Show Circuit Magazine - October/November 2021 by Show Circuit Magazine

NEW ZEALAND’S ULTIMATE EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE

SHOWCIRCUIT OCTOBER - NOVEMBER 2021

ONE BORN EVERY MINUTE

YOUR FOALING GUIDE

NUTRITION FOR

PERFORMANCE HORSES

INTERVIEWS WITH ANNA BRYANT MARCIA BAYLEY ABBIE DEKEN CHELSEA CALLAGHAN ROSA MILLAR MIRANDA HARRINGTON

REPROGRAMME YOUR MINDSET

STALLIONS SHOWCASE PART TWO

GAYLENE LENNARD

JOURNEY TO THE TOP

THIS IS DUBLIN New Spring/Summer collection out now dublinclothing.co.nz

Horse Got Spring Fever? Spring grass is high in sugar & potassium affecting the uptake of magnesium which = silly horses.

B1 Cool Mix is the answer • May aid in calming horses that tend to be nervous or excitable • Contains high levels of Magnesium & B1 • Supports the central nervous system • Broad spectrum - Vitamins, minerals & electrolytes • Can safely be fed with toxin binders

See also:

Stance Equitec Turmericle. Natural joint & skin support. With powdered turmeric, black pepper & coconut oil. Follow us on Facebook for product updates, handy information + more! @StanceEquilibrium View the whole range at www.stanceequitec.com.au and www.equiaustralia.com.au Stance Equitec & Equilibrium supplements are scientifically formulated, natural and ethical products.

Exclusive to Zilco NZ

LISBOA

MADRID

MILANO

KANSAS JUNIOR

Roeck-Grip® palm and back hand. Easy closure with Roeckl logo composed of Swarovski Crystals and touch-screen compatibility.

Drytec G5 palm, with Micro Mesh/ Mesh CX4000 back hand. Comfortcut with easy closure, trimmings for curb and touch-screen compatibility.

Digital Suede palm, with 2-way Spandex back hand. Comfort-cut with easy closure fastener with metal Roeckl logo.

Digital Suede palm, with Poly Lycra printed & Lycra full dull back hand. Reliable and secure easy closure fastener.

RRP $149.90

RRP $114.90

RRP $64.90

RRP $57.90

The peak of elegance.

Perfect design and functionality.

Trendy and functional.

IF IT’S BRANDED ZILCO, IT’S BRANDED QUALITY.

Premium junior riding glove.

zilco.net

NEW ZEALAND: Zilco NZ Ltd | [tel] +64 3 381 0270 | [e] sales@zilco.co.nz AUSTRALIA: Zilco International Pty Ltd | [tel] +61 2 8765 9999 | [e] sales@zilco.com.au Available from participating saddlery outlets in New Zealand and Australia. Prices quoted are New Zealand Recommended Retail only. The store is in no way obligated to sell at these prices.

Comfi-Eze Girths Comfi-Eze Comfi-Eze Girths Girths

Merino Lambswool Backing Velcro attached Stainless Steel Fittings

Merino Lambswool Backing Merino Lambswool Backing Straight Girth : $210.00 RRP Colours: Black, Brown, Black/Natural, Velcro attached Velcro attached Brown/Natural Stainless Steel Fittings Sizes: 110 – 145cm in Fittings Stainless Steel 5cm increments Straight Girth : $210.00 RRP Colours: Black, Brown, Black/Natural, Straight Girth : $210.00 RRP Brown/Natural Sizes: 110 – 145cm in Colours: Black, Brown, Black/Natural, 5cm increments

Brown/Natural Sizes: 110 – 145cm in 5cm increments

Dressage Girth : $219.00 RRP Colours: Black, Brown, Black/Natural, Brown/Natural Sizes: 60 - 95cm in 5cm increments Dressage Girth : $219.00 RRP Colours: Black, Brown, Black/Natural, Brown/Natural Sizes: 60 - 95cm in 5cm increments

Dressage Girth : $219.00 RRP Colours: Black, Brown, Black/Natural, Brown/Natural Sizes: 60 - 95cm in 5cm increments

Western Girth : From $179.00 RRP Styles: Buckle/Buckle, Ring/Ring, Buckle/Ring Western Girth : From $179.00 RRP Colours:Styles: Black, Brown, Black/Natural, Brown/Natural Buckle/Buckle, Ring/Ring, Buckle/Ring Colours: Black/Natural, Brown/Natural Sizes: 75cm – Black, 95cmBrown, in 5cm increments Sizes: 75cm – 95cm in 5cm increments

Western Girth : From $179.00 RRP Styles: Buckle/Buckle, Ring/Ring, Buckle/Ring Colours: Black, Brown, Black/Natural, Brown/Natural Sizes: 75cm – 95cm in 5cm increments

Air-Tech Girths

Breathable Anti-Slip Backing Velcro attached Stainless Steel Fittings Anti-Slip Backing

Air-Tech Girths

Breathable Girth : $156.50 RRP Velcro attached Dressage Colours: Black, Brown Sizes: 60 - 95cm in 5cm increments Stainless Fittings BreathableSteel Anti-Slip Backing Velcro attached

Dressage Girth : $156.50 RRP Colours: Black,Steel Brown Fittings Stainless Sizes: 60 - 95cm in 5cm increments

Girth : From $106.50 RRP Dressage Girth : $156.50 RRPWestern Styles: Buckle/Buckle, Ring/Ring, Buckle/Ring Colours: Black, Brown Colours: Black, Brown Sizes: 75cm – 95cm in 5cm increments Sizes: 60 - 95cm in 5cm increments

Straight Girth : $143.50 RRP Colours: Black, Brown Sizes: 90 – 160cm in 5cm increments

Straight Girth : $143.50 RRP

Western Girth : From $106.50 RRP Styles: Buckle/Buckle, Ring/Ring, Buckle/Ring Western Girth $106.50 RRP Colours: Black,: From Brown Styles: Buckle/Buckle, Ring/Ring, Buckle/Ring Sizes: 75cm – 95cm in 5cm increments Colours: Black, Brown Sizes: 75cm – 95cm in 5cm increments Arion EFV Ltd

Straight Girth : $143.50 Colours: Black, RRP Brown Colours: Black, Brown Sizes: 90 – 160cm in Sizes: 90 – 160cm in 5cm increments 5cm increments

T | 0800 65 99 00 E | sales@arionefv.co.nz W | arionefv.co.nz

INSURANCE YOUR HORSE WOULD ENDORSE.

If your horse could choose an insurer, we’re sure they’d pick FMG. After all, we’re the country’s leading rural insurer, specialising in covering against risks specific to life on the land—like horses, fences and liability. But we also provide great cover for your personal needs like home, contents (including your horse accessories) and vehicles (which includes horse floats). So get in touch with the insurer your horse would give the nod to. Call us on 0800 366 466 or visit fmg.co.nz

We’re here for the good of the country.

“FiberProtect® has been a staple in my horses diet for as long as I can remember. It has the added benefit of mitigating ulcer development, which is so important when feeding horses.” Wendi Williamson, NZ Dressage Rider

www.fiber-fresh.com

E. sales@fiber-fresh.com

PH. 0800

545 545

weatherbeeta.co.nz

WEATHER. BEATEN.

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

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

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

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

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

WELCOME

FROM MY DESK #OPTIMISTIC Well, the 'lucky' country suddenly got very unlucky with the recent Delta COVID-19 outbreak. What a shame for some events that for the second year running, some cancellations ensued. One thing we can count on at the moment is that we cannot count on anything! Never was Groundhog Day more relevant than right now. Now, after isolation and our second 'staycation', life is shifting back into high gear. As I write this, Auckland has yet to change from Level 4. My hope is that a renewed sense of optimism will prevail as we move towards a 'new normal'. Our equestrian community is so fortunate in many ways. Some of us are so lucky to have the outdoors and our fur babies at our back door so that life is not impacted quite so much as for the rest of the country. But our hearts go out to the many who are struggling to find a way through this chaos. We are a resourceful bunch, and we collectively manage to reinvent ways to continue our pursuits and find creativity and satisfaction in a plethora of ways. On top of COVID-19, adverse weather events have been experienced around the country. Our hearts broke watching the flooding in mid-Canterbury and West Auckland. We were glad to hear the stories of people in our wonderful equestrian community supporting each other, and, at least in Kumeu, there appear to have been no horse fatalities. On a brighter note, it is exciting to see so many of our equestrian riders leave for Europe to further their riding careers. We will watch them with keen interest to see how they get on. Once again, we have another bumper issue for you. With our photographers unable to get into the field for our 'beyond the farm gate' interviews and events cancelled or rescheduled, we have focussed heavily on horse health in this issue. We hope you enjoy and hopefully learn from the variety of horse health articles. I hope you enjoy this month’s magazine alongside the warmer weather we’ve been enjoying a sneak peek of. From the team here, we hope you have a fabulous start to the season! Happy reading.

Sheryll Davies - Publisher

WAIATA PUBLISHING LTD 111 Stan Wright Road, RD1,

Papakura, Auckland 2580

EDITOR Pip Hume

editor@showcircuit.co.nz

FEATURES WRITER Cheyenne Nicholson

DESIGN Sheryll Davies

CONTRIBUTORS Amy Collinson Ashleigh Kendall Belinda Pratt Photography Caitlin Benzie Photography Christine Cornege Photography Libby Law Photography Michelle Clarke Photography

Rebecca Greaves

ADVERTISING Sheryll Davies

sheryll@showcircuit.co.nz

MAGAZINE ENQUIRIES enquiries@showcircuit.co.nz

WEBSITE www.showcircuitmagazine.com

ABOUT US

COVER: Gaylene Lennard and JAX JOHNSON Breeder - David Woolley (JOHNSON - A LA MODE X ANAMOUR) Image - Christine Cornege Photography

10 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Show Circuit magazine is published bimonthly. The 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 All rights reserved.

THE ELITE EQUINE WINNING EDGE ™

NUTRITION

“Our promise to you is that our

supplements will make a noticeable difference to your horse.

”

GIVE YOUR HORSE THE SUPPLEMENTS THEY NEED TO PERFORM • A total nutritional system with supplements designed to work together or on their own

• Promotes healthy muscle development and function in all horses

• The only company to use 100% organic minerals in their foundation mineral formulations

• Incredible and competitive value. Every-Day Elite Minerals are only $24.00-$39.00 a month!

• Technically advanced formulation for maximum nutrient availability

• No fillers or sugars and no artificial colours

THE FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS COMPETE GASTRO GO ORGANIC PLUS MEGA BUILD

CHILL ME

EVERY-DAY LITE SMOOTH MOVER

GRAZE

BREED

SUBMIT

ULTRA MAG

P: 0272 827 944 online information & web store:

w w w . el i t eeq ui ne.c o .nz

SUPA JOINT

IN THIS ISSUE OCTOBER | NOVEMBER 2021

GAYLENE LENNARD The Pursuit of Perfection

22 ANNA BRYANT The Best Journey

30 MARCIA BAYLEY A lifelong Passion

38 ROSA MILLAR Full Speed Ahead

68 GET SEASON-READY Reprogramme Your Mindset

62 EQUINE NUTRITION For Performance Horses

46 CHELSEA CALLAGHAN A Woman of Many Talents

80 FOALING GUIDE One Born Every Minute

52 MIRANDA HARRINGTON Building the Dream in Europe

EQUINE ACUPUNCTURE Pinpoint Precision

ABBIE DEKEN

Destined for Dressage

SPRING MANAGEMENT Our Top Ten Tips

98 OUR SHOPPING GUIDE What's Hot!

100

12 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Equine Arthritis Advice

IS YOUR HORSE PRONE TO LAMINITIS, CUSHINGS OR EQUINE METABOLIC SYNDROME? Then it’s time to start

vitamins and minerals

feeding HYGAIN® ZERO,®

HYGAIN ZERO has the

the low starch and low

lowest sugar content of

sugar complete horse

any HYGAIN complete

feed today before it’s

feed on the market.

too late. High in soluble fibre (35%), fortified with

TO FIND OUT MORE, VISIT HYGAIN.COM.AU OR SEARCH FOR US ON SOCIAL.

ON THE COVER AS A YOUNG HORSE, HE WAS VERY

HOT AND SENSITIVE, A N D I A LW AY S K N E W H E WOULD MAKE A

GRAND PRIX HORSE. B U T S TAY I N G O N B O A R D W A S M Y

BIGGEST BATTLE.

14 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

GAYLENE LENNARD

IN PURSUIT OF PERFECTION WORDS - Pip Hume HOME IMAGES - Christine Cornege COMPETITION IMAGES - Show Circuit Magazine

A hunger for perfection is what defines Gaylene Lennard. It’s that drive and determination, along with her enduring love for her horses, that has seen her take her latest two horses through to Grand Prix dressage.

Horses are a major part of Gaylene’s life story - and

how could it be otherwise? The close-knit Lennard family - mother Betty, sister Dorothy and Gaylene - are renowned as great horsewomen in the equestrian community. Gaylene lives in the homestead on the dairy farm that has been in the family for four generations, just across the paddock from Betty. Her role on the farm involves liaising with the sharemilker and looking after the paperwork, and she is on

hand for Betty when-ever needed. However, neither Dorothy nor Gaylene have married or had children. As a sequel to decades at the very pinnacle of the showing scene in New Zealand, Gaylene then turned to the dressage arena, producing her beautiful black Donzello through to Grand Prix. “He wasn’t always the easiest horse. He didn’t have the nice nature that Jax has, and I struggled to keep him sound, so he only had one start at Grand Prix before I retired him,”

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

Whilst Jax has not been easy, Gaylene persevered and the rewards have been incredible. He now a joy to ride and train. Right image - During her winning Prix St Georges test at Oro Dressage by the Lake at Takapoto.

explains Gaylene. Nevertheless, that experience of taking him up through the dressage grades proved worthwhile for Gaylene as she produced her next horse, the eye-catching and exuberant Jax Johnson. By Johnson out of an Anamour mare (A La Mode), Jax is just one of the ever-expanding line-up of outstanding horses bred by David Woolley that we are seeing in the dressage arena these days. Gaylene purchased Jax as a four-year-old and had his first outing at Horse of the Year in 2017, where he won the Preliminary Dressage Horse of the Year. But getting to that competition wasn’t an easy ride for Gaylene. “Although he has a lovely nature, as a young horse Jax was very challenging for me,” she recalls. “He was very hot and sensitive, and I always knew he would make a Grand Prix horse. But staying on board was my biggest battle. I fell off so many times, but it was never because he was horrible. He wouldn’t run off but would stand and look at me on the ground as if to say, ‘what are you doing down there?’ I’m lucky I didn’t get hurt. In the early days, I had Tad Ormsby ride him for me, and then Michael Beetham took him to his first competition at Rotorua.” She credits her coach Vanessa Way with making the difference that enabled her to continue with the horse. “Once I learned to stay on him, he settled quite quickly. Winning the Prelim Horse of the Year was a bonus as I went to the competition just wanting to get the job done and stay on the horse’s back! After that, we went out at Level 4.”

The partnership followed

that success with a number of national awards, including Level 4 Champion at Bates NZ Dressage

16 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

LEARNED TO STAY O N H I M , HE SETTLED Q U I T E QUICKLY. ONCE I

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

MUM IS THERE EVERY TIME I RIDE. SHE’S

MY ‘EYES

ON THE GROUND’

ON A DAILY BASIS, AND WITHOUT HER THERE,

I WOULDN’T BE WHERE I AM.

Championships 2018, a win in the Senior 1 Class at World Dressage Challenge 2018, Level 5 Champion at Bates NZ Dressage Champs 2019, Level 5 Dressage Horse of the Year 2019, and Medium Tour Champion at Bates NZ Dressage Champs 2020. They also gained selection for the Dressage New Zealand High Performance Futures Squad 2021. A naturally athletic horse, Jax has no trouble with the dressage movements, although his impressively big paces and exuberance sometimes means Gaylene has to contain him. “At the moment, I’m working on the canter zigzag, getting that movement absolutely even on both sides and fitting it all in down the centre line. It’s that little bit harder on a big horse with a big canter.” Gaylene adds that Jax shows great talent for piaffe and passage. Working with Vanessa Way has been an immense advantage. The pair have been able to continue training through winter and the lockdown thanks to Vanessa’s online coaching system. Gaylene has a series of cameras set up around her arena, with

Left - Gaylene lives in a cottage on the family farm in the Waikato. Right hand page above - Gaylene’s mum, Betty, has been one of the biggest influences in her riding career and still watches her ride each day. Right bottom - Now that the demons are sorted, Jax can be ridden almost anywhere around the busy Waikato dairy farm.

18 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Supplier of Quality German riding apparel for all equestrian disciplines

a video feed through to Vanessa. With her phone in her pocket and buds in her ears for audio, the session is real-time. “Getting it all set up was a bit of a mission because I am not very technology-minded,” laughs Gaylene. “But the time and money saved by not having to travel means I can have weekly lessons. Vanessa is so busy teaching in-person and online now, so I’m lucky to have my regular booking. I’m also lucky that Vanessa has a regular monthly clinic in the Waikato where we can train face to face.”

Gaylene also benefits

from having her mother’s ‘eyes on the ground’. “Mum is there every time I ride,” she explains. “She’s my ‘eyes on the ground’ on a daily basis, and without her there, I wouldn’t be where I am.” Gaylene’s plans for the 2021/22 season include BOP Dressage Championships, Takapoto, Horse of the Year and Bates Nationals - but of course, all of this depends as much on how the Covid-19 situation plays out as it does on how well the competitive outings go.

When cutting edge design and fit at an affordable price is important

IT’S ALL A BIT UP IN THE AIR. WITH

WORLD EQUESTRIAN GAMES NEXT YEAR, WE WERE ALSO PLANNING TO COMPETE IN AUSTRALIA T O T E S T O U R S E LV E S I N T H AT A R E N A .

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

Gaylene is looking forward to Grand Prix this season with Jax, and is hopeful of international competition later in the season.. “It’s all a bit up in the air. With World Equestrian Games next year, we were also planning to compete in Australia to test ourselves in that arena, with the possibility of travelling to Europe later on if it all stacked up. But all of that is under threat due to the Covid situation in both New Zealand and Australia.” At home, Gaylene has four-year-old Warmblood Freddie, bought from Candace Bagnall. Freddie is by Formidable, out of Scarlet Johanssen. “He’s in work but probably doesn’t get ridden as much as he should,” Gaylene comments. “He has a wonderful nature, very sensible and trainable. I can teach him something one day, then not ride him for a week, and when I get back on, we can pick up right where we left off. I fell in love with his canter - it’s very balanced and uphill. I could sit on him and canter all day long!” Gaylene is in no hurry to take Freddie out, and he doesn’t have a registered name as yet. “I’m a one-horse rider - I only ever take one horse out at a time - so I will probably take him to a few local shows for a start.” Then there’s Jojo, a yearling filly Gaylene has away grazing with a good friend. “She’s a full sister to Jax. I bought her in utero from David Woolley, and she was supposed to be a colt! She’s similar in colour to Jax - dark with a couple of socks. I don’t think she will grow quite as big as him, but it’s early days yet, so we will see.” Gaylene has never been interested in breeding her own horses, saying that we have excellent breeders in New Zealand who are doing a great job. “I’m not really interested in them until they are broken in and I can sit on them. I’m quite happy to leave the breeding to others, and I will do the riding!

20 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED •

It costs as much to keep a bad horse as it does a good one.

•

Owning, training and competing horses gives you some great highs in life, but there will also be lows.

•

Don’t give up. There will be more highs.

•

Be positive in life.

•

Always have one in the fridge.

•

I love shows that have lots of shops so when things don’t go to plan you can always go shopping!

•

Always have a Plan B.

•

If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

•

Always celebrate your successes. C

World Dressage Champion, Isabell Werth

winning partnership...

“My saddle is one of the proudest achievements of my career. I believe we have created the perfect seat for you and unprecedented comfort for your horse.” Isabell Werth The deep seat in the Isabell Saddle is unique sitting you in a central and balanced position, and with the Adjustable Ergonomic Stirrup Bar, correct alignment is effortless. Experience the ultimate connection with your horse and become a winning partnership in a Bates Isabell Saddle.

Official Partner of British Eventing

Official Partner of the German Equestrian Federation (FN)

For more information visit batessaddles.com

Official Saddle of the United States Eventing Association

@batessaddles

RIDER spotlight

THE BEST

Journey Bagging two National titles last season with the striking grey, Peace Train, was a career highlight for Methven-based eventer Anna Bryant. It was a feat made all the more remarkable because just a year earlier, the horse had never jumped a cross-country jump.

Anna, 28, places a high value on building long-term relationships with her clients and owners. And, although she has sold all of her competition horses, she is excited about the upcoming season with the talented group of horses she is riding for other people. Anna grew up in Southland, and she and her husband are now based at Methven in mid-Canterbury, where they lease 140 hectares. They run dairy grazers and raise some of their beefies and sheep. The horses are on-site, and Anna is lucky to have an arena. While her business, Anna Bryant Equestrian, is fulltime, Anna usually does a few hours of farm work in the morning, concentrating on the horses for the rest of the day. The farm work provides a welcome break, leaving her refreshed and ready to tackle the horses. Anna’s mum was horsey, and her three sisters all rode too, although Anna is the only one riding now. She progressed through the Pony Club ranks, riding at Pony Club Champs five times.

WORDS - Rebecca Greaves IMAGES - Michelle Clarke Photography

22 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

EXCITEMENT A N D ADRENALINE O F CROSS-COUNTRY, B U T L I K E T H E CHALLENGE O F T H R E E D I F F E R E N T DISCIPLINES. THERE’S THE

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

“Pony Club was a big part of our lives growing up. Eventing has always been my thing, though I dabbled in Pony Club games and was reserve for a Junior National team. I did my first 2* when I was 12, and eventing has always been the discipline I wanted to follow,” Anna says. “There’s the excitement and adrenaline of cross-country, but I like the challenge of three different disciplines. You have to have such a great partnership with your horse to be competitive in all three phases. I also enjoy the care side of it; the level of care for the animal when you’re eventing is so high. We push them to their limits, and they try for us.”

