2019 will be the review of our constitution, and we will be travelling the country to discuss this with our members. This review is a key part of moving forward as one organisation, working together to be strong and resilient, and to pave a brighter future for our members across all spectrums of the sport. This process may take some time, and indeed, may require radical review in the future, as all sports continue to grapple with the speed of change in our society. You can find out more on the ESNZ website’s ‘About Us’ section. ESNZ is working closely with Massey University and sport horse breeders towards the development of sire rankings to improve the quality and supply of horsepower in this country. Rankings from this season’s young horse show jumping classes will be published progressively as they become available. We know that the ESNZ database and future technological developments are crucial for the sustainability of our organisation, and we are poised for a number of exciting projects that will propel us towards greater opportunities. Our job is to ensure the organisation is ready for change, and is agile and flexible enough to be proactive in its own environment.

Dana Kirkpatrick - CHIEF EXECUTIVE

HORSEPOWER!

Ensuring our top athletes have access to top horses is at the front of ESNZ’s High Performance Director Sarah Dalziell-Clout’s mind, as she and her team look to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and beyond. “Experienced, quality horsepower is essential for success at any level, but horses that are world-class in dressage, cross-country and show jumping are critical to be competitive internationally,” Sarah says. “That’s why owners and sponsors who enable us to access and retain top-level horsepower are so important. We are always looking to welcome more owners into the fold, so if you (or someone you know) are interested in becoming an owner of an elite horse, please get in touch. It’s an exciting and deeply rewarding team to be part of.”

INTERNATIONAL CLASS FACILITY HELPS AT HOME

The recent opening of the National Equestrian Centre’s new international-standard indoor arena in Taupō will be extremely valuable for New Zealand’s riders of the future, allowing them to compete in an environment that provides a smoother transition to the world stage. The timing couldn’t be better in terms of supporting the strategic priorities of the High Performance team leading up to the Olympics in Tokyo in 2020 and Paris in 2024. They are aiming towards a targeted, Olympic-focused programme, and providing more high-performance capability and support in New Zealand. This will enable New Zealand-based combinations to prepare domestically before completing and polishing their Tokyo campaigns internationally. “I am very excited for the future,” Sarah said at the NEC Taupo opening. “This will allow us to keep up with our international counterparts. It is an opportunity for our top NZ based riders to train and compete on a surface that will aid the longevity of their horses, and to train through the winter months. It’s also a chance for us to attract international coaches and will allow our high performance programmes to continue to grow.”

THE PERFECT PARA-HORSE CHALLENGE

Supplied by ESNZ

If you think finding your next dressage horse or show jumper is hard, try adding a physical disability into the mix. You have the usual requirements of movement, trainability and athletic ability, plus you must find a horse with the temperament, patience, and biomechanics to suit the rider’s disability. ESNZ’s Para-Equestrian Sport Manager, Brooke Dillon, notes that several of our national level para-riders have recently been in search of a replacement competitive mount for various reasons – injuries, retirement or simply not ‘clicking’. “While para-athletes know there is no such thing as a perfect horse, trainability and temperament are the most important elements for them,” says Brooke. The main reservation around selling horses to para-riders is the notion that these horses will spend the remainder of their ridden

career in an arena. While for some para-riders this is the safest place for them to ride, we must also acknowledge the big band of helpers behind the scenes who can take the horse out hacking, jumping or to the beach. Para-horses can have a huge variety in their workload, so a para-athlete could provide the perfect semiretirement home for your schoolmaster.

EVENTING

NEW EVENTING RULES KICK IN

2019 heralds the start of a new era for international eventing – one which introduces a new category system, has a stronger focus on horse welfare, and shows less tolerance for bad behaviour from riders. ESNZ Eventing’s national rules will align with FEI rules, along with changes to class levels, from late December 2018. These changes are being publicised on the ESNZ website, in the 10 Minute Box newsletter and on ESNZ’s Eventing Facebook page. Printed copies are also available from the ESNZ national office early in 2019. Remember to pay attention when you are doing your entries. Former class levels will be listed in brackets on event schedules for the first half of 2019 to help remove any confusion, but if you are unsure, please ask. There will be stronger guidelines around the warning card, recorded warnings and penalty systems, including blood on a horse caused by the athlete and excessive use of the whip. Gear has also come under the spotlight with changes to rules around bits, bridles, hackamores, ear hoods and neck straps.

events in the late summer and autumn. The first of these will be the Bates National Championships at Manfeild Park, from 14-17 February 2019. The Bates NZ Dressage Championships include something for everyone, from the international classes (CDI3*, CDI2*, CDIY and CDIP) to the Elite Equine National Young Dressage Horse Championships for four, five and six-year-olds, the Bates National Open Championships for Levels 1-9 and the National Amateur Championships for Levels 1-5. A new initiative for 2019 is the VW Dressage-sponsored ProAm Championships. These awards are for riders new to Prix St Georges and Grand Prix and are designed to recognise both the huge commitment necessary to train and compete at these levels, and the achievement by riders to get to that level for the first time.

LAND ROVER HORSE OF THE YEAR DRESSAGE

The Land Rover Horse of the Year Dressage section from 12-17 March promises to be another showcase across the levels, with the highlights being the Musical Freestyles in the main oval each day. Check the ESNZ website to make sure you are up-to-date with the qualifications required.

LIVAMOL FEI DRESSAGE WORLD CHALLENGE

EVENTING OCEANIA 2019

There will be changes to the format for the 2019 Senior and Young Rider Oceania Team Championship at the National ThreeDay event in Taupō, 10-12 May. The teams event will trial the proposed Olympic format, and Australia is looking to bring three teams: two Senior teams and one Young Rider team. New Zealand will field the same number of teams.

April will see the season start to wind down, but not until riders have had the chance to contest the Livamol FEI Dressage World Challenge at McLeans Island on 4-5 April. Nominations will be open on Equestrian Entries from 15 January. The World Dressage Challenge is a back-to-back event with the South Island Festival of Future Stars, featuring events for four to seven-year-old dressage horses, and a variety of other classes. Then it’s on to Taupō for another back-to-back showcase: the North Island Festival of Future Stars and the Equestrian Entries Under-25 National Championships. The international judge at both events will be Vittorio Barba from the Philippines, a 3* FEI judge who has previously officiated at the Horse of the Year Show.

JUMPING & SHOW HUNTER

THANKING OUR VOLUNTEERS

EXCITEMENT BUILDING FOR HORSE OF THE YEAR

At the Land Rover Horse of the Year (HOY) in March we will be crowning the inaugural Groom or Supporter of the Year award, sponsored by Horse & Groom Equine Jobs. Votes have been taken at riders’ meetings during the season at Waimate, Hastings and Taupō, and the final chance for riders to vote will be at the National Championships at McLeans Island (1-3 February). These votes will be tallied and the top six names will be presented at the riders’ meeting at HOY, where everyone will be able to vote for one of the six, and the winner will be crowned! Some names are now appearing regularly and additional sponsors have been adding to the prize pool for the deserving winner. Equestrian Australia will again select a Senior Rider team of four to compete in a trans-Tasman test as part of the Silver Fern Stakes at the Land Rover Horse of the Year Show. In 2018, the Australians romped home with the prize after notching up three of the four double clears, so the class will be hotly contested as the Kiwis aim to reclaim the silverware. Between 20–30 Australian horses may make the journey across the Tasman for the show, with many expected to compete at Takapoto Estate Show Jumping as well.

DRESSAGE

BACK ON TRACK DRESSAGE PREMIER LEAGUE

The Back on Track Dressage Premier League is producing some exciting results across all levels as riders look towards the key

ESNZ Dressage has initiated two awards to acknowledge our wonderful officials and volunteers:

DRESSAGE OFFICIAL OF THE MONTH

Andrea Raves, a dedicated long-term supporter, is sponsoring the AR Dressage Official of the Month award. The winner of the Official of the Month (who must be listed on the ESNZ Officials list) will have their ESNZ membership paid.

ALLINFLEX VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH AND VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARDS

AllinFlex is again going the extra mile to support ESNZ Dressage. We are thrilled that the company is providing an Allinflex gift for the monthly award. AllinFlex is also sponsoring the Volunteer of the Year award which will be announced at the Dressage NZ annual awards dinner in 2019.

