Show Circuit June/July 21 by Show Circuit Magazine

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Autumn rolls into winter, often bringing with it four seasons in one day, and horse owners across the country face the age old dilemma – what cover to use? Our comprehensive winter rugging guide, in association with WeatherBeeta, will help you navigate the fluctuations in temperature like a pro, ensuring your horses have the perfect rug, whatever the weather. Winter is a time when things quieten down on the competition front for most, and many horses enjoy a well-earned break. Winter can also be a great time to re-evaluate, set some new goals and train those areas you want to work on before next season. If your preference is to curl up by the fire and put your feet up with a good read, then look no further than the pages of our latest issue. Our cover girl is Clevedon eventer Danielle Wheeler, whose family involvement with horses stretches back for generations. Despite her equestrian pedigree, Danielle admits she was initially terrified of riding – something she has clearly overcome. Currently side-lined after slicing a tendon in her thumb, Danielle is excited about her team of horses and hopes to be back competing in spring. Sticking with eventing, Waikato eventer Shannon Galloway talks about her pathway to 4* and why she’s determined to give back to the sport she loves, and help others along the way. South Island eventer Brittany Fowler gave up university to follow her horse dreams when she was offered the opportunity to work for Olympian Clarke Johnstone. In her profile she tells Caitlin Benzie how she set about building her team, and has no regrets about choosing a career with horses. We also visit Levin Show Hunter rider Antonio Matangi. Injury threatened to derail her season, but this pint-sized rider overcame the odds to bag two series titles this season and runner-up in a third. Young show jumper Keira Page ended her time on ponies with a bang, taking out the Country TV Pony Grand Prix series in convincing fashion on Redcliffs Colour Me In. The distinctive pony draws many comments when in the ring, as she is ridden in a bitless Western Bosal. At home she’s ridden in a rope halter or with a string around her neck, and Keira talked to us about the unshakable bond the pair share. Still in the show jumping arena we profile two more young guns, Samantha and Emma Gillies. The Oamaru sisters are fierce competitors, and have a slew of titles between them to show for it. They know only too well the highs and lows of horses, and talk about how they have overcome setbacks to give it their all when in the ring. As well, we feature up and coming young show jumpers Amelia Munro, Georgia Milner and Pippa Collins. You’ll want to read our article on what to do in a veterinary emergency. It’s every horse owner’s worst nightmare, but it pays to plan ahead and be prepared. Finally, check out our event coverage from series finals - Glistening Waters Jumping Championships in Masterton, and Oro Dressage by the Lake at the stunning Takapoto Estate. Until our next issue, happy riding.

Sheryll & Rebecca x

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EDITOR

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ABOUT SHOWCIRCUIT

COVER IMAGE Danielle Wheeler & SOLDIERBOY (Windsor LS x Something Special) IMAGE - Caitlin Benzie Photography

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 2021

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EVENTS 100 Oro Dressage By the Lake 112 Glistening Waters - Show Jumping

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120 The Great Rugging Dilemma - By WeatherBeeta 130 SOS - Being Prepared For An Emergency

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ON THE COVER

SUCCESS

& family GO HAND IN HAND Danielle Wheeler

Well known on the eventing circuit with her beautiful CP Aurelio, what many don’t know is that Danielle has an equestrian lineage in her family that would have many in awe. Not only has the 28-year-old picked up her love of horses from her ancestors, but she’s also carrying on their legacy of perseverance, hard work, and a can-do attitude.

WORDS & AT HOME IMAGES - Caitlin Benzie

Born in Tokoroa to dairy farming parents, Briar and Troy, it was entirely inevitable for Danielle to end up riding horses; her family tree boasts names that have contributed heavily to how the New Zealand equestrian scene looks today. However, as much as she wanted it to be, it wasn’t always for her, and it took a few years before her riding talents would start to shine. “I got my first pony when I was five, a tiny little pony called Minty; I didn’t ride much at the time, as I was completely terrified! I think I attended all of one

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ribbon day solely because my older cousin Chanel Hargrave, who I absolutely idolised, was going. I was so nervous on the way to the show that I made myself feel ill, and after that, mum decided that maybe riding wasn’t for me,” Danielle laughs. “I started playing netball and tennis, but horses were always around, and as terrified as I was, I was still very insistent that I wanted to ride. I would go and stay with Chanel, get all ready to ride, and then be too scared to get on the pony; not a very good way to convince mum! “When I was ten, I finally managed to persuade my

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

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Left hand page - Danielle with SOLDIERBOY Above - The ever so flash; CP AURELIO at the CCI2*-S Matamata Horse Trial 2021. Photo - Libby Law Photography Above right - Danielle and one of her companions around the farm, Nellie Right - Danielle & CP AURELIO competing at Takapoto Show Jumping 2021. Photo - Christine Cornege Photography

Grandad into getting me a pony, and not long after, the adorable little Pavlova turned up on a free lease from one of Grandad’s friends. From there, I joined Pony Club, and that was when the horse addiction began.”

Looking at Danielle’s family, it’s easy to see why there

were always horses around, with past family members competing in showing, show jumping, polo, carriage driving and hunting. “My great grandfather, Don Nash, was a racehorse owner, breeder and trainer based in Takanini and had a very successful racehorse called March Legend, who won the 1980 ARC George Adams Handicap. He also started the Waitemata Hunt with Vern Rope and was the Master of the Hunt from 1949 through until 1951; it was here that my Grandma, Yvonne Bennett, began hunting. In the 1960s, Grandma moved and began hunting with the Pakuranga Hunt, where she is still an honorary member today.

“My Grandad, Snow Bennett, rode all his life and grew up riding to school in Taranaki with his two brothers; the three of them would all ride to school on the same pony. When the war finished, he stayed in Ardmore and became a builder. He began playing polo in Clevedon, which then led him to building the original Auckland Polo Clubhouse. Snow was also a keen hunter; however, it came to a point where he could no longer hunt, so he decided to take up carriage driving at 65. As with everything he did, he couldn’t do it by halves, and he went on to win driving medals at the Masters’ Games at age 78. One of my favourite memories of Grandad was when he used to take us on his gig around the roads in Hunua while mum trotted behind us working her horse.” Danielle’s mum, Briar, grew up riding with her siblings, Ross, Heather, Shaun, and her uncle, Paul Nash. She was a keen eventer and competed at her last Three Day Event at Pukekohe (held where the race track is) in 1994 when Danielle was six months old. SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

WHEN I WAS YOUNGER, MUM WAS

A FIRM BELIEVER IN DOING A BIT OF EVERYTHING AND NOT

FOCUSING ON ONE PA R T I C U L A R D I S C I P L I N E . Right hand page Above - Snow Bennett (Danielle’s grandad) who rode all his life and grew up riding to school in Taranaki Middle - Danielle & CP AURELIO in the APL Anne Symes Derby at Takapoto Show Jumping 2021. Photo - Michelle Clarke Photography Far right - A keepsake for all time, Snow’s driving medals at the Masters’ Games he won at age 78

“After my brothers, Timmy and Cody were born, mum took a step back from competing, but she would still hunt and ride around the farm when she had time. Not only did my mum ride, but dad learned to ride as a kid and would often go hunting with her once they got together. My younger brothers both learned to ride as well on my ponies; Cody doesn’t ride today but is a keen golfer, and Tim is a sheep and beef farmer on our parent’s farm at Lottin Point, where he has a couple of stock horses which he rides around the farm. It’s fair to say that horses are in the blood!”

The family moved from Tokoroa to Hunua to be closer

to relatives; however, it wasn’t until their move to Clevedon that Danielle started to go from strength to strength in her riding, building a solid base by competing in multiple disciplines. “When I was younger, mum was a firm believer in doing a bit of everything and not focusing on one particular discipline. I competed

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in a lot of dressage, Show Hunter and Pony Club events, including representing Franklin Thames Valley multiple times, but my favourite discipline was always eventing; I loved the dressage and the adrenaline rush of the cross country. It’s through eventing that I’ve met so many great and wonderful people and gained some life-long friends. “When I first started getting really into eventing, I had two very cool schoolmasters, Simply Mitch and One Cool Dude - they both taught me so much and carried me around my first Intermediate and Young Rider classes. Jacque (One Cool Dude) carted me around my first Three Day Event 3* (now 4*), which was the best feeling in the world to canter through those finish flags.”

Based on a beautiful property

in Clevedon with her family, Danielle is now working as a full-time nanny, and has collected together a small team of eventers that she is bringing up through the levels.

“CP Aurelio (Charlie) is the pretty boy of the team. He’s an 11-yearold grey Warmblood x Thoroughbred gelding, by Contenda and out of Kinnordy Esmeralda (Silky Baby), bred by John Phillips from Caveton Park. We’ve been competing at 2* level eventing and show jumping to 1.30m, including a 2nd in the Pro-Am at Brookby. Charlie is imported from Australia; John Thompson, my dressage trainer at the time, told us about him and told us we had to buy him - something I’m so thankful for! His original owner had evented him but then decided to move to America as a jockey, so he’d been show jumping with a new rider for a few years. We decided on the spur of the moment to make a day trip to Australia to go and look at him, and we pretty much bought him on the spot – he was just magnificent, the best horse I’ve ever ridden, and I can’t help but feel lucky every time I ride him. “Soldierboy is next up on the team; he’s an eight-year-old brown New Zealand Sport Horse, by Windsor LS and out of Something Special (Kaipara Teddy). Soldier was originally purchased from Brianna Massie as a hunter, but I thought he moved quite nicely, so I decided to event him. Together we won the CCN1*-L Championships at the 2019 Three Day Event Championships, which was a pretty big thrill, and he’s now

competing at 2* level. Last but not least is Get Go, he’s a five-year-old brown Thoroughbred by Bernardini and out of Almrose (Holy Roman Emperor). Chad is currently competing at 95cm and looks like he’ll be very promising in the next few years. At home, we also still have Jacque, who is coming up 20 this year, Clover, who is a two-year-old filly by Chacco Silver, and Charlo, a six-month-old filly by Contenda.”

Danielle is fortunate to

have a huge support system around her, which has become even more critical after a recent injury has left her unable to ride. “Mum is the backbone of everything I do, and everyone that helps me is so important to me, which is almost why I get more nervous when I’m competing. It’s a funny mix of nerves and competitiveness; I want to do my best and do my horses and everyone that supports me justice every time I ride. I’m fortunate to have the support of my fiancé Dave SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

IT’S A FUNNY MIX

OF NERVES AND COMPETITIVENESS; I WANT TO

DO MY BEST AND DO MY HORSES AND

EVERYONE THAT SUPPORTS ME JUSTICE

EVERY TIME I RIDE.

Right - Danielle & SOLDIERBOY during the cross country for the JLT CCN105-S Tait Trophy Championship at Kihikihi International Horse Trial 2019. Photo - Libby Law Photography Right hand page - Danielle & CP AURELIO during the cross country at the Roy Wheeler Contracting Springbush Horse Trial 2021. Photo - Caitlin Benzie Photography who is in no way horsey but still goes out of his way to do anything helpful he can, whether at shows or home. He’s also a builder by trade, a decision he may regret now, as there’s always something that needs fixing around the stables and farm! I’m also very grateful to have the backing of some fantastic brands, including The Stirling Collection, teQ Fit NZ, and VetPro NZ. “Unfortunately, I recently sliced the tendon in my thumb, which has put a very early end to my season. However, I’ve been fortunate to have some great riders competing my horses for me. Heelan Tompkins has been riding Charlie, and Amanda Illston has been riding Soldier, having had a win at 2* each. Charlie went to the Taupo Three Day Event with Heelan, and Annie Styles has just started riding Chad at events.”

Even though her season has had an impromptu and early

end, Danielle is still looking ahead with much excitement, something that she feels is easy to do so with a fantastic team of horses and supporters around her. “There are always so many highs and lows in eventing. There have been lows before, like retiring Jacque from competition and losing Edwardo (Mickey), one of the sweetest horses, to a career-ending injury. With that, though, comes the incredible highs, like winning the Thomson Trophy at the Three Day with Soldier, who is just the coolest little horse. At the moment, I’m in a bit of a low with my injury. Still, I know that I have the wonderful Charlie waiting for me and an amazing team to keep the horses going, so for now, my focus is spending the winter rehabbing, with hopes to get back to riding my beautiful team in the spring!” C

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SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

RIDER spotlight

JUST

getting STARTED Amelia Munro

Fifteen-year-old Amelia is a star on the rise in the show jumping ring, having just completed her most successful season to date. We found out what makes the Auckland Diocesan student tick and where she is headed next. WORDS - Ashleigh Kendall AT HOME IMAGES - Show Circuit Magazine COMPETITION IMAGES - Cornege Photography

Amelia’s love for horses began when she was

around seven years old. The neighbours had a pony, and she was friends with their son, so she was there to visit the pony every day. It wasn’t long before she had her own pony, and she was learning to ride. Fast forward to now and on board her super 13-year-old appaloosa pony MF Spot On, also known as Buzzy, Amelia has recently begun enjoying her first taste of success in the Pony Grand Prix ring. Having been a partnership for two years, this season, they began to find their feet together, their big highlights winning the ranking class at the Easter Jumping Festival,

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placing second in the 1.20m B class at Taranaki Show Jumping and placing fifth in the Premier Grand Prix at Takapoto. “He has been outstanding this season. He has been good for me, taught me a lot and looked after me”, Amelia says. “He is very energetic, which a lot of people don’t realise about him until they come hacking with us. He is very spicy”, Amelia laughs. While many speak of those ‘love at first sight’ moments when they try a horse, this wasn’t the experience Amelia had when she first met Buzzy. “I didn’t like him at first when I tried him, our friends recommended him. I said to

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

WE HAVE HAD

OUR UPS

AND DOWNS, BUT IT HAS

STARTED TO TURN AROUND AND HEAD IN

THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

28 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

mum in the car on the way back that he was just not for me and I didn’t like him because he was quite different to anything I had ever ridden before.” They ended up being able to take him on trial, and after a few rides, Amelia realised how fun he was and loved him, “It was really cool that it ended up that way, and I did get him.” Amelia loves to include lots of variety in her work, keeping the horses fresh for the show jumping ring with lots of hacking and beach riding. “My goal is always to keep the horses happy; of course, I would like to be consistent at Pony Grand Prix next season, especially as it is my last season on ponies. I want to be able to finish on a good note”, she says.