Anna always knew

horses were the path for her and, after leaving school, she attended Telford in Balclutha and studied Equine. This was followed by several stints overseas along with gaining experience riding for numerous different stables. She went to Auckland and worked for Shelley Ross at Woodhill Sands for six months, then to Australia and worked for Pip and John Cooper at Falcon Sport Horses for a year. She came back to New Zealand for a short time before travelling to the UK for a year on her OE, working in a number of small yards. On returning to New Zealand, she went to work for eventer Emily Cammock for three and a half years. She’s been out on her own for the past three and a half years. “I think anyone wanting to start out in the equestrian industry does need to get out and have that experience with multiple people. You take something away from all of them. You can be an awesome rider, but it’s pointless if you don’t know how to handle clients and the business side of things. I enjoyed seeing how different people ran their businesses.” Anna’s core business involves schooling and competing horses for clients, and she has evented up to 3* level. She makes the odd sale on behalf of clients. “I do quite a lot of breaking in and really like having long term clients and horses. I start young horses and often carry them through until they are sold, or their owners decide to ride them themselves.

24 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Above - Anna with her array of pets: Spaniel Meg, Huntaway Blitz and Woody the cat. Below - Eventing Canterbury, McLeans Island, March 2021 - 1st in the 105 class.

Above and below right hand page - Anna hacking out on ALL THE ANSWERS (Snoopy) by Grand Prix showjumper Answer Back, owned by Kirsty Thomas. Below right - Competing Round the Ring at Christchurch Show is a highlight for both Anna and Peace Train. “I’ve got myself into a position now where I can be selective around the horses I compete, and I’ve got a great client base and owners who all enjoy each others’ company. The environment we have around us is definitely the most important part.” She says that moving to Methven and bringing the farm work into her daily routine has benefitted her riding. “Having a distraction from horses can be good. Horses are still my main focus, but I think when you’re riding full-time, you can get so caught up in it all. Taking a step back is important, and I enjoy it more. I’ve taken the pressure off myself, and I think it’s started to show in my results, not being all-consumed by horses.” In the past, she has always had a team of three or four of her own competition horses but is currently in a rebuilding phase. “I’ve just sold the last of my own competition horses. I have quite a few broodmares, a little Thoroughbred stallion and two two-yearolds. I have two foals due this year, so I’m really just waiting for babies to grow up, and I’ll have my team own again. “All of my clients are close friends, and last season we had so much fun. Everyone gets along, and we had nice horses. They’re almost like having my own horses anyway, although I do sometimes miss having horses of my own.”

Number one on

the team is the grey eight-year-old 17hh gelding Peace Train (Osh), owned by Bernie Hewitson.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

Last season was Osh’s first season eventing. The combination won two national 1* titles; the National One-Day Event Championship and the National Three-Day Event Championship at Puhinui, earning Anna an ESNZ Achievement Award. “To win double national titles was super exciting. Osh had never seen a cross-country jump a year earlier. He has a lot of ability and holds himself well, but he was very spooky. Cross-country, initially, was terrifying, but he worked it out, and now he loves it. He’s got my back, and I’ve got his. I’ve got him long term, and there are no plans to sell him.” Anna says Osh’s breeding is random. He’s equal parts Thoroughbred, Warmblood, crossbred and Clydie, and he’s quite the character. This season, the aim for Osh is to step up to 2* at the South Island Three-Day, and then 2* at Puhinui at the end of the year. Next up in the team is a lovely seven-year-old gelding All the Answers (Snoopy) by Grand Prix showjumper Answer Back, owned by Kirsty Thomas. “He’s competing at 95cm at the moment and going well; he has huge potential. I’ll keep producing him and hopefully make some trips to the North Island with him.” Then there is five-year-old gelding Cliquot, owned by Becky Reid, who is by a Welsh cob, out of a Warmblood/Thoroughbred mare. He won the South Island young event horse as a four-yearold and the National 80cm class at the One-Day Event Champs and is for sale. Anna also has the ride on Sioda (Skittles), also for sale. Skittles is a nine-year-old Irish sport horse mare eventing to 2* level. She’ll be aimed at the 2* at the Three-Day and Puhinui, if not sold prior. There are several long term schoolers at the yard, competing in a range of different disciplines, including Show Hunter. “I have others come and go, short term schoolers, that generally fill the truck up,” Anna says.

The recent lockdown

situation with COVID-19 has thrown a spanner in the works regarding season preparation.

26 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Above - Anna and Peace Train (owned by Bernie Hewitson) at the National One Day Champs at McLeans Island placing 1st in the CCN 1*

“It has really impacted me this time around. Our South Island ThreeDay is early in October, and we only have two events prior. The first one has already been cancelled. For the likes of Osh, who is upgrading this season, he needs two Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MER) to do the Championship class at the Three-Day.” The first two days of lockdown involved some thinking and making a plan to ensure she could get both Osh and Skittles qualified. “Central Otago Pony Club is running an event on the 25th of September and is kindly putting on a 1* and 2* class for us. We have a South Island Eventers Facebook page, and I posted to see if there were others in the same boat. There was a high demand, so a friend and I got in touch with them, and they’ve been awesome.” Being based in the South Island has its challenges, and Anna says it’s harder to get recognised as a rider. “Often, we get forgotten about when the level of riding is still very high quality. The coaches tend to be based in the North Island and see riders up there at events all the time, whereas they don’t see us very often until we go to Taupo or Puhinui and get results. It’s hard to get noticed and named on squads with access to funding and coaching..” As all riders know, life with horses is full of ups and downs. At the

TO WIN

DOUBLE NATIONAL TITLES WAS

SUPER EXCITING. OSH HAD NEVER SEEN

A CROSS-COUNTRY JUMP A YEAR EARLIER.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

I’VE BEEN SELF-FUNDED

SINCE I LEFT HOME AT 1 8 . T H E F I N A N C I A L S I D E

IS TRICKY, A N D I ’ V E S O L D A L L M Y COMPETITION HORSES AS I DIDN’T THINK THEY

ULTIMATELY G E T W H E R E I WANTED

WOULD ME

TO GO.

PEACE TRAIN loves his job, whether it is in the ring or training at home. Anna just loves his attitude. South Island Three-Day in October last year, Anna had a horrifying experience when her own promising five-year-old popped into the water jump in the 95cm event and broke her shoulder. “She was beautiful. I think it made me appreciate that actually, just coming home safely with your horse from cross-country is what’s important. That’s taken the pressure off, in a weird way, as it has made me more concerned about having a happy and sound horse at the end of the day. It puts things in perspective. “I would never want anyone to go through that, and it’s an eventer’s worst nightmare. I had six horses at the competition, and she was my second ride on the day. I decided to crack on and ride the other horses rather than sit there and cry or go home, and it was probably the best thing I could have done. I just got on and cantered around the cross-country slowly. She’s buried at McLeans Island, which I think is nice.”

Anna plans to

carry on doing what she’s doing indefinitely. Her short term goal is to concentrate on Osh and take him as far as she can. “Long term, I want to produce my home-bred horses and, hopefully, I’d love to event overseas at some stage. You never know what will happen with horses, but it’s about building up horsepower. It’s so expensive to buy well-bred horses that are out there competing. I’ve bred some nice ones that are exciting for the future. “I’ve been self-funded since I left home at 18. The financial side is tricky, and I’ve sold all my competition horses as I didn’t think they would ultimately get me where I wanted to go. I’ve got two nice two-year-olds, two foals due this year and plan to have four foals next year – that’s the future.” Anna is grateful to be sponsored by Beyond The Bit, Excel Equine, Mel’s Moments Photography and Udys Grain and Feed. C

28 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

horse Protect, Maintain & Promote Healthy Joints

Natural Palatable Safe to use long-term Guaranteed to work, or your money back Buy from your vet

PROM

ISE

International event rider Lizzie Green #Team4CYTE

www.interpath.global/4CYTE

@4CYTE_NZ

DRESSAGE spotlight

30 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

alifelong Marcia Bayley

passion... WORDS -Pip Hume IMAGES - Christine Cornege Photography

Dressage stalwart Marcia Bayley was recently honoured with induction into the Dressage Hall of Fame. Considered a true pioneer of the sport in New Zealand, Marcia’s dedication has spanned decades and encompassed almost every aspect, from top-level competition through to the ranks of officialdom.

ight from her early years on the family farm in the back blocks of Gisborne, about 50km from town, Marcia wanted to ride. “Dad loved his horses, and in fact, I remember him riding in the first-ever Olympic jump in Gisborne. At home on the farm, I always wanted to ride, so from the time I was about five years old, they stuck me on a packhorse so I could follow around after Dad. Back then, there were no bulldozed tracks - it was all sheep tracks up and down the hills, and that’s how I learnt to stick on!" After her school years (including time at boarding school, which she freely admits she hated), Marcia returned to the family farm where she went on the payroll as a shepherd, undertaking all of the same activities as the other shepherds, including her own lambing beat. In her early twenties, Marcia’s OE took her to the world-renown Fulmer School of Equitation, just out of London. “There were three of us from New

Zealand: the legendary Lockie Richards, who also came from Gisborne, Linda Fry (who later started Telebrae), and me,” she remembers. Lockie went on to become a Fellow of the British Horse Society and moved to the USA, where he was ultimately appointed resident instructor at the American Dressage Institute. Marcia’s friendship with Lockie proved influential in her riding career. “There wasn’t much instruction available in New Zealand at that time,” she recalls. “Lockie came over once or twice a year, and there were occasional clinics with the likes of Kalman de Jurenak who would come over from Australia, but that was about it. I had intended to go and work with Lockie in America, but my husband came along, and then my two children, so that didn’t work out.”

Marcia had a succession of young horses

in those early years, which she started herself and took through to Prix St Georges before they became handy on the farm. “I was just trying to find out

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

I always wanted to ride, so from the time I was about five years old, they stuck me on a packhorse so I could follow around after Dad.

32 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

what I was meant to be doing and how I was meant to be doing it,” she laughs. “Then, when I was on the hunt for my next horse, Beth Fife mentioned that she had something I could look at. I got there, and Nicoli said, ‘you can’t show her that; it’s terrible’! But Beth said, ‘take it home and see how you go’, and that was Kentucky.” The lovely grey gelding was of mixed breeding, by Redolent, a Thoroughbred sprinter. The mare was probably a mix of Clyde, Arab and probably some Standardbred pacing blood, says Marcia, as Kentucky used to pace in the paddock. The pair went on to have an illustrious career, which included winning the first-ever Grand Prix test in New Zealand at New Plymouth in 1986 and taking out the Burkner Medal for the NZ Dressage Championship four years in a row (1986-1989). They were also successful in Australia. They were part of the New Zealand team that was victorious in the first official Trans-Tasman competition and also made the podium in the Grand Prix at the Australian Dressage Championships. Although Marcia and Kentucky qualified for the inaugural World Equestrian Games in Stockholm (1990), the logistics and funding for such an undertaking were too formidable to overcome, so they were unable to go. In his later years, Kentucky went to the Weal family, where he gave Christine her first taste of high-level dressage. “He was getting on in years, and Pam Weal was on the lookout for a suitable horse for Christine, who was then in her teens. She had him for a couple of seasons and absolutely loved him - he taught her the basics so that when she went to England to train, she had that experience of the upper-level movements." By that time, Marcia had her little grey gelding Rubicon. “With Kentucky getting on in years, I was looking for my next horse,” she recalls. “My farrier mentioned that there was a little horse just up the road that I should look at. He was partly broken in, and when I went to look at him, I hopped on him in the yard and just liked him. He felt good to sit on; I was comfortable on him.” Rubicon was out of an Even Stevens mare by a Clyde/Arab cross stallion. Marcia comments that she had five greys over the years; "they just seemed to find me!"

Above right - Marcia’s Hall of Fame award from Dressage New Zealand Below right - With Kentucky, Marcia won four Burkner Medals for the NZ Dressage Championship. Below - A collection of medals that anyone would be proud of.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

Above - Playing her piano is a joy for Marcia. Below - Left photo shows Marcia’s parents with Marcia and Chris’s two sons; Right photo also shows their sons Angus (left) and Russell.

34 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Rubicon went up through the grades to compete at Grand Prix and won the Burkner Medal twice. He also had a successful trip to Australia, where he was unbeaten. But Marcia says that honestly, he was really more a Prix St Georges/Inter I level horse. “I did look for another horse after Rubicon, but I never found one that suited me,“she reports. “By that time, I was in my 60s, and I wanted something a bit quieter that could still do the work.” Marcia’s dedication to the sport saw her work to become a highly qualified official alongside her competitive career. She began judging dressage soon after her return from England. When she travelled to Australia a number of times with her horses, she always took the opportunity to participate in judges’ clinics with international judges. Early on, she also became an FEI steward, which led to the opportunity to steward at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010. She has served time on the National Judges’ Committee and has been a highly valued member of Dressage Waikato for many years. In 2012, Dressage New Zealand presented her with the Fissenden Trophy for outstanding contribution to the sport.

Marcia’s contributions

to the sport have been exceptional through the years, from donating trophies to mentoring riders and holding clinics. These days, she remains active as both a judge and technical delegate and loves catching up with everyone at competitions. She particularly enjoys the camaraderie of the dressage community. She considers that today's competitors are lucky to have access to purpose-bred horses but feels it is unfortunate that they are very expensive, so the sport has become somewhat elite. “We have to be very aware that it’s the hobby riders who fund our sport,” she comments, “and those hobby riders can’t necessarily afford to buy purpose-bred horses." Marcia lives in Te Awamutu with her husband, Chris. Her two sons, Angus and Russell, were always far more interested in motorbikes than horses, and Marcia says the next generation isn’t interested either. “But at some point, that rogue gene will probably resurface,” she predicts. C

Awa r d -w i n n i n g e q u e s t r i a n & l i f e s t y l e c o n s t r u c t i o n

COUNTRY HOMES

BARNS

S TA B LE S

ARENAS

CIVIL

Minor dwellings

Classic car & boat display

Private & commercial

Ebb & Flow base

Scheme plans

Worker’s accommodation

Tractor & implement storage

Accommodation

Free draining base

Site development

Country cottages

Combined use facilities

Covered yards

Variety of surface options

Complete farm projects

Country homes

Barns with accommodation

Truck storage

GGT Fibre

Septic systems & water tanks

Wine cellars

Stable accessories

Irrigation & drainage

Building platforms

Renovations

Equine health equipment

Landscaping & fencing

Driveways

All weather riding tracks

Drainage

Swimming pools Tennis courts

Contouring & landscaping Fencing

Ph 09-947 9178 Mobile 021 722 578 laurad@harrisonlane.co.nz www.harrisonlane.co.nz www.countryhomes.co.nz

Countdown to Equifest The countdown is well and truly on for one of the most anticipated equestrian events of the year, Equifest. Despite the return to lockdown, and the unexpected positives of getting to spend more time with our horses, I think we can all agree we’re well and truly ready to get together and celebrate all things equine this October. New Zealand’s love for horses is at the heart of Equifest with all-encompassing equine themed education, competition, entertainment and shopping. It is the only event of its type where people come together to connect and share their passion for all equine disciplines.

What’s new for 2021 With the exhibitor space expanding in size, this year expect to see more exhibitors! More than 170 exhibitors will fill the exhibition spaces, with everything imaginable for you and your horse. Equifest exhibitors invite you to see, touch and try on the latest equine products. Where else can you compare products and ask knowledgeable product experts questions in one convenient place? Plus you asked for it, so we’ve delivered! Shop

until 6pm in our outside shopping village and marquee whilst your wait for the nightshows to start on Friday and Saturday evening. Or head to the Equifest bar for those of you who fancy an afternoon drop. Newly added competitions include Freedom to Friendship Stallion Challenge, Mounted Games, Working Equitation feature classes and an invitational Cowboy Challenge. The educator line-up features new and returning experts who will cover a wide range of topics and disciplines relating to horse care and riding.

This year’s event has more than 140 sessions on the timetable, so there’s no excuse not to find something that will be of interest. Come ready to learn and have fun! There have also been new arenas added to the map and the seminar space can be found in a new location adjacent to the shopping marquee with a small arena allowing for hands-on demonstrations.

Up the ante with a VIP ticket The ultimate way to experience Equifest is with a VIP Pass. Three days of entertainment, education, shopping and hospitality. With bubbles and catered lunches all weekend, what could be more perfect for your post lockdown girls’ weekend get together. Plus, all tickets include an exclusive VIP Goodie Bag valued at more than $150! Tickets are limited, from $395.00 at Equifest.co.nz

Tickets on sale now Equifest 2021 will be held October 29 – 31 at the Dunstan Fibre Fresh National Equestrian Centre in Taupo. If you’ve not yet experienced Equifest, then giddy up as some ticket classes are already sold out. If you’re looking for more information about competition schedules and timetables, and Equifest educators and their training philosophies, check equifest.co.nz.

Tickets on sale now!

Enter online today at www.equifest.co.nz

RIDER spotlight

ROSA MILLAR IS

full speed ahead Packing up her life and horse and moving from the family farm near Lake Coleridge to the North Island at 18 was daunting. But this young eventer is grabbing the opportunities she’s been given with both hands and chasing her dreams. WORDS - Rebecca Harper IMAGES - Show Circuit Magazine COMPETITION IMAGES - Libby Law Photography

When Rosa was offered the chance to work for

respected eventer Donna Edwards-Smith, she knew it was an opportunity not to be missed. Rosa, now 22, grew up on the family farm, a high country sheep and beef station at Lake Coleridge in Canterbury - an idyllic Kiwi upbringing she loved. The support of her parents and knowing that home is always there has spurred her on to pursue her love of horses and see if she can go it alone. Starting with Donna and Elise Edwards-Smith in December 2017, Rosa was offered the head groom position after a year and stayed for two and a half years. “I would say that Donna and Elise are extremely hard workers and great role models for their work ethic. They are both incredibly positive and always wanted the best for me and to help me become a better rider,”

38 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

comments Rosa. “One of the biggest parts of working for Donna and Elise is teamwork and sportsmanship. There were so many of us working there, which meant we were riding and competing against each other as well as Donna and Elise. They are massive on teamwork and having a strong support network around you.” Rosa returned home during lockdown last year and took a job with racehorse trainer Ross Beckett at Yaldhurst. She also started distance studying through Massey University towards a Bachelor of Agricommerce majoring in farm management. “One of the reasons I chose distance learning was to give me flexibility with the horses because I was named on the Talent ID squad for Eventing in 2020, another amazing opportunity. I wanted to make the most of it,” says Rosa.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

I T A L L S TA R T E D B E C A U S E

I LOVED CROSS-COUNTRY, BUT MORE AND MORE

I LOVED THE CHALLENGE. TO GET ALL THREE DISCIPLINES

RIGHT IS A BIG ASK. T H E D AY S I T A L L C O M E S T O G E T H E R

ARE SO REWARDING.

Left and right and page - DSE PALPITATION (Roz) will step up to 3* this coming season. And in the back of her mind, Rosa knew that she still wanted to return to the North Island and give horses a crack. “I loved it. I met so many cool people, and I wanted to come back and give the horses a really good go.” Through Donna, Rosa arranged grazing at the Goodin family property (David’s old base) and moved back north in September 2020. Although there is no one in the Goodin family competing in New Zealand now, horses have been a massive part of the family’s heritage, and they were keen to have horses and riders continue at the property. “David still calls in and checks on me to make sure I’m doing things right, which is special. He’s got so much knowledge, and his memory is sharp as a tack. He’s incredible to talk to.” As well as her study and horses, Rosa has a part-time job at the Huntly branch of Farmlands.

40 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Above - Rosa rides DSE PALPITATION during the cross-country for the SsangYong CCI2*-L 2020 at Puhinui International Three Day Event. Image Libby Law Photography

“It’s great because it’s related to what I’m studying. I would love a job as a technical field officer or on-the-road rep, working with farmers and helping in their decision making. I enjoy building relationships with people who have the same passion as me.”

Her grandfather, PopPop, bought Rosa her first pony at the age of

three, and she would be led around the lawn bareback. Her second pony, a little Welsh called Dixie, bucked her off nearly every day for three years, but that didn’t dent Rosa’s enthusiasm. “I started going to Pony Club and always wondered why I was the

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

only one who fell off, but I still went out every day and never wanted to give up. I think that cemented it for me. I wasn’t out there winning, but I still loved riding, no matter how bad it was.” When she got her first hack, she competed in Springston Trophy and got the eventing bug. “It all started because I loved cross-country, but more and more, I loved the challenge. Getting all three disciplines right is a big ask. But, the days it all comes together are so rewarding.” Rosa’s mum always had a horse and polo groomed for many years, while her dad had ridden horses for mustering but couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about. Despite that, her parents are her biggest supporters. “They’ve made me the person I am. I never

T H E Y S AT D O W N A N D

SAID TO ME, HORSES ARE A

BIG COMMITMENT. I S T H I S W H AT Y O U R E A L LY WANT TO DO?

I SAID YES, AND THEY SAID,

RIGHT, LET’S DO IT. Above and right hand page image - Rosa and DSE MISTER take the win in the Dunstan 3* Young Rider Three Day Event Championships 2020 at Puhinui International Three Day Event.

thought I’d be in the Waikato chasing my dream, and that’s all credit to them.” Rosa was home-schooled for a time but says, meaning it in the nicest way possible, that her mum wasn’t the best teacher. So she then attended the local primary school, eventually progressing to boarding school in Timaru. “I hated it; I just wanted to ride. I used to pretend to be sick, so I’d get sent home. In the weekends, I’d ride my poor pony twice a day because I missed it that much.” Her younger brothers weren’t keen on boarding, either, and Rosa’s parents decided to purchase a lifestyle block at Darfield so the children could attend Darfield High. “Mum and Dad lived separately during the week while we went

42 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

to school. Then, at the weekends, we would take the horses with us back to the farm. It was a massive, amazing thing for Mum and Dad to do and pretty incredible for us kids.” By her final year at school, Rosa had checked out, although she did complete the year. “I didn’t enjoy it. I had my license and would go home at midday to ride my horses. Then when the opportunity came to move up north, I ran with it.” With the blessing of her parents, who are big believers in doing what you love, Rosa took the leap of faith, and she hasn’t regretted it for a moment. “They sat down and said to me, horses are a big commitment. Is this what you really want to do? I said yes, and they said, right, let’s do it.”