ENDURANCE

In a first for endurance in New Zealand, Wendy Farnell has been promoted to FEI Level 3 Endurance steward. Wendy has been involved at all levels of endurance in New Zealand for almost 30 years. Also celebrating is another Canterbury member, Barbara Avery, who has recently been promoted to the position of StewardGeneral for ESNZ Endurance. Barbara has 25 years of experience in the sport, riding both Endurance and CTR. She first became involved as an official in 2008 after attending an officials’ course.

www.nzequestrian.org.nz

JEN HAMILTON explains how to

TRAIN CORRECTLY

WITH BALANCE

WORDS Jess Roberts PHOTOS Cheleken Equestrian

“We’re going to be working on balance, rhythm, and straightness, which is what it takes to get around a course. Balance comes from you being in a correct position so you can have a positive effect on the horse, or at least not a negative one. Riding position is THE most important thing,” Jen emphasises. “It is through our position that we can communicate with the horse. And position saves your life: the more trouble you’re in, the better your position has to be!”

MEET THE TRAINER

MEET THE PUPIL

January 2019 marked Jen’s final coaching trip to New Zealand, following the expiration of her work visa. Now 72, Jen has been travelling here from her home country of Canada since 1993, and has lately been teaching the second and sometimes third generations of earlier pupils! Throughout the last 25 years Jen has had a strong hand in the development and success of many Kiwi riders: Clarke Johnstone, Merran Hain and Lisa Cubitt to name but a few. Her correct, effective and intelligent training combined with a lifetime of experience makes her a true master of her work. She can effortlessly adjust her programme to suit amateurs, professionals and everyone in between and this, along with her trademark dry wit and humour, makes her respected and well-loved by all.

Kylie Thompson (18) rides her 10-year-old Ruatoria-bred mare, Possum, who she has owned for almost three years now. Kylie’s aim this season is to work towards jumping some 1.25m rounds. The pair have been successfully jumping around 1.15m tracks and are well on their way to meeting their goal. Kylie spent four months in the USA last year where she worked for Joe Meyer, as well as spending a month at Spruce Meadows in Canada, grooming for Butch and Lou Thomas. She has since been offered a job with the Thomases and plans to head back over there at the end of this season.

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“You want the glory of winning? You have to take responsibility for the ride. You have to step up to the plate and know what you want. You walked the course – you’re the one with the information. You have to impart it to your horse.”

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THE LESSON “Horses get their balance from the back-to-front longitudinal connection. That’s the balance we get from leg to hand. Rhythm takes into consideration stride length, impulsion level, and pace. In order to jump a lower level course, it takes three canters – you need a middle canter, and then you have to be able to open or close it on demand. In order to get around WEG this year, it took seven different canters! You had your middle one, then more closed, even more closed, and super-closed, and it’s the same with the open stride.” Before sending everyone out to warm up, Jen reminds them to

ride with purpose and direction. “The purpose of the warm-up is to be able to go and jump a course. In order to jump a course you have to go forward, come back, turn left and turn right. So that should all be in your warmup,” she explains. “The direction part of it is that you’re riding very definite tracks, you’re not wandering out there. I want your heels down, back and in, your hands over in front of the withers and you looking where you’re going. Do not run over each other, do not run over our ring staff and most importantly: do not run over me!”

“There’s no such thing as a perfect distance. Which is a good thing, or we’d all have to quit! But there is a range of acceptability.” EXERCISE ONE Jen has set up three poles on the ground on the long side, each 45ft (13.7m) apart. The riders have to canter down them, getting either three or four strides between each rail. “I don’t care which one you get, but what you get in the first distance, you must get in the second,” she says. She then has them ride a simple change of direction and come back down the rails. “If you rode up in four and four, I want you coming back in three and three, or the other way around.” The exercise seems very simple, but all of the riders struggle with it on their first attempt; including Kylie, whose four strides are a bit steppy, weak and holding. “When was the last time you did a stride control exercise?” Jen asks her. “The correct answer should be: last time I rode. Every time you ride, you are doing stride control. Just doing transitions – that is stride control. Or stride un-control if they’re not done very well!” She is quick to point out that getting the right number of strides in this exercise is not a circus trick. “We have to do stride control between poles and jumps to check accuracy. We’re training you to make use of the counting of the strides; not only do you have to count, but the counting has to be meaningful.

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“When you’re halfway down the line, you have to be halfway through the strides. And if you are, great! Keep it. And if you’re not, fix it. You only have two choices: go forward, or steady. The challenge is in recognising that you need to do something, deciding what you have to do, and figuring out the intensity of what you have to do to fix it.” Kylie rides out and repeats the exercise. The second time everyone has to do the opposite of what they did the first time, so she canters up in four strides and comes back in three, which goes much more smoothly. Jen reiterates the importance of Possum having the right canter. “We’re going to work on this a lot. You’ve got to have the right canter, and that canter has to be directed forward and straight. How do you do that? You look where you’re going. Your eye establishes the track, and then your leg and your hand puts them on that track. If you have balance, rhythm and straightness, we can get maximum performance. If something goes wrong, you have to be a problem solver, not a problem creator. Go back to balance, rhythm and straightness, figure out what the biggest problem is and that’s what you fix.”

EXERCISE TWO: ACCURACY In this exercise, the riders have to jump down a simple line of two verticals. At 60ft (18.2m) apart, it is set up for four strides, but because they are trotting into the first fence, they will canter it in a steady five. They continue around the short side of the arena and up the quarter line, where they perform a simple change of lead through trot. “When you turn up the quarter line, I want you to ride the canter. And by that I mean keep them cantering! Then it’s a man-made, downward transition to trot, not ‘oh dear, I’m not cantering anymore!’” Jen warns. “You’ve got to ride these turns better, because out of turns come jumps.” After coming back down the line, the riders then jump three small fences that Jen has set up on a serpentine. “I am the queen of the serpentine, as you all know,” she says. “They’re unrelated, and they’re low enough that there’s no perfect distance, so don’t go looking for one. Just ride the canter: the canter must be established and maintained at all costs. You want to do as little as possible but as much as necessary.”

✗ Jen shows Kylie what she means. “You’re sitting here,” she says, taking hold of Kylie’s foot, which is just in front of the girth, “and the go button is here,” she explains, moving her leg back six inches.

✓

Kylie is first up. “You will have some necessary things happening!” Jen predicts. Possum’s trot to the first fence gets quick. “Patience, patience,” she reminds Kylie, who executes the exercise without any hiccups, although it all gets a little fast. Kylie has a habit of having just her toes on the bar of her stirrup, which pushes her ankle and lower leg forward, and makes her seat heavy. Jen calls her over to explain the effect this is having on her horse. “This shoving of the foot forward is unacceptable. When you get your leg out in front of you, it gets you sitting down. So what happens at the jump is that your body gets quick, because it’s behind the movement and you have to catch up. Then the horse gets quick. You feel that whipping movement? If you were to stay in two-point, you could let the horse jump up to you.”

✗ Kylie finds this new position very uncomfortable. “Because you’re not used to it,” Jen says. “You’ve got to make yourself used to it – you’ve taught yourself to ride with this forward leg and made that feel comfortable, but it’s wrong.” She points out the domino effect of Kylie’s leg position. “You just need to plain get a better canter. And you can’t – why? Because you don’t have the leg on. Why? Because your leg is not on the go button! It’s fixable,” she adds. “Go fix it.”

“You’re either setting things up, maintaining things, or fixing things!” SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

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EXERCISE THREE: JUMPING ON AN ANGLE Jen calls this ‘riding the slice’, and she walks the group over to the fence in question to explain the technicalities in detail. “When you’re jumping on an angle, or a slice, you have a wideangle side and a short-angle side. There is a chance of them running out on the wide-angle side,” she notes. “So you have to keep their nose to the centre, and you’re going to use the leg on that wide-angle side, and an open rein on the short-angle. The open rein will not disturb the forward motion. “You use your eyes,” she adds. “If you drop your eyes, you’re dead. And you just keep the canter you have; you don’t want to

be disturbing it too much. Don’t move up to the fence, and don’t get too deep. When you’re deep, it’s as if the short-side angle suddenly comes closer to you and that’s when you’ll knock ‘em down. And if you get really long, it’s as if the wide-angle side of the jump starts walking away from you. So let’s have a lovely distance here!” Kylie is again the first to tackle this exercise and Jen reminds her to have her position correct as she moves off. “That horse has an engine happening. You need to be directing and balancing it. That’s your job.”

PRACTICE JUMPING THE SLICE IN BOTH DIRECTIONS FINISH

30ft

START

GROUND POLE

THE SLICE

48ft

Stride practice in a related line: “You want four strides, you get four strides. Demand it. If they don’t give it to you, there are consequences! If they don’t give it to you, say ‘there you go then, have a pole sandwich: bon appétit.” It’s a long spot to the first oxer but Possum jumps it big and bold, and when they get to the ‘slice’ jump, it’s textbook perfect. “Your horse is really clean,” observes Jen. “You were long there, but as long as you support with your leg, she’s going to jump. And she jumps angles just like that,” she says, clicking her fingers. “That’s a very good horse.”

