Can you order smashed avocado on toast in German? Is it “avocado zerdrückt auf toast” or “avocado zertrümmert auf toast, bitte?” The savvy Germans probably understand it in English, so it doesn’t really matter. By now they should be used to the Aussie accent, as there is a ‘Little Down Under’ brewing in the heart of German dressage country.
Maree Tomkinson, a frequent visitor to Germany, uprooted and moved there in earnest this year. As she tells Roger Fitzhardinge in this month’s magazine, it was not to “socialise, shop and swan around” – she is on a mission. The Aussie dressage star and her string of five horses are based near Dusseldorf and are in training with Ton de Ridder. Long-time friend Mary Hanna is “just up the road”, while protege Tayla Desmet and para star Emma Booth are in the ’hood on their own quests. Tayla is also training under Ton and wife Alexandra, thriving on the Small Tour and making big plans for her beloved Zaubermaus, as she tells Roger.
Cover image: Mat Holz and Nonda Last Frontier on their way to winning the 2022 World Championship Gold Buckle Campdraft at Willinga Park. © Jo Thieme/Willinga Park.
Whether based in the northern or southern hemisphere, our elite dressage and eventing riders are currently staking their claims for Team Australia inclusion at the 2022 FEI World Championships. Heath Ryan rates our contenders and also hopes our selectors don’t set a trap for themselves in their restrictive criteria for Australian-based riders. Read his astute form guide and analysis to find out.
Dressage comes in many guises, as we know, and is a unique sport where age is irrelevant. Adele Severs lifts the lid on an uprising in Queensland that is threatening to spread across the country. These upstarts “don’t like wearing white jods, plaiting, flash outfits and flash floats!” Hence ‘The Great Sport of Geriatric Dressage’ is born, where riders just want to have fun. Bring it on!
Horse people who have always known how to have fun are the campdrafters. Meet Mat Holz, who took home the $100,000 pay-cheque and the Willinga Park World Championship Gold Buckle, a pro muster that has turned campdrafting on its head. A Victorian beating the northern states at their own game? Is State of Origin next?
Melbourne International 3DE over the Queen’s Birthday weekend is a last-chance points-earner for World Championship eventing contenders, as Heath Ryan points out. It is also a proving ground for OTT Thoroughbreds, and Adele Severs alerts us to such aristocratic ex-racing names such as Humble Glory, Mr Pig and Secret Mojo.
As always, there’s more to enjoy in your free monthly magazine. Mim Coleman unpacks the 50th anniversary of the Dressage Association of Tasmania, while Kerry Mack explains the benefits of Positive Reinforcement Training and Roger Fitzhardinge takes us through Training the Halt. Ellie Jolley looks at how pony clubs feed off their relationship with Hygain, while veterinarian Dr Maxine Brain explains why speedy intervention is called for should an unusual cellulitis syndrome arise in your horse.
After all your riding pleasures and duties are done as these days get shorter, kick back and take in some fireside reading. Bernard Bale’s interview with horse-mad Viggo Mortensen and Suzy Jarratt’s behind-the-scenes access to Breaker Morant are both fascinating yarns.
There’s no such thing as too many horse stories! 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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MIRIAM COLEMANDressage enthusiast, blogger and keen photographer, Mim Coleman provides an insightful and witty commentary on Tasmania’s close-knit equestrian scene.
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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.
Published by
EQ Life Pty Ltd
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ISSN 1839-034X
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Sunday Batters
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Photography credits:
Jo Thieme/Willinga Park, Britt Grovenor, Simone Pearce Dressage, Equine Sport Center Olomouc, Elli Birch/BootsandHooves Photography, Equestrian Festival Baborówko, Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans, Lukasz Kowalski,LL-Foto, Tayla Desmet, Mhisen GbR, Timo Martis, Maree Tomkinson, Emma Booth, Michelle Terlato, Racing Photos, Hoofprintz Photography, Corby Cunnington, FEI – Andrew Ryback Photography, Roger Fitzhardinge, Amy-Sue Alston, Kerry Mack, Fox Run Equine Centre, Second Vet, The Shaeffer family & Ellie Jolley.
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