Apiam’s equine veterinary credentials are well-founded with a growing number of purpose-built dedicated Equine Vet Clinics and Referral Hospitals located in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland, working alongside our network of mixed practice clinics in delivering quality equine veterinary care.
Scenic Rim Veterinary Service
Beaudesert QLD
Agnes Banks Equine Clinic
Agnes Banks NSW
Hunter Equine Centre
Scone NSW
Victorian Equine Group
Bendigo VIC
Gippsland Equine Hospital
Maffra VIC
Southwest Equine Veterinary Group
Warrnambool VIC
Find out more by visiting the Apiam Animal Health website & view the equine product range on Country Vet Animal Supplies
Complete Feed
Redefine Equine Wellness
in Springtime with PONYPLUS
PonyPlus is a low sugar, low starch feed that has been specifically formulated for easy keepers and horses/ponies with metabolic conditions. It is a nutritious and filling feed that will provide your equine with good quality protein, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids (Omega 3 & 6) and bulk without oversupplying calories, starch or sugars.
A veterinarian with a PhD in Equine Veterinary Sports Medicine, Anita is also a Grand Prix dressage competitor and judge, and has had extensive involvement in event management, including the Brisbane CDI, Australian Amateur Dressage Championships and QLD Youth Dressage Championships. In this issue she delivers a report on the 2025 Dr Show AORA Australian Dressage Championships.
Larissa Bilston B.AgrSc (Hons)
Amanda Mac As editor of Equestrian Hub Magazine, Amanda’s two longstanding loves, one for horses the other for writing, come together perfectly. And the September issue of EH is a cracker, with a report on the sensational Bleach* Cavalcade, rider stories, tips on transitioning your horse to spring feeding, and the importance of core strength, there's plenty to keep you entertained and informed.
Tania Huppatz
Tania combines her love of horses and travel in her successful company Snaffle Travel. She visits some of the world’s major horse shows and equestrian-related locations, and enjoys sharing her experiences with the Equestrian Hub community. The Dublin Horse Show has just celebrated its 150th anniversary. Tania was there and brings us a report on this prestigious event.
Dr Jennifer Stewart B.V.Sc., B.Sc., Ph.D.
With over 40 years’ experience as a veterinarian in mixed and equine practice, Jennifer’s special interest is equine nutrition. She was a Senior Veterinary Officer with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for 10 years, and a Biosecurity Veterinarian with the ACT Government for two years. This month, she explains the importance of core strength for horses of all disciplines.
The owner of Farmalogic, Larissa is a university qualified equine nutritionist with over thirty years’ experience in horse care and feed management. Passionate about science-backed horse nutrition, she helps owners make informed decisions for their equine partners and offers a budget friendly online diet analysis service. In this issue, she looks at feeding adjustments as we transition to spring.
Nicole Tough
An EA Level 2 Dressage Specialist Coach and National A Level Judge, Nicole has over 30 years experience in training, competing, judging and coaching. She enjoys presenting seminars and masterclasses, has trained in Germany, Spain and The Netherlands, and has produced nine very successful FEI horses. In this issue, Nicole goes in depth on rider marks.
Averil Crebbin
Dr Jonathan Lee B.Sc (Vet Bio) DVM
Jonathan is an equine veterinarian and founder at Advance Equine Vets. Located opposite the Gold Coast Turf Club, it is the Gold Coast’s only purpose-built equine hospital. Jonathan began his career working at Randwick Equine Centre in Sydney, and has a particular interest in diagnosing and treating lameness. In this issue, he explains what a pre-purchase vet check entails.
This month's Behind the Shot contributor, Averil's family owned and raced Standardbreds. Growing up around horses meant the bug bit early! Her eldest daughter was also horse-crazy, and capturing moments of her either training at home or at dressage competitions soon led to a passion for equine photography that has since spread to multiple disciplines and to Picture the Moment Photography, Averil's successful studio.