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EXERCISE FOUR: STRIDE CONTROL OVER JUMPS The poles used for the first stride control exercise have now been made into jumps of around 1m, with an oxer at each end with a vertical in the middle. They have also been moved out to 48ft (14.6m) apart. The riders have to ride this line four times: in four strides to three strides, three to three, four to four, then three

to four. There are jumps at each end of the arena to help them change direction smoothly so they can come back down the line (they jump the line back and forth, not continuously in the same direction). Jen asks Kylie if she is ready to go. “Yes, but I might be crying afterwards!” she jokes.

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GROUND POLE

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IN TROT TO FIRST FENCE THEN REST OF EXERCISE IS IN CANTER

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The first four strides are made easier by having to trot into the first fence, and the ground crew lower the oxer for the trot in and then pop it back up for the rest of the exercisew. In the four to four distance, Kylie manages the first four, but gets three in the second part, and the same thing happens in her final line. “Your main issue is having leg into the connection, not just grabbing the rein,” Jen tells her. “And knowing the consequence of sort of floating into a line and thinking, ‘well I’ll just manufacture it in the line’. You can’t. Personally I think the three-stride distance is one of the most difficult to ride, because it gives you enough time to fall apart but not enough time to regroup,” she admits. “So it kind of forces you into accuracy.” She praises Kylie’s commitment to the second set of three strides. “I applaud that. You thought, ‘I’ll darn well go forward there, I’ll make that old lady happy!’” Jen addresses the group after they have all had a turn, while standing beside the first of the three fences in the line. “I add a stride here, so I land deeper for my four,” she explains. “The canter stride is helping you get the distance that you’re looking for. It’s the physics of the whole thing, about where you’re landing in there and with how much power. So when you’re jumping in for the three strides, you want to land out there a bit, so we can sit up. We don’t want to be chasing for three. When we’re doing the four strides, we want them to wait, and they learn to jump off that deep distance. “These horses have to learn to jump off different distances, and we do it in training so that when it happens in the show ring, both you and the horse can say ‘we’ve been trained to get out of this’. Putting them in different places makes everybody more comfortable in the end. Don’t get too offended by this, ladies, but you guys aren’t that accurate!”

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EXERCISE FIVE: RIDING A COURSE The arena is full of jumps, so Jen devises a course set at around 1.15-1.20m, incorporating some of the lines they have practiced over the last two days, with individual fences added in. Kylie’s first round gets fast and wild, with Possum taking some rails, and she is disappointed as she comes back over to join the group. “You went into desperation mode again!” observes Jen. “You can’t just gallop things. The quality of your jump is totally related to the quality of your last few strides. You were getting a flat stride that was producing a flat jump. You’re going to do it again in a minute and you’re going to clean it up.” The pair take a breather while the others have their turn, and then they give it another go.

“Ride to your contact, shoulders back, close your leg, and wait. Keep it smooth, with a quality canter,” Jen calls as Kylie canters to the first fence. It is clear that Kylie has taken all Jen’s advice on board and is super focused and determined this time. She rides a very different, accurate and controlled round, earning herself a round of applause from the onlookers. Jen turns to them with a satisfied grin and a laconic one-liner. “Damn I’m good!” “Are you pretty chuffed with yourself?” she asks Kylie, who rides over looking much happier. “You should be. No desperation, it was all done off the more connected ride and by planning things. Bravo! Bravo all of you – that was so enjoyable. It was worth getting up this morning!”

“Ride through the turns – turns will always stall you. That’s why you have LEGS and SPURS.”

JEN:

KYLIE:

“I think Kylie and her horse suit each other in size and temperament, and they’re totally suited to what they want to do. I think Kylie has tremendous natural instincts and I think she’s a good example of what I saw when I first came here to New Zealand – people riding off instinct, good natural riding. And my reaction then was, ‘these cowboys need to be tamed!’ You don’t want to take the cowboy out of them, so we keep the natural instincts but add some skills into it so they’re riding with natural instinct and talent, but also technique. Kylie needs just that little bit more tweaking of technique, but she’s a winner.”

“The exercises that we started with were really good because I really had to think about sitting up, but then I sat up too much and was catching my horse and shutting down her canter. So Jen just got me to use my leg to back it up. We had a bit of a disaster in our first round jumping the course and Jen just told me to slow down, think, and focus, keep the leg on and move the horse up to my hand. I have a really bad habit of letting the horse out the front and getting really flat. After that talk, my next round was good. I’ve never used that much leg on my horse ever and it really helped! It was very worthwhile.” C

Saddened by the thought that this is Jen’s last visit to New Zealand? Fear not! Her book, A Jump Ahead – From Basics to Big Jumps, details many of her useful training exercises (including her famous serpentines), along with beautiful photos and clear graphics. It’s an inspiring, practical and informative read, and one of those books that you’ll keep in the tack shed or beside the arena. If you would like a copy, you can buy one here: https://www.horsesandpeople.com.au/shop/products 104

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TRAINING

ESNZ TRAINING CAMP FOR EVENTERS PART THREE

The South Island Eventing Camp held in August at McLeans Island brought together a large group of riders and ESNZ High Performance coaches for an intensive and interactive two days, spanning all three disciplines. Our three-part series follows a group of three riders and horses at 1* level.

In the third part, we follow our three riders: Annabelle Jones, Claudia Faulkner and Georgie Dickson, as they tackle the dressage phase with Eventing Performance Leader, Penny Castle. Words Pip Hume Images Dark Horse Photography

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MEET THE TRAINER A lifetime spent training her own horses through to success at FEI Grand Prix level, along with helping other riders achieve their goals, has given Penny Castle a huge depth of knowledge which she shares unreservedly. As Eventing Performance Leader for ESNZ, Penny is intensely involved with the development of the sport and riders through the High Performance programmes. On a personal level, Penny’s most notable competition achievements to date have been with her dressage stars, Gymstar One and Magnus Spero. Besides achieving success in New Zealand at a national level, she also successfully campaigned each of them in Australia.

ANNABELLE JONES I’m 15 years old and in Year 11 at school. I’m from Arrowtown, but I go to school in Christchurch. I’ve been riding since I was four years old, and have learnt so much from it. I’ve always loved the challenge of constantly trying to better my riding – it’s certainly not an easy sport! My horse is Quintero, known as Tommy, a nine-year-old Thoroughbred who is around 17hh and competed at 1* level with his previous owner. We are a new combination and have only been together for a month. So far, I have really enjoyed getting to know him and am very excited to see where the next few seasons take us!

I would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who made the camp possible! It was a great two days and I have taken so much from it. We had a lot of laughs and it was great to be pushed out of my comfort zone and leave with a clear idea of what I need to work on. Also, thank you to Mitavite for setting up a call with Tim and Jonelle Price, and sharing their feed and nutrition knowledge with us all. Overall, my lessons were amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed having knowledgeable instructors on the ground to guide and help me.

Into the bridle, on the bit, then forward To help with this, Penny asks Annabelle to maintain shorter reins. “He subtly pulls the reins longer and longer, so you need to keep your fingers closed, and don’t fiddle with the reins. Short reins, long arms!” she instructs. To help Annabelle resist Tommy’s subtle reinlengthening, Penny has her temporarily hold the reins between her thumb and forefinger.

After watching Annabelle warm up for a minute or two, Penny chats with her to establish the objectives for the lesson. Annabelle comments that Tommy feels a little tense going into the lesson and that he tends to be a sensitive type. Her main goal is to gain an understanding of how to build up Tommy’s strength and muscle and get him to use his whole body so she can unlock his big, beautiful trot. “He’s weak in front and lacking muscle behind,” Penny confirms. “To build those muscles up, we have to get him to use himself correctly. It’s tricky to do this work in walk, so we’ll start with rising trot.” Penny immediately cautions Annabelle against letting Tommy rush, saying, “We’re looking for a slower trot – a ‘pony’ trot – so that he can learn to maintain the rhythm. We need to get the front end to wait for the back end! Once he is in balance and pushing upwards, we can find another forward gear. When he starts to soften over the back and activates his tummy muscles, he is working more correctly. “Wait until he lifts up to ask for more forward – into the bridle, on the bit, and then forward.”