DSE Mister is that special horse that propelled Rosa to success.

Eleven-year-old Mister is all of 15.2hh with a big heart; a Thoroughbred ex-steeplechaser by Lucky Unicorn. “He has taught me the most and is the reason I got noticed for squads. He has been a big influence on everything I have achieved. He’s incredibly willing and was the first horse who really gave me that feeling of a horse that just wants to do his job and try his hardest.” Their first major highlight was runner-up in the Young Rider One-Day Championships in November 2019. “Mister is a very special horse to me, so this was a great reward.” Puhinui 2020 was another memorable event for Rosa. She had Mister in the Three-Day Young Rider 3* Title class – her final crack at it – and DSE Palpitation (Roz) in the CCI 2* National Young Horse Title class. “Mister jumped clear. It was a beautiful but challenging cross-country, which was great for us because cross-country is our strongest phase. I SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

HORSES ARE A TOUGH GAME. IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT YOUR HORSE; IT’S YOU AS A

RIDER MENTALLY. H E H A S P L AY E D A H U G E PA R T I N

MY LIFESTYLE AND HOW I BALANCE EVERYTHING, HAS H E L P E D M E P R I O R I T I S E W H AT I

WANT TO DO AND HELPED ME WITH MY TIME

M A N A G E M E N T. H O R S E S A R E M Y

PASSION; I LOVE IT.

had the lead going into the last day and did my first press conference. It was daunting and humbling to sit beside those other riders - I’d never been in that position before. “Going into the third day, I was leading the Young Rider class and didn’t have a rail in hand. It was an amazing feeling, but I was also nervous. I asked Donna how she stays focused in these situations. She said just to go out and do what you do every day. Think to yourself; you will have other opportunities in the future. Go and give it your best.” Rosa held her nerve, show jumping clear to take the title. Not only that, but Roz won the Young Horse title. “Days like that don’t happen that often, but when they do, it’s so satisfying. It cements what you’re doing at home and shows hard work pays off.” Sadly, Mister is for sale as Rosa feels it’s time for him to find another young rider to show the ropes. That leaves her with rising 8-year-old Thoroughbred mare Roz (by Patapan out of Palais Jamai), co-owned with Rosa’s parents. Spotted in Donna’s young horse turnout paddock as a five-year-old, Rosa describes Roz as having a heart of gold but very sassy. “She would do anything for me. They say once you have a good mare and you have their heart, they are unbeatable, and I definitely feel that with her.” Unfortunately, Roz was injured right before the first event of the season.

44 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

“This season didn’t quite go to plan. My goal was for Roz to do her first 3*, but she cut her knee and was rushed to the vet. It just missed the joint – I’ve never felt so lucky and so unlucky at the same time. She didn’t come out this season at all, and I was unbelievably gutted, but she’s back in full work now, so I’m spending this winter training.” Rosa is looking at several young horses to add to the team. “I’m rebuilding at the moment. I’d like a couple of nice young horses to produce and bring through the grades.” Being named part of the ESNZ Talent ID Squad for Eventing in 2020 and again this year has given Rosa valuable access to top coaches and fuelled her desire to make it at the top level. “I hope Roz will go to 4* and, if she keeps proving to me she has it, I’d love to take her to Adelaide. She still young, and there’s no rush. I want to produce her properly.” As well as coaches like Lizzie Green, Penny Pearce and Tracy Smith, having the input from squad sports psychologist Jason YuillProctor has been of enormous benefit. “Horses are a tough game. It’s not all about your horse; it’s you as a rider mentally. He has played a huge part in my lifestyle and how I balance everything, has helped me prioritise what I want to do and helped me with my time management. Horses are my passion; I love it.” Rosa loves producing horses and the satisfaction she gets from seeing how far they come. “You can think that you have to be the best right now, but I’ve learnt more when things have gone wrong than when they went right. The horse you have now might not be the horse that takes you to 5*, but it’s all stepping stones. It’s a massive process.” Rosa is grateful to be sponsored by Golden Horse Feeds. C

THIS IS DUBLIN

New Footwear Collection dublinclothing.co.nz

RIDER spotlight

Chelsea Callaghan is

a woman of many talents WORDS - Cheyenne Nicholson IMAGES - Pip Hume

When Chelsea Callaghan paints, time melts away. Many of Chelsea’s early memories are with a paintbrush in hand. You’ll be hard pushed to find a photo from her early years where she’s not wielding a paintbrush and with paint smattered hands and cheeks.

While some kids leave their paintbrush days behind them when they leave school, art has played a pivotal role in Chelsea’s whole life. “It’s a bit like meditating. You get into a flow, and you don’t notice the time passing. I get the same feeling when I ride. That’s why it never really feels like work. I’m just out there doing something I love. “I always took art subjects right through school. It was the only thing I actually enjoyed at school. I wouldn’t class myself as an ‘academic’ in the traditional sense. I got all the

46 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

credits I needed for university, but wherever possible, I was in the art room”. Chelsea has a Bachelor of Fine Art from Massey University and once had ambitions of becoming an art teacher, but decided not to go on to Teachers’ College, instead completing a Diploma in Graphic and Web Design. For four years after she completed her degree, she didn’t pick up a paintbrush. Not once. “Sometimes, going and doing a degree in something can make you crave a break from it. When I was at Massey, it was very conceptual

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

and abstract work, I didn’t get to work a lot on the technical skills involved in painting, and I wish I could have”. The break from painting turned out to be just the thing she needed to reignite her passion for creating. One day, ready to pick up the brush again, she set out to challenge herself. She wanted to teach herself the technical skills she needed to better produce the works she conjured up in her head. Chelsea was free to create what she pleased with no eyes on her or briefs to work off. “I took the time to learn techniques, largely by trial and error. I have artists who I look to for inspiration, like Rosemary Parcell, Sally Martin, Charmaine Olivia, and Julie Hildbolt. I’d look at their work and see if I could analyse how they got certain looks in their work.”

Chelsea’s main inspiration

comes from horses. It’s easy to understand why; she grew up around horses and was hooked on them from the moment she first sat on a horse. While she’s tried her hand at various subjects, from scenic painting to other animals, she says her attention to detail, and overall enthusiasm for a project is

48 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

deep-seated in her love and passion for horses. “I don’t feel I put the same energy into other subjects. Horses are what I’m passionate about, and it translates directly to my art. “I particularly enjoy painting dressage, capturing that picture of harmony, strength, and elegance”. Her style has evolved as she has figured what techniques work best for her. Her focus lies in accurate and realistic composition while not ‘overdoing it’. “I like the bones of the horse and the proportions to be realistic, but then I try to make that with as little as possible. Sometimes if I focus too much on one part of a painting, it doesn’t turn how quite how I’d like”. Chelsea started selling her paintings about four years ago after numerous requests from friends and acquaintances from the show circuit. Today, many of her commissions come via shows as well as social media. While she would have been quite happy to keep her paintings to herself and fly under the radar, she has enjoyed the challenge of creating someone else’s vision through the medium of paint. “It was nerve-wracking when I first started selling my art. Your art becomes a bit like your baby in a way. You put so much time and care into them, so to put them out into the world is scary”.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

As with her painting,

the rest of Chelsea’s work-life centres around horses. When not donning a painter’s smock, Chelsea can be found at one of her other jobs. She juggles painting with a retail job, instructing and training her own horses. For the past eight years, Chelsea’s main ride has been her beautiful black mare, Sisters II Etta J (Etta). By the Friesian stallion Ziegfried, out of a Warmblood mare, Etta is indeed striking looking. Etta is known around the dressage circuit for her powerful movement, but she’s known as ‘The Policewoman’ at home. “She has her eyes on everything and everyone at the property. She’s in charge and sometimes a bit highly strung. Etta always seems like she’s on a mission, but she also has a loveable and quirky side to her. “I remember my first ride on her. I went down to Christchurch to see her, and she was doing her typical policewoman vibe on the ground, and I was a little intimidated. I thought,’ gosh, how am I going to ride this horse?!’ But as soon as you sit on her, she completely changes”. Their partnership is one built on mutual trust and willingness to try for each other. Chelsea is often blown away by the mare’s ability to rise to the challenges Chelsea sets. This season includes goals of a first go at Grand Prix. “She always tries so hard for me, and that makes me want to try hard for her too. She’s a real show horse in the respect that she loves to perform and compete; that’s when she does her best work”. Chelsea is also producing a young mare named Freya. While only at the beginning stages of her training, Chelsea is excited about Freya’s future and describes her as the complete opposite of Etta’s style and personality.

50 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Where Etta is sassy and powerful, Freya is gentler with a more elegant way of moving. Chelsea is laying the foundation with Freya right now, focusing on getting her to be nice and relaxed in her work and getting some outings under their belts. “At this stage, I don’t think I want to compete them at the same time at the same shows. That’s mainly because of Etta being who she is! This year is Etta’s year with Grand Prix in our sights, so Freya gets to enjoy the odd local day for now”. If you had told 10-year-old Chelsea, who just got her first pony and was pulled over her neck while trying to get it to trot, that she would be an accomplished equine artist and soon-to-be Grand Prix dressage rider, she wouldn’t have believed you. “I look at what I call my job, and I’m a bit like ‘wow, is this real life?’ I’ve been incredibly fortunate with the people I have in my team, from Andrea Raves and Helen Hughes-Keen to my mum (Christine) and my partner, Alistair Shaw, and everyone in between.” Chelsea is tremendously grateful to be sponsored by Equestrio, Saddlery Warehouse and Syncroflex HA. C

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

RIDER spotlight

A CHAT WITH

Miranda Harrington WORDS - Amy Collinson IMAGES - Dionne van Kimmenade COMPETITION IMAGE - Erik Fotografie Originally from Dairy Flat in Auckland, Miranda has lived in Europe for the past 20 years. She and her partner, Dolf Van Mierlo, own HVM Horses, a show jumping yard in Ospel, Netherlands. Amy Collinson worked for Miranda from June 2016 to August 2018, and in this article, she tells Miranda’s story, giving some insights into life as a top-level show jumper in Europe.

Miranda was just

five years old when she began riding alongside her older sister, Kim. Then, at the age of 11, she got a coloured pony called Tonka. The pair grew together, eventually winning ten Pony Grand Prix classes. Going on to horses, Miranda had many successes in the Young Rider Series in New Zealand. Her first experience of the European show jumping scene came as an 18-year-old when she was selected to spend six weeks with Swiss show jumping rider and Olympic Silver Medallist Beat Mandli - an experience that she freely admits she loved. She subsequently took up the opportunity to spend six weeks with Olympian Ludo Philippaerts at his show

52 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

jumping, breeding and training stables in Gruitrode, Belgium. Returning to her home in New Zealand, Miranda had settled back into her life here when Penny Stevenson approached her at Tauranga Show, asking if she would ride a horse in a 1.20m class. That encounter led to Penny asking whether Miranda would be interested in working for her. “That chance is what opened the doors,” Miranda says. Miranda continued to ride for Penny during the New Zealand summer, returning to Europe for the winter, until Penny’s daughter, show jumping star Samantha Mcintosh, who was based in Germany, called her up with a job offer. Miranda thought fast, took the opportunity and went for it, with no

I T H A S A LWAY S BEEN OUR GOAL TO

PRODUCE TOP QUALITY HORSES T H AT W I L L D O US PROUD.

Horse??

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

Left - Dolf and daughter Zoe Above and right hand page - Miranda and KIWI DREAM idea how long she would stay in Europe. During her time in there, Miranda rode Nations Cups in Drammen and Falsterbo with good results and was shortlisted for the 2004 Olympics in Athens. After missing out on the Olympic spot, Miranda decided she was ready for a new adventure, so she relocated to the Netherlands to work for Henk van de Broek. There, she met her partner Dolf, who shared the same vision of starting his own stable.

Starring from scratch,

building brick by brick over the years, the pair built their own business, HVM Horses. From its beginnings, through milestones such as replacing the dusty driveway with brickwork, Miranda and Dolf have created a lovely stable producing top quality horses, located in the heart of the business side of show jumping close to some significant show venues such as Peelbergen Equestrian Centre and Sentower Park. Through the years, HVM Horses have produced some top horses that have competed at the highest level. Davos jumped a double clear in the Nations Cup in Aachen, Germany and competed individually at the London Olympics with HRH Prince Abdullah Bin Moteb Al Saud. Miranda also produced Valvarja (1.60), Valhalla (1.60), and Harthago (1.60). “It has always been our goal to produce top quality horses that will do us proud,” Miranda comments. In 2016 Miranda had a stable of 16 horses to ride and manage; now, she is down to nine better quality horses,

54 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

some of which the pair own. Eventually, they would like to be down to six or seven top horses, focusing more on toplevel competition. This vision may give Miranda a chance to do some bigger shows and have more family time. Taking a step back from her immediate Olympic goals has given Miranda and Dolf the space to build a life. Miranda feels that people may think she has given up on the Olympic dream, but nothing could be further from the truth. “I am still chasing that top sport, maybe from a different angle. It makes me incredibly proud to see horses that we have produced succeeding at the highest level. I am still young enough, and we will always keep chasing the dream.” Miranda decided it was better to first focus on the lifestyle and the business - to build up that solid foundation rather than focusing on something which can be very hit and miss. It is essential to recognise that even if you have a few good results, these are only the surface elements. It’s hard for people living in New Zealand to understand the depth of the sport in Europe, especially in Miranda’s location. It’s essential to keep a fairytale in mind and keep dreaming but it’s best to also have a strategy – a purpose to what you are doing and why. To come from New Zealand and have your own equestrian facility in such a competitive area is a considerable achievement. When you look at the photos, it’s hard to comprehend the time and work that has gone into this journey. Many people do not understand that it does not matter how well you ride – if you show up from New Zealand, your talent alone

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

W E W I L L A LWAY S K E E P

CHASING THE DREAM. WHEN YOU STOP CHASING THE DREAM, YOU WILL GET LEFT BEHIND.

will never be enough to make it. If you have one or two excellent horses with a few good results, that is also not enough to make it. It takes true grit to last in Europe. It’s essential to have big goals and go after something grand, but you need to be strong enough to take the kicks along the way. It’s a long journey, and if you are there for the Olympic dream, you may well be disappointed. You need to be the kind of person who can deal with the struggle or at least be open to learning how to cope with all the

discomfort this kind of journey can bring. The struggle and the lessons make the journey so profound. “We will always keep chasing the dream. When you stop chasing the dream, you will get left behind,” says Miranda. Miranda and Dolf also have a six-year-old daughter, Zoe, who has just had her first competition start at Peelbergen - an impressive place for your first show! Miranda laughs that her first show was in a random paddock in North Auckland. C

The family walking KIWI DREAM through the exquisite grounds of HVM Horses.

56 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

PRICE BREAKTHROUGH! EUROPEAN BRAND - SADDLES UNDER $3K

Now we offer the brilliant new leather Kieffer Essentials range at only $2999. The first time a European Brand leather saddle with replaceable gullet is less than $3000. Featuring: – Kieffer Change System with replaceable gullet plate – Kieffer Combi Panel (foam panel, malleable with wool, 2/3 Latex underlayed with 1/3 wool) – Black. Sizes 17” and 18” – Made in China

Dressage The Kieffer Essential Dressage Saddle features a deep covered leather seat and panels, removeable Velcro knee rolls and a flexible V-shaped girthing system. Sizes 17” or 18”

General Purpose The Kieffer Essential General Purpose Saddle features an anatomically deep seat with covered leather upper and leather panels, removeable Velcro knee rolls and short girth straps. Sizes 17” or 18”

2,999.00

EACH

Close Contact The Kieffer Essential Jump Saddle features an anatomically deep seat with covered leather upper and leather panels, removeable Velcro knee rolls and calf blocks and short girth straps. Sizes 17” or 18”

2,999

.00 EACH

EACH

Gullet Plates

Kieffer Tool *Comes in all saddles

Due to the intelligent Kieffer Change Replaceable Gullet Plate System, the tree width can be adjusted easily and quickly. Five different gullet plate sizes are available to fit the saddle correctly in place. Every saddle comes with the green gullet plate W (WIDE) by default. Sizes Narrow, Medium, Medium Wide, Wide or Extra Wide

59.99

EACH

TRIAL SADDLES AVAILABLE. FINANCE OPTIONS AVAILABLE.

Normal Terms and Conditions apply. Refer to Saddlery Warehouse website. https://www.saddlerywarehouse.co.nz/terms-and-conditions

WHANGAREI 31 HEREKINO ST 09 430 0061 | ALBANY 7B AIRBORNE RD 09 970 1062 | KUMEU 156C MAIN ROAD 09 412 2476 | PUKEKOHE 7B GLASGOW RD 09 239 0170 CAMBRIDGE 53 Allwill Drive, Hautapu RD 07 823 9436 | HASTINGS 308 EASTBOURNE ST WEST 06 870 8142 | NEW PLYMOUTH 82 HURLSTONE DR 06 769 5198 | TAURANGA 80 GARGAN RD, TAURIKO 07 281 0741 PALMERSTON NORTH 24 ANDREW YOUNG ST 06 353 7827 | WELLINGTON 3A CEDRIC PL 04 233 0729 | NELSON CNR PASCOE ST & MERTON PL 03 548 6939 CHRISTCHURCH 68 HAYTON RD 03 343 1175 | DUNEDIN 7A GLADSTONE RD SOUTH 03 489 0164 | INVERCARGILL 228 DEE STREET 03 218 6558

FREEPHONE 0508 467 734 | www.saddlerywarehouse.co.nz

RIDER spotlight

58 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Abbie Deken was always

DESTI N ED for

DRESSAGE A quiet achiever in the dressage world, Abbie Deken’s career highlight to date was winning Dressage Horse of the Year following an incredible season in 2017 on the formidable KH Ambrose. Since then, she has ridden the highs and lows of the sport, but with passion, determination and dedication, Abbie has resolved to forge on towards her goal of once again riding at the top of her sport. WORDS - Ashleigh Kendall IMAGES - Belinda Pratt Photography

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

DRESSAGE

JUST KIND

O F H A P P E N E D F O R M E! WE TRAINED BOYSIE UP TO

PRIX ST GEORGE,

AND HE LEARNED TO

PIAFFE DO THE

TEMPIS,

AND COULD

ONE-TIME SO I LEARNED

A L O T F R O M H I M.

Ever since Abbie

first laid eyes on her neighbour’s horses, she has been obsessed with horses. “I used to hide in the bushes and stalk my neighbours’ horses, spying on them,” she laughs. Coming from a surfing family with no horse experience or interest, Abbie began her riding career under the watchful eye of Jill Tompkins at her riding school in Oakura. “She got me started. I always idolised the Tompkins girls. They were the ones we all looked up to at Pony Club,” she reflects. “It is funny thinking back because I was terrified of Jill and really worked hard to impress her, but when I got older, I realised how lovely and funny she is!” Eventually, Abbie gained Jill’s approval that she was ready to have a pony of her own. “My parents are really supportive and love animals, but they are a surfing family. So when I was nine years old, I did a gruelling test with Jill to prove I could look after and be responsible for a pony,” she explains. As a child, Abbie did surf with her family and even won a competition, but she was happy as soon as she had her name on the trophy. She was more interested in spending all her spare time with horses.

Abbie started riding

at gymkhanas and Pony Club competitions. She then moved onto a Thoroughbred called

60 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Brentwood, Boysie to friends, who had competed in Pony Club events and was an allrounder. “The first time I saw him, he had dumped his rider in a ditch, then a while later, my trainer at the time suggested I try him out,” she says. With Boysie, Abbie fell into dressage when she went with Vanessa Way to train with Kallista Field for a couple of days. When they got there, Kallista’s groom was sick, so Abbie took Boysie there for a couple of weeks and ended up staying for two years. “Dressage just kind of happened for me! We trained Boysie up to Prix St George, and he learnt to piaffe and could do the one-time tempi changes, so I learnt a lot from him. He was a bit of a hothead, so he would either be great or terrible at shows. I would get upset when he blew up, and I remember at one show getting 45%. In the end, I was able to get a decent score on him at Prix St George, so it was a really cool journey.” Abbie still has her faithful friend Boysie at 32 years old. “He spends his days now with one of Vanessa’s horses which is really cool.” From there, Abbie had a couple of young horses, but it was KH Ambrose who gave her the next taste of success. “I got him as an unbroken three-year-old, and Vanessa’s husband, Brooke helped me break him in,” she reflects. “He was very up and down in

the beginning, very hairy for a few years! I couldn’t compete with him at the beginning because I fell off him too much!” Abbie always admired his x-factor - he always has a spark in his eye and a formidable presence about him. “He is the most intelligent horse I have ever met,” she explains. “He learnt very quickly, but of course, that can work both for and against you!” There were many times throughout the journey with Ambrose that Abbie thought she couldn’t go any further. “It was unsafe. I was scared, and then I would scare him. There were lots of tears, but ultimately I resolved to keep going because he was amazing when he was in his safe space in the arena at home. I thought, surely I would eventually be able to get this when I go out.” She recalls falling off three times at one show, the last fall being quite bad, and she hurt her arm. “I drove home crying. I didn’t know what to do, but I am lucky to have amazing friends and supporters who helped me through those early stages. Matthew Gilmore made a huge difference to his confidence. He took Ambrose for a month and jumped him, got him out and about. When I went to pick Ambrose up, Matthew and Vaughn Jefferis made me jump him around a course. I was petrified!”

Six-year-old NEGRO mare, NASTASIA, who was bred by Candace Bagnall.