Last year Amelia added

14-year-old Kiwi Doll to her team. At 16.2hh, she was much bigger than what Amelia had been used to, so it has taken some time to make the transition. “She is a very different ride, and I have found it quite hard to adjust”, Amelia explains. “We have had our ups and downs, but it has started to turn around and head in the right direction now.” None the less, Amelia persisted and started in her first Junior Rider classes. “I saw all these other people who had just got their horses and moved up the heights, and I thought I would get her and be able to do the same. In the beginning, we would go out and work our way up the heights, but then I would have a few problems, so we came back down again, built our confidence and then had a really good last half of the season.” Amelia is pragmatic about her approach and her learning so far. “Transitioning to Doll has been the hardest thing I have had to overcome in my riding career so far, especially because Buzzy has always been my main focus”, she explains. “Horses are quite different to ponies. I think ponies are

Above - Ameila and MF SPOT ON in the Country TV Pony Grand Prix at Auckland Show Jumping

AT T H E E N D O F T H E D A Y,

IT IS WHAT IT IS; I’VE DONE THE WORK

AT HOME, SO NOW I HAVE T O D O M Y B E S T.

a lot more willing and will jump out of trust and love, whereas horses are quite intelligent, and they expect it all to be done properly. That has been challenging when Buzzy has always been forgiving and keen to give anything a go.” On reflection, Amelia reminds herself that it isn’t about the size of the fences all the time. Jeff McVean has been hugely influential for Amelia this past season, especially with the transition onto hacks. “He is a fantastic coach and has been super helpful to me getting my confidence and riding better, chipping away at the little things.” Confidence has been something that has come naturally for Amelia. She is always happy to give anything a go which has helped her as she has navigated her way through the heights. “When I first started riding, mum would leave us to it, so I had to be confident to ride. It has been great for me because I never get overly nervous about heights or technicalities in the courses. If I am nervous, it is just because I care a lot and put pressure on myself to do well, so I try to remind myself that it is my own game and focus on my ride. I can only perform to my best ability and practise and try my best. At the end of the day, it is what it is; I’ve done the work at home, so now I have to do my best.”

Success comes in many forms. For Amelia, it is

focused on consistency at the level she is competing at and having happy horses, being pleased with herself and her riding. “I love riding so much, I just couldn’t imagine not riding”, she says.

Above left- Amelia & MF SPOT ON during the Country TV & Duncan & Ebbett Pony Grand Prix Series - Show Jumping Waikato at Takapoto Estate

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Left - Amelia & MF SPOT ON in the during the Country TV & Duncan & Ebbett Pony Grand Prix Series - Show Jumping Waikato at Takapoto Estate Below - The family farm in Paremoremo has stunning riding tracks through native bush that Amelia takes advantage of for her horse’s fitness work.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

With that in mind, Amelia is unsure what she will do when she leaves school. Currently, in Year 11 at Auckland Diocesan, she takes a wide range of subjects, including English, maths, science, accounting, business studies and sport and exercise science. “I’ve tried to take options that are quite broad because I’m not sure what I want to do yet”. One thing that is certain, though, Amelia is motivated to pursue a career that will fund her horse dreams. Her biggest dream is to compete one day in the Olympic Cup. “That would be beyond amazing. I am not really set on any major goals in particular other than that, but I would like to compete at a high level and possibly go overseas and work for some other riders at some point.” A typical day for Amelia is long as she has a long commute to school from Paremoremo, North of Auckland, getting up around 5.45 am and getting home around 5 pm before racing outside to

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ride her horses, do the horse chores and then back inside for homework and bed. “I do really enjoy school, I have a great group of friends, good teachers, and I feel fortunate to be at Dio”, she says.

Amelia’s whole family are

supportive of her riding, and her younger sister Nina also rides and boards with her ponies at Nga Tawa. Her mum Bex and dad Jay both work in the film industry. “My mum is helpful for me to stay positive, I can get quite negative towards myself, especially after a bad ride, but she is great at reminding me why I do it and resetting my mindset”, she says. “I am fortunate; she comes to all my shows and does a lot of truck driving for me. My family are all really into the horses and very supportive of my riding.”

My advice - try your best always,

give everything 100% remember it is your own game. C

MY GOAL IS

ALWAYS TO KEEP THE

HORSES HAPPY; OF COURSE, I WOULD

LIKE TO BE C O N S I S T E N T AT P O N Y

GRAND PRIX N E X T S E A S O N.

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orporate C areer C FROM A

TO INSPIRING RIDERS WORDS - Rebecca Greaves IMAGES - Christine Cornege Photography

Shannon Galloway has a soft spot for Thoroughbreds, and she’s produced many over her eventing career, including her top 4* mount Day Walker. A rough 2020, notably a horrific head injury after being kicked by a horse, made her more grateful than ever for her health and being able to enjoy the sport she loves.

Horses have been a constant

in Shannon Galloway’s life. It hasn’t been an easy road to get to where she is now, which has made her even more determined to help others and give back to the sport. As well as competing to 4* level, she is on the board of ESNZ Eventing and is a member of the Kihikihi Horse Trials Committee, a busy mum to two boys and holds down a role as the sponsorship and marketing manager for Cycling New Zealand. Shannon, her husband Rowan and their two children Luke, 12, and Alex, 9, live on an idyllic 20-acre property at Mystery Creek teeming with wildlife, where the boys are free to roam from dawn until dusk. Shannon spent many years working in corporate jobs in the agriculture sector, for RD1 (now

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Farmsource) and PGG Wrightson (PGW), before being shoulder tapped for her current position. When the boys were young, the family relocated to Christchurch for Shannon’s work with PGW, and she gave up riding to focus on career and family. Somehow, she couldn’t keep away. “I ended up catching up with Emily Cammock and buying a horse. We still had this amazing property and a horse truck at home (the Waikato), and I was paying for grazing. There were earthquakes, it was crazy, so we moved back, and I commuted to Christchurch.” The family had an au pair, but the reality was the horses were only getting worked two days a week, and Shannon couldn’t give riding the attention she wanted. But it was a

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

HORSE RIDING

IS A VERY

I N T I M AT E T H I N G ,

CONNECTING WITH ANOTHER

BEING

WITHOUT WORDS.

drawing by her five-year-old son that hit home. “He had to describe his family, and mum was a stick figure in black pants who went on a plane. He knew nothing about me, and I felt really sad. That was it. I was going to ride horses – then I got this job, and here we are. There are parallels between cycling and riding, and she has learned plenty that applies to her sport. “The way I approach things, being organised, professional and prepared. Every horse has a daily diary. Capturing and tracking that information over time, what can seem like no progress over three months, you can look back and see you have come a long way.” The majority of her horses over the years have been off-the-track Thoroughbreds. “I don’t know if I have a type, but I love Thoroughbreds. I think

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they are genuine, biddable, have great brains and are forwardthinking. I like that kind of horse. “I can’t speak highly enough of them. If you are patient enough, every single one has something to give you. Some are difficult, but generally, they’re difficult because people have created that. The horse is never at fault, and somehow you have to find a way to unpick that and work around it.”

Horses weren’t always easy for Shannon, who is the epitome

of the idea that if you want something badly enough, you will find a way to make it happen. “I grew up with non-horsey parents. Dad lived in America, and mum moved to the wops in Waingaro. I didn’t have any brothers or sisters and was quite lonely as a kid.

I DON'T KNOW IF

I HAVE A TYPE, BUT I LOVE

THOROUGHBREDS. I THINK THEY ARE GENUINE,

BIDDABLE, HAVE G R E AT B R A I N S A N D A R E

FORWARD-THINKING. I L I K E T H AT K I N D O F H O R S E .

“There was this horse in a paddock nearby. I would go and pat it and smell it. One day the owner asked if I would like to ride it. Soon I was cantering around the countryside, no hat, no saddle – freedom. Suddenly I had a best friend. That horse got taken away, and I was really sad.” Undeterred, she bought a cheap horse, sight unseen, from a newspaper ad. The resulting horse was young, emaciated and unbroken – Shannon was nine. “I had a saddle, bridle and halter that was it, not even a paddock. It got tethered on the side of the road. I’d never do that now, but I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know about breaking in, so I just chucked the saddle and bridle on.” What she did do was read voraciously. “It consumed me. They are amazing creatures, and they can transport you.” On finding out there was a local Pony Club, Shannon rode the horse 23km (each way) to attend rallies. “I looked very out of place, I’m sure, but I was determined. As you get more exposure, you want to improve, and I just loved it. “It’s the ability to have a conversation without speaking and have something understand you. Horse riding is a very intimate thing, connecting with another being without words. It’s all about feel and instinct.” A clinic with Vaughn Jefferis proved pivotal. “My horse didn’t like jumping, but I loved it. At the end, he walked up to mum and said, ‘your daughter can ride, but that horse is a dog’. My mother didn’t know what to say, and I was a bit embarrassed.” Vaughn suggested that should Shannon ride another horse on the clinic, she might do quite well.

“Incredibly, that person was kind enough to sell me the horse and let me pay it off. It was quite tricky, but it could jump, and it gave me the opening to area trials and Pony Club Champs.” With no transport, Shannon had to beg rides to competitions, which meant her starts were limited. It was tough, but she earned herself a reputation for working with difficult horses and soon found herself being given horses. She did a stint in Japan working with show jumpers but got incredibly homesick and came home. “The way I treat horses is very personal - they are my friends. In Japan where I was, they were numbers, machines.” That was the beginning of her love affair with OTTBs, and she says, now, to be in a position to keep good horses is a luxury. “Previously, I’ve had to move them on through necessity financially. It’s nice to be free to make that choice. And I’ve always said if I got to the point where I could help other people, I would.”

Shannon’s upper-level horse is Day Walker (Dave), who ate up the 4* cross country at Land Rover Horse of the Year Show in 2020. Dave is a 13-year-old Australian Thoroughbred by Antonius Pius out of County Down. She’s had him since he was six and described him as a workaholic. “He’s at the gate every morning wanting to be worked. The more you work him, the more he likes it. He literally will turn himself inside out not to touch a fence show jumping, and on cross country, he’s bold, sharp, straight as a die, brave and has an amazing gallop. “After Horse of the Year, I was so excited. You ask yourself that question, has my horse got what it takes? He answered that in spades. He made the cross country feel like a canter, effortless.” Shannon was on a high when, suddenly, things didn’t look so rosy for Dave. A niggling soreness caused by ill-fitting saddles over many years forced Shannon to turn him out. She was unsure if he would return to competition. “He’s a quirky shape and previously had saddles that didn’t fit him. He’d just been coping. The more I asked him to do collected work, the more he compensated and the tighter he got. I tried to find a SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

Top right - Shannon & DAY WALKER Wade Equine Coaches CCN2*-S at Kihikihi Horse Trial Right hand page - Shannon & DAY WALKER during CCN 95-S. Troy Wheeler Contracting Springbush Horse Trial 2021. Image- Libby Law Photography solution with saddles but couldn’t, and it all came to a crashing halt just before spring. He was just so sore, everywhere.” Shannon turned Dave out and started working with Nash Francis from Animal Muscle Release Therapy, who completely transformed the horse. “I’ve got my horse back. Not only that, he’s comfortable, happy and feels so good.” In conjunction with Nash, she worked with Harry Dabbs saddle makers to find a tree shape that worked for Dave and built a saddle from there. “I call it my secret weapon. I feel like I’ve taken a trip around the world with this horse, but I’ve learned so much. Horses will tell you if you’re prepared to listen, and I wasn’t listening enough to my horse because he just kept jumping.” Usually, Shannon would sell a horse once it got to 1* or 2* level, and she had plenty of offers for Dave. It was a conversation with Olympian Heelan Tompkins that made her decide to keep him. “She said, as a mum, think about something rideable, you can have fun on and be competitive, and at the end of the day come home safe. Don’t underestimate how rare these horses are. If I were you, I would work hard and enjoy it.” So that’s what she did. On the team, she also has another Australian Thoroughbred, Orange Justice (OJ). He is a nine-year-old by Magic Albert out of Romany Flyer, who recently won a training trial at Matamata and is for sale.

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“He’s a stunning mover and would make an amazing dressage horse. He’s a very scopey jumper - his little knees are up around his ears.” Then there’s an Eventstars Gorky Park Thoroughbred, six-yearold Ben, who had bounced through a few owners before landing with Shannon. “He’s a very talented horse, very forward. The first competition we did, we won.” Last up is five-year-old Ricky Baker, by Iffraaj out of an Overcast mare, who came from Alex Oliviera. “He’s cute but very green, quite big at 16.2hh and grey, very pretty and a honey. I think there’s a really special horse in there, but it will take a long time. He’s gangly and awkward – he reminds me of a 13-year-old boy.”

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HORSES HAVE

SOMETHING TO TEACH YOU THROUGHOUT

YOUR ENTIRE LIFE. IF YOU'RE

OPEN TO IT, Y O U ' R E C O N S TA N T LY

LEARNING. Shannon was appointed to the ESNZ Eventing

board just over a year ago. It was a rough patch, Dave had his saddle issues, and she had been kicked in the head by a horse that got an electric shock off the fence when she was turning it out. “It all happened within a week. The first meeting, I had this massive bandage on my head, and I remember their faces - they looked mortified. It was a unique way to meet them, let’s say that. “To be here now, to have my horse (Dave) back and be healthy, I feel so incredibly grateful. I didn’t think I would get him back. I thought he would be a very busy paddock ornament.” Shannon firmly believes that riders should give back and, after a conversation with Eliza Johns at ESNZ around sponsorship, she put her name forward to join the board. “I think, as riders, if we get to the point where we can offer our services and help make a difference, then we should. “I’m so impressed and in awe of the team and effort that goes into our sport, largely voluntary, to ensure we can do what we love. There are genuine people who want to make a difference and see our sport thrive and be sustainable.” Shannon is also on the committee for Kihikihi Horse Trial, looking after sponsorship and social media. “There’s a small community of people who put in endless hours to deliver events around the country. As riders, we need to appreciate that. Every single rider needs to put their hand up. Not only will you learn a lot, but you will also meet cool people, give back to your sport and make it sustainable. If it’s the same group of people all the time, they will burn out, and events risk not happening. “My message is, get involved. Turn up and help out – be proactive.” Between work, horses and family, time is one of Shannon’s biggest challenges, but she takes a pragmatic approach.

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Above - Shannon & DAY WALKER Wade Equine Coaches CCN2*-S at Kihikihi Horse Trial

“I kind of think you sleep when you die. I’ve always had a philosophy to do as much as you can while you can. Life is pretty short. Give everything a go. Don’t worry about your age, size or what other people say. “Horses have something to teach you throughout your entire life. If you’re open to it, you’re constantly learning. A lot of people write a horse off because they can’t see what it could look like. For me, it’s the ability to create something almost from nothing. You have to be patient.” C

I THINK,

AS RIDERS, IF WE GET TO

THE POINT WHERE WE CAN

OFFER OUR SERVICE AND HELP

MAKE A

DIFFERENCE, THEN

WE SHOULD.

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RIDER spotlight

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LIVI NG

her best LI FE

Brittany Fowler WORDS Caitlin Benzie IMAGES - Christine Cornege Photography

People often say that everything happens for a reason, and when Brittany was offered a once in a lifetime opportunity to base herself with Olympian, Clarke Johnstone, she felt it was clearly a matter of fate telling her which pathway to follow.