Holding the reins between thumb and forefinger

“Because it’s different and will feel odd, it will keep your attention on what is happening with your hands and the contact.” SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

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To check Annabelle’s position, Penny asks her to balance on the stirrups in a ‘standing’ position, saying that this is a good way for a rider to test their balance in rising trot. “You should be able to balance over the pommel without falling back into the saddle.” With Tommy starting to find the rhythm, Penny turns her attention to his straightness. “He’s falling out on the right rein because he doesn’t really like to push with his left hind. We want to get him really pushing with his inside hind, so we use leg yield to get him to step through and put the inside hind underneath.” The pair work on riding serpentines and figure of eight movements with frequent changes of direction, using leg yield to straighten Tommy. In his canter work, Tommy is inclined to have his hindquarters in. “Again, we need to bring the shoulders in front of the hindquarters,” Penny reminds Annabelle. “Open the inside hand, and be careful not to let the outside hand drop. Open up your collarbone and carry your hands up a little. “Now bring his shoulders to the inside and straighten him. Make sure he isn’t bending too much to the inside so he’s not curling around and bent like a banana!“

ANNABELLE’S COMMENTS Penny very quickly helped me to slow down the trot and find the correct balance. It was all about slowing the trot right down to a ‘pony’ trot, but still getting Tommy to step through with his hind legs to create a bouncier and more connected trot. We also worked on my position and getting straighter in the saddle in order for Tommy to be straight as well. I really enjoyed this lesson!

Bringing the shoulders in front of the hindquarters

PENNY’S COMMENTS Tommy’s a big horse, and he doesn’t like to push – he likes to pull himself along! So he needs to be worked in a shorter frame so that he lifts up off the forehand and uses his hindquarters. Once he’s more balanced, we’ll start to see his super paces! He’s a lovely, kind big horse with plenty of ability.

GEORGIE DICKSON I’m 18 years old and from Dingleburn Station - an isolated Station up the east side of Lake Hawea. I spent my primary school years at home, learning by correspondence. I’m now a Year 13 student at Craighead, a small school in Timaru. I am lucky enough to board privately with the Rowley family, which has been a huge advantage for my riding over the past five years. Tigger (Tigerhertz) is a 16.1hh, eight-year-old Trakehner/ Thoroughbred gelding. His previous owner Alex Anderson successfully competed him to CNC105 and I have owned

him for just over a year. I have enjoyed coming together as a combination and completing our first 1* at the end of last season at Central Districts, where we were second in the Junior Rider. I feel very privileged to have been coached by these amazing coaches with so much to offer over these two days. It is something that I don’t take for granted. I feel that our development over these two days has been very beneficial and a great kick-start to the spring eventing season.

Georgie’s objective for her lesson is to improve her straight lines. She comments that in dressage tests, the lack of straightness in her entry at A and down the centre line often loses her many marks! A quick assessment by Penny as Georgie and Tigger work around the arena reveals that both Tigger and Georgie lack straightness. This is most noticeable on the right rein, where Tigger is not bending around the curve of the circle, but it’s also apparent on the left rein. “On the right rein, his body and neck don’t follow the curve of the circle so he’s bent to the outside. On the left rein, he’s bending like a banana – there’s too much bend, so he’s curling in.” Leg yield in trot is Penny’s ‘go-to’ exercise for straightening. “It’s used throughout the horse’s training. For Tigger, it’s a very useful tool to get him bending correctly around circles and curves. You can start the exercise in walk to make sure the horse understands what you want, but it’s easier for the horse, and more beneficial, in trot and canter,” she explains,

Leg yield helps to straighten the horse

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Initially, on the left rein, Tigger moves more sideways than forward. “He’s scooting sideways – he needs to go more forward and less sideways,” Penny cautions. “You need to control the movement with your outside rein so that you don’t lose control of the shoulder.” Conversely, Tigger struggles to leg yield to the right. “Before you begin the leg yield, make sure that you have him correctly bent around your inside leg, and don’t expect too much on this rein at first,” Penny instructs. “As he becomes straighter through his body, you will be able to sit straighter on him and he will be able to move across more easily. Remember that the movement is forward and sideways, not just sideways.”

Penny encourages Georgie to work Tigger more on a ‘square’, using half of the arena, rather than on the usual circles. “When he’s falling out on the circle and pushing against your leg, it’s harder to straighten him. Instead, take him on a straight line and use leg yield to get him straight there. “Don’t make big, curved serpentines – go straight across the arena so you have straight lines and turns. Turn his shoulders and mix it up so that you are continually changing the rein to keep him listening.” The work on straightness continues in the canter, with Penny urging Georgie to ride Tigger in shoulder-fore down the long side of the arena.

Giving the hands forward to test self-carriage “Bring the shoulders to the inside of the track so that he’s bent around your inside leg. Keep him in your outside rein more to stop him from bending too much to the inside.” With Tigger working well in canter, Penny asks Georgie to test his self-carriage by pushing her hands forward so there’s no contact. Tigger is able to easily maintain his frame and rhythm, showing that he is not depending on Georgie’s hands for balance.

GEORGIE’S COMMENTS Over the past three years I have had the opportunity to be coached by Penny and it was amazing to have her join us in the South Island for this Young Rider camp. Penny is an admirable coach and we are very lucky to have her contribution to our sport. The main focus throughout my lesson with Penny was straightness. She had me using leg yield to help Tigger become more reactive to my leg which made it easier to maintain our straightness. She then had me using shoulder-fore in the canter, again to help maintain our straightness. I thoroughly enjoyed my lesson. One thing I have learnt from being taught by Penny is that you are guaranteed to always take something new away from each lesson.

As he becomes straighter through his body you will be able to sit straighter on him and he will be able to move across more easily. Remember that the movement is forward and sideways, not just sideways.”

PENNY’S COMMENTS Once we improved Tigger’s straightness and he began to let Georgie into his back, her position and straightness also improved. Tigger is a forward-going horse with plenty of natural ability. We saw him start to really ping along!

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CLAUDIA FAULKNER I’m 23 years old and a Health and Physical Education teacher at Lincoln High School. Currently, I have a team of six horses in work, ranging from a four-year-old OTTB to my more experienced horse Citadel, who I am aiming to compete at 2* this spring. Tripel Shot, otherwise known as Elvis, is a seven-year-

old Thoroughbred gelding by Road to Rock. Elvis has recently been competing at CNC105 and I’m hoping to start him at CNC1* this spring. I really enjoyed this clinic – overall it was a great clinic to get fresh perspectives to further progress Elvis’s training.

Claudia starts by explaining to Penny that Elvis can be a bit quirky. “He can be nervous and anxious and this can make him tense, ‘matey’ and nappy,” she tells her. “I want to get him looser and ‘through’ in his way of working.” Penny’s first look at the pair backs up what Claudia is feeling. “He’s quite tight and tense, and he has a tendency to run along on his forehand,” she agrees. “We want to sit him up so he’s lifting through the wither and his head is higher. Then we need to get him loose behind the saddle.” Penny asks Claudia to slow the trot down and reassure Elvis with a pat. “We want a slower, quieter trot with him more steady and swinging behind – we really want him to swing through his loins. At the moment, in the faster trot he’s lacking balance – he’s running downhill into your hand.” To encourage Elvis to carry himself and not rely on the reins to balance, Penny suggests that Claudia sit up more and lift her hands a little. “Notice what your own body is doing – make sure you are staying vertical to the ground with your legs a little more forward. Keep your reins short, but keep your hands up so that you’re not shutting him down in front.”

Finding a slower, quieter trot With Elvis inclined to fall out to the right, Penny also worked with Claudia on straightness. “Get him straight, and then ask him to bend through the ribs. Don’t compromise, keep your hands up and move him over.” Counter-flexions where the horse is deliberately bent counter to the movement (e.g. flexed to the right when travelling left, or flexed to the left when travelling right) also feature in Penny’s toolbox for straightening. “You can mix it up during your training sessions – leg yield on straight lines and on the circle, making it bigger and smaller, shoulder-fore down the long side, counter-flexions on the circle and on straight lines.” In the canter work, Penny notes Elvis’s resistance to working on a smaller circle. “He hates working small – get him up and make him push. Don’t let him fall out through the right shoulder. And then, when you get a good response, relax!”

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“Through the stretch, he needs to stay loose through the loins and round over the back.”

Getting him up and making him push Once Elvis has given Claudia that good response, he is encouraged to stretch on the circle, without becoming low through the wither. “Through the stretch, he needs to stay loose through the loins and round over the back. His wither stays up while his head and neck extend forwards and down,” she explains.

Stretching over the back without lowering the wither

CLAUDIA’S COMMENTS

PENNY’S COMMENTS

One key tip I walked away with from the dressage lesson was using counter-flexions to make sure Elvis is straight and not falling onto his right shoulder. Also, slowing the trot down so he doesn’t fall onto the forehand was a really useful tip and is definitely a technique that I will use again.