Riding her first Grand Prix dressage test was huge for Abbie. “It was terrifying! I felt like an absolute beginner, but I was happy to Above Below get through and get the first one out of the way. That gave me a baseline of where we were at,” she says. “His whole life, Ambrose never was able to do a good musical until he reached Grand Prix as he was so sensitive to noise and atmosphere. He got so much more confident, more rideable, and he enjoyed being out there the last couple of years. I felt like we could finally show what we could do.” Abbie explains that there was no single moment where it all just came together, but rather, it happened slowly over many years. “Every time we went out, it would be slightly better. It was very progressive, so there was no huge ‘wow’ moment where it fell into place. In the end, he was an absolute professional.” Being the true king he is, Ambrose had everyone at home trained to suit him and his schedule. “Even at his new home in Australia, he has his owner trained how he wants.” Abbie was forced to make a tough decision in 2018 to let him go. “It was horrific. I was dehydrated from crying, but I knew at the time that it was my only option to be able to afford to get a young horse and start again. I had no money, and he was at the age I wanted to do more, but I didn’t want to keep pushing him. He had done enough for me. It was horrendous at the time, but now it is nice to see someone else loving him and enjoying him.”

While her ultimate

goal is to train more horses to Grand Prix, for now, Abbie is enjoying starting from scratch. with her six-year-old Negro mare, Nastasia (bred by Candace Bagnall) and three-year-old Fugato gelding, First Disco SW (bred by Sheena Ross). “I have been a bit unlucky the past few years with losing good horses like Giuliani, who I thought was special. He was not

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

I T H I N K T H AT

SUCCESS T O

ME FEELS

LIKE I HAVE

IT MY BEST,

GIVEN T H AT I

H AV E P R E PA R E D W E L L ,

WORKED HARD, G I V E N I T M Y A L L IN TRAINING I N A W AY T H AT I S K I N D TO THE HORSE.

pressure of Grand Prix come off by going back to the beginning. Still, I am curious to see how I will handle it while I take my next horses up through the levels.”

only amazing to ride but was also just an amazing horse in general, so I am a little behind where I wanted to be. But I enjoy the process of starting at the beginning and working up too. I have been nonexistent on the competition circuit for a few years now, so I am looking forward to getting back into it with Starsy this season.” Abbie has had Starsy since she was three and just started, “I rode her for two minutes when I tried her and said, if she passes the vet check, then I will buy her. She felt effortless,” Abbie says. “I love a sensitive, sharp horse, but I am also a bit of a wimp, so while I don’t want a horse I have to kick along, it has to give me a safe feeling.” When looking for a horse, Abbie considers many things, especially now that she knows more. “Of course, it is always better if you can sit on the horse, but if it hasn’t been started yet, you don’t have that opportunity. I am much more aware of conformation - but I have also been around so many different horses and their flaws that you can look past conformation if there is something else you love about that horse. It isn’t the be-all and end-all. Some of the best horses have far from perfect conformation.”

Abbie confesses that

she has put a lot of pressure on herself with negative thoughts about not feeling good enough, which she has learned to manage over the years. “I think as a dressage rider, it is really easy to pick on every flaw or mistake in your test. I have learnt that for 10 or 15 minutes after a test, I am too involved and emotionally charged with what happened. I need to go and chill out and put my horse away before I can talk about the test,” she explains. “The break from competing has probably been quite good for me to refresh because there was a period where I was too negative towards myself. Of course, it was a relief to have the

62 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

She has also been

very disciplined in the lead up to big shows to help prepare her physically and mentally. “I am pretty bad with my diet. I am a sugar addict, which I hate about myself. Still, when I was competing Grand Prix, I would make myself eat properly from two weeks out because I knew that way I could keep my mind focused, stay in control and have that good energy to sustain my efforts leading up to and at the show,” she explains. “To ride the Grand Prix, you do have to be really fit and in balance with the horse. The fitter you are and the better you feel, the better you can get through it and do well. When I was preparing for something bigger, I got into doing some training, running up the hill so that I could feel good in my mind more than anything else.” The definition of success has changed for Abbie over the years. “I think that success to me feels like I have given it my best; that I have prepared well, worked hard, given it my all in training in a way that is kind to the horse. Then when I am at a show, I can enjoy it a bit more, and I know that whatever happens on the day, I haven’t done myself or my horse a disservice by not being prepared.” Abbie has a strong work ethic and commitment. At the end of it all, she believes you have to put the hard yards in no matter what. “It doesn’t get given to you; you have to dig deep. If you can find someone who can help you, that is even better; I am lucky to have Vanessa. She is such a massive mentor to me and keeps me on track. She guides me, but I also work extremely hard to help her, and she helps me in return. Vanessa has been my coach for the whole journey and I have a lot of trust in her, she really helps me with my weaknesses and keeps me pushing hard. It is so important to put yourself in a position where you can have the best help,” she encourages. “I’m not special. I just work hard and keep my eye on the prize, remembering that it is small steps every day.” C

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

E QU E ST R I AN CO NNE C T I O N

S PR I N G / S U M M E R 2 02 1

EQUESTRIANCONNECTION.CO.NZ

NEW SEASON | NEW COLOURS | NEW RANGES

CATALOGUE

OUT NOW! 24 pages

OF NEW PRODUCTS AND SPECIAL OFFERS! FIND your LOCAL STOCKIST NORTH ISLAND STORES AMS SADDLERY 82A Spartan Road, Takanini, 2105 Phone: 09 298 7094 Visit: www.amssaddlery.co.nz

CANTERBURY EQUESTRIAN AUCKLAND 49 Main Road, Kumeu, Auckland Phone: 022 585 1144 Visit: www.canterburyequestrian.co.nz

HR FISKEN & SONS 295 Tuakau Road, Pukekohe Phone: 09 238 9414 Visit: www.hrfisken.co.nz

PREBBLE EQUESTRIAN 422 Gillespies Line, Palmerston North Phone: 06 353 8822

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

SUMMIT GRAINS & SADDLERY 16 Oliver Street, Cambridge Phone: 07 827 6091 Fax: 07 827 3881 Visit: www.summitsaddlery.co.nz

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

CHAMPIONS EQUESTRIAN SUPPLIES 18 Old Taupo Road, Rotorua Phone: 07 349 3530 Visit: www.championsequestrian.co.nz

HORSELANDS KUMEU GRAIN 933 Waitakere Road (opposite the showgrounds), Kumeu, West Auckland Phone: 09 412 7400

EAST’S OUTDOOR WORK & LEISURE 109 Main Road, Makaraka Gisborne, 4010 Phone: 06 868 8479 Visit: www.eastoutdoors.co.nz

HORSESPORTS SADDLERY Unit 2/84 Spartan Road, Takanini, Auckland Phone: 09 269 6518 Visit: www.horsesports.co.nz

EQUESTRIAN CENTRAL 74 High Street, Waipawa, Central Hawkes Bay Phone: 0800 EQ CENT (372 368) Visit: www.equestriancentral.co.nz FOUNTAIN CITY SADDLERY 15A Lincoln Street, Hamilton Phone: 0508 SADDLE Visit: www.saddleryshop.co.nz

HORSEWYSE SADDLERY 4A Cloverlea Road Palmerston North Phone: 06 354 7787 Visit: www.horsewyse.co.nz TACK SHOP 2037 Pakowhai Road, Pakowhai, Hastings Phone: 06 870 7256 Visit: www.tackshop.co.nz

TE AWAMUTU SADDLERY 170 Bruce Berquist Dr, Te Awamutu Phone: 07 871 4982 Visit: www.teawamutusaddlery.co.nz

THE TACK SHACK 2 Breakwater Road Moturoa, New Plymouth Phone: 06 751 2225 Visit: www.thetackshack.co.nz

CANTERBURY EQUESTRIAN (DUNEDIN) 92 Gordon Road, Mosgiel, Dunedin Phone: 03 489 2299 Visit: www.canterburyequestrian.co.nz

CANTERBURY SADDLERY Cnr Racecourse & Yaldhurst Road, Riccarton, Christchurch Phone: 03 342 9260 Visit: www.canterburysaddlery.co.nz

MARLBOROUGH EQUESTRIAN BARN 95 Battys Road, Blenheim Phone: 03 578 8914 Visit: www.marlboroughequestrianbarn.com

SOUTH ISLAND STORES

RANGIORA EQUESTRIAN SUPPLIES 623 Lineside Road, Rangiora, Christchurch Phone: 03 313 1674 Visit: www.rangioraequestrian.co.nz

CANTERBURY EQUESTRIAN (CHRISTCHURCH) 823 Main South Road, Templeton, Christchurch Phone: 03 349 6241 Visit: www.canterburyequestrian.co.nz

RICHMOND SADDLERY 430 Paton Road, Hope, 7081 Phone: 03 544 4177 Visit: www.richmondsaddlery.co.nz

CANTERBURY EQUESTRIAN (NORTH CANTERBURY – WOODEND) 50 Main North Rd, Woodend Phone: 03 310 0570 Visit: www.canterburyequestrian.co.nz

SOUTH CANTERBURY SADDLERY LTD Shop 2, 300 Hilton Highway, Washdyke, Timaru Phone: 03 688 2555 Visit: www.scsaddlery.co.nz

M O R E WAYS TO

SAVE T H I S O CTO B E R

WEATHERBEETA STRETCH HOOD WITH ZIP

NOW

5499

Navy

DUBLIN EASY-CARE HALF CHAPS II Black Adults & Childs

Pony - Full

RRP $49.99

RRP $64.99

SAVE $10

DUBLIN ALL SEASONS RIDING GLOVES

Coral RRP $99.99

SAVE $30

BODY BRUSH

20% OFF

SAVE $15

NOW

FACE BRUSH

20% OFF

NOW

499

RRP $8.99

DANDY BRUSH RRP $14.99

SAVE $4

20% OFF

WEATHERBEETA MEMORY FOAM COMFORT HALF PAD

KINCADE NYLON/ ELASTIC ADJUSTABLE SIDE REINS

White | Small & Large

NOW

4999

RRP $5.99

NOW

$ 80

NOW

Black

6999

Brown, Navy & Purple

RRP $14.99

ROMA PLASTIC MEDICAL ARM BAND

NOW

20% OFF ALL KINCADE LEATHER EMBOSSED GROOMING

NOW

RRP $44.99

SAVE $110

3999

DUBLIN POWER PERFORMANCE MID RISE COLOUR BLOCK TIGHTS

Also available in Childs RRP $79.99 NOW $59.99 SAVE $20

Purple | S - L

RRP $159.99

NOW

Black

1199

NOW

MANE & TAIL BRUSH RRP $12.99

10 40

20% OFF

NOW

2999

RRP $39.99

SAVE $10

* P R I C E S E F F E CT I V E O CTO B E R 2 0 2 1 O N LY

Vi s i t E Q U E ST R I A N CO N N E C T I O N .CO. N Z

KINCADE BUTTERFLY LEAD REINS Black & Brown RRP $29.95

SAVE $5

NOW

2495

M O R E WAYS TO

SAVE

T H I S N OV E M B E R WEATHERBEETA COMFITEC PLUS DYNAMIC DUO COMBO MEDIUM/LITE

WEATHERBEETA STABLE BOOT WRAPS

Purple/Black

Pony - Full

Grey/Blue/Aqua

4'3 - 5'9

RRP $69.99

3'9 - 4'9

RRP $299.99

RRP $179.99

SAVE $60

SAVE $10

WEATHERBEETA COMFITEC RIPSHIELD PLUS COMBO

NOW

9999

SAVE $80

RRP $24.99

Black | 53cm - 60cm

NOW

1999

NOW

RRP $79.99

6999

SAVE $10

DUBLIN HOLOGRAPHIC HEART CROP Blue/Black, Grey/Black & Pink/Black | 65cm RRP $29.99

SAVE $10

NOW

23999

SAVE $5

DUBLIN SILVERLINE HELMET

5999

Limited sizes available

ROMA MAGNETIC STUD DISH

Black/Navy

NOW

KINCADE HANOVERIAN II BRIDLE Black & Brown

NOW

6499

Pony - Full

RRP $89.99

RRP $17.99

SAVE $25

SAVE $3

EQUINADE GLO SHAMPOO White, Black, Chestnut & Bay | 1L

NOW

2999

1999

Assorted Colours

DUBLIN EVERYDAY MIGHTY GRIP RIDING GLOVES

NOW

1999

Black | XS - L RRP $29.99

SAVE $10

SAVE $5

SAXON COTTON NICKEL PLATED SNAP LEAD

Assorted Colours

Pony - Full

RRP $34.99

NOW

SAXON NOW NYLON BRASS BUCKLE $ 99 HEADCOLLAR

NOW

799

RRP $9.99

SAVE $2

DUBLIN LEATHER POLO BELT COWDRAY Brown/Black/Red/White

75CM

NOW

4999

& Brown/Pink/Blue/Yellow 75cm RRP $79.99 SAVE 95cm RRP $79.99 SAVE

$30 $20

95CM

NOW

5999

$ * P R I C E S E F F E CT I V E N OV E M B E R 2 0 2 1 O N LY

Vi s i t E Q U E ST R I A N CO N N E C T I O N .CO. N Z

HEALTH mindset

REPROGRAMME YOUR MINDSET

Equestrian sports are challenging but having good mental strength assists both your performance and enjoyment alike. Whether you are a happy hacker who wants to build confidence out and about with your horse, or a top competitor, maintaining a positive, focused and clear mindset in your riding adds incredible value. Follow these tips to help reprogramme your mindset, which will, in turn, help you tackle challenges, build resilience and add enjoyment, both in and out of the saddle.

2. Record your pockets of mastery

1. Set your goals

Before you hop on your horse each day, make a plan with no more than three constructive and achievable goals. These need to relate to your training to help you ride with focus and a clear vision about where you are going that day. You don’t get into your car and start driving with no idea of where you are going or how to get there. It’s the same for your training! Set goals as a progression, prioritising the basics and more straightforward exercises and then build on those towards more challenging goals. Setting these daily goals will help you stay accountable and committed to your training session. However, it is essential to note that sometimes your goals will change depending on what happens during your ride. Remember to stay flexible in your approach so that if something else arises, you work on that. If the horse becomes tired after working through that, call it a day, finish on a good note and reassess your goals for the next session.

68 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Another practice to encourage focus towards positivity is to record what went well after each ride - or, as I like to call them, your pockets of mastery. This will help you build confidence. It’s easy to beat yourself up about what went wrong, but this only serves to undermine your confidence. You may not have had a great day - we all have ‘off’ days but there is always something positive to build on. You must recognise and nurture these moments. Reframe what didn’t go so well into areas of focus that you need to work on. This way, you can look at those areas as just part of the journey and address them in a non-emotional way, keeping your mind clear and free from negative chatter. You are less likely to become discouraged about any weaknesses and blind to the progress you are making. Don’t become your own worst enemy by being overly critical of yourself and your horse. We all have areas we need to work on. I cannot stress enough just how valuable it is to nurture your pockets of mastery. When you do so, you are rewiring your mind towards the good. This is especially helpful for those who experience negative chatter, particularly when riding. With dedicated practice and commitment, you will soon notice the negative chatter becoming far quieter and less likely to interfere with your ride, leaving you able to ride the moment with a clear mind. Always take the time to reflect and marvel at just how far you have come! Use those good feelings to cultivate more confidence!

OUR EXPERT

Ashleigh Kendall mentors riders through her business, Empowered Mind. As a mental skills coach, qualified Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner and an advanced dressage rider, she offers a multifaceted approach to guide riders towards reaching their goals.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

3. Using visualisation

Research and results experienced by world-class athletes continue to prove that visualisation strengthens performance. If you can visualise a perfect round where things are going well - how it looks and how it feels - then you have no choice but to start believing you can achieve it. You cultivate confidence from this, and this confidence transfers through to your horse. Together you lift each other. That’s partnership, harmony, and that’s where you will find high performance within yourself. It all starts in your mind - thinking, visualising and building strength within your mind. Eventually, you will notice a transition from your head to believing it in your heart, and this is where the magic happens. This is where the practice in your mind transfers through to physical performance. Find a quiet spot where you can relax and practice your visualisation uninterrupted. Close your eyes, or if you prefer, soften your gaze so you can focus on the exercise. Think about the perfect round, connect

4. Listen to your thoughts

“WHEN YOU REALISE YOU ARE CAUGHT UP IN A NEGATIVE LOOP, COUNTERACT IT WITH SOMETHING POSITIVE.” with your emotions: how it feels, how it looks, what you are doing and how you are riding your horse. Relish the feeling that comes from nailing it. Try and prioritise visualisation practice every day. The more consistent you are, the more benefits you will experience. We are an accumulation of what we do every day.

While you are tacking up your horse, go over positive affirmations.

So often, I find we humans are constantly trying to turn off or ignore our negative thoughts. It seems counter-intuitive, but this is the opposite of helpful. If you are always trying to push the thoughts away, they will only reappear ten times louder than before. It’s kind of like that little kid in the supermarket whose mum is desperately trying to ignore them. They only get louder and louder until they get the attention that they crave. Instead of trying to block those thoughts, try observing them and letting them pass. Acknowledge they are there but don’t buy into the negative stories.

5. Affirmations

When you realise you are caught up in a negative loop, counteract with something positive. This is another reason why documenting your pockets of mastery is so valuable. When you do this, you focus on positivity that manifests the confidence you can do it again. When you are not feeling it or telling yourself negative stories, you can dig deep into your positive affirmations to drown out your inner critic. You can also prepare a few phrases that mean something powerful to you to repeat in preparation for a situation where you feel doubts creeping in. Have a few personal mantras such as; “we are a team, we are working together,” or even something that reminds you to trust your own journey. It can be anything that sparks your positivity and reignites your excitement for your horse and your relationship. Have these phrases prepared in advance so that you can draw on them in times of stress. It’s all about building your psychological toolbox and unleashing your power to be the very best version of yourself.

6. Allow yourself to try

The more you allow yourself to try, even if the outcome is to fail, the stronger you become in your mindset. You will be able to push yourself to do things and progress in a way you wouldn’t otherwise be able to do. Often what we most fear in performance isn’t even the performance itself. It is the result that may come from that performance. We are afraid of what might happen if we fail. The issue with this mindset is that it is so limiting, and it shrinks your growth. Without failure, you don’t grow, and if you aren’t failing from time to time, you aren’t

70 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Having a positive mindset will improve your day-to-day bond with your horse.

KEY TAKEAWAY NOTES 1.

Set goals before you ride each day but don’t be afraid to be flexible once you are on your horse.

Horses aren’t always working to the same plan as we are.

Record what went well each day and what you want to strengthen next time.

Practise daily visualisation.

Rather than blocking negative thoughts, notice them and let them pass without buying into them.

Failure is the quickest way to learning. Don’t limit yourself by hiding in your comfort zone.

Sometimes taking a day off and resetting is precisely what we need to do to refresh and start again in a positive frame of mind.

Remember, it is a journey and loving it means embracing the lows and the highs. None of us is exempt from hard days, and you are not alone.

While it can be tempting to make training the only focus, go out for a hack, it will be good for you and your horse.

pushing yourself hard enough. Allow yourself to step up to new challenges without the pressure of having to be perfect the first time. You learn as much from the hard times, if not more than from the wins, so allow yourself that opportunity for growth. When you are down, make sure you pick up some learning to take with you when you stand back up! Don’t be afraid to get up and try again. C

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

HEALTH feature

NUTRITION FOR THE

PERFORMANCE HORSE WORDS - Cheyenne Nicholson MAIN IMAGE - Show Circuit Magazine

The inherent athletic ability of the horse is impressive. However, to achieve optimal performance in any equine sport, a conditioning program must be designed that improves cardiovascular function, capillary density in muscle, flexibility, bone strength, increased muscle mass, increased energy substrate storage, and more efficient utilisation.

72 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

CARBOHYDRATES: Carbohydrates are found in grain or cereal feeds, fresh green grasses, and legume hay in varying levels. They provide a quick burst of energy to the horse.

FAT: GRETEL WEBBER

VICTORIA WALL

RICCI LATHAM

EQUINE NUTRITIONIST AT DUNSTAN HORSE FEEDS

ELITE EQUINE PERFORMANCE NUTRITION

STANCE EQUILIBRIUM AUSTRALIA

UNDERSTANDING ENERGY SOURCES There is no one diet for all horses. However, all horses need water, energy (calories), fibre, protein, and vitamins and minerals. Hard-working horses need more energy than lightly worked horses to maintain body weight. At an elementary level, it’s energy in, energy out. Energy is provided by carbohydrates, fat, protein, and fibre in the diet. Carbohydrates and fats are the most concentrated and efficient energy sources for horses, but fibre is the most ‘natural’ and is essential for hindgut health and efficiency.

Added oils (from grain or vegetable sources) are very energy-dense. One cup of oil is equivalent to approximately 3/4kg of oats. Fat is also a slow-release type of energy. Using oils with a good omega-3 profile helps add energy and promote a healthy omega profile.

PROTEIN: Protein is found in varying levels in pasture and roughage as well as in concentrates. It’s vital for muscle development but is used as an energy source by the body only if carbohydrates, fats, and fibre are deficient or excess protein in the diet. The utilisation of protein for energy releases more heat than equal amounts of other energy sources. It also generates ammonia and can cause an increase in sweating, urinary water loss and contribute to dehydration and increased risk of tying up.

FIBRE: Grass, hay, and beet are all great fibre sources. Fibre needs to be fermented in the hindgut to produce usable energy sources. It’s the energy/calorie source that the horse is evolutionarily adapted to and provides a ‘cool’ type of energy. A horse’s diet should consist of a minimum of 50% of a good source of fibre.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

FIGURING OUT ENERGY REQUIREMENT Gretel Webber, an equine nutritionist for Dunstan, says the most straightforward way to do this is by looking at your horse. “Software is beneficial to give an indication, and there are several equations to determine daily energy requirements for various workloads, but ultimately horses are individuals with varying metabolic rates and breed characteristics, so their requirements are going to be different. “Look at your horse and assess their condition. If you are unsure what is appropriate, utilise a body condition scoring chart. If your horse is maintaining a desirable condition with its current feed and workload, then you’re on the money with your supplementary feed energy contribution,” says Gretel. If the horse is losing weight, gaining weight or has other indicators that something is off in their diet, e.g. dull coat, decreased performance, then it’s time to look more in-depth at your feed. A great starting point is to weigh out the horse’s hard feed. This gives you a baseline to work off and is important

for complete feeds to determine if the horse is getting the recommended intake of the product, therefore receiving adequate vitamin and mineral fortification, or if changing to a more concentrated feed is required or a top-up of key nutrients.

