If you could bottle the formula for willpower in the pursuit of excellence, Maree Tomkinson’s face would be on the label. She learnt early that success always come with a cost, but she never let it deter her. The knocks along the way hurt on the inside, she says, but they make you more determined to succeed.
Shining in showing and then starring in dressage, Maree has produced some of the finest horses ever seen in Australia and made a name for herself at the highest levels around the world. In this issue, she pulls no punches on the ups and downs of her illustrious journey – and reveals her next big move. Maree Tomkinson has climbed a lot of mountains, but she has by no means peaked.
Kevin McNab’s stunning victory on Cute Girl at the FEI World Young Horse Championships shows that his dedication over the years is finally reaping rewards, coming so soon after his team silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics. Heath Ryan turns the clock back to when a young Kevin befriended a young Boyd Martin at Ryans 25 years ago – and looks at where they both are now.
As many of us are at last polishing our boots, dusting off the saddles and reuniting with our horses after an interminably long hibernation, Dan Steers offers some wisdom. The Australian-based half of Double Dans Horsemanship is itching to get back to competition but concedes his horses “look a little shabby”. Like us, they will need conditioning, so take your time and follow his advice on getting your horses physically and mentally fit for competition again.
To lift your training game, check out Roger Fitzhardinge’s guide to the piaffe. He makes it sound simple, and once mastered, says it is a wonderful feeling of balance, harmony and lightness – the epitome of dressage.
We have a wealth of material for showjumpers in this issue: Elli Birch reports on the London leg of the glamorous Longines Global Champions Tour where she also catches up with Edwina Tops-Alexander. Back home, Helen Chugg and Amanda Madigan detail how they start their four-year-olds in training as Diamond B Farm continues to lead the field in producing superior jumpers.
Cover image – Maree Tomkinson and Friday IV at the 2021 FEI WBFSH Dressage World Breeding Championships for Young Horses in Verden, Germany. © Timo Martis
Also on the breeding front, accomplished American dressage rider and eventer Christan Trainor began breeding jumpers when she moved to Australia just over a decade ago. Moving on to dressage horses and embracing frontline techniques, the names of some of the imported lines she uses at Glenhill Sporthorses are jaw-dropping.
The boom in para riding and the popularity of the Tokyo Paralympics has created a demand for international-level horses to match our para stars. Equine Pathways Australia believes it has the solution, and it is one that Julia Battams happily tells how it will benefit owners as well.
Also this month we hear from the four 2021 Equestrian Victoria Young Ambassadors of the Year where they think their disciplines are headed and where they want them to go. In our Health section, Gary Lung admits he once thought a plump horse was a strong horse – until he visited Steffen Peters. As a total convert, he explains how to transform an overweight horse into a lean and muscular equine athlete. Resident vet Maxine Brain uses her column to explore the pros and cons of castrating colts and stallions.
For escapist reading, soak up the atmosphere of a hidden island resort in Indonesia, where a dedicated horse lover has transformed the local attitude to their horses by incorporating them into the visitor experience. And for a laugh, always take in Suzy Jarratt’s column as she revisits famous horse movies. This time it’s The Electric Horseman, where sparks fly between Jane Fonda and Robert Redford.
Enjoy. I’m ready to be recharged by riding again! EQ
Robert McKay AM
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 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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ELLI BIRCHBased in Essex in the UK, Elli Birch of Boots and Hooves Photography has covered prestigious equestrian events and country sports around the world.
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PHOEBE OLIVERHaving had horses all her life and ridden in nearly every country she has visited, Phoebe has recently combined her love and travel and horses with her background in PR to launch a new business — The Equine Collective.
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DANA KRAUSEAn EA judge and FEI-level young rider, Dana Krause is currently undertaking an Arts/Science double degree at Monash University. When she’s not studying, she spends every moment she can with her beloved Prix St Georges level dressage horse, Taittinger.
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Adele Severs
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Kerith Laurie-Rhodes
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Photography credits:
Timo Martis, Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans, Shannon Brinkman, Solène Bailly Photos, Michelle Terlato Photography, Lyndal Oatley, Roger Fitzhardinge, Derek O’Leary, Sporthorsesonpics, Stephen Mowbray, Simon Scully, Equine Pathways Australia, Jon Stroud Media, Elli Birch/Boots & Hooves, Amy-Sue Alston, ffire Photography, Heather Swan Photography, Maxine Brain, Liz Speed Photography, Double Dan Horsemanship, Rodney’s Photography, Trot Shots, Mane Memories Photography, Ernst Haas, Gary Lung, Tania Araujo, Jason Childs and FEI/Libby Law/ Liz Gregg/Claes Jakobsson/Ridehesten.com/Kristine Ulsø Olsen/Kevin Sparrow.
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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