I wouldn’t recommend working this horse long and low too much, because he’s inclined to run along on his forehand. Instead, I would keep him a bit slow and quiet and encourage him to round more over the back and loosen through his loins. He’s an attractive horse with three nice paces, and Claudia handles his quirkiness amazingly well. C

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PHOTO ESSAY

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PHOTO ESSAY

TE KAUWHATA A&P SHOW PHOTOS Show Circuit

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1. Ellie Entwisle - ROANOAK SNOWBIRD, led by Jaimee Entwisle, owned by Nicolette Butcher 2. KS FINISHING TOUCH - Reserve Champion Led Youngstock, owned by Melanie Priscott 3. ANNA WILSON - KIRRALEA STATESMAN, Reserve Champion 138-148cm Open Pony 4. Airlie Holley - LINDEN SONG & DANCE, Reserve Champion Novice Show Pony 5. Paris Masterson - KS ROSE D’OR, Champion Saddle Hunter Pony not exceeding 148cm 6. Brooke Cadwallader - NANTEOS AUTUMN GUARDSMAN, Champion Saddle Hunter Pony not exceeding 128cm 7. Liam Murphy - WINDERMERE MORE MEMORIES, Champion Saddle Hunter Pony 128-138cm 8. WILLOW PARK CHINA BLUE - Supreme Welsh Exhibit, owned by Kerry Sanders 9. Katie Readings - SPRINGDALE LET IT BEE, Champion Novice Show Pony and Reserve Champion Open Show Pony 10. KL HIGH FASHION, winner of the Te Kauwhata sash, owned by Gaylene Stanaway 11. Denise Rushrook - ASTEK GADZUKS, Champion Open and Champion Novice Saddle Hunter 12. Mia Cooper - MIDNIGHT ALLURE, Champion Junior Rider

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NZEPS WAIRARAPA HOY QUALIFIER PLEASURE SHOW PHOTOS: Dark Horse Photography

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1. Mindy Malone – LUGAR, Reserve Champion Show Pleasure Pony 2. McKenzey Matthews – DEMG (Recreational Pleasure) 3. From left: Emma Maill – OAKVALE SOVEREIGN, Champion Show Pleasure Horse; Carol Miller – HIGHBRIDGE BREAKING DAWN, Reserve Champion, with judge Tamara Savage 4. Libby MacDonald – NGAWI, 1st in Best Paces, 3rd in Best Presented (Show Pleasure Horse) 5. Vianna Downs – SILVER STARS, Champion Show Pleasure Pony, Supreme Champion 6. Tallulah McIntosh – MISS MONEYPENNY (Show Pleasure Horse) 7. Emma Maill – OAKVALE SOVEREIGN, Champion Show Pleasure Horse

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EQUINE LAW TRIAL & ERROR

with Megan Gundesen

THE TIPS AND TRICKS OF A LEASE AGREEMENT

Lo and behold, the end of the 2018/19 show season is almost upon us; a time of sadness for many as they part with a trusted mount, yet huge excitement in the next breath as they contemplate their next purchase. But that brings us to the $64K question – how can you be really sure that you are buying as advertised? Finding out the answer may result in a trial, lease, or lease to buy arrangement, if you can find a seller willing to do so. For the owner it may be the only way you can sell a horse, so there are benefits going both ways. So what are the tips and tricks of leasing a horse, from the view point of both the lessee (the new rider) and the lessor (the horse’s owner)? And how bad can it get if things go wrong? Introducing the Morrison* family as a case study (names have been changed but this is a true story). Mr M is that rare breed of chap who wishes his wife and daughters the very best with their horses, keeps the money tap turned on and the lifestyle block well-maintained. Ms M and her two daughters do some show jumping and eventing, but Ms M wants to join all her social girlfriends and give horse trekking a go. Not being sure whether she will like it, she decides to lease a suitable horse first. Quite the Facebook addict, Ms M spots a well-trained handsome chestnut mare for lease, which has a veterinary-diagnosed back issue that makes the owner think she may be better suited to trekking and low-level dressage. She no longer jumps for the owner, who cannot find a buyer. Past experience motivates Ms M to have a lease contract signed and they agree upon a six-month lease term with an option to buy the mare if Ms M decides trekking is for her. The lease contract sets out a lot of detail. Ms M yawns while reading to the last page about a lot of things that may never eventuate, but she appreciates all of the horse care issues covered in the contract and discusses these with the owner. This includes things like: what feed and grass the horse can be given, who can ride the horse, what coaching can be done, and so on. The contract also says that unless the owner (lessor) can prove Ms M has been negligent, the lessor cannot break the contract and end the lease early. Ms M prides herself on creating the best horse home ever and knows she could never be successfully accused of negligence or carelessness.

and that it seems the owner is about to breach that agreement and take the horse away. The Police National Call Centre asks for her address, because the caller’s address is the key reference for all subsequent enquiries. They advise her to ring again if there is trouble and they will send someone around. Unfortunately, the encounter does not go well. Tempers flare over differing perceptions about the mare’s wellbeing. The lessor refuses to accept the trespass notice and attempts to take the horse, which leads to a heated exchange and scuffle between the two husbands, while Ms M tries to block the driveway to prevent the owner leaving with the disputed horse. Both sides call the police as chaos ensues – culminating in an eventual truce, when Ms M decides that in spite of having a written contract that she could enforce with the help of the police, there is no point continuing with a lease that has ‘gone bad’. After an awkward shaking of hands, the lessor leaves with her horse. So…was it worth having a written lease agreement? Ms M says “absolutely.” Having a written agreement (that she was very confident she had not breached in any way) meant that the choice of outcome in this awful situation was hers. She decided to permit the lessor to leave with the horse, although she was confident that the police would back her up if she insisted on keeping her. It was a relief to have that choice, she said.

But…after the honeymoon period, Ms M gets the sense the owner is worried about the mare. The owner asks for photographs of the horse’s back. Because the mare is fitter and no longer overweight, her spine is now more prominent. The owner announces she will visit the mare, and will bring her float to remove the mare if she thinks the horse is unhappy. Deeply concerned by the potential removal of the horse, Ms M downloads a trespass notice from the NZ Police website, and reads up on what she should do if she needs to order the owner off the property. Warning a person verbally to leave the property is acceptable, but a written document is recommended, because it reinforces the situation to the person issued the trespass notice that they are required to leave. Ms M has an idea that the owner will bring reinforcements, so she makes enough copies to ‘serve’ to whoever arrives. Ms M has also taken a copy of the lease contract so that she can hand it to the police if that becomes necessary. The inspection day arrives and the owner turns up with her float and husband. Ms M, suspecting there might be trouble, has already phoned the police, explaining that she has a signed lease agreement

FairPlay Equine will shortly be releasing a well-thought-out lease document which includes clauses about the length of lease, the grounds for early termination, whose choice it is to end the lease early, visiting arrangements, and whether the horse will be insured or not. A clear written arrangement makes enforcement and liability issues so much easier, if things go wrong – as they often do. *Whilst this article is accurate to the best of the author’s knowledge, it is written to provide general information only. FairPlay Legal Ltd does not accept any responsibility or liability for actions taken or damage resulting from use of the information. Readers are advised to seek their own legal advice in respect of their own situation and circumstances.

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HEALTH

The CONTROL centre The nervous system is a complicated but essential part of your horse’s body. His body has to be able to deal with lots of things at the same time — his vital functions, searching for food, exercising, and escaping from terrifying dangers such as plastic bags! His incredible nervous system regulates and co-ordinates all of this, while still allowing him to fully interact with his environment. We explain what the nervous system is, how it works and why it can go wrong. Brain

Spinal cord Spinal nerves Femoral nerve

Cranial nerves

Vagus nerve

Network of nerves to forelimb

“Your horse’s body needs to deal with lots of things at the same time, and his nervous system co-ordinates it all.”

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Sciatic nerve

Radial nerve

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Median nerve

Ganglions (cluster of nerves) of the autonomic nervous system, which control the internal body processes. These nerves are found all around the body. Tibial nerve

THE TWO ARMS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Diagram of the 12 cranial nerves Olfactory

Optic Oculomotor

Trochlear

Trigeminal

Intermediate

Abducent Vestibulocochlear Glossopharyngeal

Vagus Accessory

Hypoglossal

“All sensory information ends up in the brain, which quickly processes it.” The nervous system is divided into two parts: the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS) Central nervous system (CNS) The CNS is made up of the brain and the spinal cord (a tube that runs along the neck and back and is protected by the spine). The brain is connected to the spinal cord by the brain stem, and the brain is where all the sensory information ends up. It quickly processes it and then triggers a voluntary or involuntary response. The cerebellum at the back of the brain controls all of this traffic, a bit like an air traffic controller. This most complex of organs is home to memories, thoughts and emotions and also determines your horse’s behaviour. The spinal cord transmits information between the brain and the rest of the body, but can also generate responses on its own, known as reflexes.

