World trivia: Did you know that equestrian sports are second only to soccer in popularity in Sweden? When expat Patrik Kittel returns for competitions there, fans jostle for selfies with him and the arenas are packed. The Germans, meanwhile, rely on their tradition of grooming riders from a young age and always have great depth in their ranks. Likewise, the Danes plot their team campaigns years in advance.
The Americans? They like to think they’re as well-oiled as the Germans, and they further instil team spirit by all wearing the team uniform – all the time, from riders through to grooms and officials. The Brits? Well, they’ve been a force to be reckoned with since Carl Hester came along. He is still wielding his influence over the team.
Cover image: Cathryn Herbert and Wimborne Constable. © Stephen Mowbray Photography.
These are the sort of team perceptions that would have been appreciated by the Socceroos at the FIFA World Cup. Lyndal Oatley draws on her international experience as an Olympian and World Championship competitor to offer pertinent observations into what makes these powerhouse teams tick – and what Australia can learn from them. Lyndal says she will never get used to hubbie Patrik Kittel “having a following like a blonde Harry Styles”, but hey, bring it on!
Lyndal is one of seven expats we check in with to learn about their offshore progress and potential aspirations for the Paris Olympics; there is always so much to learn from their international experiences.
Welcome to 2023! I hope you’ve all had quality time with your human loved ones and quality riding time with your other dependants. While the rest of society calls this the holiday season, equestrians well know there is no such thing! Horses still need daily attention and exercise, just as we need to feel the freedom of riding to remind us why we do this. So, be inspired by what we have in store for you in this issue then go and pull those boots on!
Our cover story features Cathryn Herbert, a young West Aussie who has just made a big impression in four-star competition with Wimborne Constable. In only their second pairing at four-star, Cathryn and the Warmblood stallion nailed it at Wallaby Hill. Adele Severs fills us in on their journey via Ryans Horses and how Cathryn believes her partnership with the 14-year-old is just beginning.
Another name to watch out for this year is Jamie Priestley. Roger Fitzhardinge caught up with the third-generation showjumper at Jumping@Willinga, where she was happy to tell us of her plans for the future, and how she is delighted to discover such a world class facility not far from where she lives after having travelled the world.
Back home, meet Isabelle Luxmoore, the latest young dressage rider to enter the Australian Big Tour ranks, and catch up with 4CYTE ambassador Brett Parbery and his ground-breaking performance program. We also have two special features that share a theme of working with horses against the odds – Amanda Young’s tale of Timmy the rescue pony reads like a screenplay for a Netflix doco, while Adele Severs takes us on the roller-coaster ride of foaling and fostering as she tells the story of Jazzy and Fury. Veterinarian Dr Maxine Brain discusses other matters of the heart – literally – when buying a horse, and Suzy Jarratt, as always, entertains us with her Horses in the Movies series, this time on Secretariat, the other Big Red.
Buckle up and bring on the new year!
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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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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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.
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LYNDAL OATLEYAn Australian Olympic dressage competitor based in Germany with husband and trainer Patrik Kittel, Lyndal draws on her deep knowledge of the sport to be an informed commentator, particularly on international competitions.
Published by
EQ Life Pty Ltd
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Chairman
Robert McKay
Publisher
Sunday Batters
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Adele Severs
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David Trounce
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Kerith Laurie-Rhodes
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Photography credits:
Stephen Mowbray Photography, Roger Fitzhardinge, Michelle Terlato Photography, One Eyed Frog Photography, LL-Foto, Swingle Tree Photography, Equisoul Photography, Hayley Beresford, Pferdemedia, Hippo Foto – Dirk Caremans, Warwick McLean, Vera Kirillova, Satomi Ishikuri, FEI/Leanjo de Koster/Liz Gregg/Shannon Brinkman, Sarah Brayshaw, Leigh Church, Simon Scully Photography, Angie Rickard Photography, Lucas Jarvis, Amy-Sue Alston, Capturing the Moment Photography, Disney Enterprises, Tess Peacock Photography, Oz Shotz Photography & kovop58/Shutterstock.com.
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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With her father, mother and grandfather all being successful show jumpers, it is no surprise that Jamie Priestley is not only following in their footsteps, she is now the family flagbearer.
As a new year dawns, we check in with seven Australian dressage riders based overseas to learn about their current equine stars, exciting horses for the future, and hopes for the Paris Olympics – which is just 18 months away.