Brittany may not have come from a

horsey family, it didn’t take her long to catch the bug and begin her life with horses. “I grew up in a village called Methven, located under Mt Hutt ski field in mid-Canterbury. I was a big fan of horses, but due to living in town and having non-horsey parents, the option wasn’t there to get a horse, so the next best thing was to look at riding schools. We found Kowhai Residential Riding School, based in Oxford in North Canterbury, which was about an hour away. In 2009 when I was eight, I spent a week there on a school holiday camp with a friend and absolutely loved it. It quickly became my second home, returning each weekend and becoming a View Hill Pony Club member. I rode

there religiously until I was 12, which is when we moved out to the countryside in Lauriston, and I got my first horse. Kowhai and View Hill certainly gave me the foundation for where I am today, and I’m forever grateful to be a part of that family and to have made long life friends. “Once I had my own horse, I began competing in showing, dressage, show jumping and eventing. However, this wasn’t sustainable, and one year at the Christchurch A&P show, when I was entered in the showing, dressage and show jumping, we realised that it was too hard to do all of them justice at once, and I needed to pick one. After that, we decided to focus on dressage and eventing, and Apsley Backchat Kid and I went on to be Reserve Champion Level 2 Pony

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Above - When Brittany rode ponies, she adored APSLEY BACKCHAT KID, pictured here at McLeans Island Image - Sophie Simson Photography of the Year. In mid-2018, I decided to have my sole attention be on eventing.”

The beginning of 2020 was difficult for Brittany. After Right hand page - Brittany & GAME KEEPER during the Stirling Collection CCN 2* at Troy Wheeler Contracting Springbush Horse Trial. Image -Libby Law Photography

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leaving Ashburton College in 2019, she’d set her sights on a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Lincoln University. However, this was not to be. “I’d known since I was 15 that I wanted to study Ag Science, and I thoroughly enjoyed the subject at uni. However, it also came with the challenge of trying to find the time to fit everything in. I was fortunate to receive the Lincoln University Elite Scholarship, which financially made things less stressful, but it also meant more commitment within an already very full schedule. “I was very grateful to have had Maddy Crowe’s guidance and

I HAVE A

GREAT TEAM OF HORSES

AT THE M O M E N T.

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Brittany & GAME KEEPER, 2nd in the Dunstan CCI3*-S Riverdale Horse Trial Image- Ian Fowler

advice in my application for the scholarship, as she had previously received it.” Brittany’s day started at 7 am and, after being in lectures and tutorials the whole day, she would get out to the horses around 6:30 pm. By the time she had worked and looked after three horses, it was usually 10 pm by the time she got home. Add to that the workload of writing reports for university, and it was as late as 3am before she got to bed. “I knew that in the next three weeks, I would only be able to attend three days of lectures due to being away for sporting commitments, so I went to the sport scholarship coordinator and talked about the option of dropping a paper. She felt it wouldn’t make a huge difference.” So Brittany made the difficult decision to leave university and focus on riding full time. “While this was one of the hardest decisions for me, I knew that it was the right thing, as there was no way I could keep going how I was. I know that university and the degree will always be there for me, but for now, I felt I had come too far in riding to throw it all away. The degree was not something that I left lightly, so it’s led to an even stronger determination in me to achieve as much as possible.”

As the saying goes, though, when one door closes, another

one opens, and Brittany was about to be offered the opportunity of a lifetime.

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“After having been in touch with Maddy about university, I had asked her to let me know if she knew of any working pupil positions. While at the time she didn’t, she messaged me about a month later asking if I would be interested in working for Clarke – an opportunity I jumped at. I packed up my life in Ashburton and moved to Matangi, all within two weeks, and have now been here for almost a year. So far, it has been such a fantastic experience, and while it certainly is hard work, it’s also very rewarding. Clarke has been so helpful, and he has made an enormous difference in my riding; he is incredibly generous with his time, kind and exceptionally supportive. “Maddy has also been an influential role model towards me; she has always been so open about sharing her journey with me and what she had learned along the way; I have a huge amount of respect for her. Another person I’ve spent a lot of time living and working with is Holly Fitzgerald, Clarke’s head groom – she is one of the nicest and most welcoming people I have met. Holly has a huge amount of experience, having groomed at the World Equestrian Games, and every day I would learn something new from her, the hard work she puts in is inspiring, plus she is forgiving and patient, even when mistakes are made!”

I PA C K E D U P M Y L I F E HE COMPETED AT

IN ASHBURTON LEVEL FIVE THIS SEASON AND IS CHEEKY AS

A N D M O V E D T O M ATA N G I ,

HELL; HE’S LIKE A ALL WITHIN TODDLER WANTING TWO WEEKS, A ND HAVE TO NIP EVERYTHING - IF

NOW BEEN HERE

YOU’RE NOT ON YOUR FOR ALMOST A YEAR.

GAME, YOU MAY LOSE A DIGIT; HE’S QUICK.

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Having decided that

a life with horses was her chosen career, Brittany began building up her team of horses, including Game Keeper, the star of her team, who was purchased from Bryce Newman in November 2020. “Cody is an 11-year-old bay Thoroughbred gelding by Beautiful Crown and out of Quiet Fun (Honours List), and was bred by Baerami Thoroughbreds; I was very fortunate, with Clarke’s knowledge, to buy Cody through Vaughn Jefferis. I absolutely adore Cody, and together we’ve gone from 2* to 3*; I feel so lucky that I get to own and ride him, and I’m so excited for our future together. Second on my team is Total Eclipse, or Molly as she’s known at home. She is an eightyear-old dapple grey mare of unknown breeding and is owned by Hillary and Senga Hickson. She is a super talented and sweet mare, who I’ve been competing at 95cm horse trials. Last but not least is Royal Hennessey. Garry is a five-year-old Thoroughbred gelding by Showcasing and out of a Zabeel mare. I bought him as a four-year-old from Eventstars and am very much looking forward to working with him again when I head home for a small break after the Taupo Three Day. “I have a great team of horses at the moment, but I don’t know if anyone can beat Apsley Backchat Kid, who’s the pony I competed for seven years. Reuben is a 17-year-old, 14.2hh, English Riding Pony, by Apsley Backchat, and we competed at 2* level successfully, also having a start at 3*. We also competed in dressage and won the South Island Level Two Pony Championship. He was great at what he did, and he never said no; we finished our competition career in November, and looking back, he was certainly one in a million.” C Above - Brittany’s talent is not just eventing, she is also a well Imagephotographer - Cornege Photography known This image -Brittany & GAME KEEPER in the NZ Sotheby’s International Realty CCN3*-S at Eventing Hawke’s Bay (NHB) Image- Take the Moment Photography

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FORTUNATE, WITH CLARKE’S K N O W L E D G E , I WAS VERY

T O B U Y C O D Y T H R O U G H V A U G H N J E F F E R I S.

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RIDER spotlight

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ALWAYS

up for the

CHALLENGE WORDS - Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES - Michelle Clarke Photography Nicole White has been a force in the show jumping arena since she was a kid on ponies, but as she has proved with countless titles to her name, she continues to rise through the lofty heights of show jumping.

Life working on her parent’s deer farm,

coaching, training to be a sports massage therapist as well as juggling her impressive team of horses sounds overwhelming, but 26-year-old Nicole takes it all in her stride. Her team of horses is currently headlined by the formidable LC Samson, a 14-year-old gelding by Lindberg Des Hayettes. He holds a special place in Nicole and her family’s heart as he is one of only two horses that she has promised a forever home and retirement on their farm. “We jumped our first World Cups and Olympic Cups together. He is very special to our family”, she explains. Her highlights with Samson have been extensive. They include this season placing sixth in the Horse Grand Prix series, having started the season late in

November, third in the Premier League Grand Prix at series finals, and winning the National Horse Grand Prix title in 2018. Aside from being an incredible force at the top of show jumping, Samson is one in a million in that Nicole gives kids she teaches lessons on him. “He is so special to me not just from what I do with him but also the kids when he’s a school pony”, she says. In addition, she has a string of exciting youngsters coming through. Blythburn Cuban Rose (Zita), a Corofino mare who she says is a bit behind in her competition career but is a seriously fun and spunky horse that she is looking forward to competing with next season. Together the pair won the South Island 1.20m champion last season. Nicole was absolutely thrilled with her. “She did the most incredible

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Top left - Nicole with her first pony, Honey, who was purchased when Nicole was 20 months old for $200. Above - Nicole & LC SAMSON during the Gold Tour at Takapoto Estate Show Jumping. Right hand page - It was an honour to ride LC SAMSON at Takapoto Show Jumping jump-off against 11 very competitive 1.20m horses, and as an absolute underdog, she thrived!” Nicole also has the Dutch import VDL Kamina (Cornet Obolensky x Cardento), who her family purchased from VDL Stud in 2019. Double J Wolverine (Wolfe), a four-year-old by Double J Repicharge and three-year-old Danny Devito ECPH by Dallas VDL, out of a Cardento mare. “I’m incredibly lucky to have such quality young horses in my paddock, and I’m super excited to get them all out and about,” she says.

If you hadn’t already noticed

, Nicole is a high achiever. One of her greatest insecurities is not living up to her own expectations. “I put a lot of pressure on myself, and I know I can be too hard on myself because although I don’t think I could, I don’t want to disappoint people who put their time, money and support into me, so I am forever working on that balance”, she explains.

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That being said, she has her sights firmly set on a few goals for the coming season. One is to win the Horse Grand Prix series. She also aims to work towards the New Zealand World Cup series, compete in the Olympic Cup again, win a Nationals Premier League title and adding a fourth Speed Horse of the Year title would be the cherry on top of an already fantastic cake. Results aside, making more time to get her young horses out as much as possible is also high on her agenda. At a glance, her aspirations sound ambitious, but anyone who knows Nicole knows she is a performer who sets goals and reaps the rewards. Just take a look at her career highlights and see for yourself. She is a two time Speed Horse of the Year winner on Cricklewood Ace and won the same title on board Lil Le Roux. She won the Young Rider Series in 2013/ 2014 and then followed that up with National Young Rider titles in 2014 and 2015 on board Cricklewood Ace. She also travelled to Algeria to compete in the World Cup Jumping Challenge Final in 2017, finishing fifth. “Ace was my horse of a lifetime. No, he may not be the horse I’ve jumped the biggest on or even have my most success on, but he is the reason I am where I am today,” she explains. “I got to experience so much greatness from him, which helped build the competitive drive I have now. “Winning does make you feel like you’ve succeeded, but success for me is more about being proud of what you’ve achieved and being satisfied that you’ve done all you can to give your best performance on the day”, she reflects. “To me, yes, my success could potentially be measured in my wins, but as a coach, it’s

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Below - Nicole & LC SAMSON competing in the Premier League at the National Show Jumping Championships.

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measured in what I put back into the sport, the people I can help to be braver, be more confident and just want to be better riders, is a success.” Of course, success doesn’t come without hard work, commitment and sacrifice; a typical day for Nicole is jam-packed, starting with feeding the horses and then other animals on the farm, mucking out, riding followed by a mix of farm jobs and giving lessons. Then to finish, she is off to the gym or plays netball or touch in the evenings. Every day she is accompanied by her helpers, two border collies called Cruz and Quinn. “They spend all day every day with me. I couldn’t imagine my life without dogs,” she explains. Nicole has always participated in a wide range of sports, including navigating jet sprint boats with her father. “I absolutely love jet sprinting. If I could do it every year, I would especially doing it as a family made it so much fun”, she says.

Every high is not

without its struggle, and Nicole is no stranger to the adversities of horses and sport. “I struggled a lot with not making squads and teams as a young rider, I always felt like it didn’t matter what I did in terms of performance, it just wasn’t good enough, and I was letting down the team of people behind me which was the hardest thing”, she explains. “Focusing on what I can control, things like what I put into my training and performances really helped me do my best and remain focused on moving forward.” She encourages other young riders experiencing similar struggles to resist getting caught up in what others are doing. “Do your own thing at your own pace”, she says. “There’s so much pressure on kids to have a Grand

M: 021 627 082 E: sandij@xtra.co.nz www.classicequestrian.co.nz F: classic.equestrian

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Prix pony, to then get a junior rider horse and so on. My best pony was a 1.10-1.15m legend, and I never competed in Pony of the Year. Create your own path and enjoy each step, you will get to where you want to go. It just may not be how everyone else is doing it.” Another big struggle Nicole had came in 2019 when she broke her leg playing touch rugby. “I hyperextended my knee, dislocated my patella and had a tibial plateau fracture”, she says. “Coming back from that injury was tough work, doing the rehab and building the muscles back up from lack of movement. I wanted to get back on a horse as soon as possible, and although the injury was unrelated to riding, I had to learn to trust my ligaments and muscles were strong enough to hold on and to support my knee from another hyper-extension which was a scary thought that I could get off a horse and my knee might let go.” It was this time in her life that encouraged Nicole to pursue sports massage therapy. “Doing the rehab on my knee and working with Rebecca Whyte at Peak Performance Massage encouraged me to go in that direction

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Above - Nicole & LIL LE ROUX in the 1.30-1.40m at the National Show Jumping Championships during the Speed Round. Right hand competition image - Nicole & LC SAMSON during the Gold Tour at Takapoto Estate Show Jumping.

to help other people do the same successfully and recover from their injuries”, she says. “I think having been through it myself and having put in the work will be super helpful when I am working with others.”

Like every successful person, Nicole is not without a great

network of support around her. Jill Ulrich is one of those people. “I have been going to Jill ever since I was nine years old”, she explains. “She has been not only a fantastic coach and mentor over the years but also a friend. She has been there to support many stages of my life, riding and otherwise.” Jill also assisted Nicole in securing a job in America in 2013 when she left school. She was based at Full Circle Farm, a competition barn in Petaluma, just north of San Francisco,

I HAD SOME

SERIOUSLY AMAZING HORSES TO JUMP

AND COMPETE, A N D I W A S F O R T U N AT E T O H AV E

GREAT TRAINING

THERE FROM DUSTY BLACKWOOD TO HELP DEVELOP

MY SKILLS.

for three months. “I had some seriously amazing horses to jump and compete, and I was fortunate to have great training there from Dusty Blackwood to help develop my skills”, she reflects. “I learned a lot riding different horses and how to adjust quickly when hopping on and off horses. While there, I was working and jumping horses, but I was also able to give lessons to clients as well. I learned a lot about teaching just from watching Dusty give lessons regularly. Learning techniques when teaching has been invaluable since I’ve built up a client base coaching in Southland. The experiences and friendship I had and built there were invaluable.” Her parents have always been not only financial sponsors over the years but super supportive of her sport. “They both came to Algeria with me when I earned the opportunity to compete at the World Cup Jumping Challenge in 2018, and I’m super lucky that my mother comes to the shows with me and is continuously showing me support weekend after weekend”, she says. “I can truly never repay her or thank her enough for all of it.” Completing the team, Nicole is also generously supported by NRM, Hinterland, Peak Performance Massage of Queenstown Health and PRW Photography. C SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

RIDER spotlight

K E I R A’ S

incredible PA R T N E R S H I P WORDS Rebecca Greaves IMAGES - Cornege Photography

Redcliffs Colour Me In may be somewhat unconventional, but she and rider Keira Page have formed an unshakable bond in their five years together. In a fitting end to Keira’s last season on ponies, they took out the Country TV Pony Grand Prix Series in convincing fashion.

