In this issue
Phillip Lever is riding a career high with no plans of slowing down. As the current Australian Senior Champion, Victorian Senior Champion and recently crowned the winner of the $93,000 Showcase of Showjumping Grand Prix, Phil and equine partner Billionaire NZPH have certainly proven they are ones to watch come competition day.
Good gut health in horses isn’t just about firm manure or the absence of stomach ulcers. A horse’s gastrointestinal tract is critical to their wellbeing and affects not only their physical health, but also their mental health.
After nearly six years working under Catherine Haddad Staller and with NorCordia, Australian dressage rider Hope Beerling is embracing the next chapter in her career and going independent – with LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 on the radar.
Millicent ‘Millie’ Fletcher is one eight talented riders set to contest the CDI Junior classes at the upcoming Boneo Park Winter CDI. Following her recent win at the Sydney CDI, Roger Fitzhardinge caught up with Millie to hear about her cheeky partner Amsterdam and find out why she loves the sport the dressage.
Growing up in the Northern Territory, Nicole Mutimer taught herself to ride with grit and determination. Following a “20-year apprenticeship”, Nicole now leads the way in managing horses and mentoring riders in Australia’s Top End through a combination of equitation science, climate-specific care and nutrition – and outback resilience.
Just two years ago, 14-year-old Brumby x Welsh gelding Jasper sustained a life-threatening leg injury. Now, he and his owner Maddison Wissell are multi-state champions, and he and the Wissell family aren’t done yet.
"You can't run tomorrow's sport on yesterday's systems." Equestrian Australia (EA) is ready to lead the sport into a new era – streamlined, transparent, and focused on what matters: riders, clubs, and the disciplines that keep it all moving.
Sesamoid bones, although only small, are associated with many important ligaments and tendons and play a vital role in the musculoskeletal system. Tiny fractures can occur during intense exercise and jeopardise the future of equine athletes if not allowed to heal thoroughly.
She wouldn’t know a hoof pick from a bot egg knife, and it’s doubtful she spends time practising the sitting trot – but clearly Beyoncé is enamoured with horses.
At 19 years old, Aristede – affectionately known as ‘Astro’ – has retired from the dressage arena. With numerous wins in Grand Prix with his riders and rarely a score below 68%, it is a shame we will no longer see this gorgeous bay gelding in the competition arena – but what a career he has had.