Peripheral nervous system (PNS) The PNS contains sensory cells, nerves and ganglions. In each sensory organ and along the skin are sensory cells responsible for collecting information from their environment (such as vision, taste and touch) and sending it through the nerves. Spinal nerves originate at the spinal cord, exit the spine and go

to the rest of the body. Cranial nerves start at the brain stem, as they supply the face and structures in the head and neck, and play a vital role in helping to check the health of the nervous system. There are 12 pairs of cranial nerves (one left nerve and one right nerve in each pair) and they supply very specific structures of the sensory organs in the face.

Your vet can try to identify whether there are problems in specific nerves with a few simple tests. For example, if it’s suspected that the optic nerve is damaged, your vet will make the horse pass through different obstacles in varying light conditions to see how he responds. It gets complicated, because some nerves share functions. A few simple checks of the sensory organs on the horse’s face will help if we suspect damage in the brain or brain stem, or there could be damage to the cranial nerves themselves. Ganglions are peripheric structures next to important organs. They are formed by neurons that control involuntary processes and constitute part of the autonomic system.

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THE FIGHT OR FLIGHT RESPONSE If your horse detects danger, his autonomic system will prepare him to take flight. It will increase his heartbeat, respiratory rate and blood pressure to make sure all his muscles and ‘action’ organs can perform at their best in case he needs to run away. Once the danger is over and his body relaxes, it will re-establish predominance of the ‘rest and digest’ response – time for digestion, relaxing and repairing tissues, and so on.

Your horse is programmed to flee if he’s faced with danger

Diagram of a neuron — these are specialised cells Dendrite

Axon

Nucleus

The end of the axon connects with more dendrites

WHAT ARE THE NEURONS? The neurons are specialised cells of the nervous system and have the ability to transmit electrical pulses. There are two types – sensory and motor. All are formed by multiple short arms, called dendrites, which are responsible for receiving signals. The axon is a single long arm responsible for transmitting the signal to other nuclei. The end of the axon connects with one or several dendrites from other neurons in a structure called a synapse. Here, the axon

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releases chemical molecules, activating the neurons in contact with it. Both the brain and the spinal cord have two well-differentiated areas, known as the grey matter and the white matter. Most of the neurons’ bodies are in the grey matter, and the white matter is made up mostly of axons, which are also the main structures in the nerves. In the brain, neurons are located in specific areas depending on their function – memory or taste, for instance.

In the spinal cord, the neurons are also grouped by function in the grey matter, while in the white matter, specific pathways have a specific location. The grey matter in the brain is mostly on the outside or cortex, while in the spinal cord it’s on the inside, surrounded by the white matter. On top of this, the neurons are not alone. An army of helpers surround them to feed, hold and protect them. These are called the neuroglia.

THE RESPONSE MECHANISM If a fly bites your horse on the leg, painsensitive cells in his skin will feel it and release neurotransmitters, which will then start the transmission of the signal up to the spinal cord through the nerves to the sensory neurons. They will bounce this signal to the brain’s neurons. The need for a very quick response will also generate a reflex, which involves the sensitive neurons sending the information to the motor neurons in the spinal cord, creating the reaction of moving the leg quickly, for instance. In the brain, this information will reach the pain sensation area, be analysed and a more developed response will be generated (such as moving the leg out of the way or kicking in defence). This will be sent to the motor neurons of the spinal cord’s grey matter. This command will then exit the spinal cord through the correspondent spinal nerve, down smaller nerves until it reaches the necessary muscles needed to do the job. All of this happens in a split second!

Something as simple as a fly bite will set off a chain reaction in the horse’s nervous system

WHEN IT GOES WRONG Trauma

You should call a vet after any horse fall, as consequences may only appear hours later

The CNS is well protected, surrounded by multiple layers of tissue (the meninges), fluid (cerebrospinal fluid) and bones. When damage does happen, it can trigger an inflammatory response, haemorrhage or lack of blood supply (ischemia), which can compromise the nervous function. Clinical signs vary, depending on where the damage is. Abnormal behaviour, depression, sudden blindness, an abnormal position of the head, problems with balance, convulsions or asymmetries in the face are normally related to issues of the brain, stem cell or cranial nerves. Generally, very severe lesions on the CNS will knock your horse to the floor. He will be unable to get up and may not survive. Because of this, you should get your vet to check your horse after a severe trauma, especially if he’s been involved in an accident, if he falls in the float or truck, falls onto his back while rearing or hits his head or twists his neck severely. Sometimes the consequences don’t appear immediately and changes are not seen until a few hours later.

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FIGHTING INFECTION •

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Infections can reach the nervous system through the bloodstream or open wounds. It’s important to know if there are any potential risks in your area. Be cautious, and protect your horse with good hygiene practices and, if necessary, vaccination. Horses are sensitive to tetanus, a serious and often deadly disease. Its toxins can lead to permanent muscle spasms by blocking the inhibitory neurons in the spinal cord. It’s highly advisable to vaccinate your horse, and it’s mandatory for competitions. Infection with salmonella causes severe diarrhoea which is life threatening, especially in younger horses. It is a highly contagious disease that is very difficult disease to treat and is often fatal.

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Botulism is less common but has a similar mechanism. The toxin blocks neurotransmitters, resulting in paralysis.

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Herpes virus type 1 (EHV-1) generally presents as a respiratory disease, but it can have neurological effects, commonly characterised by fever and loss of balance.

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Strangles is a highly infectious bacterial disease of horses, often occurring in outbreaks when susceptible horses are brought together. It causes abscess formation in the lymph nodes of the head and neck. Large swellings around the throat (classic “strangles” appearance) can cause death. Abscesses can occur in other areas of the body. If treatment starts early enough most horses will recover, although this recovery is often prolonged.

Vaccinations can prevent tetanus and the herpes virus

WOBBLERS

Some breeds, such as Thoroughbreds and warmbloods, are prone to suffering from compression on the spinal cord, usually in the neck. This is due to joints between some vertebrae being looser than normal, also known as cervical instability. This can pinch the spinal cord, resulting in loss of co-ordination, which is why it’s called Wobblers. It takes its name from its primary sign – a wobbling or uncoordinated gait. In technical terms, the horse has a lack of physical awareness of his limbs and their placement. More simply put, horses don’t know where their feet are. This leads to clumsiness and general unco-ordination (ataxia) of the limbs. Vets agree that there also seems to be a strong genetic component to Wobbler syndrome. The horse doesn’t necessarily inherit the disease, but he may inherit traits that increase the likelihood of getting it if other risk factors are encountered. Wobblers can make your horse unsteady

HYPOXIA

Lack of oxygen can damage the neurons. Horses are prey animals so, when a foal is born, his nervous system is almost fully developed in order for him to be able to escape danger. Some newborn foals suffer from hypoxia during birth, which will slow reaction to stimuli. These foals are called dummies and require intensive veterinary care to survive. If you have a foal and he is not standing up and suckling from his mother within four to six hours, call your vet.

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PLANTS AND TOXINS Some plants, if eaten by horses, can damage the nervous system by releasing toxins into the bloodstream that reach the nervous tissue. Some toxins get to other areas first, such as the intestine or the liver, then affect the nervous system later. As some plants and trees are poisonous, and sometimes fatal, for horses, it’s important that you know their names, can recognise them, and are aware of the places they may grow, so you can keep your horse safe. Here are the 12 most common poisonous plants to watch out for:

Ragwort: While ragwort has a bitter taste and is rarely eaten by horses when it is growing, when it is wilted or dried it becomes more palatable. This plant contains toxins that result in liver failure and even death, so hay should not be made from paddocks that contain ragwort. Eating just 1-5kg of ragwort over a horse’s lifetime may be fatal.

Foxglove: Horses will not normally eat fresh foxglove but it is more palatable in hay and just 100g could prove fatal. However, due to extreme toxicity, it is generally unpalatable and will only be eaten during drought conditions. Symptoms of foxglove poisoning include contracted pupils, convulsions, breathing difficulties and death after only a few hours.

Deadly nightshade: Despite its

Lupins: Generally unpalatable, and

deadly fatal to cause of the

are only a risk during drought conditions. All parts of the plant are toxic, especially the pods and seeds. Symptoms can occur within an hour of ingestion, including trouble breathing, changes in behaviour, tremors, nervousness, depression, and lack of co-ordination.

Buttercups: These are poisonous to horses if eaten fresh, but a horse would need to eat large amounts to die from eating them. Seek professional advice on spraying to remove them from grazing areas. Dried buttercups are harmless in hay.

St. John’s Wort: Flowers are bright yellow and may have black dots on the edges of petals. Fruit is in a capsule with dark brown seeds. Adult plant is unpalatable, but the young plant is attractive to grazers. Concern should be high due to its extreme toxicity. Symptoms occur within 24 hours of ingestion, and include severe itching, an elevated temperature, redness and ulceration of lightcoloured skin, inflammation, lack of appetite, blindness, convulsions, and coma.

name, poisoning from nightshade is not normally horses, but it can unconsciousness, dilation pupils and convulsions.