Ridden in a bitless

Western Bosal, Northland bush pony Redcliffs Colour Me In (Rain) has never been competed by anyone other than Keira, who has brought the pony up the grades from 80cm to Pony Grand Prix. Winning the series has always been a goal for Ohaupo’s Keira, 17, but she never dreamed it would be possible. “I think for every pony rider, it’s their dream. I thought it would take too long for her to get to this level, and I would be too old. She found her stride at the end of last season, and she’s pretty much been the definition of consistency this season.” Aside from the series, which they led from the outset, highlights include winning the speed class in the night show at Equifest, placing second overall in the National Championships in the South Island and winning three Pony Grand Prix classes on the trot before series finals. Nine-year-old Pintaloosa Rain was broken in

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using a rope halter. At home, she is either ridden in a rope halter or with a string around her neck. “We tried riding her in a bit, and it was pretty much a no go; she just opened her mouth and ran away. We tried every bitless bridle on this earth; I even did a couple of Pony Grand Prix classes in a rope halter, then we found the bosal. It’s basically a rope halter with more brakes. “Later, she had a dental, and the dentist told us there are four factors that make a horse unable to have a bit, and she has all four.” While it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, Keira feels comfortable riding and schooling in a rope halter. “We’ve been in a partnership for a long time, and we trust each other. I think you can see that in the ring, the bond we have.” With her time on ponies coming to an end, Keira says they have run out of excuses now, and Rain is for sale. “It will be a very sad day (when she goes).”

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

WE TRIED

EVERY BITLESS BRIDLE ON THIS EARTH; I EVEN DID A COUPLE OF

PONY GRAND PRIX CLASSES IN A ROPE HALTER, THEN WE

FOUND THE BOSAL. IT’S BASICALLY

A ROPE HALTER WITH MORE BRAKES.

Right hand page -Keira riding REDCLIFFS COLOUR ME IN (Rain) during the Pony Grand Prix, Hawke’s Bay A&P Show 2020 - Image kampic.com Originally from Waiheke Island, she and her mum moved to Ohaupo in the Waikato several years ago to be closer to schooling, so Keira didn’t have to attend boarding school and more central for shows. The family still has the farm on Waiheke, where her mum runs their riding school and trekking business. Keira’s dad lives on the island full-time, where he runs a building company. “I see him every second weekend; either we go home, or he comes here.” In winter, all the competition horses return to Waiheke to roam the farm in 20acre paddocks and enjoy just being horses. In her final year at St Peter’s School in Cambridge, Keira hopes to attend Waikato University to study for a Bachelor of Science. “On the side, to keep my funding up for the season, I break in and produce

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little bush ponies. I’d like to keep doing that and maybe teach some lessons too. I have a few kids I teach, which I enjoy. “I would like to get something else behind me in case the horses fall through, or I decide not to do horses. I think it’s important to have a backup plan – you can always change your mind in life.”

Growing up on the idyllic

Waiheke Island was great fun for Keira, but it did make travel to shows a challenge, with a ferry trip required each time. “Mum did the whole Pony Club thing as a kid. When I was five, my parents bought a farm, and I got my first pony, who I still have now.” Keira and her friends had a great time racing around the farm and attending all the usual Pony Club activities on Waiheke, but it was a holiday camp at Kate’s Riding Centre (now Redcliffs Equestrian) in Kerikeri that kick-started her passion for competing and show jumping. It was a four-hour trip, plus a ferry ride, to get to Redcliffs Equestrian to attend their school holiday camps. “It was the highlight of the holidays. All my friends from Waiheke Pony Club used to go, and it was lots of fun.”

Keira attributes much of her success to the training she has received from Kate Hewlett and Tim Featherstone at Redcliffs Equestrian, particularly Tim. “I learned everything from groundwork to how to do flatwork, shoulder-in and travers. They gave me the confidence to jump big jumps. They’ve been a huge part of my riding, and I’ve been coached by Tim mainly since I was seven. Pretty much everything I am today is because of their help and training.” Tim is still at every show to help Keira. From walking the course to warming up, he’s an important part of her team. “He has a good way with words. The way he explains things and the way he wants me to ride, and what it does to the horses makes sense to me. Instead of forcing them into a frame, it’s about letting them decide how they want to go.” Keira started competing when Tim and Kate found her a pony. That led to her riding for Redcliffs, competing the ponies that would go on to be sold. One of the most notable ponies was Redcliffs Kodak Moment, who took Keira from 90cm to Pony Grand Prix. “She got me up the heights. We sold her in 2019 as I felt I had done all I needed to do with her SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

and wanted to get a Junior Rider horse.” Tim and Kate also found Rain for Keira, and, in the end, instead of getting a Junior horse, she bought a threeyear-old by their stallion Capatino GNZ out of a Jetball Thoroughbred mare to bring on. Show jumping has always appealed to Keira. “I tried eventing, but I didn’t like that if you had one bad phase, it messed up your whole weekend. In show jumping, if you have a bad round, there’s always another round. I love the competition of it, the atmosphere. “It’s rewarding to see your horse progress over time. It’s a product of your hard work; you can see it in the animal.”

Keira was 12 when she got Rain as a pony

to produce and be sold for Redcliffs. She knew there was something special about the pony, and the family purchased her. “She’s very special to me. I took her to her first show, doing 80-90cm, and two seasons later, we stepped up to Pony Grand Prix. She’s never been competed by anyone else.” Rain was difficult to get along with in the beginning. She didn’t like being touched or being caught. “When you rode her, it was always arguing. Eventually, we made a compromise, and it just started working. She has an

Right and below - At home, Rain is either ridden in a rope halter or with a string around her neck. Right hand page - The bond with Rain has been an incredible experience.

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Above left - Keira riding REDCLIFFS COLOUR ME IN (Rain) placed 2nd in the Country TV & Duncan& Ebbett Pony Grand Prix Series - Show Jumping Waikato at Takapoto Estate. Image - Cornege Photography Below left - Keira has great hopes for the CAPATINO GNZ gelding, Caz. incredible jump, and I knew she had the ability. “Early on, I took her to Woodhill Sands and did the 1m class. She jumped the stands on every single fence, and afterwards, about four people came up to me wanting to buy her.” As well as Rain, Keira has the Capatino GNZ gelding, Caz, who is now five. She hopes he can go all the way. “He’s slowly stepping up the heights. He’s doing 1.05m and will build over winter and hopefully do some six-year-olds next season. “He’s the cuddliest thing on the planet, like a little puppy dog. He has nice movement and jump and is fine but strong at the same time, which I like. I hope to do Horse Grand Prix on him in the far future.” When Rain is sold, she hopes to buy a more established horse to add to the team. Keira is grateful to be sponsored by Dynavyte NZ and Christophe Pallies Osteopath. C

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RIDER spotlight

MISSION

possible Antonio Matangi WORDS - Rebecca Greaves IMAGES - Denise Flay Photography

Injury almost threatened to de-rail Show Hunter rider Antonio’s season. Through sheer determination and help from the amazing people around her, she and Shoeshine Polish overcame the odds to bag two series titles and runner-up in a third.

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aking out her first Show Hunter series title has been a long-held goal for pint-sized Antonio. Series Finals at Glistening Waters Showjumping Championships in Masterton delivered the stuff dreams are made of, as she won not one but two and almost made it a triple series crown victory. Levin’s Antonio, 23, and Shoeshine Polish (Polly) rode off with the ESNZ Show Hunter Amateur High Points Series and NRM Open High Points Series and runner-up in the PL Performance Horses Adult Equitation Series. She also placed sixth overall in the Amateur Series on her other mount, Marua. She and Polly have been a team for nine years, but Show Hunter was never her intention, and he was purchased with show jumping in mind. “I turned up at a local Pony Club show thinking there was show jumping, but there was only Show Hunter. I had to suck it up, and it turned out Polly was quite good at Show Hunter – that started my love of the discipline. I keep saying I’m going show jumping, but it’s never really happened,” she laughs. “I love the technicality of Show Hunter, especially equitation, the precision of it all and executing a round. Show Hunter has helped me with him, as my first hack, to take the time to get to know him. I’m a bit of a perfectionist too.” Having won the series, though, she says Polly has nothing more to prove in the Show Hunter arena, and this time, she is determined to follow through on her show jumping plans. “I want to go out and set some new goals in the show jumping ring. Hopefully, I will do the Amateur Series on Polly next season. “Because he’s a bit unorthodox with his jump, I have to work hard as to how he gets to the fence, and he’s not

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Top image - Antonio riding SHOESHINE POLISH at Glistening Waters Showjumping Championships 2021, Solway Showgrounds, Masterton. Image - kampic.com technically correct for Show Hunter. It’s not realistic to think he’ll win a title (at HOY), so winning the series was pretty huge for me.” Polly doesn’t always make life easy for his owner, who describes him as quirky and spooky. “I have to keep him focused on his job. He’s not the easiest horse to ride; you never know what horse you’re going to get – chilled and relaxed or spooky. “Winning (the series) made the season worth it. It hasn’t sunk in. I keep thinking about it, like ‘wow, I really did that’. It was special to win and meant my hard work, not only at shows but during the week, paid off.” As well as juggling her competition team of three horses, Antonio is studying towards a Bachelor of Business at Massey University with a double major in marketing and management. She also works part-time for her parents in their firewood business – even driving trucks and making deliveries if needed.

She may have been

dead set on winning a series this season, but it all almost came to a crashing halt just before Christmas after a nasty fall at a

I LOVE THE

TECHNICALITY O F S H O W H U N T E R,

ESPECIALLY E Q U I T A T I O N, T H E

PRECISION OF IT ALL AND E X E C U T I N G A R O U N D.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

Antonio leads (L-R) SHOESHINE POLISH, MARUA and MY DELTA

show. “I fell off. My left leg got caught on a pole, and my right leg took my full weight, and my knee gave way. I was livid and tried to walk it off – I wanted to carry on. I got halfway back to the truck and had to be carried.” After seeing a sports medicine specialist, it was confirmed she had ruptured her ACL and had two tears in her meniscus. Surgery was recommended but, with the support of the specialist, Antonio decided to undertake a rehabilitation programme with her physiotherapist to strengthen the surrounding muscles, which is proving successful. “It looked like my season was over, which made me even more determined to get at least one series win. I had a month off riding. It was extremely hard; I just wanted to be out there.” Well known for her friendly face on the circuit and willingness to help others, it was no surprise that everyone rallied around Antonio in her time of need. Friend Charlotte Colebrook stepped up to keep her horses in work and rode Polly at the Young Horse Show to keep Antonio’s dreams of winning a series alive. “I can’t express how grateful I am to Charlotte; she was a huge help.” Antonio’s sister, who was home from university, fed and rugged the horses at home. “I was overwhelmed by the support from everyone on the Show Hunter circuit. Everyone was amazing, and I definitely wouldn’t be able to have the mindset I do without the whole team of people backing me.” Her biggest supporters by far are her mum and dad. “They have been incredible, especially dad, who has encouraged me to give things a crack; you will only learn and better yourself the next time around.

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“My parents are the most influential people for my riding. When I doubt myself, they give me a little push of encouragement; that’s what enables me to strive for what I want in life, as well as with horses.” Antonio has trained with Gail Goodwin since she started competing in Show Hunter. “Etiquette, riding and everything I need to know about Show Hunter, Gail has taught me.” Besides, Antonio trains with Dani Maurer when she is in the area and has dressage lessons with Frankie Webb. Life is never dull in the Matangi household, between university, work and horses. There are five horses and two ponies on their 13 acre Levin property. Antonio and her sisters were introduced to riding by family friends. They lived on a nearby farm, which backed on to the beach. “We would ride their ponies and be gone from daylight until dark. Dad thought it was just a phase, but he saw how much fun we had riding on the beach and the farm and wanted to allow us to continue making those memories.” Antonio got her first pony at age eight and progressed through pony club. “My love of horses and competition started from there and has got me to where I am now.”

Station bred Polly,

15, is her top mount, and they have enjoyed plenty of success together, though he does like to keep her on her toes. “He likes to spook at things that aren’t there. I say he likes to play silly buggers! I can do anything with him though, we have done cross country, show jumping, and he’s hunted full wire. He’s a pretty cool dude, and I absolutely love him to bits, as much as he frustrates me at times.”

IT LOOKED LIKE MY SEASON

WAS OVER, WHICH MADE ME EVEN MORE

DETERMINED T O G E T AT L E A S T O N E SERIES WIN.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

Having got him when she was 14, he has taught her everything she knows, and they have learned together. “I consider him my horse of a lifetime.” Next in the team is giant Clydesdale Thoroughbred cross, 12-year-old Marua (Monster). Monster is 17.1hh, and Antonio is tiny, but she says she loves big horses. “I like to feel something under me, though she is quite lazy and doesn’t have a great work ethic. She’s very cruisy and loves her food, especially hot chips and tomato sauce!” Antonio has taken Monster slowly and feels she stepped up this season in the Show Hunter ring, placing sixth in the Amateur Series. She also competes in Working Hunter and hunts and will continue in the Show Hunter ring next season. Her third competition horse is eight-year-old station bred mare My Delta (Delta). Purchased in May last year as a hunter for Antonio’s sister, she took over the ride when her sister went to university. “I thought we’d give Show Hunter a crack. She’s got it all there but is just super green. She had a cool season, won a few classes and qualified for HOY. Like Monster, she’s very food motivated.” As well as a bit of show jumping, Delta is Antonio’s hunter this season. “I hunt with Manawatu and love the social side. It’s the thrill; there’s nothing better than having the hounds pick up a scent and going on a run when you have a good, safe hunter and can jump everything. I love seeing the hounds work and talk. It’s something you have to experience for yourself, hunting.” Delta will be aimed at the Amateur Series in Show Hunter next season, and Antonio hopes to do Working Hunter on her. Finally, Antonio has Shoeshine Buff (Buff), Polly’s younger brother, who she hopes will follow in his older Antonio riding MARUA at Glistening Waters Showjumping Championships 2021, Solway Showgrounds, Masterton. Image - kampic.com sibling’s hoof prints. “He’s six, but he’s still growing, physically and mentally. This winter, I plan to take him to winter shows and hunt him, as he has more woah than go. He’s a lot more chilled than Polly but wants to be in your bubble – he should have been born a dog; he would sit on your lap if he could. “I’m taking him slowly but have high hopes he will be the next Polly. He’s got huge shoes to fill, but I’m pretty confident he will be just as cool as his big bro.” There are two ponies on the property, including 27-year-old Smarty, Antonio’s first pony who is retired, and her sister’s pony, who has been at Nga Tawa. Finally, hunter Totara is in the paddock. Unfortunately, he’s had soundness issues, but she hopes to get him back on the hunt field next season. He was bred by Gisborne’s Wendy Hindrup, who also bred Polly and Buff. “Riding is good for mental clarity. Uni can get quite stressful, and as soon as I’m on a horse, I feel a release. It’s like my stress therapy. I like that I’m always learning; horses are always presenting you with little speed bumps in your journey that you have to manoeuvre around or work through.” She also loves the social side of shows and values the friendships she’s made on the competition circuit. Antonio is grateful to be sponsored by Canter for Cancer, Little Bit Special Stocks and Rose Cruden Sports Massage. C

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RIDER spotlight

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FAMILY

provides

THE FOUNDATION Samantha & Emma Gillies WORDS - Rebecca Greaves IMAGES - Michelle Clarke Photography When the Gillies sisters, Samantha and Emma, step into the ring, they’re a force to be reckoned with. They know the highs and lows of equestrian sport and have the grit and determination to come out at every competition and give 110%.

