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FROM THE CHAIRMAN

ROBERT MCKAY

You couldn’t find two horse sports seemingly further apart than classical dressage and western-style cutting. One is rooted in military agility, the other in the realities of cattle herding; one is now black-tie and jodhpurs, the other checked shirt and cowboy boots.

They’re at opposite ends of the equine sports spectrum, yet they – and every sport in between – have in common what brings us all together, the best horsemanship and the most willing horses. We are about to see the upper echelons of dressage on show at the World Championships this month, while last month we witnessed the best cutting riders and horses in the country.

At the time of writing, six of our best dressage riders (representing eight combinations) have been named as qualifying for Herning, from which a four-combination team, plus reserves, will be confirmed in the days ahead. Look no further than Ryan’s Rave for the lowdown on our prospects, where Heath expounds his insights in his inimitable style.

Whoever the final combinations are, we salute all the nominees, and in this issue we talk to two of them, Kristy Oatley and Warwick McLean. Germany-based Kristy has qualified on her Oldenberg gelding, Rosenlorbeer, having retired on impulse her beloved Du Soleil. She reveals to Adele Severs why she did so, while opening up on their wonderful journey and her faith in her new charges.

Warwick McLean is also based in Germany, where he and wife Carolina have built a formidable reputation with McLean Reitsport. In an interview with Roger Fitzhardinge, Warwick reveals the secrets to his success and the demand for his knack of sorting out “problem” horses.

In our Special Feature, Roger talks to another Aussie with a reputation as a problem solver: Tanja Mitton’s holistic approach to mindset coaching has competition riders beating a path to her door in Queensland. Drawing on her life experiences, see why she is getting results.

Top riders are also hoofing it to Dorset in England, where expats Chris and Bek Burton have curated one of the UK’s grandest new equestrian showcases, Chedington Equestrian. In our Property profile, marvel at the state-of-the-art facilities that can host teams from all Olympic disciplines. The latest to base there is the Willinga Park team, including Jayden Brown, another World Championships candidate.

In our extensive Training section, Kerry Mack unpacks what getting “on the bit” really means, Roger takes us through the extended paces with his judge’s eye, and Michael Baker translates what “straightness” is his enlightening series on the Language of Dressage.

In Eventing, Shenae Lowings tells Adele how she transformed ex-racehorse Hell On Wheels into a rising star with World Championship potential; it was a hell of a job, she admits, but well worth it.

There’s more great mid-winter reading in our Lifestyle section, such as discovering the benefits of Equine Assisted Learning with Tanya McDermott, and Suzy Jarratt’s account of the real story behind the hit movie The Horse Whisperer. In Health, Ellie Jolley reminds us that winter is the time to prepare for spring’s surge of activity, and vet Dr Maxine Brain discussed medical emergencies – and how you can help vets make those life-or-death decisions when prioritising call-outs.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch… they haven’t forgotten how to have fun in Tamworth! The town that gives us Australia’s biggest country music festival also hosts the biggest event on the cutting calendar, the NCHA Futurity. Amanda Young knows well this world of thrills and skills and takes us to the two-week carnival that is the richest indoor performance horse event in the southern hemisphere.

Enjoy the full spectrum of equestrianism! EQ

Robert McKay AM

Contributors

  • HEATH RYAN
    National 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.
  • ROGER FITZHARDINGE
    As 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.
  • DR KERRY MACK
    Grand 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.
  • DR MAXINE BRAIN
    Dr Maxine Brain is an equine vet dedicated to achieving optimal equine health and performance with her team at Kilmore Equine Clinic, which she founded.
  • SUZY JARRATT
    Suzy has a rich background in newspaper journalism and radio broadcasting in NSW and nationally, and last year won an international award for equestrian journalism.
  • MICHAEL BAKER
    Top level eventer turned FEI dressage competitor, Michael Baker is a Level 3 coach and has been successful at World Cup level.
  • AMANDA YOUNG
    Having 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
ABN 99142004064
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:

Michelle Terlato Photography, LL-Foto, Elli Birch/BootsandHooves, Stephen Mowbray/NCHA, Derek O’Leary, Eric Knoll, The Jtaime, Shenae Lowings, Roger Fitzhardinge, Tanja Mitton, Warwick McLean, Racing Photos, Tanya McDermott, Heroes for Humans, Kerry Mack, FEI, Shannon Brinkman, Lukasz Kowalski, Liz Gregg, Chedington Equestrian, Alexandre Roux & EQ Life.

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.