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FROM THE PUBLISHERS

EQ LIFE

What do wild pigs, kangaroos, frogs and Shrek have in common? Nothing, unless you are on the receiving end of a horse from Sue and Bill Burnheim. All their horses honed their footwork doing stockwork on the Macquarie Marshes in central western NSW where wildlife and hidden logs are par for the course.

As for Shrek, his role in Andrew Barnett and Go Tosca’s big win at the Sydney 3DE is a fascinating back story we explore in this issue. And the fable of the frogs? Andrew reveals all to Adele Severs after he and Go Tosca win the CCI4*L from go to whoa hands-down.Heath Ryan says that win elevates Andrew and the 12-year-old gelding from nowhere to No. 2 on his Paris 2024 Eventing Leaderboard. He contends that Andrew and Go Tosca are seriously in Olympic medal territory if they keep it up! Heath’s rankings in eventing and dressage are now going crazy and we may be on the verge of Olympic history, he says in Ryan’s Rave. Heady stuff!

Paris isn’t front of mind for David McKinnon… or is it? “We will take it as it is comes,” he tells Roger Fitzhardinge with all the gravitas of a football coach. Dave, of course, is talking of Forlan, or ‘Alan’, the impressive chestnut gelding that Carol and Sandy Oatley purchased from Patrik Kittel and is now under his tutelage. Roger introduces us to this intriguing character as he takes us through Dave and Robbie McKinnon’s wonderful journey in establishing their premiere dressage stables.

Riding or breeding winning horses is what we aim for – doing both is the ultimate as Stuart Jenkins knows. Having ridden both her parents, the show jumping veteran was thrilled to helm his homebred mare Fairview Alicana to claim the Senior Title at the Australian Jumping Championships. And again, is Paris on the cards? “We’re having a lot of those ideas thrown at us as we speak,” he laughingly tells us. One game at a time…

Chris Bartle knows Olympics having worked for the British and German eventing teams, but he stayed grounded at his dressage masterclass in Sydney. Eyewitness Roger Fitzhardinge reports how refreshing it was to hear Chris reiterate the simplicity of riding as he conducted his classes through Novice to Grand Prix.

So much to take in and so much more… Adele brings us a wonderful read on how a long-distance love affair with dressage blossoms in the Northern Territory; veterinarian Dr Maxine Brain explains how easily young horses can suffer jaw injuries; and Kerry Mack offers valuable advice on being safe around handling horses where the risk of injury is 20 times greater than motorbike riding! We also check in with Glenhill Sporthorses, where breeding and competition go side by side.

Our horse movie critic Suzy Jarratt not only brings her insights into the making of rugged western The Harder They Fall, she reports on Sydney expat Bella Mowbray who packed bags and horse and to make her mark in California – lovely holiday reading.

And, hey, if you’re grumbling about your summer barn and training chores, sit back and read Katrina Lodge’s interview with the inspirational para dressage rider Suzin Wells, who reminds us all of the joy to be found with our horses.

The EQ Life Team

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.
  • KATRINA LODGE
    As a freelance journalist, Katrina is inspired by travel and also owns and manages a boutique warmblood stud. If you can’t find her in a horse paddock, you will find her at the beach!

Published by:
EQ Life Pty Ltd
ABN: 99142004064
ISSN: 1839-034X
Postal address:
Botanicca 3, Level 1, West Tower

570 Swan Street
Burnley 3121 VIC Australia

Manager Content Creation
Adele Severs

Associate Editor
David Trounce

 

Enquiries
Phone: +61 492 887 961
Email: info@eqlife.com.au
Web: www.equestrianlife.com.au

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.

© 2023 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.