Acorns: Oak trees pose a particular threat to horses when they drop their acorns in the autumn. Acorns are relished by many horses but can lead to severe colic and poisoning if eaten in large quantities.

Privet: The leaves and fruit of this plant are toxic and can be fatal to equines. This plant is unpalatable and is generally only a concern during drought conditions. However due to its extreme toxicity and common appearance, it’s important for horse owners to recognize and avoid this plant. Symptoms include gastrointestinal upset, loss of co-ordination, weak pulse, diarrhoea, partial paralysis and convulsions. Rhododendrons: Very small quantities of this plant are highly toxic to horses. Symptoms occur within a few hours of ingestion, and include digestive upset, drooling, lack of appetite, diarrhoea, depression, colic, weakness, lack of coordination, stupor, paralysis of the legs, weak heart rate, and death. Sycamores, maples and other acers: These are seasonal threats as it is thought that the helicopter seeds in autumn, and the saplings in spring, are the most toxic. Symptoms include muscular stiffness, a reluctance to walk, muscle tremors, depression, high heart rate, sweating, and dark urine (reddish in colour).

Bracken:

Bracken leaves are triangular and have oblong leaflets and smaller sub-leaflets. Brown spores can be found on the underside of the leaves. A great deal must be consumed for toxicity to occur, however ferns can become addictive to grazers and they will eat it instead of other available forage. All parts of the plant are toxic. Symptoms appear two-four weeks after continuous grazing and include blindness, weakness, abnormal heart rate, tremors, lack of co-ordination, loss of appetite, standing with back arched, loss of flesh, jaundice, and paralysis.

Daffodils: Horses will only tend to eat these plants during drought conditions as they are generally unpalatable. Daffodils are often planted in landscaped gardens and look very nice around the base of trees, but all parts of the plant are toxic. The highest concentration of toxins are in the root system. The plants contain alkaloids which affect the nervous system and can be fatal. Symptoms of daffodil poisoning include a sudden lack of coordination, gastrointestinal upset and convulsions. C

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HEALTH

UNDERSTANDING KISSING SPINE Kissing spine

Kissing spine often has very subtle symptoms. Watch the horse being schooled and look at everything, including the horse’s demeanour, limbs, posture, whether he is accepting the bit, whether he is unlocked in his back, and the expression on his face. The trot is often okay, but the horse invariably struggles to maintain a three-beat canter and frequently becomes disunited. He may also get irritable when the girth is done up or when his back is being groomed. Diagnosis of kissing spine can be made based on history, physical examination, thermography, and radiography and nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan). This has become much more affordable with

Prevention is best

Kissing spine is a painful condition which occurs when the bony spurs on top of a horse’s vertebrae become too close, impinging on or rubbing against (‘kissing’) one another instead of having a gap between them. These vertical projections, called dorsal spinous processes, are where muscles and ligaments attach to the bones of the spine, and in horses are up to six inches long. Together with the longissimus dorsus muscles down either side of the spine, and the supraspinous ligament above, they provide a robust support for the horse’s abdomen and thoracic cavity (containing the lungs and guts), and

Symptoms & diagnosis

Kissing spine is unfortunately a relatively frequent problem affecting the weight-bearing section of a horse’s back. This painful skeletal condition often requires surgical resolution, but a full recovery is possible.

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also support the weight of a rider. Kissing spine affects spinous processes in the thoracic or lumbar regions, from the withers down to the pelvis – a major section of a horse’s back, including the saddle area. As bone touching bone causes pain, this often results in a range of behavioural changes, according to the severity of the condition in an individual horse. Kissing spine is common in young horses, but can also occur in older horses, developing as the back sags when an ageing horse loses muscle and the support around the spinous processes deteriorates. It’s most common in Thoroughbreds.

Unfortunately in most cases kissing spine is congenital (present from birth) and therefore cannot be prevented, but some horses will develop it as they get older. As a horse ages, his back can start to sag, which pushes the spinous processes together. Keeping a horse’s back in good shape, with a well-developed topline, can help guard against kissing spine and will make borderline cases less

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the introduction of mobile x-ray units. The affected vertebrae can be in the thoracic or lumbar region but are often those that are positioned directly under the seat of the saddle. Sometimes four or more vertebrae are involved. Horses with kissing spine can be treated with shock wave therapy, injections of corticosteroids over the withers, back, and croup to reduce inflammation, and specific exercise programs. Changing or refitting saddles is extremely helpful for many horses. Treatment can help the majority of horses to be more comfortable, relieving at least some of the pain and stiffness in many cases. Horses that respond well may be able to return

likely to present with a problem. It’s important that a horse has a regular and routine level of exercise, with any changes built up gradually, and also that he’s not turned out for long periods and then suddenly brought back into work. It’s also vital (for any horse) to ensure that their saddle fits and is adjusted to accommodate any change in their shape, so that you don’t go creating

A kissing spine diagnosis should not be made from x-rays alone. Rather, your veterinarian should assess x-rays in combination with clinical signs of back pain and only after ruling out other possible causes of lameness.

to their original level of performance, although not all affected horses have this outcome. Horses that are predominantly affected are dressage, event and other competition horses. However, this could be because it is more noticeable in performance horses due to the physical demands on them, while in horses just used for hacking and low-level work, the problem may go unnoticed. Veterinary literature has suggested that up to 34% of horses (which tend to be over-represented by Thoroughbreds) may show signs of kissing spine on x-rays, but many do not exhibit any clinical signs as a result of them.

a problem in this regard. Remember to always use a qualified saddle fitter. Steroid injections can be useful in borderline, developing or lower grade cases, where the full extent of the problem is unclear. A drug called tiluronate, which suppresses bone activity and has painrelieving properties, may be given intravenously and then repeated after 60 days if it has a positive effect.

Treatment & care options

Post diagnosis, vets will often trial a horse on phenylbutazone (bute), a commnon pain-killer and antiinflammatory, but this can be of limited benefit, so the next step is steroid injections into active sites. This is a potent anti-inflammatory and increases the threshold necessary for the pain response to occur. It’s a shorterterm option and shouldn’t be required more frequently than every four months. If it is needed more often, this indicates that it would be better to progress to surgery. There are two types of surgery available – one is less invasive and involves splitting the supraspinous ligament, with the intention of relieving tension and pressure on sore areas so the horse can take more weight without registering pain as quickly. Some vets record good results with this. Others believe that if bone is touching bone, the only way to remove the problem is to shave down or shorten the spinous processes. This procedure is performed under

TOP TIP

standing anesthetic. The bone is either shaved back to narrow the spinous processes, or the top two to three inches are X-raying the spine was removed. Once surgery cost-prohibitive in the is complete, the sites are past, but it's now affordable cleaned thoroughly (their and should be considered as location means drainage part of the vetting process cannot be used), and as when purchasing soon as the stitches are removed the horse can begin a new horse. walking out from box rest, gradually building up to lunging to develop the muscles around the spine. Progression to ridden work takes around four months, and although the prognosis is always guarded, there are horses who’ve made a complete recovery.

SYMPTOM CHECKER IDENTIFYING KISSING SPINE SIGNS OF BACK PAIN A horse’s back pain may be shown as fidgeting when being groomed or tacked up, nipping or kicking while having the girth tightened, and jigging or bolting as a rider mounts and sits down in the saddle. Another common sign is misbehavior under saddle (bucking, rearing, kicking out, head-tossing). Horses that drag a rear toe, are stiff to one side, won’t pick up a canter lead, are awkward in gait transitions, have shifting lameness, and won’t flex or collect may also be showing signs of back discomfort.

STIFFNESS UNDER PALPATION Affected horses will often have a lot of muscle tension around the spine and will brace themselves against being touched, so the back is very stiff and hard.

RAPID DETERIORATION POST-PHYSIOTHERAPY

If physiotherapy appears to improve your horse’s way of going before he suddenly relapses, it can indicate he has kissing spine.

Another common sign of kissing spine is misbehavior under saddle, such as head-tossing

Whether your horse is treated medically or surgically, it’s important that it’s combined with a physiotherapy programme designed to improve his posture and core muscle strength. In addition to this, you can help your horse by: Regularly refitting his saddle Assessing rider weight and balance Placing his feed buckets on the ground Riding him in a correct or long and low outline, and avoiding letting him hollow his back.

TOP TIP • • • •

Some horses simply dislike being groomed in certain spots, but if your horse starts to show out-of-character behaviour such as the signs listed above, or any other sign of having kissing spine, call your vet to discuss having him thoroughly examined and assessed.

