COVER IMAGE: Lone Joergensen and Corinna, winners of the Grand Prix Special at the Homes & Acreage Boneo Summer Dressage Championships. © Derek O’Leary
Dressage competition is well and truly alive and kicking as our elite riders pull out all stops to be in contention for the off-again-on-again Tokyo Olympics.
The next best thing to being at the Olympics is watching two Olympians go toe to toe, and that’s what we were treated to at the Boneo Summer Dressage Championships this year. Five-time Australian Olympian Mary Hanna and dual Danish Olympian-turned Aussie Lone Joergensen drew on all their reserves to produce their best amongst the high-flying field at Boneo Park. If you couldn’t be there in person, you would have felt you were if you watched Equestrian Life’s live stream, complete with hoof-by-hoof commentary from another Olympic veteran, Heath Ryan.
Heath, by the way, pays tribute in his Ryan’s Rave column this issue to Di Schaeffer, a force in her own right on the national eventing stage and mother of Atlanta Olympic team gold medal-winner Wendy Schaeffer.
Competitiveness at all levels is as strong as ever, as shown by the enormous interest in Equestrian Life’s Virtual Competitions. Born out of lockdown, the opportunity to be judged by Roger Fitzhardinge and be eligible for fabulous prizes has proven so popular we are continuing the monthly competitions. Read what Megan Bryant says, a regular entrant who won a dream online coaching lesson from Lyndal Oatley.
Another young up-and-comer to watch is showjumper Emily Stirling, who, at 21, is not only an active competitor but an entrepreneur behind Cloroy Park, an exciting enterprise founded on the principles of responsibility that come with loving horses. Running a property as well as continuing to compete can be challenging, but not to Rachael Clarke, who finds herself fully booked at Tarcoola Equestrian Centre.
For the more senior rider, take in Dr Kerry Mack’s positive insights into how to keep on riding into your senior years. With age comes wisdom, she says, as she shares the secrets to making the most of seniority.
While we enjoy this summer, think back a year to when Black Summer was upon us. Devastating as it was, it brought out the best in horse lovers as shown by the remarkable rescue of the orphan horses of Paynes Crossing. Other great summer reads in this issue include the penultimate instalment in the adventures of Carolyn Lieutenant, the story behind the making of the 1983 hit movie Phar Lap, and a look at rare exotic breeds such as the golden Haflingers from Austria and the popular Connemara ponies of Ireland.
Lastly, in our Health section, veterinarian Dr Maxine Brain tackles the sensitive issue of euthanasia of horses, while the nutrition experts at KER reveal how they have turned their popular fish oil supplement into an irresistible taste treat for horses. If only they could do the same for us! EQ
Keep on riding,
Robert McKay
Contributors
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HEATH RYANNational equestrian personality, international dressage and eventing rider, Olympian, judge, coach and breeder, Heath is never backward in offering his unique insights into the sport and industry.
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ROGER FITZHARDINGEAs a judge, coach, competitor and commentator, Roger’s passion to tell the real stories behind the horses and horse people shines through in his unique brand of equestrian photojournalism.
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DR KERRY MACKGrand Prix dressage rider, coach and Mayfield Farm stud principal, Kerry draws on her learning as a qualified psychiatrist to approach training from the cerebral perspective as well as the physical.
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DR MAXINE BRAINDr Maxine Brain is an equine vet dedicated to achieving optimal equine health and performance with her team at Kilmore Equine Clinic, which she founded.
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SUZY JARRATTSuzy has a rich background in newspaper journalism and radio broadcasting in NSW and nationally, and last year won an international award for equestrian journalism.
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ELLIE JOLLEYRecently graduating with a Bachelor of Communication and Media, Ellie works part-time as a journalist and radio producer for the ABC in Toowoomba, QLD. She is combining her two passions of horses and writing through freelance equestrian journalism.
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Robert McKay
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Photography credits:
Michelle Terlato Photography, Roger Fitzhardinge, Derek O’Leary, Geoffrey McLean/Gone Riding Media, Franz Venhaus, Mane Memories Photography, Oz Shotz, Elsa Marchenay, Kentucky Equine Research, Stunning Steeds Photography, United Archives GmbH/Alamy Stock Photo, Everett Collection Inc/Alamy Stock Photo, Katherine Jamison, Amanda Young, EQ Life, Guillaume Marcotte, TM Academy, Setco Haflingers, Sharon Groves, Diane Ranzenbacher, Katherine Jamison, and Kim Ratcliffe/Think Equestrian.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of EQ Life. To the extent permitted by law, EQ Life disclaims any liability whatsoever in relation to any advice, representation, statement, opinion or other matter expressed in this magazine. EQ Life does not accept responsibility for errors in advertisements, articles, unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations. Riding, training or otherwise working with horses and other animals can be dangerous and may result in harm or injury. Readers of this magazine should not engage in such activities unless they do so safely.
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