The Oamaru sisters are fierce competitors on

the show jumping circuit, and they have a slew of titles between them to show for it. Sam, 15, and Emma, 14, have been riding since they were tiny tots. Growing up on a beef and dairy farm, they spent their early days racing around the property on their ponies. Mum Phillipa evented, and their nana and granddad were keen on hunting and eventing. Phillipa’s dad was a cross-country course designer. The jumps the girls use at home now are the same ones their mum used. It was no surprise when Sam got her first pony, Rosie, a paint Shetland, at 18 months old. Emma had a little bay pony called Poppy.

“Mum said we used to brush her (Rosie’s) teeth with a toothbrush. We would go on the farm, and mum led us out the window of her farm truck while she was working.” The sisters progressed through Pony Club, A&P Shows, to Show Hunter, then to show jumping. Both contested the Springston Trophy in 2016, and Sam is quick to remind her sister they won the wooden spoon because Emma’s pony ditched her in the water jump. In 2018 they were more successful, with Sam’s team placing third and Emma’s team seventh. Show Hunter helped them to hone their riding skills, Emma with Benrose Comet and Sam on Sneak. “It taught us to ride a good canter, see a stride and how

Main image - Emma (left) & Samantha (right) SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

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Left hand page - The girls often hack out together during the week Above - Samantha & ST MERRYNS GUINESS at Canterbury A&P Right - Samantha working SOCRATES at home

to ride corners properly,” Sam says. It wasn’t long before the thrill of the show jumping ring beckoned, and they decided to focus their efforts there. “I enjoy the friends we meet and all the life skills we learn, like time management. When we’re back at school, we have to be disciplined to be on time and get everything done before we leave (for shows),” Sam explains. Emma loves the competitive nature of show jumping and travelling around the country for shows. “Seeing different places and meeting different people. Having a good pony base helps!”

Sam’s top pony is 15-year-old Junior Disco. They’ve been

together for two and a half years and struck up a highly successful partnership. It was a bitter pill to swallow when Disco was side-lined halfway through the season through lameness. Last season they finished second in the SI Pony Grand Prix and

second in the Pony Grand Prix at Nationals. They also took third place in Pony of the Year at Land Rover Horse of the Year Show and secured third overall in the Pony Grand Prix Series. This season started with a bang, winning four out of five Pony Grand Prix starts and looking on track to be serious contenders at Horse of the Year again. Sam says Disco is competitive and likes to be the boss. “She doesn’t like being told what to do, you’ve got to go with the flow, or she’ll tell you what is happening.” She hopes she’ll be back next season. “I think she’d like that.” Luckily, Sam also had her first hack, 14-year-old Socrates De La Ve Z (Mammoth), who came from Jan Davis. Mam, or Mammy, as he’s known at home, is a giant at 18hh, and is by Stakkato out of Soldika M. Samantha set some big goals on him, taking first equal place in the Junior Rider Series. The combination also won the Canterbury Junior Rider Series and SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

Above (L-R) A serious line up of ponies/horses; BENROSE STARLIGHT, BENROSE ECLIPSE, Emma, BENROSE PLAYTIME, JUNIOR DISCO, Samantha, SOCRATES DE LA VIE Z & LUMARZO. Samantha working ST MERRYNS GUINESS at home. Right hand page - Emma holding BENROSE PLAYTIME.

the 1.20m Championship at Nationals. “He’s been a great first hack. He loves people and thinks he is the best – he is the best, though.” Sam hopes to step him up to Young Rider and Mini Prix this coming season and eventually aim for Grand Prix. With Disco out, Sam was grateful to be offered the ride on Tyler McKee’s Lumarzo (Lou) for the second half of the season. Starting out at 1.10m, they soon worked their way up to 1.30m and Young Rider classes. Lou is a 12-year-old by Lansing. “She’s a great second horse, really honest, loves jump-offs. She’s got a big heart for a small horse. Hopefully, I will ride her again next season, and if I don’t, Emma might.”

Meanwhile, Emma has been

tearing up the pony show jumping ring with her trio of Benrose ponies – Benrose Playtime, Benrose Eclipse and Benrose Starlight - and was named Junior Sportswoman of the Year for North Otago. Benrose Playtime (Lizzie) is her top pony, and they are in their second season of Pony Grand Prix, pipping her older sister at Horse of the Year last year to take second place in Pony of the Year. “At the beginning of this season when Sam had Disco, she just kept beating me – I was second at the first four or five shows. Then we stepped up our game to take out some honours.” Like Sam, Emma was in for heartbreak when Lizzie got a virus. “She didn’t feel herself at all, and we didn’t compete at Nationals or for the following month.” Fortunately, the pony recovered and was back to her best by the end of the season. They capped off the season by winning

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the Pony Grand Prix class at Series Finals and taking second overall in the Pony Grand Prix Series. “She likes to do what she wants. She loves going for farm rides, but jig jogs the whole way home! I can’t really jump school her at home because I don’t have much control – but at shows, she’s perfect.” Then there is 10-year-old Benrose Eclipse (Daisy). This season was their first competitive season at Pony Grand Prix level, winning the Pony Grand Prix at Nationals and placing seventh in the Series. “She’s a bit of a hard case. Loads of personality, she does this weird thing with her head where she flicks it around like a donkey. She loves to jump, going swimming and for farm rides. She also loves cross country – I took her eventing once, and she cantered up the centre line,” Emma laughs. Finally, she has Benrose Starlight (Tonic), an 11-year-old who started at

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1.10m this season and stepped up to do her first Pony Grand Prix in their first season together. “She was really good, but I was struggling to have three in the Pony Grand Prix classes down south, as there aren’t many entrants, and they would be one after another sometimes.” It can be a juggle and, sometimes, Sam helps her warm the ponies up. “I think I should take the credit for them going well when I warm them up,” Sam quips. All Emma’s current ponies, and her old pony Benrose Comet, came from Tania and Sophie Scott. “They’re young ponies Sophie finds and produces. They’re very well-schooled, and she does a great job.” Along with their mum, the Scotts have been the most significant influence on their riding careers, and they based themselves with the Scotts for their recent North Island campaign. Both girls agreed on Pony of the Year at Horse of the Year last year being a real

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LAST YEAR, WE WERE

EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE. WE WOULD WALK THE

COURSE TOGETHER, BUT AS SOON AS IT CAME TO THE

JUMP-OFF, WE WOULDN’T TA L K B E C A U S E W E B O T H

WANTED TO WIN AS MUCH AS EACH OTHER,

S A M S AY S . Above - Samantha (L) & Emma (R) with younger brother Ben and the family German Short Haired Pointer, Hunta Left hand page - Emma riding BENROSE PLAYTIME in the Pony Grand Prix at Ashburton Show Jumping highlight, Emma placing second and Sam third. With Land Rover Horse of the Year cancelled this year, they hope to be back for a crack at lifting the title next year.

Mum Phillipa says her

daughters have discovered the hard way how difficult the horse game can be, but they have learned to tough it out. “I think this year, especially for Sam, she had an aim to be competitive in the Junior Rider Series, and you’ve got to keep your head down and keep working at your goal all season. For Emma, Lizzie getting sick, it’s harsh when you’re putting the time in, and that happens. You have to keep on keeping on.” Sam says losing Disco was tough, as she was her only competitive pony, and they had big goals. “It all went out the window when she went lame. I just had to tell myself hopefully she’ll be right next season and put all my work into Mammy to achieve the goals I set for him.” Emma still had Daisy and Tonic to focus on, and, in a way, it made Daisy step up at Nationals. “I think Lizzie and her had a chat about what she had to do that weekend, and she stepped up. I think she felt a bit special, and she is special. I hadn’t done many Grand Prix classes on her, so winning was quite an achievement.” The girls make no bones about it, they are often in the same classes, and all bets are off when it comes to competition. “Last year, we were extremely competitive. We would walk the course together, but as soon as it came to the jump-off, we wouldn’t talk because we both wanted to win as much as each other,” Sam says. “When Disco was out, to stop the disappointment getting to me too much, I’d walk the course with the other girls and pretend I was riding.” Although there has been the odd quiet truck trip home, Phillipa has always been clear about her expectations. “Mum is quite strict. If we get too annoyed at each other, we have to sort it out, get on with it, or we

don’t go. That’s where the discipline comes in. We’ve learned they are animals and can’t be perfect and on their A-game all the time.” Phillipa echoes this sentiment. “It wasn’t always a smiley drive home in our truck, but as they get older, they support each other more. They’ve learned to work and grow through that. It’s good, and it’s made them who they are, having that competition with each other.” Having support from each other, in training and competition, and the whole family has been key to their success. “Sam and Emma train their ponies on grass and still use the show jump gear and rails my dad made for me. Having that gear that’s gone through the family got me to where I was and the girls to where they are today. It’s a sport that’s been in my family for three to four generations, and they’re lucky to have that support. “I used to say to them, ‘you’re not allowed to wear diamonds on your bum because you’ll look stupid if you fall off!’ Gear doesn’t make you any better, but the discipline of putting in the hard work and time does.” Sam and Emma both have ambitions to keep riding and strive to wear the silver fern one day. They’re also acutely aware of the reality of horses and the expense. Their parents have emphasised the importance of keeping up their schooling. “I guess we’re trying to keep it real. We are trying to say to the girls, horses are great, and you’re good at it, but keep going with your schoolwork, so you have options in this changing environment we live in,” Phillipa says. “We’ve had to work for what we want both on the farm and sport to have the dedication to get to where we want to go,” Sam sums up. Sam and Emma are grateful to be sponsored by BetaVet, Kyrewood Saddlery and, of course, their mum and dad. They also want to thank Lucy Hellewell for her help at shows this season and for being a great friend. “We also want to acknowledge how lucky we are to have fantastic course designers that make us better at our game weekend after weekend, and that’s the challenge we love.” C SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

RIDER spotlight

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earns RESULTS HARD WORK Georgia Milner WORDS & IMAGES - Caitlin Benzie COMPETITION IMAGES - Libby Law Photography

After a dream start to 2021, this 17-year-old is rapidly earning a reputation as one of the speediest jump-off riders on the show jumping circuit, and with her classy Oaks Chifley, she looks on track to make her name in the sport for years to come.

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Horses were on the brain

for Georgia from the first moment she could remember, and as soon as she could talk, her mission in life was to get a pony somehow. “My family is completely unhorsey, and I grew up in Farm Cove, a very residential area in Pakuranga. However, growing up in town didn’t stop me from constantly begging for a pony from the moment I could talk! Dad (Rod) had always wanted to ride when he was a kid, but Mum (Shanlee) was terrified of the horses, so it took a lot of convincing,” she laughs. “I started with a holiday camp at Bartley Riding Academy in Whitford when I was eight, and much to Mum’s dismay, I was hooked. I then convinced my parents for weekly lessons, as I was desperate to be around horses as much as possible. When I was 12 years old they finally had to relent that I was rather stuck on horses, and I

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got my first pony, Viva Las Vegas. Elvis is a full-height Australian Riding Pony by Radway Talk of the Town and was bred by Kay Cottle. Mum’s really good with the horses now, but I haven’t quite managed to convince her to ride with me yet!” With Elvis, Georgia had her first competition experiences competing across multiple disciplines in One Day Event, Show Cross and Show Jumping. “The first thing I did when I got Elvis was join Whitford Pony Club; they encouraged us to give almost every discipline a try. We competed in ODE up to Pre-Training (80cm), although we had a lot of bad luck along the way – I think we managed to get eliminated in most of our events that first season, silly things like jumping out of the dressage arena were a bit of an issue! It was with Elvis that I first found my love of Show Jumping, it was my favourite part of Eventing, and so it was what I decided to stick to and focus my time and effort on.”

In 2017, a bad fall gave Georgia a sharp knock to her confidence and she was a bit lost in where she was going with her riding. However, as is often the way with horses, a silver lining was about to present itself. “Elvis and I had a bit of a horror fall, where he fell on me at a show, which left me with a concussion and a badly sprained neck. I lost pretty much all of my confidence, and that’s when we decided to go to John Cottle for some lessons; he was terrific and helped build my confidence back up again. The horses are now grazed at John’s stables in Ardmore, and he’s been the most phenomenal support over the last four years. With John’s help to improve my confidence, I decided to move up the heights in show jumping. We decided to buy my first hack, Icebreaker MP. Ella, as she’s otherwise known, is just adored by all of us and was the perfect

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horse to start my core focus on show jumping. She’s a 12-year-old chestnut mare by Eurosport Heartbreaker and out of H.R Serious Moonlight (Invictus), bred by Selina Baddeley. When I got her, she’d jumped in the seven-yearold series, and together we’ve competed up to 1.30m, with a primary focus on the Junior Rider series. Next season, the aim is to jump in the Tertiary and Junior series with her. Double J Angelic is the other horse in my team. Jolie is a 17-year-old bay mare by Double J Repicharge and out of Winchester Girl (Thoroughbred), and we’ve been competing in the Junior Rider series. “Having lessons with John and grazing at his place is so helpful as he’s always there to give me a hand with the

“

THE FIRST THING

I DID WHEN

I G O T E LV I S W A S J O I N

WHITFORD PONY CLUB; THEY ENCOURAGED US

TO GIVE ALMOST EVERY D I S C I P L I N E A T R Y.

Above - Georgia and OAKS CHIFLEY ride for the win in the Mainland Coachwork Junior Rider Series at Brookby Show jumping Grand Prix Show 2021

horses. He’s definitely one of the best things to ever happen to my riding, as he has so much experience and knows how to work through any problems that I’m having, and is always there ringside to help me warm up at shows.” The praise isn’t one-sided in this training partnership, however, with John having plenty of good things to say about Georgia as well. “Georgia is a student who really makes my job fun,” says John. “She dreams of success and works for it with determination, preparation, practice and hard work – all of this together has led to her success. To

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top it all off, she’s also an all-around lovely person, which makes her and her family a pleasure to work with!”

If training with John is the best

thing that’s happened in Georgia’s riding career, Oaks Chifley would have to be an incredibly close second. Purchased in December 2020 from Sally Simmonds, Soldier had an imposing resume under his belt, having won 17 of his 19 starts in 2019 and also jumping to the 2019 Australian Junior Title. “Soldier is a nine-year-old brown gelding by Chacco Blue and out of Indra 84

(Eurika), bred by Oaks Sport Horses in New South Wales. He’s just the absolute best, and I’d never tell the other horses, but secretly I think he’s my favourite. He’s like a wonderful oversized pony with the kindest nature and is so easy to handle and work with on a day- to-day basis; all he wants to do is please, no matter what. “I’ve been so lucky with Soldier, and we’ve had a great end to our first season together. We won four Junior Rider classes and also competed in and won our first Young Rider in the Vodanovich Law class at the Ray Burmester Memorial Show. It was our biggest win of the season as it’d been a goal

Above - Georgia and Icebreaker MP during the Junior Rider Final 1.20m, during week 1 at Takapoto Estate Showjumping 2020 of mine to do a Young Rider class for a long time, so to win meant I was pretty stoked. Solder is naturally pretty quick covering the ground and doesn’t waste any time in the air; I know I can trust him to go forward and be clean in the jump-offs - he helps me out a lot! He hates touching fences and loves his job; he always gets a lot more excited when coming back into the ring for jump-offs.”

