Maree Tomkinson and Friday IV in the 5YO class at DJWTS, 2021.
© Simon Scully Photography
Maree Tomkinson departs for Germany
By Equestrian Life
Australian dressage star Maree Tomkinson has left Australian shores and is on her way to Germany!
Maree flew out of Melbourne yesterday with three of her beautiful mares, Diva, Donna Elena and Imagine II, young rider Jamie Macpherson and dog Fergus.
Maree has rented her Victorian property out to friends – meaning much loved retirees such as Diamantina will remain there – and plans to base herself in Krefeld and train with Ton de Ridder. The plan is to stay for three years, and then see what happens after that.
Once in Germany, Maree and her team will meet with her fourth equine team member, top young mare Friday IV.
Prior to leaving, Maree paid tribute to her heart horse, Diamantina, who took her to the World Equestrian Games in 2014:
“As each hour passes and we get closer and closer the reality of leaving Diamantina is opening up my heart. I have pushed this thought to the back of my mind, not allowing myself to let the reality of it in.
“She has been my strength and stay (as the queen says) for 16 years now. At 20 years of age her care and happiness has consumed my days for so long.
“We retired her from the sport at 15 years old and this season she gave us our 8th embryo and subsequently retired from breeding. We were never greedy with her, she finished the sport early and now finished breeding in the same way.
“I will miss her face everyday, her narcolepsy and other neuroses that keep me on my toes. Leaving her is without a doubt the hardest part of taking this journey. I know I have left her care in safe hands and the cameras keep her in my line of sight, but I cannot smell her, feel her, hear her. If I do stay I will bring her to live with us but for now it is better for her to stay in her familiar home.
“My beautiful, magical, marvellous big hearted angel horse, ’Her Highness’. Stay safe baby, be happy, wait for me…
“And I would choose you
In a hundred lifetimes
In a hundred worlds
In any version of reality
I would find you
And I would choose you.”
Equestrian Life wishes Maree and her team all the best in Germany and we can’t wait to follow their journey. You can find updates from Maree via her Facebook page, ‘Maree Tomkinson – Athlete’.