A horse might be offered a diet of high-quality hay, for instance, but if he’s unable to chew and digest that food properly, he could look ribby. As a result, it’s important to consider your horse’s dental status when planning his diet.

BODY SCORE GUIDE

POOR CONDITION

MODERATELY THIN

The horse is emaciated; slight fat covering over base of spinous processes; transverse processes of the lumbar vertebrae feel rounded; spinous, ribs, tailhead, tuber coxae, and tuber ischia prominent; withers, shoulders and neck structure faintly discernable.

A slight ridge along the back, faint outline of ribs discernable; tailhead prominence (depends on conformation), fat can be felt around it; tuber coxae not discernible; withers, shoulders, and neck obviously thin.

MODERATE

OVERWEIGHT

Back is flat (no crease or ridge); ribs not visually distinguishable but easily felt; fat around tailhead beginning to feel spongy; withers appear rounded over spine; shoulder and neck blend smoothly into body.

Crease down back; fat over ribs fleshy /spongy, and soft to touch. Fat beginning to be deposited along sides of withers, behind shoulders and along sides of neck.

74 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

WHAT TO FEED Forage as the foundation

Ask any equine nutritionist where to start with any equine diet, and the answer will always be the same: forage and fibre. Management of all horses needs to be 100% geared towards gut health and comfort, especially if horses are off grass for travel or other reasons. “The most important thing, for any horse regardless of whether they are a performance horse or not, is fibre. Horses require a minimum of 1.5% of their body weight in fibre (on a dry matter basis) daily. For a 500kg horse, this equates to 7.5kg of fibre on a dry matter basis,” says Gretel. This fibre requirement can come from grass, hay, haylage, chaff, fermented forage, or beet. Beet has the added benefit of being very energy-dense. Allowing constant access to forage also helps with the horse’s emotional state. Chewing has been shown to reduce stress and promote the release of endorphins.

All horses require an adequate supply of forage (grass, hay or haylage), and this should form the basis of every horse’s ration.

Horses just like humans require the intake of food to provide adequate amounts of nutrients for growth, maintenance and to sustain performance. - HyGain Feeds

Concentrates for added fuel

It’s often not possible to meet the calorie demands of performance horses by feeding forage alone. When preparing a ration for a highend performance horse, it’s appropriate to draw on a combination of calorie sources, fibres, grains and fats. Grains provide a calorie-dense feedstuff that can meet the increased energy demands of hard-working equine athletes, providing a key fuel for performance. If required, they should be less than 50% of the diet, ideally 20-30%. The concern regarding feeding large quantities of grain is that it can lead to inadequate preceal starch digestion. This excess undigested starch makes its way into the hindgut and contributes to hindgut acidosis, colic and laminitis. High starch diets have also been implicated in the incidence of gastric ulcers. “Grain has been getting a bad rap in recent times. The key considerations for grains are around the botanical origin, processing and feeding management. These will all impact starch digestibility. Grains that are cooked, extruded, steam flaked, or micronised have improved starch digestibility, thereby reducing the likelihood of escaped starch. “Meal size is an important factor when considering starch contribution. The most recent recommendation is to feed no more than 2g of starch per kg of body weight per meal. On a practical level, feed no more than 2kg of hard feed per meal (based on a 500kg horse). Feeding management as well as what you feed is a key consideration for equine digestive health,” says Gretel. When looking at what concentrate or hard feed to choose, it can be difficult because there are so many options. “I normally break it down to two key considerations. Firstly, does the owner want or need a low starch feed, a feed not based on cereal grains? And secondly, do they need a full feed or are their horses ‘good doers’ requiring a more concentrated feed? That tends to narrow it down enough for most people to make a wellinformed choice for their horse and work requirement.”

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

WATER AND ELECTROLYTES Exercise generates heat. That heat is either dissipated from the body or stored. The dissipation of heat is essential to avoid overheating. To facilitate evaporative cooling (the most important dissipation of heat), horses sweat. The more sweat they produce, the more electrolytes they need to replace. When looking at electrolytes, the important ones are potassium, sodium, chloride, and calcium. Sodium and chloride (i.e. common salt) are essential for the function of sweating. Potassium has a major role in keeping the sensitivity of nerves and muscles at normal levels. Even relatively small changes in total potassium can negatively affect performance. Calcium in its ionic form is an important electrolyte and is critical to the normal function of muscles and nerve tissue. Magnesium tends to be overlooked, but it functions as a cofactor for over 300 enzyme reactions in the body. “It’s generally a good idea to supplement with plain salt every day as sodium and chloride are not readily available to the horse from natural feed sources, unlike potassium which is prevalent in forages. Most premixed feeds include salt; however, for horses that are sweating, additional salt should be added, depending on daily sweat loss, and intakes may vary from 10 to 60g a day,” says Gretel. Electrolytes can be added as required depending on work and climatic conditions.

Water is essential for life and the composition of your horse’s diet can have a significant impact on water intake. There can be around 50 litres of water in the digestive system but this is significantly influenced by diet. Meal feeding can also affect fluid balance in the body with research showing considerable shifts in water out of the digestive system when meals are fed. Feeding a few large meals each day can cause sufficient dehydration in the colon to result in impaction which could initiate other forms of very serious colic such as large colon displacement.

76 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

SUPPLEMENTATION The cornerstone of every equine diet is providing adequate roughage, following by adding quality protein and energy to suit the horses work. Then it’s time to correct nutritional imbalances. Keeping it simple and not doubling up is key for the best results when it comes to supplements. “Supplementation considerations for the performance horse are those that support health, performance, mental attitude, gut health and care of joints. They should support the horse physically and mentally in their career,” says Ricci Latham from Stance Equilibrium. All vitamins and minerals are essential for health and performance, so broad-spectrum supplements are often fed. They interact synergistically in the horse’s body, each playing a role in many processes, including performance, recovery, and repair. “We do recommend a vitamin/mineral supplement because imbalances can occur in all horses and change throughout the year due to season and workload. Even when feeding a ‘complete’ feed fortified with vitamins and minerals, people may not feed the amount directed for reasons such as their horse being a good doer, expense, etc. This means their horse is then receiving a reduced vitamin and mineral intake. This is due to the ratio of vitamins and minerals to content being fixed in a complete feed. Many feeds don’t contain adequate levels of electrolytes (especially for horses in heavy work) or anything for joint support,” says Ricci.

HAY FEEDER Containing hay has never been so convenient with a BeauBin! • Fill in just seconds • Save hay, time and effort • Made in NZ - Made to last - Built tough • 2 Year Warranty

FROM HAPPY CUSTOME RS: “They’re the best thing since sliced bread!!! A mate who grazes at my place didn’t think they’d be so good. I’m really happy and would love them in every paddock!” Beccy, Wellington

“I swear my BeauBins save me so much hay they must pay for themselves in a season. Bloody windy Welly.” Julia, Wellington

“The BeauBin certainly slowed down their ability to eat the hay. I think they are safer than hay nets and probably hold a wee bit more as well. You can soak and feed the hay all in one receptacle - genius.” Elisabeth, Christchurch

Peurgon Showroom BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 229A Main Street | Palmerston North

022 432 1149 info@peurgon.com peurgon.com peurgon

UNDERSTANDING THE EQUINE GUT The horse is a non-ruminant herbivore, meaning that they are specialised to eat mainly plants, with most of the hard work happening in the hindgut. The stomach is roughly the size of a rugby ball when empty and can hold around 9-18 litres, compared to the size of the horse. This is relatively small and contrasts with the large intestines, which allow for significant volumes of roughage

STOMACH

Food arrives in the stomach and meets with stomach acid, which is produced continually in the horse (this is why gastric ulcers are such a problem). It takes between 20 minutes and three hours for food to pass through. Food is hydrolysed by acid in the stomach, and protein digestion begins alongside a small amount of soluble sugar and starts fermentation.

COLON STOMACH

SMALL INTESTINE

CECUM

SMALL INTESTINE

The small intestine is around 21-25 metres long with a capacity of 50 litres and a transit time of about 45 minutes. Here all the major starches, lipids, and proteins are broken down. This area is the central place where nutrients are absorbed from the horse’s diet into the body for energy, growth, and repair.

SMALL COLON AND LARGE COLON

The small colon, large colon, and caecum make up the large intestine or hindgut. The small colon is around 3-4 meters long but only holds 14 litres of fluid. The large colon is of similar length and holds up to 82 litres. Water and nutrients are extracted from here.

CAECUM

The caecum holds around 35 litres of fluid. Food arrives here about three hours post-meal. It’s responsible for the fermentation of fibre. Cellulose is broken down into volatile fatty acids, which are then used as an energy source. Waste is formed and excreted.

78 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Water-soluble vitamins, such as the B-complex vitamins and ascorbic acid (vitamin C), are not stored in the body to any great extent. These vitamins are either synthesized in the body (vitamin C in the liver from glucose) or produced by the microflora in the large intestine (B vitamins). Because supplemental vitamin C is not absorbed well by the intestine of the horse, high levels have to be fed in order to make an impact on the blood level. Supplementation of B vitamins is probably still warranted for performance horses because they are often given high-grain rations that can compromise the microbial fermentation in the hindgut.

VITAMINS There are several important considerations for performance horses because the demands of their muscular-skeletal system are multifaceted. High energy expenditure, as well as stress, increase the levels of B group vitamins, vitamin C and E that the horse requires. “By design, horses are quite good at producing some of their own vitamins. If they have good hindgut health, they can produce many B group vitamins and vitamin K2. If horses spend time paddocked out, they will synthesise vitamin D from sunlight, and pasture is a great source of vitamins B, C, E, and K1. So the story here is that a lot of things can be taken care of by a good high fibre diet and access to pasture,” says Gretel. Victoria Wall from Elite Equine Nutrition adds that the only two vitamins horses cannot regulate themselves are A and E. These tend to be plentiful in pasture, so owners should consider supplying them in the diet if a horse is off pasture. “Vitamin E is essential for muscle health and function and is an effective antioxidant, like selenium, and horses can benefit from optimum levels. Care needs to be taken, especially with selenium. Now, with non-toxic organic forms commonplace, there is no need to use the toxic forms. The B vitamins can be helpful for calming and stress response but need to be used on a case by case basis.”

MINERALS Mineral supplementation is important for all horses and becomes critical for hard-working horses. “That foamy water you wash off a sweating horse is actually minerals pouring out of your horse. It’s not just salt, but also magnesium, potassium, calcium, and other minerals. They not only use more, but they also excrete them through sweat, so it’s quite easy for working horses to become mineral deficient,” says Victoria. When you consider that mineral deficiencies can quickly affect bone density, horses without adequate mineral content in their diet are more at risk from fractures and other injuries. Minerals occur in two forms; organic and inorganic. Organic refers to the structure, stability, and how absorbable a mineral is to the horse. The highest level of stability and absorption is a chelated

The horse’s coat, along with its skin, and hooves, is one of the indicators of the horse’s overall health. A shiny and smooth coat can mean that your horse is healthy.

The soil in NZ is naturally very low in selenium, as a result, so are all the crops we grow to feed our animals. Roughly 30% of horses are low in selenium. The signs associated with selenium deficiency include poor coat and hoof quality, sore, achy muscles, poor performance and poor fertility. Check your horse’s muscles regularly, if you are concerned about a deficiency, get blood work run by your vet, the risk of overdosing is also significant.

proteinate mineral. These minerals have atoms linked with protein which is very stable in gut acid and are fully absorbed. “Organic minerals are significantly better-absorbed than inorganic minerals, and it pays not to blend them given they have different absorption rates.” Mineral deficient horses with upset electrolyte levels often don’t drink enough, putting them at risk for colic. This is another reason to ensure the horse’s mineral and electrolyte status is optimum.

OTHER SUPPLEMENTS After minerals and gut health, muscle function is important. Optimum muscle function improves performance. “Waste within muscle cells that is not effectively excreted affects the performance of that cell. Clearing it out daily means your horse starts each day fresh and unhindered from work the day before. Products are available that also improve strength and build muscle quickly. They offer pure protein and nucleotides that deliver perfect building blocks for new muscle in a small dose. This prevents overfeeding large amounts of protein which horses were not designed to digest,” says Victoria. Joint health is another essential to consider when looking at supplementation. Nutritional support as a preventative and as a targeted support for wear and tear helps keep the horse comfortable in their work and ensure their longevity. “Every horse is an individual, and there will be challenges to each horse that crop up over time. Part of learning to manage each horse is finding how to keep them happy and comfortable,” says Victoria. Remember that every horse is different, and what works for one horse might not work for another. If you’re unsure where to start or want to explore other options, contact an equine nutritionist or your vet for tailored advice. C

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

FOALING feature

One born every minute WORDS - Alex Tennant MAIN IMAGE - Christine Cornege Photography ARTICLE IMAGES - Alamy Stock Library When your mare is in foal, it’s so exciting, but after 11 nerve-wracking months (average gestation is 11 months 11 days), it’s essential to keep your wits about you when approaching the ﬁnishing line. This month, we guide you through the foaling process and immediate aftercare of mum and baby.

80 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

The ﬁnal countdown For most mares, foaling is a breeze, but it can go wrong quickly for the unlucky ones! The key is to prepare for every eventuality and formulate a robust plan of action with your vet as the first port of call. You need to know who you’re going to call if your mare has a problem foaling and also ensure you have emergency transport organised. Some owners choose to call their vet as soon as their mare starts to foal. If all goes well, the mare will have foaled before the vet gets there. That’s not a problem as they will then be on-hand to check the mare and new born foal. If there is a problem, it will be good to know that the vet is already on their way, so they will get to assess the situation that bit sooner. Normal foaling can be very rapid. Most mares foal at night; you need to be ready for a few sleepless nights running up to the big day. Some mares have the knack of holding on under your gaze, only to pop their foal out as soon as your back is turned!

As the due date gets ever closer, it’s worth making sure you have everything to hand.

- THE ESSENTIALS • • • • • • • • •

Halter and lead Emergency numbers Scissors (to use in case of a red bag delivery under the advice of your vet) Clean buckets and water A tail bandage Clean towels Antibacterial wash 0.5% chlorhexidine solution or 1-2% iodine to treat the foal’s navel. A good torch with additional batteries

The normal birthing process is divided into three stages:

Stage 3

Stage 1

The placenta should pass within two to three hours of foaling.

The first stage describes the beginning of labour and can last for one to two hours. Your mare will appear restless, pacing around, watching her ﬂanks and pawing the ground.

Stage 2 The second stage begins when your mare’s waters break. This stage is often rapid, and most mares foal within 15-30 minutes. If your foal has not been born within 70 minutes, it greatly reduces the foal/ mare survival. As labour progresses, she’ll often lie ﬂat out with her legs extended. In a normal birth, the foal should come out in a diving position – front legs first, with his nose at mid cannon level. One leg will be slightly in front of the other. Once her foal has been delivered, the mare will often remain down for 10 minutes or so.

A mare will often lift her head during foaling.

82 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

The placenta should examined but if you are unsure about what you are looking at, put it in a bag for your vet to check.

When things don’t go to plan It is important to note that mares should always be observed when foaling as birthing difficulties (dystocia) are not that rare, and can be catastrophic when they occur. Hence, it’s important to recognise when your mare needs expert help. The second stage is usually over within 30 minutes. If it’s been over 30 minutes since the waters broke and nothing is happening, then you may have a problem. It could be something as simple as a leg that needs pulling forward, or it may be major dystocia. “The statistics are not great for a successful outcome if clients are slow to call the vet. If the labour has been going on for 90 minutes or more from the waters breaking the chances of the foal surviving drop below 10%. If clients are inexperienced, we recommend that they should foal their mares down at a professional facility like a stud farm,” says Dr Alex Leander from Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre. Some dystocias require hospital referral and possibly a caesarian section to deliver the foal. One particular emergency to watch out for is ‘red bag delivery’, which can starve the foal of oxygen. This is due to premature separation of the placenta. If you see a big red velvety bag (the allantois) protruding from the vulva and feel there is part of a foal inside it, this may well be premature placental separation. Call your vet immediately for advice. You may well need to rupture the bag to save the foal. A white bag (amnion) is normally presented at the vulva.

Your mare will begin the licking, process to stimulate breathing and will often nicker to begin bonding with her new baby.

The ﬁrst few hours Once the foal has been delivered, he may remain attached to the mare by his umbilical cord, but it should break once the mare stands up. Resist the temptation to cut the cord immediately as blood will still be entering the foal via the placenta. “Clearing any mucus away from the foal’s nose is great, and towelling the foal helps with stimulating the breathing. If the foal is not breathing, mouth to nostril breathing may be required, while holding the other nostril closed off. A foal normally tries sitting up in a sternal position after a few minutes, and it’s good to assist them with this as it helps aerate the lungs and clear the airway. A healthy foal is normally standing up within the first hour,” says Alex. If everything has gone well, give your mare and foal peace to enable them to bond with minimal distraction.

To prevent bacterial infection from entering via your foal’s navel, it should be dabbed with either 0.5% chlorhexidine solution or 1-2% iodine (stronger solutions should be avoided as they can cause skin scalding).

Use the 1-2-3 rule As a rule of thumb, the foal should be up within one hour, sucking within two hours, and the mare should have expelled her placenta within three hours. If you have a double of any of those, then call your vet. So, if the foal is still not up within two hours, has not been fed within four hours, and the mare hasn’t cleansed within six hours. Don’t delay calling your vet.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

Foals can take quite a few attempts to get up on their feet, but they should be standing within an hour of birth.

Care of your newborn foal Ideally, it’s worth getting your vet out to check your mare and foal within the first 12 hours. Your vet will be able to check for any conditions the foal may have been born with or those caused by trauma such as broken ribs or a ruptured bladder. Alex says. “Your mare should be vaccinated a month out from foaling with 2-in1 tetanus and strangles vaccination, so she will then produce tetanus antibodies in the colostrum. If the mare is immunised, then her antibodies will be transferred. Action must be taken in foals that have a failure of passive transfer, and they will require protection if the mare has not been vaccinated.” Your newborn foal receives all of his natural immunity from his mum’s colostrum. It is essential to know that her first milk contains immunoglobulins capable of protecting her foal from infection during his first months of life). Your foal’s gut will no longer be able to absorb antibodies once he’s 24 hours old. Ideally, he should receive one to two litres of colostrum within four to six hours of birth. If your foal cannot suck from his mum for some reason, she should be milked, and your foal fed approximately 250ml of colostrum every hour. There is also a great foal milk substitute from Vetpro available from most equine vets. To prevent bacterial infection from entering via your foal’s navel, it should be dabbed with either 0.5% chlorhexidine solution or 1-2% iodine (stronger solutions should be avoided as they can

84 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

A H E A LT H Y F O A L I S

NORMALLY STANDING UP WITHIN THE FIRST HOUR.

The foal should be sucking within two hours, and the mare should have expelled her placenta within three hours.

cause skin scalding). This should be done several times over the first 24 hours. It is also recommended blood testing your foal when he’s about 24 hours old. The blood test looks at levels of IgG, an immunoglobulin the foal gets from mum via the colostrum, and enables us to detect at-risk foals. These foals with so-called ‘failure of passive transfer’ are more likely to contract a neonatal disease.

“Foals with inadequate IgG levels can be supplemented with special hypoerimmune plasma given via an intravenous drip. Whilst it is expensive, the alternative of giving antibiotics during the neonatal period can cause upset to the foal’s gut flora and cause diarrhoea. Meticulous hygiene and cleanliness and also monitoring of these foals are super important,” says Alex.

Looking after mum When dealing with the recently-foaled mare, be aware she may turn aggressive towards any perceived threat to her new baby (including you!) She might find it painful to pass dung postfoaling due to vaginal bruising, so feed her faecal softeners such as bran mash about one hour after foaling and ensure she has access to clean freshwater but ensure that no buckets are left around for the foal to get tangled up in. Be sure to collect and place the afterbirth in a plastic bag so your vet can check no pieces are still inside your mare. Your vet will also examine your mare to check her for birthing trauma such as vaginal tears – any pain should be addressed as this could inhibit her from nursing or even cause her to reject the foal, which is not uncommon. If this happens, your mare may need initially sedating to allow her foal to feed, but most eventually come around to the new arrival.

Your broodmare may be guarded when she has her foal, and that may include keeping a watchful eye over you.

I always give ALL mares analgesia (bute or meloxicam) just after the birth. Especially maiden mares need it because they may not concentrate on their foal if they are distracted by pain. After all, they just have squeezed out a 50kg foal; they will be sore and bruised, so all mares should have pain relief,” says Alex.