To finish their stellar first

season, Georgia and Soldier won the 1.25m 10k Classic at the Easter Jumping Festival, now one of Georgia’s favourite shows. However, Soldier becoming part of the family had the potential to go all wrong, as the Milner’s purchased him sight unseen. “John got a call from Alice Cameron, who bred Soldier, and Gavin Chester, who was Sally’s coach, to say that SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

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I’VE BEEN

SO LUCKY WITH SOLDIER, AND WE’VE HAD A

GREAT END TO OUR FIRST

SEASON TOGETHER.

Georgia and OAKS CHIFLEY to win the final in the Land Rover Horse 1.20m-1.25m at the Easter Jumping Festival 2021 - NEC, Taupo.

Soldier had come up for sale and that he needed to find a client for him as he was a phenomenal horse. We weren’t looking for a horse at the time, as I had Jolie and Ella, but John thought of us, and we figured why not; we may as well look further into it. COVID-19 hit, so we weren’t able to see him in person, but we decided to purchase him anyway; we watched the vet check over video, which was certainly an interesting experience. A few weeks later, Soldier was in our, or rather John’s, paddock! It’s been a huge relief that everything has worked out so well with him and that he’s continued being the superstar that he is.”

Having left school a year early to go to university and study a Bachelor of Science at the Auckland University of Technology, it’s clear to see that not only is Georgia a talented rider, but that she has a good head on her shoulders too. The future looks bright for Georgia and her team of beautiful horses. With more of the hard work and determination that she’s already shown, plus an incredibly supportive family behind her, there’s definitely the potential that we’ll see her wearing the silver fern in years to come. C SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

RIDER spotlight

Pippa Collins is

RIDING

for the

FUTURE

WORDS - Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES - Michelle Clarke Photography

Off the back of a successful 2020/ 2021 season, the 17-year-old Columba College student has a lot to be proud of. She not only has National Show Hunter and show jumping titles to her name, but she also has a beautiful, loving approach to her horses and, without a doubt, has a huge future ahead of her.

When you speak to Pippa, it is easy to see just

how much adoration she has for her two jumpers, nineyear-old gelding, Double J Barman and eight-year-old Pinto mare, First Lady. She speaks about them with so much wisdom and insight that it is easy to forget she is still in college. “Double J Barman is special, and he is full of personality. He is such a cheeky horse”, Pippa laughs. “You are out in the paddock doing stuff, and he is right there with you, which is definitely what I love about him the most.” She describes his way of going similar to that of a pony as he is super fun and reliable to go out into the ring and do his job well. “He can be a bit of a handful to deal with because he is spooky and energetic, but once he is in the ring, he knows his job and gets in there and gets it done.” Pippa purchased Bart, as he is known at home, from the Feast family. He had been very successful with Harry in the five and six-year-old series and then with Harry’s younger

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sister Caitlin who competed in the seven-year-old classes and Young Rider level. Pippa had lost her original Junior Rider horse Mr Gregory about six months before, and she had taken some time to process that before she found Bart. In September last year, Pippa purchased her grey mare, First Lady (Lego), from Claire Wilson. “She’s had an incredible season, and it has been exhilarating to add her to my team, and I am grateful to Claire for breeding and producing such an amazing horse who I was lucky enough to purchase,” she says. Incredible is just one way to describe her season, adding National and South Island titles to their resume. In December, only a few months of partnership and at their second Premiere Junior Rider start, the pair won all three Junior Rider titles up for grabs at South Island Championships - Junior Rider Champion, Junior Equitation Champion and Junior High Points Champion. “The show before hadn’t gone well at all, so I went in with no expectations other than to try and have some good rounds,” Pippa reflects. “Bart had gone out first, and it was

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Top image - Pippa & FIRST LADY during the Junior Rider class at the South Island Championships This image - Hacking out FIRST LADY at the farm Right hand page - Pippa during the presentation after winning the Premiere Junior Rider with FIRST LADY at the South Island Championships

quite a tricky track, and there had only been one clear before, so I went out there and rode around and then thought, oh my goodness, I have gone clear. Then I watched Sam Gillies go in the jump-off and thought, ‘there is no way I can beat her. She is so fast’. Then Sam took two rails, and there was a lot of pressure to go clear, but I knew I could trust her to go in there and leave all the rails up, and she cantered around beautifully and took the win. “Lego is just amazing. You can go out and win in the show jumping ring, come out, throw on a sheepskin numnah on and you can go out and win in the Show Hunter ring”, Pippa says. “She is trustworthy; my mum or sister who no longer rides can come home and get on and ride her. She’s so easy and just so beautiful to ride as well. She’s schooled so beautifully. She is just a bit of an angel, really one in a million.”

It would be easy to assume that everything has been smooth sailing for Pippa, but the reality is far from it. The show before South Islands had been challenging for Pippa in the ring and personally. “Both horses hadn’t jumped well at that show, and I also had a friend involved in a terrible car accident while at the show, and she was in ICU, she sadly later passed away, so it was a difficult time. It was tough because I had to deal with all my personal issues on top of everything else”, she reflects. “I came home and hacked the horses out on the Monday, took some time with each of them and thought, okay we are going to forget that it is the South Island Champs we are going to go down there with no expectations, and my goal is to get the horses jumping happily again.” That is Pippa’s biggest priority always, for her horses to be happy in their job. “It worked because the horses both finished the weekend feeling great about themselves again, and the titles were just the icing on top.” Putting the show in the past was crucial for Pippa moving forward. “The horses don’t remember themselves that the last show wasn’t great, it wasn’t massive things that went wrong, but it was at a different show, they don’t put the two and two together so I think if I forget about it, then they will too. If I am confident and believe in them, they believe in me.” When she was younger, she also had a time when she didn’t have a top horse. “I struggled with that because I was a bit younger, and I wanted

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Lego is just amazing. You can go out and win in the show jumping ring, come out, throw on a sheepskin numnah on and you can go out and win in the Show Hunter ring.

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This image - Pippa with FIRST LADY (left) & DOUBLE J BARMAN (right) Below- Pippa with her little companion, Jock

to be keeping up with my friends, and I felt like I was behind”, she reflects. “But now, looking back, I realise that’s okay because that’s still going to happen at certain times. You aren’t always going to be up with the game or purchase the latest thing. It is okay to be at the back of the pack sometimes.” Pippa also took some time of reflection when she lost her good horse, Mr Gregory, unexpectedly. “It took quite a while for me to get going again. We waited six or seven months before we bought Bart.” She took that time to reevaluate and spend some time with her pony Red to figure out what she wanted to do next. “After a while, I realised, ‘yes, I love this sport, I love what I am doing and being with the horses, and I couldn’t imagine not being with them”, she says. “That was one of the biggest things because, for a time, I thought maybe this isn’t what I want to do. Not having the pressure of a new horse straight away was good. It gave me the time with the horses I already had and to enjoy them.”

Pippa trains with Nicole White, who she describes as being

just brilliant, “she is so good at resetting my mind for the next horse”, she explains. “I take a moment between horses and rounds, take a breath and then go over the course again for Lego because they are quite different, so I have to visualise and plan how I need to ride it on her. It is quite helpful to ride a course twice because you know where the tricky spots come up. I can learn what I need to do better from the first round.” Pippa doesn’t like to watch the other competitors ride before her as she finds it distracting from her own ride. “I know my plan, and I like to stick to it, not try and change it depending on what the other riders are doing. Some people find it helpful to watch, but I don’t because no one else knows my horses as I do. I know what their abilities are, what they can and can’t do, so I like to go in there with my plan and try and execute it as well as I can.” Whilst Pippa loves to win as much as everyone else, she explains that is not her focus. “I am not riding my horses for now; I am riding them for the future. Lego, in particular, is such a horse for

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That was one of the biggest things because, for a time, I thought maybe this isn’t what I want to do. Not having the pressure of a new horse straight away was good. It gave me the time with the horses I already had and to enjoy them.

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Most people think Show Hunter and show jumping can’t come together, but I disagree because, in your equitation rounds, it is all about rollbacks Above - Pippa & DOUBLE J BARMAN competing at the South Island Nationals

the future that winning a class now or not doesn’t matter. What is important to me is producing her so she can jump those bigger classes,” she says. “With Bart, my focus is on producing him so some kid coming off ponies can get on him and go and have such a great time. That is the most important thing for me more than ribbons. Happy horses and riding them for the future.”

After her success at

South Island Champs, Pippa gave the horses a couple of weeks off on their hills to let their brains settle down and refresh. When they

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and cutting tightly while making it nice for the horse.

brought Bart back in, Pippa noticed he was a little sore, so she called the vet right away and found he had been tying up, so she made a new plan for him, refocusing him back down to smaller work and building him back up again. “He went and did small stuff for the first part of the season, and then he went and did Junior Rider at Nationals where I was really stoked with him to jump the bigger classes again, and he did quite well, and best of all, he didn’t tie up.” Pippa again wasn’t expecting any massive results from this show and even had the conversation with her mum, Maria, on the

way that she would be happy to get a nice round. However, true to form, Lego and Pippa jumped around clear. “It was cool, and every spot came up perfectly”, she recalls. “I was first to go in the jump-off, and Nicole told me to go out and just give it my absolute best shot.” Pippa credits her background in Show Hunter for much of her success. “Most people think Show Hunter and show jumping can’t come together, but I disagree because, in your equitation rounds, it is all about rollbacks and cutting tightly while making it nice for the horse. It’s the same as how I rode my jump-off, with all the rollbacks from

Being respected as a person is my definition of success.

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my Show Hunter courses and Lego just went out there and nailed it again. She was the only clear”, she says. “It was quite funny though because the whole time I thought Olivia Adams had won because she had a quicker time, but I didn’t know she had a rail. So I came out and thought, ‘Olivia has won, that is so cool for Liv’, we had grown up in the sport together, starting out doing Cat A together when we were seven. I was congratulating her, and she said, ‘What are you doing? You won!’ I was just blown away and shocked. It was just so cool. My dad and sister had come up for the day, and my cousin placed fourth in the class. It was just really special.”

When focusing on her goals going forward, Pippa

is clear her utmost priority is happy horses. “Happy horses make everything much better, and secondly, it is to have fun”, she explains. “Whilst saying that, I would like to step up the heights, start Lego at Young Rider/ Mini Prix height and hoping she will go Grand Prix. She has the breeding and the scope. It is just getting her there.” She would love to jump Bart in the Junior Rider classes and 1.30m next season. “After that, he will probably be for sale, unfortunately. You get to a time where you have to move on. They need to teach someone else the ropes; he is that horse that would teach kids how to have fun in the ring and win. He is really cool.” Pippa believes in riding the horse you have, and working with them is a key to successful partnerships. “I don’t try to change the horse. I try and change myself to them. You have to learn to adapt and go the way they go because that is their happy way of going”, she explains. “All the best horses have their own quirks, they all have their own things that they do, and I really see that with my horses. That is their spirit, and you don’t want to break that because that is what makes them who they are, and without that, they aren’t going to be as special or a standout horse. Just like people, we all have that stuff that makes us stand out and be special, and it’s no different.” She also has the skill of being able to remain present and focused in the moment. “Connecting with the horse is so important, but also, I am not scared of what might or might not happen. I don’t think about what might not go well. I think about the here and now.” Pippa also resists focusing on the results. “Too many people are out there rushing up the heights and doing silly things all to get a result or to get a name. I am really happy to go at the speed

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that I am going. I know I will get there eventually, and in the meantime, I am just taking my time to ensure the horses are the best they can be when they get there.” Success to Pippa is independent of results. “Being respected as a person is my definition of success”, she reflects. “There are so many people that are overlooked in favour of others that some might recognise as getting real results in terms of ribbons and rugs, but I know so many people who don’t get the rugs and the ribbons but do so much work and put in so much attention and details to their horses and riding. I don’t see results as ribbons. I see it as progressing their horses, not riding them for the series but riding them for the future, and I think that is the biggest thing because we see so many horses getting pressure put on them too young and then burning out when they could have gone so much further than they did.”

Like every successful person, Pippa has surrounded herself with a

group of important and influential people who have mentored her through her career to date. She began training with Jenny Pike when she was seven and has continued training with her until now. “She is great, and she keeps me correct as a rider which I really value.” Pippa has also recently begun training with Duncan McFarlane, who has helped her think as a rider. “I really rate him. He is an awesome coach and person. He gets you to train the horses in such a good way and teaches his students exercises that get the horse and rider both thinking”, she says. Nicole White has also had a significant influence on Pippa. “She is always at the shows that I am at, which is awesome. She is always there at my course walks and warm-ups”, Pippa says. “She is good at sorting out my nerves, telling me to get over myself if I am being a bit stupid about something and encouraging me to go for it and have fun without putting too much pressure on myself. If it does go badly, which happens with horses, and that’s okay, then she is there to help me move on and put things in the past. It is a round, and it doesn’t matter.” Pippa’s family have also been an enormous support, her mum Maria, dad Johnny and sister, Bridget are all invested in her show jumping dreams, and they love the horses as much as she does. She also is gratefully supported by Jordan Dent Farrier Services and Hinterland. C

EVENT coverage

DRESSAGE COMES TO TAKAPOTO ESTATE

BY THE LAK E

IMAGES - Christine Cornege Photography

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In dressage you dance together as one...

Julie Brougham gives VOM FEINSTEN the pat that brought the house down. They had just completed the Zilco FEI Grand Prix Freestyle (2017), sponsored by Custom Logistics test to finish in 1st place with a final score of 74.706.

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1 2 3 4

1. Cooper Oborn - CDS DONSTAR during the FEI Young Dressage Horse 5 Year Old Preliminary Test sponsored by Matthews Hanoverians finishing on 70.183, 1st 2. Melissa Galloway - WINDERMERE JOBÈI W, 69.38, 3rd in the Waikato Equine Veterinary Clinic FEI Grand Prix (2021) 3. Julie & David Brougham during VOM FEINSTEN’S official retirement from competition ceremony and presenttion 4. Julie Brougham - VOM FEINSTEN in the Zilco FEI Grand Prix Freestyle (2017) sponsored by Custom Logistics to finish in 1st with a final score of 74.706 5. Mikayla Wildermoth - DON DOUGLAS CFH during the Balanced Saddle Fitting NZ Advanced Medium 5C, 63.718, 11th 6. Cooper Oborn - APHRODITE during the Waikato Equine Veterinary Clinic FEI Grand Prix (2021), 67.609, 4th 7. Gaylene Lennard - JAX JOHNSON during the Zilco FEI Intermediate A/B Freestyle (2018) sponsored by Williamsons Water & Land Advisory class to finish 1st with 73.25 8. Lucarne Dolley - HPH SIR WOLKENTANZ in the Zilco Elementary Freestyle sponsored by Dressage Rider Training finishing on 72.733 and 1st place 9. Renee Etherington - BL ALL BY CHANCE in the Zilco Advanced Freestyle sponsored by Back on Track, 64.825, 9th 10. Vanessa Way - NSC ANDREAS, 70.036, 2nd in the Waikato Equine Veterinary Clinic FEI Grand Prix

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5 6 7 8

9 10

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2 4

7 8

1. Chelsea Callaghan - SISTERS II ETTA J during the Zilco FEI Intermediate A/B Freestyle (2018) sponsored by Williamsons Water & Land Advisory finishing on 70.188, for 3rd place 2. Rebecca Williamson - DON TOBIO in the FEI Young Rider Team Test, finishing with 68.309 in 1st place 3. Wendi Williamson - BON JOVI MH in the Zilco FEI Intermediate I Freestyle (2017) class sponsored by Kiwi Arena Rakes to finish with 73 and 1st place 4. Nicky Daulton - HPH PHELIX PHELICIOUS during the Balanced Saddle Fitting NZ Advanced Medium 5C finishing with 67.821, 4th 5. Lucarne Dolley- ARDMORE during the Waikato Equine Veterinary Clinic FEI Grand Prix, finishing on 65.543 for 5th place 6. Melissa Galloway - WINDERMERE INTEGRO during the Zilco Advanced Medium Musical Freestyle sponsored by Louisa Hill Equestrian to take the win on 73.389 7. Casey Burton - FANFARE MH during the Zilco Advanced Freestyle sponsored by Back on Trackto finish with 74.258 and 1st place 8. Liz Hutson - HAPSBURG PSH in the Zilco FEI Intermediate A/B Freestyle (2018) sponsored by Williamsons Water & Land Advisory class to finish with 67.562 and 4th place.