Extra padding under poorly fitting saddles does not help as it only adds pressure to any existing spinal pain

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HEALTH

NUTRITION FOR RIDER

PERFORMANCE WORDS Nicola Smith

All too often, I talk to riders who know so much about their horse’s nutrition, and will spend all their cash on making sure their horse is on the right supplements – everything from magnesium and selenium through to B-vitamins and toxin binders. However, that same rider will then load their own body up with nutrient-poor food choices such as white bread, muffins, cakes, alcohol and biscuits – everything that is pretty much devoid of all nutrition! These riders know inside and out what their horse needs dietary-wise, yet they never put the same effort into their own body, and then wonder why they struggle with low energy. 142

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s a rider, it is just as important that you take as much care of your own body as you do of your horse’s. The food that you eat builds every single cell in your body. You really are what you eat, and every single piece of food you consume will create a reaction in your body. Food can either enhance your health, or do the opposite. The human body is made up of approximately 50 trillion cells, and we rely on the communication of these cells to utilise the nutrients from our food. Too many people aren’t consuming the nutrients that are needed to build a healthy and robust body and encourage basic cell-to-cell communication. Nutrients play a role in every single split-second of our health. When our body lacks energy, it’s telling us that we’re lacking the nutrients needed to create

biochemical pathways, which is your cell-to-cell communication. Every three months, your body generates a whole new blood supply. Your blood is responsible for delivering oxygen and nutrients around your body. Every 28 days, your skin is renewed; the entire outer layer of your body. Your skin is created from the food you eat and the hormones your body produces. So, beauty is built from within; your skin is created from the inside out and energy is created from what you choose to eat on a daily basis. When we’re healthy, we have energy and when we have energy, we can enjoy our riding more. Energy allows us to focus on performance and the day-to-day training of our horse, not just going through the motions of a ride to get it done. So in order for energy to be created, we need to provide our body with nutrients from the food we eat.

“EVERY THREE MONTHS YOUR BODY GENERATES A WHOLE NEW BLOOD SUPPLY.” PROCESSED FOODS

When we consume a diet that’s completely processed and ‘beige’, our body will lack the nutrients it needs to thrive. When we lack nutrients, our body craves more food, which can lead us to eating in excess and over-consuming food, as we’re not providing our bodies with enough vitamins and minerals. Another problem with highly processed foods is our bodies’ inability to digest and absorb that food. If your body can’t break the food down, because it lacks the tools to do so, you’re likely to be left feeling very unsatisfied from your meal. This tends to result

in you eating too much, due to the food choices you’re making. Ideally, you want your food to be vibrant and packed full of vitamins and minerals. Picture a sandwich made with white bread with some peanut butter in it, versus a beautiful big bowl of salad greens, nuts and seeds, along with some chicken or chickpeas and an avocado dressing. One of these meals is very vibrant and colourful; the other is ‘beige’, processed and lifeless. One is going to provide nutrition for your cells to thrive, and one will leave you needing more. Avoid eating too much processed and packaged food. Nature has it right, so try to include food that’s as close to its natural state as possible.

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“THE KEY TO YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS IS TO UNDERSTAND

THAT THE MAJORITY OF PROCESSED FOODS WON’T BE AS GOOD FOR YOU AS REAL FOOD. “ NATURE HAS IT RIGHT

Mother Nature has provided us with what our body needs, so you should make sure that the food you eat can be digested and provide nourishment for your cells. Additives, preservatives, flavouring and over-refinement are all factors that can affect how your body can utilise that food. Your goal should be to try and remove these highly processed, food-like products from your diet and instead, choose ‘nude’ foods. These are foods that are eaten as nature intended. When shopping, look at the ingredient list on the back of packaged foodstuffs. Do you know what all of those ingredients are? If not, put it back and start to get comfortable working from scratch in the kitchen. Be kind to yourself in the process, though. The key to your health and wellness is to understand that the majority of processed foods won’t be as good for you as real food, but there will always be choices to make, so just try to make more good choices than the opposite!

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HEALTH IS WEALTH

I want to see you be the best rider you can be, which means it’s time for you to put yourself and your health onto the priority list. Health is wealth, and let’s face it, those equine feed bills need you to be able to work so that you can pay them! Life is so much harder when we are tired, and a lack of energy equals a lack of effort, which means you can end up not enjoying your riding as much. It’s time to start paying attention to your own health, and taking care of yourself as well as you take care of your horse!

MY TOP FIVE EASY TIPS

1 2 3 4 5

Limit alcohol and avoid caffeine after lunch as this affects your sleep. The truth is, drinking alcohol regularly, even in moderation, is much more likely to interfere with your sleep than to assist it. Fish is a good source of protein and contains many vitamins and minerals. Aim to eat at least two portions of fish a week, including at least one portion of oily fish. Cut out refined sugar. Refined sugars are simple carbohydrates. This means they’re digested fast and enter your bloodstream quickly, providing a ‘rush’. Once sugar is metabolised, however, you’re in for a crash. Don’t skip breakfast. Eating a proper breakfast is one of the most positive things you can do. Think of breakfast as your fuel for your day ahead. Try a couple of boiled eggs with avocado and spinach. Aim to get 8 hours of sleep per night. Sleeping less than 7–8 hours per night is linked to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Getting enough quality sleep is key to general good health.

MORE HELPFUL HINTS FOR A HEALTHIER LIFESTYLE

georgia worth

Stay hydrated. Drink 2+ litres of water per day. Try starting your day with this amazing

mineral cocktail: 350mls of water, the juice of

equine dental care

a lemon and a pinch of Himalayan salt. This is great for replenishing your cells and setting you up for a successful day ahead.

equine dental care Eat intuitively. Only eat when you are hungry and allow yourself to feel hunger. Don’t just eat because you’re bored, or because it’s ‘that time of day’. Don’t overeat – stop eating once you feel fueled.

Eat a variety of foods. Include as many green

Qualified Equine Dental Technician & Member of the IAED

vegetables per day as possible. Try adding a green smoothie or greens powder to your diet daily as a great source of nutrients and nourishing energy.

Add good quality protein and quality fats into each of your meals, especially breakfast. This

helps

stabilise

your

Available in the wider Waikato & Auckland Region’s. Other areas by arrangement.

appetite

hormones (ghrelin and leptin) which will help to stop you overeating later in the day and settle your sugar cravings.

021 152 9044 georgia@equinedentalcare.co.nz equinedentalcare.co.nz

Avoid processed foods and eat whole real foods only. Look at the ingredients – if you can’t understand it or pronounce it, leave it! Ingredient lists should be real food only, with no chemicals, additives and preservatives.

Stop eating three hours before bed. Melatonin is mainly produced in your gut. It repairs your hormones and helps you to sleep. If you are eating too late, you can disrupt this process and affect your sleep quality, which will affect your energy the next day – not to mention your waistline! C

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RECIPE

Creamy Zucchini Noodles

This dish seems a little fancy, but trust me, it’s not! I won’t pretend that it’s just like pasta, because it isn’t, but it is a great way to use up loads of zucchini in one go. Plus you get the added bonus of it being all raw and fresh, so it’s a win-win and your body will love you for it.

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONS

3 large zucchini

•

Grate, spiralise or potato peel your zucchini and place into a large bowl. Remove stems from tomatoes and cut in half, then add to the zucchini. Fold the basil leaves together and slice into thin strips or tear apart. (Leave one or two whole for garnishing.)

•

Place the rest of the ingredients into a blender and blitz up until smooth. You can add a little extra water if it’s too thick (it will depend on how big your avocado is). You are aiming for a smooth, mayo-like consistency.

•

Pour the mix over the zucchini and mix well together. Season with salt and pepper, add your basil leaf garnish, and serve!

Handful of fresh basil leaves 10 cherry tomatoes 1 avocado ½ cup apple cider vinegar 1 tablespoon honey ½ teaspoon crushed garlic 1 tablespoon tahini 2 tablespoons water

HUNGRY FOR MORE? Nicola Smith has over 300 RECIPES on her website www.foreverfit.tv that will get your taste buds excited. 146

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

HORSE & CONTENTS INSURANCE.

At FMG, we’re well known as rural insurers. Which is why so many people insure their horses with us. However, because accidents happen more often than you think, we also offer great contents insurance for items like phones. That’s in addition to excellent cover for your home, your vehicles, and yourself. Ask around about us. Or better still, call us on 0800 366 466 or visit fmg.co.nz

We’re here for the good of the country. FMG0842SCFP

TOGETHER YOU CAN Collegiate bridlewear is designed to give you a seamless connection with your horse. Available in black and brown, its V-chain brow band, removable flash strap and suregrip reins are crafted from the finest European leather – tanned to perfection and finished in rich detail. And all fittings are fashioned from high quality stainless steel or brass for durable good looks. So you can turn heads together too.

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Saddles

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Bridlewear

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