When things go wrong with your mare Thankfully, most mares sail through foaling with few issues, but when problems do occur, they can kill. Retained placenta is relatively common. If left inside your mare, the placenta will decay, leading to life-threatening endotoxic shock and laminitis, so if your mare hasn’t ‘cleansed’ six hours after foaling, call your vet. “The placenta should always be tied up onto itself (ideally to the level of the hocks). If it is swinging around the mareslegs when she gets up, it can set maiden mares off in full gallop kicking and bucking; they can also stand on it and tear it so then the weight of the exteriorised white membranes (amnion) aren’t enough to help pull the internal part, the red membranes (the allantois), out. Large and heavy draft breeds are notorious for retaining placentas, likely due to their larger size and heavier membranes,” Alex says. In the meantime, make sure you put a clean tail bandage on and tie any protruding membranes in a knot to prevent her treading on them and tearing them off. Treatment involves administering oxytocin to encourage uterine contractions and careful manual removal using large volumes of fluids to flush out the uterus. The mare will also be treated with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

Most mares have some degree of trauma foaling, and in some cases, this can be severe. These mares should be given antibiotics, pain relief and an anti-tetanus shot if they have not been vaccinated prior to foaling. “Minor tears may be stitched a few days after foaling as swollen friable vulva parts don’t hold together if done earlier. Larger tears are generally repaired when swelling reduces, and these are best left until four to six weeks post-foaling,” says Alex. Post-foaling colic may be due to a touch of constipation. Still, it can also signal something more grave, such as a twisted gut, internal haemorrhage or ruptured uterus. It is always worth calling your vet out to assess the situation if your mare’s behaviour is unusual – don’t just presume it’s post-foaling aches and pains. Some mares produce little or no milk, which may be due to insufficient nutrition or water intake. A hungry foal will constantly try to feed and is often constipated rather than producing the soft stools of a well-fed youngster. In many cases, the milk will come with time, but until it does, the foal may need to be bottle-fed mare milk replacement and should also be checked for his IgG levels in case he has failure of passive transfer.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

When things go wrong with your foal Early recognition of some of the more common foal problems may dramatically improve the outcome for your new addition to the family. Alex recommends that every breeder should read a book called “The Foal” by Dr Jane Axon, produced by NZERF, and it is free! Your foal should be observed to pass its dark pebbly looking meconium during the first 2-12hours and then softer orange coloured milk poo. Observe that without producing anything can the foal can urinate normally be a sign of meconium impaction and that there is no straining to or a ruptured bladder, both which defaecate or urinate. Straining need urgent attention.

Foals are dependent on a milk-based diet for the first 3 to 4 months of life. If they are orphaned during this period they require appropriate nutritional intervention. Most foals take a few days to unfold and lift off their pasterns, but after a week, you will notice if it’s limbs are not straightening up and a vet should be called straight away.

Quest for cleanliness Paddock foaling is the safest with regards to transfer of lethal bacteria. A stable environment is not the cleanest, no matter how hard you try, and a new born foal will suck on any dirty object in its quest for the teat. Bacteria can also enter the foal via a poorly disinfected navel. In a foal with low or zero immunity, this can lead to septicemia. Bacteria can also seed into joint spaces causing septic arthritis. In these cases, the foal will be lame with one or more swollen joints. Joint-ill requires aggressive antibiotic therapy and often surgical joint flushing to ensure permanent lameness does not result. A foal with low immunity will also be more prone to diarrhoea caused by bacteria or viruses. Diarrhoea should never be ignored. Even though the foal may at first appear bright, rapid dehydration can ensue.

Limb deformities Orphaned foals In some unfortunate instances, you may lose your mare or foal. Raising an orphan foal is a challenging and expensive prospect, so, if possible, a foster mum should be found. Phillip Smythe and Dr Alex Leander run the NZTBA Waikato Foster foal Service, which has a hotline and Facebook page to assist in situations like this, and your vet can advise you on the best course of action to take after that. If your mare loses her foal, leave it with her to keep her calm. You may want to consider helping out another orphan foal by offering your mare as a foster mum.

86 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Some foals are born with limb deformities due to overly loose or tight tendons or abnormal bone growth. These foals may have difficulty standing or nursing. An abnormal conformation may not be noticeable immediately but develop with time – put your mind at rest and call your vet if you have any doubts. Loose tendons often improve with exercise, whereas contracted ones need rest and corrective farriery. Abnormalities in bone growth (angular limb deformity) are seen when viewed from the front. It is advisable to restrict your foal’s exercise until you have seen the vet, as some can be due to incomplete formation of the small bones in the knee or hock. For these, activity can result in permanent lameness. There is often a small window of opportunity for correcting angular limb deformities, so prompt veterinary attention is always warranted. C

HEALTH feature

Pinpoint Precision Acupuncture has been used to treat various medical conditions in humans and animals for more than 3,000 years. Horses were amongst the first animals treated with acupuncture due to their importance in warfare and farming. Today, equine acupuncture is commonly incorporated into the treatment of a number of conditions, especially musculoskeletal disorders and back pain.

OUR EXPERT - MELISSA SIM, BSC, DVM, CVMA

After beginning her Bachelors in Equine Science at UC Davis, Melissa completed her vet degree at Purdue University. She went on to complete her large animal acupuncture certification with Curacore, and an equine internship at the Equine Clinic at Oakencroft. In 2017, Melissa moved to New Zealand with her husband, horse, and dog, where she has since worked as an equine vet at Franklin Vets in Pukekohe. She is currently working towards Equine Performance and Rehabilitation certification. Melissa loves working with all kinds of horses but is most passionate about rehabilitation, lameness, and ophthalmology. She treats a wide variety of horses and has loved seeing the difference acupuncture has made in offering insight into the whole horse alongside her conventional practice.

88 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

HOW CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP MY HORSE?

Acupuncture is a beneficial adjunctive therapy for many issues, including: n

Musculoskeletal problems: muscle soreness, back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, obscure lameness, laminitis

Gastrointestinal disorders: diarrhoea, chronic colic

Neurological disorders: seizure, laryngeal hemiplegia, facial and radial nerve paresis

Chronic conditions: heaves (COPD, RAO, asthma), anhidrosis and uveitis

Immune conditions: Cushing’s disease, infertility, geriatric weakness, skin problems, performance enhancement and prevention of disease

It is also helpful as part of a regular program for sport horses as it has anti-inflammatory benefits, can stimulate or relax a muscle, and increase blood flow. Acupuncture also has the added benefit of not having a withhold time for competition. Acupuncture cannot fix a hoof abscess, surgical colic, or cure arthritis. It is essential to get a thorough clinical workup by your veterinarian first if your horse has a problem. However, acupuncture can provide additional pain relief. It is beneficial in helping resolve compensatory pain that may still be troubling your horse even after the initial issue has been resolved.

Acupuncture needles are 9.5 – 76mm long, ultrafine, and made of a flexible stainless steel. They are pre-sterilised, non-toxic and disposable.

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

During an acupuncture treatment, your acupuncturist inserts very thin needles into specific spots on your horse’s body.

WHAT PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS ARE INDUCED BY ACUPUNCTURE? n Pain relief n Promotion of microcirculation n Regulation of gastrointestinal

motility n Anti-inflammatory effects n Hormone and reproductive

regulation n Immuno-regulation

WILL ACUPUNCTURE HURT MY HORSE?

Acupuncture is a relatively noninvasive procedure with minimal risks to the patient. Most horses enjoy acupuncture, as it results in an endorphin release. However, some horses can be reactive to the initial needle placement, but with subsequent treatments, even sceptical horses can learn to relax and enjoy the treatment. Even horses that generally do not like needles can enjoy acupuncture. Some horses even relax to the point where they look like they are falling asleep!

90 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING AN ACUPUNCTURE EXAM?

Prepare your horse for acupuncture by ensuring they are clean and in a place where they are quiet and comfortable. Acupuncture points exist all over a horse’s body, from head to legs, feet and tail. Ensuring your horse is clean will mean the acupuncturist is not limited to selecting points in certain areas for treatment. Local acupuncture points are points in the area of discomfort, and distal points are away from the area of interest. Local and distal points can be used to treat your horse, so don’t be surprised if, for example, needles are placed in a foot to treat a shoulder issue. During the acupuncture exam, pressure is applied at various places along your horse’s body to identify “trigger points”. The pattern of trigger points can suggest areas of possible pain or concern on your horse. Based on the individual problems, acupuncture needles will then be placed at specific points to help your horse. Acupuncture is performed with your horse fully

awake, and sedation is not usually necessary. Acupuncture needles are 9.5 – 76mm long, ultrafine, and made of a flexible stainless steel. They are pre-sterilised, non-toxic and disposable. Following an acupuncture treatment, horses can sometimes be transiently tired, but they should not be sore. Acupuncture continues to work on the body and nervous system even after the needles are removed. It is recommended that patients have a day of rest following a treatment to get the full benefit.

Local and distal points can be used to treat your horse, so don’t be surprised if needles are placed in a leg to treat a shoulder issue.

HOW LONG DOES EACH ACUPUNCTURE SESSION LAST? Each session may take between 30 – 60 minutes.

HOW MANY TREATMENTS WILL MY HORSE NEED?

An individual treatment plan is devised depending on your horse’s problems and how long they have been going on. If it’s an acute (recent) issue, it could resolve in 1-3 treatments. It will likely take more than three treatments if it’s more chronic (ongoing, long-term). Some horses require regular, continuous treatment, especially if acupuncture is for pain management for an issue that has not been resolved (for example, an older horse with arthritis). The duration between treatments and the number of treatments is based on your horse, how well they respond to acupuncture, and the issue they are being treated for.

WHEN TO CONSIDER ACUPUNCTURE?

n Seek conventional treatment first. Where appropriate,

augment it with acupuncture, or; n Try acupuncture after conventional treatment has produced

less-than-satisfying results. n If your horse has a condition for which every passing minute

means more tissue damage and a worsening prognosis (such as laminitis, severe colic, bowed tendon, or navicular disease), seek proven conventional care as his primary treatment. You can then use acupuncture to support orthodox therapies.

ACUPUNCTURE SHOULD NOT BE USED IF: n Your horse has any infectious condition n There is a fracture of any sort n There are any open wounds

ARE THERE DIFFERENT TYPES OF ACUPUNCTURE?

There are few different types of acupuncture commonly used in horses. These are selected depending on the individual case and what they need. n Dry needling involves the insertion of a thin, sterile needle

into an acupuncture point for stimulation. n Electroacupuncture is where an electrical lead is connected

between the acupuncture needles and a machine that controls the low voltage current, allowing more specific stimulation to acupuncture points. n Aquapuncture involves injecting a fluid (e.g. Vitamin B12,

sterile saline) into an acupuncture point to provide a more sustained release and, therefore, stimulation. n Hemo-acupuncture is where a small hypodermic (hollow)

needle is inserted into a specific acupuncture point to draw a little bit of blood. n Acupressure involves applying pressure to acupuncture

points for a period of time. Laser acupuncture is when a cold (non-thermal) laser or low-level laser can also be used to acupuncture points to stimulate them. n Laser acupuncture and acupressure are good options

for horses that do not tolerate needle placement well.

KEY POINTS

Acupuncture is not a replacement for a thorough medical exam. It should be used as an adjunctive treatment for any issue your horse has. Acupuncture is safe when performed by a qualified practitioner and can benefit most horses. C

n Your mare is in foal

Electroacupuncture is a modified form that uses two needles. A mild electric current passes between these needles during treatment. This current generally applies more stimulation to acupoints than needle twirling or other hand manipulation techniques an acupuncturist might use. SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

EQUINE health

spring in your step Horses and riders all over the country are starting to enjoy the longer, warmer days of spring. But springtime also brings mud season, along with some ailments no horse owner wants to deal with. Here are our top ten tips to get through the tricky spring season and spring into action.

WORDS - Cheyenne Nicholson

92 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

1. NO HOOF, NO HORSE

It’s an old adage, but an important one. Combine the wet weather with mud and increasing warmth, and you’ve got a recipe for hoof problems. Abscesses are a common spring issue. The alternating spells of wet and dry weather cause the hoof wall to expand and contract, allowing bacteria to get in. Notable will be the sudden onset of lameness, increased heat in the affected hoof and increased digital pulse. Call your farrier or vet to pinpoint the site and, if possible, drain the abscess, then follow up with a poultice to help draw out the abscess and prevent more bacteria from entering the newly made hole.

Hoof dressings seal in moisture, so make sure hooves are wet before applying. Treat the hoof from the coronary band down, use underneath, and check feet daily for cracks and brittleness. This is especially important for barefoot horses. Hoof abscesses occur when bacteria get trapped between the sensitive laminae (the tissue layer that bonds the hoof capsule to the coffin bone) and the hoof wall or sole. The bacteria create exudate (pus), which builds up and creates pressure behind the hoof wall or sole. This pressure can become extremely painful.

TOP TIP

Feeding a supplement to help support the horse is not as unlikely as it sounds - we all know that health comes from within. Just as feeding oils helps create a shiny coat (far more effectively than grooming!), you can also provide targeted nutrients to help maintain healthy winter skin. A bacterial infection causes an immune response, and the body will immediately try to repair itself. By providing anti-oxidants in the diet, you can help ensure that your horse’s immune system is well supported. Thrush is another common issue and is caused by anaerobic bacteria (grows best without oxygen). It’s easily noticeable by a foul-smelling and dark coloured discharge from around the frog. It can travel deep into the sensitive tissue, causing pain and even lameness. The good news is that thrush responds well to topical treatments like copper sulfate solutions. Pick out hooves twice daily to prevent infection and use a topical solution once a week as a preventative. Make sure your horse has a dry area to stand on for at least part of the day to give hooves time to dry out. If your horse does get a bout of thrush, clean the hoof thoroughly twice a day and apply a vet recommended antiseptic. In some cases, removal of the affected tissue will be required and is best carried by your vet or farrier.

94 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

In severe cases of thrush, the bacteria can reach the dermis, the sensitive tissue beneath the frog, causing pain and lameness. Blood may be encountered when the frog is cleaned with a brush or on the end of the hoof pick during routine grooming.

TOP TIPS TO KEEP MUD FEVER AT BAY: n Rotate paddocks to reduce the risk of them becoming churned

up and horses standing around in wet, muddy paddocks. n Create a hard standing, particularly in entrances to paddocks

where horses are likely to be waiting around. n Stabling for part of the day gives the horse a rest from muddy

conditions, allowing drying out and more straightforward treatment. n Leaving legs unclipped as a preventative measure will give

natural protection from mud penetrating the skin. n Check your horse’s legs daily for signs of mud fever and take

early action to avoid severe infection. The only way to guarantee that your horse is not affected is to avoid wet and muddy conditions, which is very difficult to achieve. But any actions you can take to reduce exposure to mud will help.

3. BEWARE OF WET BODY CONDITIONS

As mud fever progresses, it becomes more pronounced within the horizontal skin folds. There may be a wet look to the leg (greasy) where serum oozes from the affected area which may progress to a white, pussy discharge.

2. PAY ATTENTION TO LEGS

Watch for pastern dermatitis, also called greasy heel or mud fever. Wet, muddy skin loses some of its natural barrier to infection, allowing bacteria like dermatophilus congolensis and some staphylococcus species to sneak in. Pastern dermatitis is an inflammation of the skin that develops between the heels and the fetlocks. Symptoms can vary from small dry scabs to multiple painful discharging lesions with swollen oedematous weeping areas. Often, small matted areas of hair and scabs leave ulcerated, moist lesions when picked off. If the condition involves the underlying tissue, the inflammation can cause swelling and pain of the affected leg, occasionally resulting in lameness. If the condition is long-standing, there may be deep fissures in the skin. If left untreated, these areas become very sore, making examination and treatment more difficult. Owners need to recognise that mud fever is not a single disease but a complex syndrome involving many potential factors and causes. Irrespective of the underlying causes, these factors combine to create a similar clinical picture of dermatitis that we recognise as mud fever. In some long-standing cases, the underlying cause may no longer be apparent. This will sometimes be referred to as chronic, idiopathic pastern dermatitis. In the early stages, mild dermatitis will respond to cleaning and drying the area thoroughly every day. If left untreated, the infection develops and moves up the leg and or deeper into the tissues. You may need to trim the feathers off the fetlock to allow for easier cleaning and faster drying.

The third member of the trio of problems for wet horses is rain scald. Caused by the same bacteria that causes mud fever, this can result in your horse developing lesions on the neck and back. When a horse’s skin is wet, it loses its defences against bacteria and fungi. Defences lower again when your horse rolls in the mud, where it picks up the bacteria. Horses with heavy winter coats which start moulting will hold moisture in their coats for quite a while after soaking, the perfect conditions for rain scald to develop. While you might think it’s easy to spot, often it isn’t. If you run your hands over your horse’s rump, you may feel raised areas that are patches of hair with scabs underneath. Removing the scabs will reveal small areas of pus. Often rain scald clears on its own with warm, dry weather and some sunshine. Careful grooming (the area might be painful!) and a bath followed by a thorough drying session will hasten the healing of the lesions. Disinfect any grooming tools used. Rain scald more commonly occurs in uncovered horses. Consider using a well-fitting, waterproof rug after treatment.

Rain scald is a common condition during rainy seasons and can be of concern for many horse owners. While typically easily treated, rain scald can be a serious issue and should be addressed immediately by the horse owner to prevent spread or worsening. SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

4. CAUTION: LUSH GREEN PASTURES AHEAD! 6. BUG ALERT Lush green grass is a welcome change from mud-covered pastures but does require some caution. Virtually all horses are subject to some digestive upsets associated with lush spring pasture. The content of highly fermentable carbohydrates in lush pasture can be overwhelming to the digestive system.

TOP TIPS

There are actions you can take to reduce the potential problems associated with spring turnout and help your horse’s digestive system handle the spring grass that he so loves to graze: n Continue to offer hay even when the grass is growing well.

New grass contains a lot of water and little fibre, and horses may crave the fibre found in hay. n Introduce your horse to lush spring grass gradually. To allow

the digestive system to adapt, begin with short periods of grazing on lush grass and progressively increase time on pasture. n Monitor your horse for signs of laminitis and other problems. n Check frequently (several times a day) for symptoms such

as warm hooves or walking as though his feet may be painful. Horses that have been grazing through the winter and early spring are at somewhat less risk than horses that have been confined to stables or yards, then suddenly turned out into lush paddocks. If grazing horses show signs of any of these problems or seem uncomfortable, remove them from the pasture and call a veterinarian.

5. GRADUAL CONDITIONING PAYS OFF

Slow and steady wins the race. You wouldn’t go and run a race after months of little to no exercise, so we can’t expect the same of our horses. Conditioning is essential and is often best done outside the arena. Riding your horse over changing terrain helps promote fitness and conditioning, so make the most of the warmer weather and get out for a hack. Interval training can be tailored to develop greater stamina and endurance for horses of any level. An essential part of any conditioning program is the warm-up period. This time is crucial to raise the horse’s body temperature, increase blood flow to working muscles and minimise the chances of injury. Cool-downs are just as important. Don’t forget to look at your horse’s diet and make adjustments as needed to account for increased work. Energy out needs energy in.

A thorough warm-up is essential, whether you’re competing, having a lesson or simply going hacking. It increases blood flow to muscles and vital organs, stretches the muscles, ligaments and tendons.

96 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Get on top of fly control early in the season before fly numbers get out of control. Many natural fly repellents are made using essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, lavender and tea tree oil. They are only effective if used a few times during the day. Vinegar is another effective option. With all treatments, avoid the eye area. Keep stables and yards clean and muck out paddocks. That will help with parasite control as well as reducing fly populations. Fly tapes and fly traps can keep fly numbers down. Fly sprays, topicals and barriers such as fly masks and fly sheets may all be included as part of your fly control program. Combining many options is often the best way to give your horse relief from these pests.

7. PESTY TICKS

In New Zealand, the main species of tick we need to be aware of is the imported brown cattle tick, found throughout the North Island, Marlborough, Tasman and parts of the West Coast. This tick is commonly associated with deer, cattle, and sheep but also infests horses, dogs and cats. A significant tick infestation can make your horse anaemic just from blood loss! But fighting ticks doesn’t have to be complicated. First, make the environment less attractive to them. Ticks like tall grass, so mow around buildings frequently and if you can, mow pastures periodically. If you are in one of the danger zones, make it a habit to do a daily tick check of your horse. Especially check behind the elbows, along under the belly and up the sides, under the chin, the forelock and the ears. Tick treatments vary for the different animal species and for large animals primarily involve pour-ons, dips or washes. For your dogs and cats, Spot-on and some oral formulations may help with tick control. A discussion with your vet will help identify the best control options and most efficacious products for your area.

Ticks can generally be found behind the elbow, between the hind legs, in the mane and tail (remember to check the base of the dock), under the chin, the forelock and inside ears. Every inch of your horse is fair game for ticks so also check the open places - shoulders, hips, belly and neck.

8. SUNSHINE AT LAST!

Many horses experience a dulling of the coat from too much sun exposure. It is commonly seen on unrugged dark-coated horses such as liver chestnuts and blacks. The hair will get a rusty tinge to it and lose its healthy shine. While all horses are susceptible to sunburn, those with light skin, lips, ears and coats are more susceptible. Sunburn around the muzzle, on white facial markings and around the eyes is of the most concern. Horses with no pigment in these areas can, and will, get sunburn if left out in the bright sun. It’s uncomfortable for them but can also make those areas prone to developing squamous cell cancerous growths. Fly masks provide some protection but are best used in conjunction with sun lotion. Zinc oxide tends to remain on the longest and provide the best coverage. Another alternative is to limit the hours your horse is outside in the sunlight and to ensure your horse’s paddock has shade. Some horses also suffer from photosensitivity. If you suspect that is the case with your horse your vet will be able to suggest some successful strategies. Poo picking your horse’s pasture regularly not only helps in worm control prevention but also has other advantages: By removing droppings you are reducing the amount of flies attracted to your horse/pasture and irritation that they cause.

10. NEVER FORGET WORMING

Making sure your horse has an adequate supply of water during spring is important in ensuring good health.

9. HYDRATION IS KEY

With warmer days comes an increased need for water for your horse. This is especially true if your horse is working hard. Ensure you know the signs of a dehydrated horse: weak pulse, skin tenting and poor capillary refill. A horse who is electrolyte depleted may be unusually nervous, have muscles tremors, or move very stiffly. To encourage drinking, make sure your horse has plenty of fresh, clean water. Buckets, troughs and tubs get algae growth quickly in the warm weather, so they need to be scrubbed thoroughly at least once a week. If your horse is a poor drinker when travelling, competing, or in the stable or yard, consider adding a bit of flavouring to encourage more consumption. Try a splash of apple juice or add a small amount of molasses can often do the trick. Salt is also essential to provide to help keep electrolyte levels balanced but keep an eye on consumption. Some horses will chow down on a salt block, while others avoid them. Discuss salt-based and electrolyte additives with your vet or equine nutritionist if need be. The average horse does not need electrolytes added except on special occasions. Still, very hard-working horses may benefit from some added to their diets.