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5 6

1. Brina Carpenter - LEO DONNA in the Moores Riding Wear - FEI Intemediate B (2021) class, to finish with 63.446 and 5th place

2. Cassandra Dally - JAZDAN D’’MOVISTAR CD during the Waikato Equine Veterinary Clinic FEI Grand Prix (2021) to finish on 58.768 3. Nicki Stone - DELTA RE in the Zilco Advanced Medium Musical Freestyle sponsored by Louisa Hill Equestrian to finish in 3rd with 69.889 4. Amanda Macpherson - FRIEDEN STARIN the EyeOpener Novice Class 2B with a score of 79.412 to finish 1st 5. Sophie de Clifford - RIVERROCK NIGELLA in the EyeOpener Preliminary Class 1B to finish with 75.268, 1st place 6. Catherine Tobin - I LIKE IT in the Waikato Equine Veterinary Clinic FEI GP with a score of 61.522, 9th

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SUPA JOINT

8 7 10 9

7. Angela Lloyd - RUANUKU R during the Zilco FEI Intermediate A/B Freestyle (2018) sponsored by Williamsons Water & Land Advisory finishing on 66.688 and 7th place 8. Sarah Morgan - REUBEN CHS during the Zilco Advanced Medium Musical Freestyle sponsored by Louisa Hill Equestrian, 68.722, 4th 9. Debbie Barke - RM SUZIE Q during the Zilco Advanced Medium Musical Freestyle sponsored by Louisa Hill Equestrian, placing 2nd with 71.1 10.Vanessa Way - NSC TIMBERMILL PREQUEL during the Zilco FEI Intermediate I Freestyle (2017) sponsored by Kiwi Arena Rakes and finishing with 70.688 in 3rd place

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BREED TO SUCCEED STONEYLEA FARM NEW ZEALAND

GLOBAL PLAYER Grand Galaxy Win x Don Schufro

VIVALDON Vivaldi- Diamond Hit

DON INDEX Don Crusader - Wolkentanz I - Salvano

TOTILAS Gribaldi x Glendale

BALOU DU ROUET Baloubet du Rouet - Continue - Domino

TOTAL HOPE Totilas x Don Schufro

FAIR DEAL Franklin- Furstenball

STAKKATO Spartan x Pygmalion

BENICIO Bellissimo M x Velten Third

DANCIERO Dancier x Floriscount

SHU FU Sezuan- Furst Heinrich

NZ Agents for IHB. View stallion list: stoneyleafarm.co.nz Stoneylea Farm NZ agents for IHB.

BREED TO SUCCEED STONEYLEA FARM NEW ZEALAND

VIVINO Vivaldi x Dancier

DIABLUE PS Diaron-Stakkato

VITALIS Vivaldi x Dday

Orders need to be placed by July 31st Europe’s most outstanding performance stallions through conception method... Frozen AI

VISCERADO Viscount x Raphael

DIARADO Diamant de Semily - Corrado I - Contender

CONTHARGOS Converter x Carthagos

FURSTENBALL Furst Heinrich - Donnerhall - Classiker v. Calypso II

SEZUAN’S DONNERHALL Sezuan x Donnerhall

DE NIRO Donnerhall x Akzent II

LORD EUROPE Lord leatherdale x Boston

To discuss your breeding requirements please contact Angela Smith phone 09 235 3996 or 021499734 or email: inquiries@stoneyleafarm.co.nz

EVENT coverage

G L I S T E N I N G WAT E R S JUMPING CHAMPIONSHIPS IMAGES - Belinda Pratt Photography

1 2 3 4

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56 7 8

1. Glen Beal - ALL EXPENSES OF RENTON, 1st ESNZ Horse Grand Prix Grand Final sponsored by Chele Clarkin Jewellery 2. Karis Spurway - KAPATTACK, 1st in the Junior Rider Series Grand Final, sponsored by GFE International 3. Annabel Francis - CARADO GHP, 3rd in the ESNZ Horse Grand Prix Grand Final sponsored by Chele Clarkin Jewellery 4. Lauren Mitchell - MAROKOPA CJ, 3rd in the Show Hunter Open Horse 90cm 5. Dayna Lowe - TF TEMPERANCE BRENNAN, 2nd in the Show Hunter Category C Open 90cm Championship HOYQ 6. Tegan Fitzsimon - CAPPUCINO, 2nd in the ESNZ Horse Grand Prix Grand Final, sponsored by Chele Clarkin Jewellery 7. Trudi Lovett - HOT WIRED, 5th in the Show Hunter Masters Horse 90cm 8. Sophie Scott - LAKOTA, 1st in the FMG Young Rider Series Grand Final, sponsored by Massie Stables/Equus Auctions

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12 34

1 5

1. Helen Ensor - ZACTAC CARNIVAl 4th in the Harrison Lane Pro-Am Rider Series Grand Final, sponsored by Sheena Ross Equestrian

2.Emma Gillies - BENROSE PLAYTIME 1st in the Country TV Pony Grand Prix Grand Final, sponsored by Borthwick Wine 3. Penny Borthwick

-FOXDENS MERLOT 3rd in the Country TV Pony Grand Prix Grand Final, sponsored by Borthwick Wine 4. Annabel Francis - LA QUINARA, 1st in the Poli Payments Premier League Series Grand Final sponsored by Copthorne Solway Park 5. Zoe Slater - MOCCOCHINO , 3rd in the 90cm Show Hunter HOYQ Championship & 2nd Pony Handy Hunter 6. Molly Pike - ODDFELLO NGA RUA, 1st in the Show Hunter Pony Handy Hunter 7. Mandy Illston IGUAZU, 3rd in Harrison Lane Pro-Am Rider Series Grand Final, sponsored by Sheena Ross Equestrian 8. Kate Mullins - COWBOY COOL, 1st in the Show Hunter Masters Horse 90cm 9. Emily Twort - CAMARO KSNZ, 2nd in the Show Hunter Open Horse 90cm

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6 7

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2 1 4

3 5

1. Nicole White - LC SAMSON, 3rd in the Poli Payments Premier League Series Grand Final, sponsored by Copthorne Solway Park 2. Kate Hersdon - JUNEAU SSNZ, 4th in the FMG Young Rider Series Grand Final, sponsored by Massie Stables/Equus Auctions

3. Kaitlin Brown - TAWA,1st in the 90cm Show Hunter HOYQ Championship and winner of the Sure Grip Mats Show Hunter Pony Rider Equitation Series 4. Diana Cottle - TRAVINO, 3rd in the Masters Horse 90cm 5. Katie Huggins - FLINT RC, 4th in the Open Show Hunter Horse 90cm

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G U IDUE S O S HE N YO FOR W NEED TO CALL THE VET

WEATHERBEETA WINTER IDE RUGGING GU

2021

MILY SUCCESS & FA IN HAND GO HAND

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TRAINING clinic

Strengthen up Equine physiotherapist Sammy Finnemore’s favourite grid for developing strength, suppleness and awareness.

Building the grid

Build the grid as shown in the photograph — if you don’t have enough poles to build the full grid, just build one part of it. If you can, leave the grid set up and use it throughout the week, just for a few minutes during your schooling.

Route 1 Route 2 Route 3 Route 4

Time to ride It’s important to encourage your horse to find his own way through the grid without interference from you. Don’t try to alter his stride, let the poles do that for you. Allow your horse to take his head forward and down — this will help him to work over his back. He may struggle at first, tripping or doing irregular steps. If this continues, adjust the distances between the poles.

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1 2 3

Begin by walking through the grid, shown as the purple and pink lines.

Still in walk, progress to the blue and green lines, which are more difficult. Encourage your horse to bend through the poles on these lines using your upper body, seat and legs, but not the reins. Repeat these exercises in working trot. Regulate the pace using your seat and legs, allowing your horse to take his head forwards. Use half-halts if he’s rushing.

Change the Challenge

1 2 3

Alter the distance between the poles to canter strides and ride through the grid in canter. Change the distances again and you can ride through in collected trot. Be inventive. There are lots of different routes you can take through this grid.

“Use your body

to encourage him

A number of techinques can be used to help horses restore and maintain normal function, mobility and performance. Vet physiotherapist Sammy Finnemore is particularly keen on polework as grids can be built to suit any type of horse. With her knowledge of biomechanics, Sammy designs the grids

The

results

Your horse should feel lighter in his stride, with better cadence and less pressure on his joints. His core will be activated, and he’ll flex his joints. This grid will also help him lengthen over his topline while the curved lines will improve his ability to bend laterally with inside flexion and open the muscles on the outside of his body.

to follow you.” to promote correct movement and allow your horse to work truly over his back. This produces a fit, supple, loose and flexible horse working in correct horizontal and vertical balance. In this issue Sammy uses a grid designed to improve and develop your horse’s lateral suppleness, core strength and proprioception.

Troubleshooting If your horse rushes or breaks into canter, try walking the curved lines to settle him. He may also feel stiff or fall out on one rein — riding the curved lines are a good way to feel if he favours one shoulder. Use your body to encourage him to follow you. This leaves your hands free to allow his head and neck to stretch forwards, down and out. In this position, your horse will be less inclined to lean through one shoulder — stay on one rein to give regularity in the exercise. C SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

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SPONSORSED by WeatherBeeta

The

great rugging dilemma WORDS - Ashleigh Kendall

It is that time of year again – when everyone reaches for an essential guide for rugging their horses! Right now, horse owners, up and down the country, will face the dilemma of which rugs to use and how best to use them. For every horse in our care, some rugs work, and clearly, some rugs don’t work. It is a responsibility to make the right decision on a horse’s behalf. This can be especially troublesome if your horses live off-site or you are at work most of the day and can’t nip out to change rugs as the weather changes throughout the day and whilst rugging is a daily task, it is worth the effort to keep your horse healthy and happy during the coldest winter months. Here are some easy to follow guidelines to help you through this tricky season of weather fluctuations.

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IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT RUG OR COMBINATION OF RUGS WILL WORK FOR A PARTICULAR HORSE ON A SPECIFIC DAY, ASK SOMEONE WHO DOES. MOST OF ALL, MONITOR YOUR HORSE AND ADJUST AS NECESSARY WHEN RUGGING YOUR HORSE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

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To rug or not to rug

Rugging is essential for some of our equine partners in areas of the country where the mercury drops well below freezing. To ensure your horse is comfortable, it is crucial to understand horses are much better at regulating their temperatures than we are. Whilst we may reach for a sweatshirt in colder climates, our equine companions don’t get chilled as quickly as we do. In short, this means, just because we feel hot or cold doesn’t mean they do, as their physiology allows them more significant temperature fluctuation before they become uncomfortable. They can adapt very quickly to maintain their internal temperature in environments from 15°c to 25°c. However, the above does change when your horse is clipped as he no longer has his natural coat to protect him from the elements. So while a broodmare who is healthy and not clipped might not need a rug on when it gets colder, your clipped horse certainly will.

Clipped or unclipped Horses who are healthy, in good body condition and haven’t been clipped at all in the colder months will usually cope fine with a light rug due to their natural temperature defenses and ability to regulate their temperature efficiently.

TOP TIP IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS NOT WHAT TRIGGERS A HORSE TO GROW A HAIRY COAT; IT IS THE LENGTH OF DAYLIGHT TO WHICH HE IS EXPOSED. MOST HORSES BEGIN TO GROW WINTER COATS LONG BEFORE THE TEMPERATURE STARTS TO DIP.

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TOP TIP CLIPPED TURNED-OUT HORSES IN TEMPERATURES ABOVE 15 °C WILL BENEFIT FROM A LIGHTWEIGHT RUG. IF IT IS RAINING AND BELOW 15°C, THEN REMEMBER DAMPNESS CAN MAKE IT COLDER FOR THEM, SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO ADD ANOTHER LAYER IN THAT INSTANCE. Trace clip and blanket clip: Is a clip that removes the hair from

the chest, belly and bottom half of the neck, or the full neck in the case of a blanket clip. This clip is most commonly used with horses who are not in heavy work over the winter months. Whilst horses are left partially covered with hair, their lower extremities are not, and they include large muscle groups, and your horse can lose heat rapidly from these areas. You need to replace removed hair with suitable rugs to maintain consistent warmth.

Full clip:

The body hair is clipped with the option of leaving the legs and face, and sometimes people leave hair on where the saddle goes. A fully clipped horse most certainly needs extra protection from the elements. A 200gm + waterproof rug is required, and you can add more layers if icy, windy and wet conditions set in.

Choosing your horse’s wardrobe

As many horse owners know, it is effortless to build an extensive rug collection. Still, it is possible to keep it simple with a no fill sheet, a lightweight rug and then a medium or heavyweight, depending on the climate in your region. This way, you can cover all bases and layer them when it is colder. You could also use a stable, fleece or cotton rug under a waterproof layer. Fill relates to how warm a rug is. The greater amount of fill a rug has, the warmer it is. Generally, in New Zealand, a lighter fill rug is 50-100gms, medium 200220gms, and heavy is over 300gms.

Weather conditions & environment

Take into consideration the weather conditions and living arrangements when choosing your rug. Stabled horses are not exposed to wind chill issues, but they cannot move around to keep warm as much as a horse in a paddock. Pastured horses with access to shelter to shield them from wind and rain may not need a bevy of rugs to keep them comfortable, but horses with no way to block wind and rain must have some defense against the worst of the winter weather. Ensure you factor in wind chill when rugging him. Snow, hail and icy conditions become an extra challenge to your horse to keep warm, so a heavier weighted rug is best for turned out horses in these conditions. Your stabled horse will also be more comfortable with a medium weight winter fill rug if the conditions are icy cold. If you see your horse shivering, it is the body’s way to generate heat, causing muscle contractions and can produce heat for a limited period. It is effective but short-lived and uses up a lot of calories. A shivering horse can drop an astounding amount of weight in a very short amount of time. If your horse is shivering for long periods, it is best to put a heavier rug on.

