Just over a decade ago, I was playing around with what was then new technology and tried my hand at live streaming for the first time. I was out testing and learning how to operate new technology, our first ever live streaming box, when got a call from my daughter, Sunday, to say that our dog had appeared on the web! We were so excited, it worked!
We have never looked back. We did our first equestrian live stream at the Melbourne 3DE at Werribee Park in 2011 – and thanks to your enthusiastic take-up of our live streaming over the years, the service has grown in leaps and bounds. Who would have thought that in just over 10 years we would go from waiting for competition results to arrive in the magazine in the mail to tuning in live on your phone in the paddock?
Cover image: Robbie McKinnon and SPH Fortino (aka Frank), the 6YO Young Dressage Horse Champion and Champion of Champions at this year’s PSI Dressage & Jumping with the Stars. © Click Capture Photography.
More so than in Europe, streaming is an invaluable service in Australia because it brings together our equestrian community from all corners of our continent and gives exposure to our major events countrywide. Where vast distances prohibit travelling to major interstate events, you can now watch live from a screen in the barn, next to the arena, or in the comfort of your home. We are proud of our service to the equestrian community, as well as showcasing our riders to our international following. Read more about our streaming in this issue and the upcoming events that you can watch live.
Heath Ryan (who has been a guest commentator on our live streams) uses his column this issue to address the trials and tribulations of the Australian national dressage selection system. With the World Championships looming in August, he assesses the candidates and draws up his shortlist. I’m sure the contenders will be the first to see where they stand!
If you couldn’t attend the recent PSI Dressage & Jumping with the Stars in person, I trust you were watching online. However, if you were there, wasn’t it great to feel the excitement in the air again, see top-notch competition in the arena and experience the bustle of the trade village at Werribee Park. Dana Krause gives us the lowdown on the results and has a word with Robbie McKinnon, whose six-year-old SPH Fortino took out Young Dressage Horse Champion of Champions. Jayden Brown featured strongly for Willinga Park and, as he tells Adele Severs, is about to pack his bags for his next big move. Elsewhere, Adele catches up with exciting showjumper Lauren Balcomb, who also reveals her plans, hopes and dreams.
Werribee Park also hosted the first EA Australasian Show Horse & Rider Championships in two years, where OTT Thoroughbreds hogged the limelight. We meet the winners in the ring – as well as the winners of their unique version of Fashions in the Field.
While dressage is sometimes seen as the pursuit of the well-heeled, it often takes a down-to-earth rider from the country to show us what it is all about. Jodie Dunstan is one such gem. Without big backers or fanfare, she has put her heart into producing her horses and showed what she and they are made of at this year’s Dressage by the Sea. In an extensive interview with Roger Fitzhardinge, Jodie opens up about her journey and the pleasure she is now getting from the Hanoverian gelding she produced herself, Hollands Bend Highlander.
Up at Tamworth, Jessica Rae signalled she’s back with two solid performances in the CCI4*-S at Tamworth International Eventing. After a couple of years forced layoff due to Covid restrictions and a serious knee injury, she tells Amanda Young she’s excited to be competing again – as well as managing 180 Thoroughbreds. Fascinating reading, and yes, she works 16-hour days to do it all!
Still in the country, at Scone, more than 400 riders and their horses converged on the self-proclaimed Horse Capital of Australia for the week-long national cutting highlight, the NCHA 4CYTE Autumn Spectacular. Much dust – or was it mud? – was raised, as you can imagine!
There’s plenty more good reading in this issue, starting with Kerry Mack’s insightful training tips on why it is good to make mistakes and how to learn from them. We drop in on everybody’s favourite eventing pocket rocket, Algebra, in his retirement; veterinarian Dr Maxine Brain puts us at ease about Japanese encephalitis; Ellie Jolley previews a new product from Hygain that has the potential to ensure your horse absorbs its feed better and protects its digestive system; and Suzy Jarratt revisits Steven Spielberg in the trenches for the making of his epic War Horse. Entertaining as always.
Enjoy your riding over Easter, 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 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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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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AMANDA YOUNGHaving previously competed to FEI level in eventing, Amanda Young is now involved in both English and Western disciplines as a competitor, breeder and journalist.
Published by
EQ Life Pty Ltd
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ISSN 1839-034X
Postal address PO Box 1376
Hawksburn VIC 3142, Australia
Phone +61 492 887 961
Email info@eqlife.com.au
Web www.equestrianlife.com.au
Chairman
Robert McKay
Publisher
Sunday Batters
General Manager Content
Adele Severs
Partnerships Co-ordinator
Ellie Jolley
Associate Editor
David Trounce
Account Executive
Kerith Laurie-Rhodes
Subscription Enquiries
info@eqlife.com.au, +61 492 887 961
Photography credits:
Click Capture Photography, Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans, Lukasz Kowalski, Eric Knoll, Angie Rickard Photography, Michelle Terlato Photography, Warwick McLean, Simon Scully, Roger Fitzhardinge, Australian Equestrian Team/Kirsty Pasto, Julia McLean, Amy-Sue Alston, Allstar Picture Library Ltd./Alamy Stock Photo, Racing Photos, Beauty and the Huntress, Jane Bartram, Hygain, Geoff McClean/Gone Riding Media, Britt Grovenor Photography, Annabel Zeisler Photography, Jenelle Christopher and Stephen Mowbray.
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.
© 2022 EQ Life Pty Ltd. Copyright subsists in this magazine. Except as permitted by law, this magazine may not, in whole or in part, be reproduced, published, adapted, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way or in any form, without the prior written consent of EQ Life. All rights reserved.
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