While the worm breeding cycle is dormant during the cold winter months, worm control in spring is essential. The increase in temperature in spring leads to the recurrence of larvae and recommencement of the worm breeding cycle. Larval emergence in the spring and the increase in a horse’s burden can be detected by testing the faeces to confirm the presence of eggs. Unfortunately, resistance of equine worms to chemical wormers is becoming more common. Resistance means that the chemicals contained in specific horse wormers no longer effectively control the worm population. Resistance may be increased when wormer dosage is too low for the horse’s weight or if the same type of wormer is used too frequently. To help reduce the incidence of resistance, you should: n Use faecal worm egg counts to determine whether a wormer is

needed and which one to use n Weigh (or weigh tape) your horse before dosing to avoid

underdosing n Target specific worms with an effective product at the correct

time of year n Ensure good pasture management- poo pick paddocks at least

twice weekly n Cross-graze pasture with other species, for example, sheep n Avoid over-crowding of paddocks n Avoid harrowing as this spreads parasites around an area n

Ensure all horses in the paddock are treated at the same time.

With some preparation and extra attention to a few details, your horse will weather the change in seasons in fine form, meaning you can spring into action. C

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

Shopping guide Our

1. CAVALLINO ENDURO LONG BOOTS - These handmade riding boots feature a Canvas panel and Nubuck leather outer. Featuring a

Puratex® waterproof and breathable membrane. They have an elasticated side gusset with a buckle, which allows the boot to be more adjustable. Grippy soles, which makes them great to wear in all weather and riding. Unisex sizes: 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43. Colour: Brown. $293.50. Available at all good retailers. www.arionefv.co.nz 2. CAVALLO COMPETITION RIDING TIGHTS - From Classic Equestrian. For those riders in

love with everyday riding tights, now you can compete in them too. Lin Grip is made from comfortable, hard-wearing, stretch fabric that’s not too

thin. Two phone pockets and a zipped pocket in the extra-wide waistband. RRP $185.00. www.classicequestrian.co.nz 3. HYGAIN ZERO - Is your horse prone to laminitis, Cushing’s or equine metabolic syndrome? Then it’s time to try Hygain Zero, the low starch and low sugar complete horse feed! Laminitis safe with less than 1.5% starch. High fibre and low GI for slow-release energy. Prebiotics supporting a healthy gut. High in Biotin for strong hooves and a shiny coat. Available at your nearest feed merchant. www.hygain.com.au 4. WOOF WEAR ELEGANT SADDLECLOTHS - Add

some sparkle to your ensemble. Available in both full and pony size. Colours: black, gold, dark green, and steel. RRP $89.90. From all good retailers. www.zilco.co.nz

5. Protect, maintain and promote healthy joints with 4CYTE™ EPIITALIS® FORTE daily feed additive. This natural gel

formula is non-swabbable, palatable and safe to use long-term. Try it risk-free! If you don’t see the results expected by your veterinarian, you’ll get your money back. Purchase from your veterinary clinic today. Discover 4CYTE™ on Instagram and Facebook. Search 4CYTE™NZ!

6. DUBLIN KYLEE OMBRE SHORT SLEEVE SHIRT - A stylish and breathable base layer with mesh side panels and undersleeves to keep you cool. Features Comfort Dry Technology to keep you cool, comfortable and dry. Available in Lavender Ombre & Red Violet Ombre in Ladies XXSmall to XXLarge. RRP $64.99. DUBLIN POWER TECH COLOUR BLOCK FULL GRIP TRAINING TIGHTS - Technical riding tights

98 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

made from a breathable, stretch and shape sculpting compression fabric for comfort and movement. With a flattering high cut waistband and silicone print full grip seat for stability while riding. Available in blueberry navy & red violet in ladies 8 to 18. RRP $99.99. Available at all good retailers. www.dublinclothing.co.nz

7. GRAZE - BY ELITE EQUINE NUTRITION - This superb supplement has a high level of active ingredients

and is very effective in controlling the symptoms of grass sensitivity. Graze has a binding action as well as containing highly absorbable organic

magnesium proteinate. 1.8kg - $109.90. www.eliteequine.co.nz 8. DUNSTAN RECOVERY MASH is a highly palatable low-starch feed to assist with hydration and recovery. High in fibre, it contains super-fibres for hindgut health, and it’s ideal for horses convalescing or after strenuous training or travel. Contains Melofeed®, quality proteins, and natural Vitamin E. No added micro-minerals. RRP $42.00 - 15kg bag. Available at all good feed merchants. www.dunstan.co.nz

9. BEAUBIN - The answer to messy and wasteful hay. Designed and proudly made

in New Zealand. This incredible award-winning hay feeder comes with a two-year warranty. Free shipping within New Zealand. www.peurgon.com

10. WOOF WEAR VISION SADDLECLOTHS - Finished in luxurious satin, available in black, navy, rose gold, champagne, ocean, shiraz, white, and brushed steel. RRP $99.90. Matching Polo Bandages are also available. From all good retailers. www.zilco.co.nz

11. THE EQUIFIT EAR BONNET keeps the ears, poll and head cool and dry with its multi-dimensional air-mesh. Ears fit comfortably and unbothered under a spandex mesh. Its contoured shape keeps the bonnet in place, while the durable EverLeather trim maintains a polished edge. Available in a huge range of colours Available with or without EquiFit logo. www.maddoxequestrian.co.nz

12. FLEX-ON COMPOSITE -

FLEX-ON has re-invented the stirrup, creating a revolutionary design based on a combination of high-tech engineering expertise and top-level riding experience. Flex-on stirrups provide an extraordinarily stable and comfortable ride, that has to be believed. www.maddoxequestrian.co.nz

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

ADVERTORIAL

A pain in the joint

Management of Equine Osteoarthritis Dr Jason Lowe MBA, BVSc, Cert EP. After completing an MBA at Waikato University whilst working as an equine veterinarian, Jason established IMS Vet in 2014 to undertake the clinical research on Arthramid Vet.

100 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered the most critical Pictorial musculoskeletal disorder in both humans and depi horses. From a clinical perspective, it is associated hydrogel (Art with lameness and dysfunction of the affected joint. lasting Approximately 60% of all equine lameness is due sub-sy to OA. Significant economic loss occurs The as a result gel also i and, coupled with welfare concerns, motivates ongoing research into innovative treatments. The rapid resolution of lameness by a reduction in pain is D paramount, but treatments ideally should also serve to IL-X CROSS-LINKED arrest orPAAG slow HYDROGEL the progression of the disease. 2.5%

JO CA

Normal

Osteoarthritis

Synovium

Inflamed synovium

Synovium fluid

Closed joint space BONE

Cartilage

Osteophyte

Capsule BONE

Subchondral bone

Current Treatments for Osteoarthritis (OA) Osteoarthritis (OA) has traditionally been treated symptomatically in the horse. If rest alone is selected as a treatment option, this is often the result of financial constraints or owner expectations. However, periods of rest are often not possible or indeed desirable for performance horses. Current conventional therapies, therefore, have included non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), polysulphated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAGs), corticosteroids, glucosamine, epiitalis, hyaluronic acid and a combination of the above, along with biotechnological substances such as gene therapy, recombinant or autologous growth factors (platelet-rich plasma and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist) and stem cells (allogeneic and autologous chondrocyte transplantation). The challenge is to develop therapeutic options that both reduce pain and are disease-modifying. This would reduce the progression

Fibrillated/destroyed cartilage Thickened subchondral bone

BONE

of the deleterious effects OA has on the articular cartilage and surrounding joint structures. Intra-articular (IA) corticosteroid administration is one of the most commonly used treatments. Concerns for its ongoing use include steroid-induced deterioration of articular tissues, known as “steroid arthropathy.” The overuse of a treated joint can also result in accelerated cartilage degeneration. These primary concerns are compounded by additional reports of the adverse effects corticosteroids have on cartilage metabolism. Horse racing authorities globally have acknowledged these types of reports and, through racing and welfare committees, now recommend a minimum 14-day up to 28-day standdown period as a result. IA corticosteroids are commonly combined with hyaluronic acid (HA). There is the perception that the HA might be protective against any deleterious effects of corticosteroids. Studies, however, reveal little or no improvement of OA scores with this treatment and show little protective effect of HA against induced cartilage breakdown. The ideal therapeutic agent for a horse suffering from OA is an agent that alleviates the symptoms of lameness while also providing a positive effect on the articular components resulting in stabilisation or even repair of the disease processes occurring in the affected joint. The era of OA management is shifting towards new therapeutic concepts.

What causes Osteoarthritis?

Swelling around a joint can be a sign of arthritic changes

There are three possible disease pathways for OA. The most commonly accepted theory is that cartilage gets damaged due to different mechanical forces, which generates injury to the cartilage cells and matrix, which will start a cascade of a release of enzymes resulting in cartilage breakdown. Cartilage is relatively susceptible to repetitive trauma compared to its ability to resist shear forces. Therefore, repeated trauma is assumed to be one of the most common factors of OA in horses. A second pathway describes the cartilage as being principally defective, with abnormal biomechanical properties that will fail under normal loading. This is most applicable to young horses with underlying developmental joint issues (so-called development orthopaedic disease or DOD). Osteochondrosis (OCD) is the most common form of

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

101

Pictorial depiction of tissue integration process following treatment with 2.5% PAAG hydrogel (Arthramid® Vet). Intra-articular injection of 2.5% PAAG results in a stable, long lasting sub-synovial layer of gel traversed with thin strands of connective tissue. The gel also induces a moderate hyperplasia of the synovial lining facing the joint cavity.

DAY 0

WEEK 0-1

WEEK 4-6

IL-X CROSS-LINKED 2.5% PAAG HYDROGEL SYNOVIAL MEMBRANE

TISSUE INTEGRATION

PROLIFERATION OF SUBSYNOVIAL TEMPLATE

SYNOVIAL HYPERPLASIA

JOINT CAPSULE CAPSULITIS

BONE

OSTEOPHYTOSIS

BONE JOINT EFFUSION

THICKENED SUB-SYNOVIAL MEMBRANE

2.5% PAAG HYDROGEL STRUCTURE SUBCHONDRAL BONE SCLEROSIS AND LYSIS

THROUGH MATRIX GEL BIO-SCAFFOLDING X 5-10

SYNOVIAL MEMBRANE SYNOVITIS

Fig 1 : Schematic of SYNOVIAL JOINT. Pathology of osteoarthritis causes pain, inflammation, capsular stiffness and a loss of function.

Fig 2 : TISSUE INTEGRATION: Cell migration and vessel ingrowth occur in the sub-intima of the joint capsule itself in response to intra-articular injection of the 2.5% PAAG hydrogel.

INCREASE IN TISSUE ELASTICITY AND LOAD TRANSFER CAPACITY

Fig 3. AUGMENTATION of the sub-synovial template results in an increase in joint elasticity and decrease in capsular stiffness, together with a new and hypercellular intimal synoviocyte layer.

this type of disorder and can result in poor quality cartilage and even fragments that predispose the joint to developing OA. The third pathway involves physical changes in the subchondral bone (bone underneath the cartilage). The thin articular cartilage cannot work as an effective shock absorber; therefore, the subchondral bone protects the cartilage from damage by providing a flexible surface to absorb forces placed on the joint. This cause originates most often from overuse and conformational problems (offset knees, angular limb deformities, etc.), predisposing the horse to inappropriate biomechanical forces on the articular cartilage.

What are the signs my horse has arthritis? Arthritis describes inflammation of a joint. The term incorporates synovitis, capsulitis, sprain, intra-articular fracture, meniscal tears (stifles), and OA. The subchondral bone injury also plays a role. Although these conditions are a group of overlapping distinct diseases, they all share a similar biologic, morphologic, and clinical outcome: lameness. Any lameness in a competition horse should be considered serious. Even low-level lameness can have a tremendous effect on welfare, trainability and performance. In athletic and young horses, synovitis and capsulitis are changes that occur early on in the OA disease process. Inflammatory mediators (cytokines, prostaglandin E2, and matrix metalloproteinases) are released by reactive synovial cells in response to cartilage wear within the joint fluid. Clinically, synovitis is seen as a palpable joint swelling due to either synovial (joint) effusion or thickening of the joint capsule. If this persists, fibrosis and increased friction in the joint capsule will develop, resulting in thickening of the joint capsule and loss of the normal range of joint motion. Therefore rapid resolution of synovitis and capsulitis is critical in the management of OA because synovitis induces cartilage breakdown. Lameness attributable to pain is the major clinical sign that a horse has OA. It is notably also the principal concern of owners and trainers and the reason why horses present for veterinary care. It is crucial

102 - SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE

to appreciate that there is often a weak correlation between the magnitude of pain and the severity of arthritic damage. However, the ongoing presence of pain and inflammation leads to a continuation of the vicious cycle of cartilage damage and degeneration that ultimately leads to a joint becoming degenerative and unresponsive to treatment (end-stage arthritis). This has the effect of ending the animal’s career and raising welfare concerns for the horse and its owners.

What is Arthramid® Vet? Arthramid® Vet is a sterile injection of 2.5% cross-linked polyacrylamide (PAAG) material bound with water molecules to create a safe and inert hydrogel that contains no active pharmaceutical compound. Once injected into the joint, it acts as a bio-scaffold, being adsorbed and integrated into the joint capsule and forming a thick cushion-like membrane that increases the elasticity and tensile strength of the joint capsule itself. This ability to restore the joint to healthy function treats the synovitis and capsulitis associated with OA and disrupts the cycle of pain characteristic in animals suffering from OA.

Is Arthramid® Vet the right treatment for your horse? As described previously, horses of any age can develop OA with many underlying causes, so it is essential to ensure that an accurate diagnosis is made. Arthramid® Vet can be used in any synovial joint with signs of OA such as pain, effusion (fluid), reaction to flexion or visible lameness. Treating multiple joints is safe, and both acute (recent) and chronic (longer-term) cases are suitable. The ideal candidate are those where a veterinary assessment has localised the pain to a specific joint and OA has been confirmed by intra-articular analgesia (nerve blocks) and ancillary diagnostics such as radiography, ultrasound, scintigraphy, or CT/ MRI. The clinical syndrome of OA is quite variable, with differences in affected joint patterns, risk factors, rates of progression, and severity of symptoms.

A horse’s hocks, knees and pasterns are designed to flex, compress and extend hundreds or thousands of times each day, for years on end, all while supporting it’s weight and enduring concussive forces. The most commonly treated joints include carpi (knees), fetlocks, hocks, stifles and coffin (DIP) joints, although success in other areas has also been demonstrated. It is best to plan treatment early on in the season as the product takes around 2 to 4 weeks to have its full effect. The veterinarian will determine the dosage for each joint depending on the severity of the disease, size of the joint, and time since the onset of lameness. A response to treatment can be seen for up to 2 years, or even longer in some cases, although repeat treatments can be given at shorter intervals (2 to 12 months) should clinical signs return. The horse should be rested for 48 hours after treatment, and a plan put in place to reduce their workload (no galloping or competing) for 4 to 6 weeks to allow full integration of the gel. Owners need to understand this time lag as it contrasts with conventional treatments where a more immediate response is expected. As a result, it may also be best to consider treating during periods of reduced exercise demands or earlier in the training programme than would typically be considered. A follow-up examination at 4 to 6 weeks is advised to assess the response to treatment.

Where to from here?

for their immediate and powerful anti-inflammatory effect. However, these, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s), mostly treat the symptoms and provide temporary pain relief without addressing the underlying cause of the painful and debilitating condition. Research firmly shows that 2.5% PAAG is more effective in treating OA than conventional treatments. Its adoption by veterinarians and owners should enable a progressive reduction in the use of corticosteroids, such as triamcinolone and other anti-inflammatories in horse racing and other competitive horse sports. New biotechnologies like Arthramid® Vet now give us the means to improve our equine athletes’ safety and well-being and reduce the potential for injury – all it takes is knowledge and a change in mindset. There is mounting evidence that these new products (PAAG’s) are a game-changer in managing joint pain in osteoarthritis. We should be very grateful for the research and innovation that has allowed these products to be available.

Be sure to check out www.arthramid.co.nz for more information

Equine veterinarians have a range of options to treat lameness in horses caused by osteoarthritis (OA). They and horse owners must use all means at their disposal to ensure horses are exposed to the absolute least amount of discomfort, pain, and potential for injury, while under their care. Intra-articular (IA) corticosteroid administration is one of the most commonly used treatments, employed principally

SHOWCIRCUIT MAGAZINE -

103

STALLION SHOWCASE - BREED THE BEST THIS SEASON

SHOWCIRCUIT

NEW ZEALAND’S ULTIMATE EQUESTRIAN MAGAZINE

STUDS &

STALLIONS ISSUE TWO | 2021

FEATURING AMBERLEY HOUSE ASTEK STUD BALMORAL EQUESTRIAN CRYSTAL MT STUD ELITE DRESSAGE HORSES ELITE FROZEN FOALS NZ EQUIBREED NZ EURO SPORT HORSES GRASSYARDS FARM MATAWHIO SPORTHORSES MAUNGATUA EQUESTRIAN NZ HANOVERIAN SOCIETY SG STUD TEAM NIJHOF TREVALDA IRISH SPORTHORSES WAIKATO EQUINE VETERINARY SERVICES WHIORAU STATION

www.eurosporthorses.co.nz VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR MORE INFORMATION, PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

EURO SPORT

DARCO OBOLENSKY Darco x Cornet Obolensky x Grannus

2016 168cm BLACK STALLION One of the last sons of legendary DARCO, ranked no.1 Sire in the World five years in a row from 2007 to 2011. To this day Darco has the sired the most 1.60 horses of any stallion! “DARCO OBOLENSKY shows alot of power. He is a strong stallion who is expected to follow in the footsteps of his father DARCO.” BWP Stallion Approval Committee Performance tested & approved for BWP Studbook Service fee $2000 + GST - LFG

EURO SPORT

DIMERO NN Z

Diamant de Semilly x Casper van Erpekom x Querlybet Hero

2016 170cm SKEWBALD ZANGERSHEIDE STALLION • Sire DIAMANT DE SEMILLY was ranked No.1 in the WBFSH World SJ Sire Rankings in 2015/16, and is currently ranked No.2 • From direct dam line of CSI SJers KRISKRAS DV 5* 1.60m, GUCCI DV 1.50m & HEROS DV 1.40m • Cannot produce chestnut offspring Service fee $2000 + GST - LFG

EURO SPORT

KALASKA

Kalaska de Semilly x Centadel x Quilot Z

2015 169cm BAY STALLION “This horse is very modern, uses its body in a good way, a lot of action and strength in the hind legs, great technique in the front legs, uses its back properly, a beautiful and chic stallion.” - XAVIER LEREDDE - International Grand Prix rider of Jalisco B and Papillon Rouge, and breeder of superstars Quidam de Revel and Papillon Rouge.

Licensed for Hanoverian, AES & NZWB Studbooks Service fee $2000 + GST - LFG

Carries 50% Thoroughbred blood

ALL STALLIONS ARE AVAILABLE VIA FRESH/CHILLED SEMEN AND ARE WFFS FREE

EURO SPORT HORSES

eurosporthorses@hotmail.com | 021 907 227 or 027 223 4818

EURO SPORT CENTAVOS Approved for Hanoverian, Oldenburg, SBS & NZWB Studbooks Service fee $2000 + GST - LFG Cannot produce chestnut offspring.

2004 172cm BLACK/BROWN STALLION Escudo I x Argentinus x Bariton

ES CENTAVOS is an International 1.60m Show Jumper, representing New Zealand in the Furusiyya Nation’s Cup in Ocala, FL 2016. 2015 Silver Fern Stakes & NZ Horse of the Year Champion and winner of countless Grand Prix.

“Euro Sport Centavos is extremely scopey (powerful) and careful, intelligent & lovely to ride! Traits we all hope for.” - Multiple Olympic & World Championship SJ Medalist BEEZIE MADDEN

EURO SPORT

DIAMANT B Diacontinus x Calido I x Calypso II

2014 178cm GREY STALLION • •

Sire DIACONTINUS is ranked No.1 on the German FN SJ Young Horse Sire Rankings At the Hanoverian licensing auction the under bidder for Diamant B was Olympic Gold Medalist Ludger Beerbaum Licensed for Hanoverian & NZWB Studbooks Service fee $2000 + GST - LFG

ALL STALLIONS ARE AVAILABLE VIA FRESH/CHILLED SEMEN AND ARE WFFS FREE

EquiBreed

FROZEN SEMEN FROM EUROPE’S BEST BLOODLINES Equ

iBr e

d ed NZ Lt

Excellence in Equine Reproduction

SHOWJUMPERS

ZIROCCO BLUE VDL

(MR. BLUE X LINCORNE DES FORETS) 1.70m, Grey, KWPN. WFFS - Non carrier Approved for KWPN, SF, Holst, Unire, Hann, Old/OS, BH Wherever Zirocco Blue competes all eyes are upon him with his scope, jumping style and efficiency. Under Jur Vrieling he has achieved several very impressive international results

CARRERA VDL

(CARDENTO X VANTIELS ESPRIT) 170cm, Bay, KWPN. WFFS - Non carrier Approved for KWPN, Zangersheide, Old/OS, Hann., BH Carrera is a striking and interestingly bred horse from a combination of two Olympic stallions. Sire, Cardento, won three silver medals under Peter Eriksson at the Olympics, the World Championship and the European Championship.

GLASGOW VAN’T MERELSNEST VDL

(NABAB DE RÊVE X WENDELINE VAN ‘T MERELSNEST) 174cm, Black/Bay. WFFS - Non carrier Approved for NRPS, AES, BH, Hann., SF, Holst. Glasgow van ’t Merelsnest is an exceptional and interestingly bred stallion. Sire Nabab de Rêve and grand sire Darco have both had successful careers in Grand Prix competitions to include World Cups and World Championships.