TOP TIP RUG FOR THE TEMPERATURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY. IF YOU CANNOT REMOVE YOUR HORSE’S RUGS DURING THE DAY, MAKE SURE YOU ARE RUGGING FOR THE HIGHEST FORE-CASTED TEMPERATURE OF THE DAY. You can also test his warmth by touching his nose, ears. we recommended testing his warmth by putting your hand inside the cavity of his armpit (behind the front leg elbow). Get familiar with your horse’s comfort; you need to regularly place your hand up under the horse’s rug and check the horse’s coat in multiple locations. In colder weather, check that you have even warmth over different sections of the horse’s body. If the horse’s coat seems cool (their coat may also be slightly raised), you may need a

SNOW, HAIL AND ICY CONDITIONS BECOME AN EXTRA CHALLENGE TO YOUR HORSE TO KEEP WARM, SO A HEAVIER WEIGHTED RUG IS BEST FOR TURNED OUT HORSES IN THESE CONDITIONS. warmer rug or an additional layer. But, if there’s sweat under the rug, you have some adjusting to do by replacing his rug with a lighter option. When the day is changeable, it is better to under-rug slightly, and he is cooler for a short while than over-rug. Purchasing breathable rugs is helpful in changeable weather to prevent overheating. The colder the air temperature, the bigger the difference between the horse’s surface (skin or coat) temperature and the air and the faster heat moves from hot to cold. This is known as convective heat loss. If you add in a cold driving wind, the heat is lost even faster by the process of forced convection or what we refer to as the “wind-chill” factor. If it is raining as well, it will feel even colder. It is easy to feel the drop in temperature on a winter’s day when the sun goes behind clouds. So the coldest conditions are low air temperature, strong winds and rain. Horses cope much better with colder temperatures than hot. Choose a rug that will suit most of the day and add an extra layer for night time. If it is cooler in the morning when you change the rug, give him extra hay to warm up until the temperature warms again.

Warm versus cold-blooded!

Some horses naturally run hotter or colder. Often younger horses don’t have the exact

rugging requirements as older horses, and there can be a considerable variance between breeds of horses and ponies. A horse with greater body weight is likely to hold warmth better than a thinner skinned or lighter conditioned horse. Learn your horse’s individual needs by observing him. A good sign is that your horse is not standing still, huddling with other horses, trying to keep warm.

Aged or unwell horses

Older horses are affected more by the cold weather than their younger companions. Harsh winds and freezing rain can take their toll on aged or ageing horses. Older horses have a reduced ability to control their body temperature, generally have lower body fat, reduced digestive efficiency, and can be less active, contributing to them being more at risk in cold weather.

Health

There are some exceptions to all rugging rules: A sick, old or weak horse will almost certainly need to be rugged; even the younger ones that don’t have substantial fat resources can benefit from a few extra layers. Once again, it is essential to know that keeping warm involves burning fat in their body, generating heat. Rugging appropriately becomes critical for this group of horses. SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

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A PROPER FIT IS PARAMOUNT

Measuring for a rug

A properly fitting rug should never cause any rubs or sores on your horse. No matter what rug you choose for your horse, it is vital that it is a good fit for him to maximise the benefit he will get from his rug. If the rug is too small, it will also be less efficient in keeping him warm. A rug that slips around or is too big will also expose areas of the body where he will lose essential warmth and be dangerous if he can get a hoof caught whilst lying down

IF THE MEASUREMENT IS IN-BETWEEN RUG SIZES, IT IS ESSENTIALLY BETTER TO CHOOSE THE SMALLER RUG.

How to measure -

g Stand your horse squarely on a level surface either tied up or held by a friend.

g With a soft tape and measure from the front of the wither (A) along the spine to the top of the tail (B). Do not include the tail flap in the measurement. In New Zealand measurements are taken in feet and inches.

Here are some quick tips to follow to optimise your horse’s comfort and well-being;

WE RECOMMEND Rugging your horse

if he is aged, thin, clipped or unwell. If you have already begun rugging your horse in Autumn, you must continue to rug him throughout Winter. Whilst horses adapt to temperature changes they need time to adjust, and that it is not a drastic change from what they are accustomed to.

Winter mornings can

be extremely cold, but often those days can turn into a 25°C sunny day, and your poor horse will melt in their heavy winter rugs.

Have multiple rug options:

Observe the weather

It is always good to have a backup. Sometimes we can have a week of rain and therefore mud, so having a backup rug will allow time to clean one while your horse wears the other.

Adjust the belly straps so they are snug against the horse’s body;

in when doing up the rug. This prevents them getting caught on wire or other objects.

Check your horse’s rug after it rains to be sure it is still waterproof,

If your horse is excessively sweating during riding, clipping may be a good option. Clipping can reduce cooling time following exercise and minimise the need for hosing. It is, however, essential to remember that your horse’s rug requirements will change once they have been clipped.

to determine if the rug you have on him is appropriate for the conditions. dangling straps are a hazard to hooves and legs as the horse lies down or gets up.

as a soaked horse is made even more uncomfortable if a waterlogged rug weighs him down.

Ensure all clips are facing

Consider clipping your horse:

Take your horse’s rug off a few times a week to monitor his weight Layering is critical in winter and allows you to adjust your horse’s and check for any other skin issues and winter ailments.

Check if your horse

and its rug are clean. If your horse has been muddy and you just put the rug on, the dirt can rub between the rug and skin and cause skin irritation.

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rugs easily. A good quality top rug with a second layer to go underneath is a great combination to keep your horse’s body warm without overheating.

A good quality removable liner that can be attached to or worn under the outer rug is great.

Image - Christine Cornege Photography

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR HORSE RUGS Remove excess dirt, mud and hair from your rug with a brush. Place your rug in a mesh wash bag to contain all the straps

and buckles, protecting them from being damaged and protecting your machine.

Remove all detergent build up from your detergent dispenser. Machine wash your rug on a gentle delicate cycle using a

reputable and recommended rug cleaning wash. DO NOT use detergents or fabric conditioners as you risk compromising your WeatherBeeta's unique waterproof and breathable coating. Do not use a washing machine with an agitator.

For best results, re-proof

your rug to add a durable repellent and revitalise breathability after a few years of use. Use a reputable and recommended rug proofer.

Line dry your rugs .

Do not tumble dry and make sure your rugs are completely dry before you store them as you risk them going mouldy!

IT IS SAFER TO ASSUME THAT YOUR GOLDEN OLDIE NEEDS A RUG THAN TO LET HIM LOSE A LOT OF WEIGHT AND REALISE HE NEEDED ONE SOONER.

TOP TIP IT IS ESSENTIAL TO TAKE OFF YOUR HORSE’S RUG REGULARLY. YOU CAN CHECK FOR ANY SIGNS OR RUBS, SKIN DISEASE, AND WEIGHT LOSS. IT IS EASY TO OVERLOOK WEIGHT LOSS IF YOU NEVER TAKE THE RUG OFF. A FLUFFY, THICK HAIR COAT CAN ALSO HIDE WEIGHT LOSS SO ENSURE YOU RUN YOUR HANDS OVER YOUR HORSE TO SEE IF YOU CAN FEEL ANY WEIGHT LOSS.

KEY POINTS TO REMEMBER Don’t turn a horse out in a

rug that does not have leg straps or tail cord. The straps are needed to ensure the rug is in position while the horse runs around or when gusty winds are blowing.

Don’t over-rug during travelling:

In many cases, we are travelling to a competition early in the morning when temperatures are very low. However, horse floats and trucks can get very warm, and your horse’s body temperature will naturally rise when travelling. In most cases, a cotton or fleece cooler rug will be more than sufficient to travel in.

Don’t turn a horse out with surcingle straps with big loops in

them. A hand width when done up is all that is needed. Otherwise the horse may get a leg caught.

Don’t forget to store your cleaned

rugs in a clean dry place when not in use, so that they are good to go for the next time you use them.

Don’t assume that because your horse measures 4’6” (for

example) that it will be that size in every brand and style. Rugs are like our clothes, different brands may not fit the same. Ask your retailer.

Don’t forget to remove the excess horse hair as it accumulates

on the inside of the rug during coat change. This old hair can harbour dirt and contribute to unwanted skin conditions.

Don’t use a washing machine with

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STORING YOUR RUGS The great thing about WeatherBeeta rugs is that all rugs come with sturdy, reusable bags. Follow the steps below! Make sure you store your clean rugs in a dry area where they cannot get damp to avoid them becoming mouldy.

In case your equine friend is a rug-wrecker (we have all owned one in our time), check for damage, small tears, missing clips or straps. WeatherBeeta offer a range of replacement rug accessories so you can make sure your rugs are put away ready for the next rug change.

4 EASY STEPS TO FOLDING YOUR HORSE’S RUG 1 Lay the clean and dry rug out flat.

3 Fold lengthwise once or twice depending on rug thickness.

2 Fold the tail flap and neck to the inside of the rug.

4 Fold widthwise until the rug forms a square.

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weatherbeeta.co.nz

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

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

+ swelling Dealing with

A swollen leg can be caused by standing still for long periods, infection like cellulitis or injury

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Swelling in a horse’s leg can be caused by fluid accumulation, infection or injury. Carl Hester’s head groom Alan Davies explains what action to take when faced with distended limbs.

wollen or filled legs in horses can be worrying, but there is usually no pain involved and it can be easily rectified. Swelling generally affects the lower part of the leg below the knee and, in most cases, doesn’t cause lameness. There are two common types of swelling. Filled legs are caused by an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues. This is called oedema and it generally goes down with gentle exercise or when the horse is turned out. The other type of swelling is caused by infection or injury. This tends to be painful to touch and often causes lameness.

“Cold hosing can help to reduce the swelling.”

Swelling can happen for a number of reasons, but filled legs commonly occur when fluid accumulates in the lower limb, usually due to a horse having to stand still for long periods, such as when stabled. A horse’s feet touching the ground acts like a pump and sends blood and lymphatic fluid from his legs back up into his body. When he stands still for a long time the circulation reduces and blood and waste pool, causing the filling. Other causes of swelling include injury to internal structures, such as tendons and ligaments, not enough exercise, too much protein in the diet, bruising, overexposure to moisture, insect bites, allergic reactions, scrapes and inflammation to skin and tissue. In all cases of swelling, contact your veterinarian in the first instance to determine the cause.

Image Christine Cornege

Common causes

Image left - Juniors Bildarchiv GmbH/Alamy

Treating swelling

Once your vet has examined your horse and is happy that the swelling isn’t due to a serious injury or illness, there are a number of things you can do to help reduce it:

1 2

Gentle exercise, such as walking in-hand can increase circulation and help to reduce swelling, as can turning your horse out in a paddock. Cold hosing for 20 minutes a few times a day will help. You can also apply ice boots for 15-20 minutes if running water isn’t available. Cooling the area increases circulation and helps to reduce inflammation and swelling.

3 4

5 5

Stable bandaging will support the limbs while the horse is standing in his stable for longer periods. Magnetic boots can help some horses, as they are believed to help improve circulation. It is best not to leave these on for extended periods of time. For mild cases of filling, your veterinarian may recommend a more regular turnout regime or in-hand walking to increase circulation and encourage the swelling to dissipate. In cases of lymphangitis or cellulitis, your veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection. He may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to alleviate any pain and reduce swelling. C

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HELP!

I NEED A VET!

Equine emergencies are stressful and emotional for everyone involved, but some forward planning can make getting prompt help for your horse a lot easier. Here is a checklist of things to consider before you have an equine emergency.

MEDICAL RECORDS: This information is really important to help your vet assess what might be going on and draw up a treatment plan. Some vets may be able to access their practice’s patient files after hours, but this is not always possible and if you use multiple vet clinics the information required may not be with the vet who is seeing your horse in an emergency. n Can you remember when your horse was last de-wormed or had a tetanus vaccination? n Do you remember what treatments and medications it has received recently? n A diary kept in the feed or tack room can be really helpful for remembering these things and also allows you to jot down the advice and treatment plan the vet leaves you.

SAFETY FIRST: It is human nature to want to rush in to help the horse you love when it is in trouble, but your horse may be panicking or it may thrash violently without warning, so always consider the safest position to be in and whether it may be better to wait until help arrives. n If a horse is down on its side the safest approach is over the withers or back to keep clear of the legs. n If a horse is caught in a fence it is safer to cut the wire a short distance away to free the horse without getting too close. n Clearing a space around a panicking or colicky horse to prevent it getting caught up in things is also useful. n Before you do anything with a distressed horse ensure someone knows where you are and ideally have a second person present at all times in case you get hurt.

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PROVIDING FIRST AID:

✆

GETTING HELP:

Do you have a friend who is familiar with horses/livestock that can help in an emergency situation? This may be a riding buddy or a local farmer you know well. It often requires multiple people and heavy equipment (under veterinary guidance) to free a horse that is stuck – be prepared with a list of people you can call on!

Veterinary advice is recommended for any injury, especially deep wounds or wounds close to joints or tendons (even if they look small and superficial). A vet must also be consulted if there is significant pain, such as a severe lameness or colic. Many owners will have a first aid kit which should include things like bandaging materials and a thermometer, along with practical items such as a head torch, wire cutters, and scissors. n Ask your vet to show you how to take a rectal temperature, apply a pressure bandage to stem heavy bleeding or clean a dirty wound. If your vet is far away this can help with triaging and initiating first aid. n Avoid giving any medications you have left over from a previous vet visit without speaking to a vet first; your vet may want to assess pain levels before giving anti-inflammatory medication and the antibiotic you used last time might not be appropriate for today’s problem. Some medications may not be safe for your horse under certain circumstances, and anything you give may prevent the vet from being able to treat your horse with the appropriate medication later.

n Who is your usual vet? You may not have used a local veterinary service before, so do you know if there is a vet in your area who does emergency equine work? Some horse owners take their horses to an equine referral clinic outside their local area for routine work; in most cases these clinics don’t offer emergency services in the region where the horse lives and will require these owners to have an alternative after-hours veterinary service provider. It is the horse owner’s responsibility to check whether a vet is available for equine emergencies in their region. In areas of the country that are not well serviced by equine referral clinics you may find that there are no local vets available after hours that are confident in equine work. In these situations: n If the horse can be travelled it may be best to contact the closest equine referral clinic for advice and then float or truck your horse to them. This requires access to transport so if you do not own a float or truck you will need to have an arrangement with someone who does in case of emergency. n If the horse cannot be travelled a local non-equine vet may be able to attend as long as the veterinarian feels comfortable doing so. An option in an emergency could be that the non-equine veterinarian may be able to consult with an equine referral clinic so they can be walked through assessment and treatment options. This will require some patience and tolerance from horse owners of vets who may not be very familiar with horses. n Make sure you know which vet you are going to ring in case of an emergency and make sure they know who you are before you need them! A local veterinary clinic may not be able to assist you unless you are listed as a client and they have agreed to be available to you.

TRANSPORT: As mentioned before, if you rely on a veterinary clinic outside of your region for your equine health care you may need to take your horse to them for after-hours emergency care (provided the horse can be travelled). Also, some emergencies require referral to a hospital for effective assessment and treatment. Therefore, if you do not own your own float or truck, you must make sure that there is one available to you at any time of the day or night. If you do have your own transport available, make sure it’s ready to go at any time and find a back up if it’s out of action!

Supplied by - New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association

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