COMTHAGO VDL

GLASGOW VAN’T MERELSNEST VDL

CARRERA VDL

COMTHAGO VDL

(COMME IL FAUT X NASTASIA V) 170cm, Bay, Holstein. WFFS - Non carrier Approved for AES Comthago unites the genes of show jumping phenomenon Comme Il Faut with a performance dam line from Holstein. With Comme Il Faut, Carthago, Caretino, Constant and Roman all in a line, Comthago has the complete package of genes to succeed in both sport and breeding.

EquiBreed NZ is your best choice for all your AI and embryo transfer needs or mare and stallion fertility treatments.

RESULTS MATTER! FROZEN SEMEN AVAILABLE ON A PREGNANCY BASIS AT EQUIBREED NZ!

EVENTING

UNTOUCHABLE - GFE

NEGRO - VAN OLST HORSES

GLAMOURDALE - VAN OLST HORSES

(HORS LA LOI II x PROMESSE) KWPN, Grey, 168cm. . WFFS - Non carrier The success of his offspring both in the arena and on the commercial scene make it one of the most sought-after stallions in Europe in 2018. He brings strength, an outstanding canter and a winning mindset. Crowned Elite Stallion for BWP.

CONTENDRO I*GFE

(CONTENDER X BRAVO) Holsteiner, Dark bay, 168cm. WFFS - Non carrier For the fourth year in a row, he is the world’s No. 1 sire of winners in Eventing and has ranked among the world’s top 25 sires in show-jumping for the past 7 years!

UNTOUCHABLE GFE

CONTENDRO I*- GFE

DRESSAGE (LORD LEATHERDALE X THUJA) 170cm, Black, Hannover, KWPN, Oldenburg, Westfalen / RPSI WFFS - Non carrier. 2018 FEI World Champion 7-year-old dressage horses. Glamourdale is the undisputed champion of the 2014 Stallion Inspection, the Reserve Champion of the 2014 KWPN performance test and the 2018 “sovereign” FEI World Champion of 7-year-old dressage horses.

NEGRO - Van Olst Horses

(FERRO X FEWRIE) 170cm, Black, KWPN, Hannover, Oldenburg, Selle Francais, Rheinlander, SWB, DWB, Bavar. WFFS - Non carrier. Sire of Olympic, World Equestrian Games, and World Cup winner Valegro, Negro has certainly confirmed his value as a sire of top dressage talent. Negro offspring have proven tire and again that they have the talent for the FEI work and he is currently ranked 8th on the WBFSH Dressage Sire Rankings. Negro has been awarded the coveted Preferant status by the KWPN and was the 2017 KWPN Stallion of the Year.

SOLIMAN DE HUS - GFE

(SANDRO HIT X DANEA) 169cm, Black. Hanoverian, SF, Hann, OLD, BAV, RHEIN. WFFS - carrier. This stallion is considered as the best son of the world famous dressage legend SANDRO HIT by German breeders and has seven licensed sons. Winner in 2007 of the famous 2-year old Hanoverian approval in Verden and within the Top Ten of the German 6-year-old Bundeschampionatefinals, this jet black licensed stallion is, at age 11, the proud father of over 400 foals.

SOLIMAN DE HUS - GFE

GLAMOURDALE - Van Olst Horses

WE HAVE MANY OTHER STALLIONS ON OFFER Talk to our amazing team or with our registered specialist, Dr Lee Morris 07 8701845 or email info@equibreed.co.nz

www.equibreed.co.nz

Breed for Success with the

NZ Hanoverian Society

Rheinland - SWE Dempsey

Rheinland - Bravado Ego Z

Rheinland - Furst Hit EDH

S ucce ss B reed s S u cces s ! Choose Hanoverian or Rheinland Stallions FRESH OR FROZEN FROM IN NZ OR WORLDWIDE

- L i c e n s e d a n d P e r fo r m a n c e Te s te d -

Oldenburg - Swarovski

Hanoverian - Euro Sport Centavos

Rheinland - Lingh II

Hanoverian -Euro Sport Kalaska

Hanoverian -Euro Sport Diamant B

Hanoverian -Daminos TWS

info@nzhanoverian.com

nzhanoverian

www.nzhanoverian.com

Equ

iBr e

d ed NZ Lt

EquiBreed

Excellence in Equine Reproduction

Our team specialises in producing foals!

EQUIBREED NZ LEADERS IN: FROZEN SEMEN LOW DOSE INSEMINATION EMBRYO TRANSFER, SHIPPING AND FREEZING EMBRYO RECIPIENT HERD STALLION SERVICES FERTILITY TREATMENTS SEX-SORTED SEMEN ICSI EMBRYOS

Talk to our Specialist – Dr Lee Morris 07 870 1845 or email: info@equibreed.co.nz www.equibreed.co.nz | EquiBreed NZ Ltd, 399 Parklands Rd, RD 1, Te Awamutu

Proudly presents

FURST HIT EDH

LICENSED RHEINLAND 2016 - 16.3hh - Black

A gorgeous modern & elegant stallion, Friday has 6 international dressage super sires in his first 3 generations! Furstenball is a modern, and now preferant Hanoverian stallion with a reputation for producing ladies horses with exceptional rideability and temperaments. His dam, Neversvelde Jazz Hit is an imported Rheinland mare by Sandro Hit and her dam sire is Jazz. Both these stallions are in the top 5 in the World Dressage Breeding Stallion Index and are exceptional producers of Grand Prix and Young Dressage horses.

?? Year ?? colour

FURST HIT EDH

As you would expect from his sire, Friday’s temperament is exceptional. He has an exceptional hind-leg and 3 very correct gaits. He is a beautiful mover, powerful and loose with great hock articulation. We feel confident he will produce horses suitable for both amateur and professional riders, depending on the mare used.

FUEST HEINRICH FURSTENBALL MARADONNA

FLORESTAN I DARWINA DONNERHALL MARELLA SANDRO SONG

SANDRO HIT NEVERSFELDE JAZZ HIT NEVERSFELDE JULIA

Stud fee - $2000.00 + GST Plus collections - LFG - WFFS Free

LORETTA JAZZ KPWN NEVERSFELDE FARIKA

FURST HIT EDH THE FIRST NEW ZEALAND BRED STALLION TO BE LICENSED INTO A EUROPEAN STUDBOOK!

Elite Dressage Horses Ltd l Victoria Wall p: 0272827944 l e: xhaltnz@xtra.co.nz l Whatawhata, Waikato Join us on on our Facebook pages - Furst Hit EDH & Elite Dressage Horses www.elitedressagehorsesnz.com

CHACCO SILVER’S SIRE (CHACCO BLUE) IS RANKED

NUMBER 1

IN THE WBFSH RANKING FOR JUMPING BREEDING STALLIONS!!

Matawhio Sport Horses proudly presents

Chacco Silver Chacco Blue x Cellestial x Sir Caletto 2008, 177cm, Oldenburg Jumping Stallion

AWARDED EXCELLENCE IN THE 2018 NZWB CLASSIFICATION TOUR AND ACHIEVED THE HIGHEST EVER AWARDED MARK FOR A STALLION!

Chacco Silver is line bred to the influential Caletto 1 and carries some of the most critical blood in modern jumping. His sire Chacco Blue has held the No 1 position for jumping breeding stallions in the WBFSH rankings for the past four years. His progeny continue to top European foal and young horse auctions. Chacco Silver remains the only serving NZ based son of Chacco Blue, and he is now breeding in Australia by frozen semen. Chacco Silver progeny all jump. They excite

great interest and attention both here and in Australia. He strongly stamps them; he improves the mare and provides very athletic, electric, scopey, well-moving horses of wonderful temperament, such as BMW Chaccolilli (who at one show last season won 3 important classes), and Chio MS, who is jumping so successfully in Australia. Chacco Silver creates horses that can be competed by amateurs or professionals! Now aged 13 years, Chacco Silver is still young

CHILLED SEMEN AVAILABLE AT YOUR MARE’S CONVENIENCE. SERVICE FEE $2100.00 + GST. LIVE FOAL GUARANTEE AND FIRST COLLECTION IS FREE.

in breeding terms. Most of his progeny are still maturing, but we confidently expect to see them dominating, jumping here in years to come. Ask anyone who’s bred a Chacco Silver foal - they are phenomenal - he wasn’t sire of the 2017 NZWA Classification Tour Champion foal and dam sire of the 2019 Champion foal for no reason! If you want to breed a jumping champion, Chacco Silver has proven himself to be a pre-eminent sire.

Address: 56B Bryant Road, Karaka, Auckland 2580 - Phone: 021 154 2311 - Email: matawhio@xtra.co.nz

w w w. m a t a w h i o . c o . n z

Top European performance stallions Frozen semen from top-performing Dutch jumping and dressage stallions is available again this season. The older stallions have competed successfully at Grand Prix level, and there are

also some promising well-bred young ones. All stallions are approved by European studbooks including KWPN, Hannover, Oldenburg and Holstein, and offered with a live foal guarantee.

DRESSAGE Johnson

Johnson (Jazz/Flemingh) KEUR had the highest scores for Team NL at the Rio Olympics, and contributed to Team Bronze in the London Olympics, and Team Gold at the European Championships in Aachen. He was voted KWPN Horse of the Year in 2020. Johnson’s offspring are competing at the highest levels: in NZ with Melissa Galloway (J’Obei) and Gaylene Lennard (Jax Johnson). He has a superb temperament and passes his beauty and movement on to his offspring. He is approved for KWPN, Oldenburg, Westfalen and Hannover.

Fontaine

Fontaine TN (Finest/Samarant) is still a young stallion (b. 2015) and was second in his performance test (Adeldheidsdorf 2018). He gained the following points: character/temperament: 9,00; willingness to work: 9,50; trot: 8,50; canter: 9,50; walk: 9,50; rideability: 9,00. Sire Finest was declared premium stallion and has already claimed remarkable results in the young horse competitions. Approved for Westfalen, Hannover and Oldenburg.

Firestone

Firestone (Johnson/Florencio) was reserve champion as a threeyear-old at the KWPN stallion competition, earning 82.5 points in his performance test. Firestone was bred out of the famous Bella-damline, and his damsire, Florencio, was awarded Keur status by the KWPN. His full sister Elfi scored 95 points for her trot at the KWPN Mare Inspections. Approved for KWPN and Oldenburg.

Spielberg

Spielberg (Sunny Boy/Rosier) has outstanding breeding and conformation, and movement with a lot of rhythm and balance. He won his performance test on the dressage elements, and has competed successfully to a high level under Joyce Lenaerts. His grandsires include Sandro Song, Donnerhall and Rubenstein. Approvals include Westphalen and Oldenburg, and he is a true breeding bay.

Other dressage stallions offered are Formidable (Fidertanz/ De Niro), and Sandreo (Sandro Hit/Flemmingh).

from Team Nijhof ShowJuMPING

Verdi Superstar jumping stallion Verdi (Quidam de Revel/Landgraf 1) KEUR was in the Dutch team for the Rio Olympics, won team gold at Aachen, and WEG in Caen, and team silver and individual bronze at the London Olympics, and at 17, continues to compete at the highest levels. Verdi is a son of the legendary sire Quidam de Revel. He has more than 50 offspring competing internationally. Verdi is approved for KWPN, Holstein, Hannover, OS/OL, Unire, Z and Selle Français.

Eldorado van de Zeshoek Eldorado van de Zeshoek (Clinton/Toulon) is hugely successful in both high-level competition and as a breeding stallion. In 2015 he won the Grand Prix of Roosendaal and was successful in several Nations Cup appearances. He was awarded PREFERENT status – the highest possible award in KWPN breeding, with three of his sons coming first, second and third in the stallion class (1.40m -1.50m) at the 2020 KWPN stallion show. Rider Willem Greve says he “has unlimited scope and with his power he can jump all the classes in the world.” Approved for KWPN, Oldenburg, Hannover and Selle Français.

Other high-performing jumping stallions offered are Poker de Mariposa (Nabab de Reve/Berlin); El Clarimo (Clarimo/ Limbus); Floris (Quality Time/Vancouver); Spartacus (Stakkato/ Grannus); Starpower (Stakkato/Escudo 1); Calvados (Uriel/ Ibrahim); Concorde (Voltaire/Marco Polo); Larino (Concorde/ Armstrong); and Quattro B (Qredo de Paulstra/Phandore du Thet).

I’m Special de Muze I’m Special de Muze (Emerald/Nabab de Reve) won the GMB competition for six- and seven-year-olds in Drachten in 2015 and is competing successfully at GP level. Sire Emerald was in the Dutch team at the Rio Olympics. Dam Walnut de Muze also competed with great success at GP level. I’m Special de Muze’s rider Zoï Snels confirms the great qualities of the stallion. “I think he has a 100% score on every aspect: he is top careful, has scope, has a great rideability and has a super attitude.”

Grandorado Grandorado (Eldorado x Carolus x Baloubet du Rouet) is an exciting young stallion who won his KWPN performance test in 2014, and in 2015, he won the four-year-old class at Tubbergen with scores of 8,9 and 9,0 for jumping. Grandorado is approved for KWPN and Oldenburg. He came first at the 2020 KWPN stallion show jumping competition.

Prices are very competitive and details about the stallions, including price, can be viewed at teamnijhof.nz For orders and further information, please email Candace Bagnall at candacebagnall@gmail.com (022 031 1849), or Jeanette Benedict-Nijhof at info@team-nijhof.com. Semen is stored at Matamata Veterinary Services on 07 888 8197.

DEDCIATED TO EXCELLENCE IN EQUINE PERFORMANCE

INFERTILITY INVESTIGATIONS l HYSTEROSCOPY l SURGICAL SERVICES CHILLED OR FROZEN AI l EMBRYO TRANSFER

Dr Noel Power and Dr Alexandra Leander aim to provide you with the best care, advice and successful outcome with all your breeding needs.

CONTACT US: 11 Pickering Road, RD, Cambridge 3493 Telephone: 07 827 5570 l Email: admin@wevc.co.nz l Website: www.wevc.co.nz

A very elegant and modern type with extraordinary movement, athleticism, scope and a sweet, gentle personality. Licensed NZWA. Lion King has an impressive pedigree and offers breeders versatility to produce top quality horses for any discipline. Progeny are showing real class and share his great temperament. Lion King has been an exceptional performer in Show Jumping competing to Grand Prix. With natural ability in dressage and enormous jumping scope, Lion King has been described by acclaimed Hanoverian Judge and Classifier Jens Meyer as a modern versatile sport horse stallion, ideal to breed world Class eventers. He also believes that a horse of his calibre would add value to European breeding programmes to create a more multi-talented Sports horse.

ASTEK QUARTERMASTER HIGHES T CLASSIF IED CHAMP ION STALLIO N NZWBA 2016 TOUR

Images - NZ Equine

STUD FEE $2000.00 + GST LFG APPLIES Oldenburg stallion by Quaterback / Flemmingh/Weltmeyer/Grannus Astek Quatermaster is one of those stallions that impresses all who tour the stud. His majestic presence and beautifully balanced correct conformation are noticed instantly alongside his kind eye and wonderful temperament. He holds enormous power in his straight, balanced, elevated movement and it creates a total package that is hard to ignore. Astek Quatermaster is breeding exceptional horses for both dressage and jumping homes.

E info@astek.co.nz | P Sue Fowler 027 222 5037

www.astek.co.nz

SWE DEMPSEY ED PRODUC FOUR M PREMIU IED CLASSIF FOALS!

STUD FEE $2000.00 + GST LFG APPLIES Rhineland Stallion by Damsey FRH x Dressage Royal/Sir Donnerhall/Rubenstein Negative for WFFS. Cannot produce a chestnut foal. SWE Dempsey is now classified and registered with the Rhineland and NZ Warmblood Associations so his foals can now be registered with these bodies. A very correct horse showing tremendous trainability and scope under saddle. Dempsey turns heads wherever he goes. Dempsey’s sire Damsey ridden by Helen Langehanenberg now named the highest ranked dressage stallion in the world!!!

E info@astek.co.nz | P Sue Fowler 027 222 5037

www.astek.co.nz

RIVOLI MAGNUS

THE PERCHE R IS AMON ON G THE GENTLE GIANTS OF THE HORSE WORLD

STUD FEE $1500.00 INCL GST 16hh - Percheron Imported from Queensland. Born December 2017, Rivoli Magnus (turning grey) Percheron stallion by Cobigan Orlando (grey) x Roslow Dee Amara (black). Descending from Cobigan Trappeur (France), Common Ground Major Degas (USA), Prince Patrick Du Mordhief (Canada), Lime Headline (UK), Magnus has some of the best lines the Percheron breed has to offer. He is the old fashioned build- short cannons, good bone and solid stature with the typical unflappable Percheron nature and that distinctive apple butt. His first foals are expected this season to a Friesian x mare and a Cleveland Bay mare.

E riverbrookmfarm@gmail.com | P Lee Bason - 027 251 9019

www.astek.co.nz

TUIS MAJESTICAL STUD FEE $1500.00 (INCL GST) AI ONLY - LFG 14.2hh - Purebred American Morgan Horse

Astek Stud is proud to stand Tuis Majestical at stud for the 2021/2022 season.

STYLISH AND VERSAT I PERFOR LE MANCE HORSE

We invite you to discover this people-loving breed. The Morgan breed is recognised by its proud carriage, elastic gait, upright graceful neck, distinctive head and expressive eyes. They are intelligent and gentle-natured with exceptional conformation and strength. Their bodies are deeply muscled and have straight legs. A Morgan is distinctive for it’s versatility, trainability, stamina, vigour, personality, eagerness and strong natural way of moving. The breed has a reputation for intelligence, courage and a good disposition. This breed is known to be extraordinarily talented. The conformation lends itself well to a vast range of disciplines including Dressage, Showing, Eventing, Hunting, Jumping, Endurance and Western riding. The Morgan horse is adaptable and typically able to be handled by amateurs, professionals and even children. If you would like to add style, grace and performance to your foal, Tuis Majestical embodies all this and so much more.

Image - Debbie Stevens Photography

“THE HORSE THAT CHOOSES YOU.”

E nzblackhorse@gmail.com | P Jenny Mitchem 021 215 7874

www.astek.co.nz

BALMORAL. presents

Glenara Kannan Ball is an exceptional young stallion who combines the very best of modern breeding. His pedigree descends from superstar credentials. He is by Kannan, who has phenomenal bloodlines and is a proven producer of Grand Prix horses, but also his dam’s side includes Vivant, who has equally bred an abundance of 1.60 show jumpers. This exciting cross has created a strong athletic jump and demonstrates superb movement on the flat. Not only does Glenara Kannan Ball carry exceptional genetics, but most importantly, he has an outstanding temperament to match. He would be an ideal stallion choice whether you want to breed show jumpers, dressage horses or eventers.

Furioso II Gogo Moeve

GLENARA KANNAN BALL

Full European Bloodlines! AWHA, 2017

Voltaire

KANNAN Nimmerdor

Cemeta

Vivant

GLENARA QUESTION MARK

Wozieta Fuego Du Prelet Scalini Van De Heffinck

Quintana Van Den Bosrand

Heartbreaker Fatima Van De Heffinck

STUD FEE - $1800.00 + GST LFG - Collection Fee: $350.00 + GST Frozen semen available on request.

BALMORAL EQUESTRIAN | Anna Stokes | E: balmoral05@gmail.com

TEMPERAMENT - TRAINABILITY - VERSATILITY

Presents

TREVALDA MOUNTAIN EIRE 16.1hh - 2015 Category 1 Purebred IRISH DRAUGHT STALLION

BIZZIE CANOODLING 148cm, Tobiano - PGP show jumper, 1* eventer, Pony Club mount

{

{ GST - LFG $1100.00 incl {

Trevalda Mountain Eire 1070-M1/15

& Champion Cat C Show Hunter Ballineen Blue Mountain RID 1185/M0011

Kilharken Heather K0032/95 AUS

Bealagh Blue RID 078/M/0009

Ballineen Glen Abess RID 1185/F/0006 Kiltoghert CaseySB 005/ID/RID IRE Sumas Harkaway RID 11418

GRASSYARDS FARM

Live cover / fresh semen available Couriered nationwide Stud Fee $900 plus GST includes LFG

Contact Charlotte - 027 241 8860 Find us on Facebook and Instagram

or email: grassyards1@gmail.c

Youngstock available for purchase by this outstanding stallion. Whiorau Station - 3668 State Highway 2, Nuhaka 4165 info@whioraustation.co.nz - Phone - 021 464 965

BIZZIE CANOODLING 148cm, Tobiano - PGP show jumper, 1* eventer, Pony Club mount & Champion Cat C Show Hunter

$1100.00 incl GST - LFG

GRASSYARDS FARM

Contact Charlotte - 027 241 8860 Find us on Facebook and Instagram

or email: grassyards1@gmail.com

Youngstock available for purchase by this outstanding stallion.

(IMP GB)

BALLINEEN BLUE MOUNTAIN 16.2hh, 2006 Class 1 Purebred Irish Draught Stallion BBM - Multiple Champion Saddle Hunter. Supreme Paced & Mannered and Rider mount.

BBM progeny - (Oldest is 7yrs) 3rd Novice Dressage Horse of the Year, Placings at SI Champs, 4yr Future Stars & National Under 25 Champs.

BBM - Champion Working Hunter and full wire field hunter.

Add some TEMPERAMENT, TRAINABILITY & SOUNDNESS into your Sport Horse breeding programme. BBM Progeny Gee Whizz Winner, Paced & Mannered Saddle Hunter HOY, Runner-up Side Saddle HOY 2020, Rising Star Saddle Hunter HOY, Runner-up Open SH HOY 2018, All Breeds Supreme In-Hand.

BBM - All Breeds Supreme Champion In-hand

Photo Brittany Fowler Photography

Stud Fee $1500 incl GST

First collection & no foal free return. Fresh semen shipped nationwide.

Trevalda Irish Sporthorses P: 03 444 9309 M: 027 310 6858 E: g.crossan@xtra.co.nz

www.trevalda.co.nz

Keep all text inside this box edge

Libby Law

BOUTIQUE EQUINE BREEDING SERVICES