BEHIND THE SHOT
Sarah Jackson
AVERIL CREBBIN is based on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Specialising in equine imagery, she is the owner of Picture the Moment Photography.
Challenges: This image was taken late afternoon, a spur of the moment
capture just after a tent-pegging training session. The training session was with a couple of Sarah’s friends and Dexter, her other rescue, as well as five dogs scampering around the ponies. It was truly amazing to see how the horses, dogs and humans all interacted with no
fear or nervousness, all enjoying the open spaces of the grounds..
Why this shot is special: Ben was not destined for the life he has now. He was brought in from western Queensland with a group of horses and left to roam on a property with a stallion. Unfortunately for a lot of these horses, they are destined for slaughter. But luckily for Ben, he was rescued from the abattoirs as a baby of approximately four months of age, far too young to be on his own without his mother.
Sarah brought Ben and a filly of around the same age home and found an owner for the filly. However, Ben was a terrified youngster who had not been handled, so the challenge was to win his trust just by being quiet and present with him with no pressure. This process took time but eventually he learned to trust Sarah.
Ben wasn’t the most handsome of foals, roan-coloured and more donkey-like in appearance, he became a very friendly, cheeky and awkward pony. Sarah had no idea of his breeding, but he did eventually grow into the handsome grey horse he is now, although still of unknown mixed breed.
Ben now lives with Sarah’s other rescue equines, Leah a Standardbred, Dexter a Paint, Rain a Quarter Horse and Bambi, a part Friesian. These days, he participates in trail rides, Lighthorse parades around the Sunshine Coast, and has started his training to compete in tent-pegging competitions. He also shows confidence in jumping. He has attended numerous natural horsemanship clinics, and Sarah says he continues to improve year upon year.
I know that Ben is living his best life –he’s one of the lucky ones.
Averil is available for commercial and private equestrian shoots, as well as for events. Visit Picture the Moment Photography to view her portfolio.
That rider mark
The monotonous mark of six has plagued many a dressage rider. National A Level Judge NICOLE TOUGH shares some insights on changing that trend.
The collective marks given at the end of our National dressage tests reflect the judges’ overall impression of the performance. These marks, which include paces, impulsion, submission, and a score for the rider, are crucial because they can significantly
contribute to the overall score and may even break a tie.
If your riding mark is a monotonous six, you’ve probably wondered what you need to do to achieve a better mark, or perhaps even how the judges arrive at that score.
As stated on the test paper, the rider mark is awarded for our position and seat, and the correctness and effective use of the aids. Judges look for a correct position with a well-balanced rider sitting tall and deep in the centre of the saddle, seemingly absorbing the movements of the horse, with steady legs stretched down and the heel at the lowest point. The hips should be supple and the torso engaged with a straight line from shoulder to hip to heel. The rein contact remains independent of the rider’s seat, with steady hands, thumbs uppermost, and a straight line from the elbow, through the forearm to the horse’s mouth.
The effectiveness of the rider’s aids is demonstrated in the fulfilment of the test movements, with an overall uniformity between horse and rider.
To earn a mark of eight or higher, judges look for an impression of harmony and understanding; with imperceptible aids and movements and transitions performed without apparent effort (and yes, facial expressions count!). Meanwhile the horse should move through the pattern of the test with willing co-operation, staying in balance and self-carriage, showing no hesitation to any aid, and with no difference in suppleness from one side to the other.
To earn a mark of seven, judges want to see a rider in balance with correct seat position, able to direct an obedient horse, showing no negative tension, and with very little stiffness and/or crookedness to either side. While there may have been some slight misunderstandings in one or two movements, for most of the test the horse has shown no hesitation to the aids, although there is room for the rider’s aids to be more effective.
To earn that repetitious six, the judges have noticed that the rider could influence their horse in a more improved way, or that their aids are exaggerated. There is a lack of accuracy and the rider might fail to satisfactorily produce some of the main exercises of the test.
A six is also given if the rider seems to be ineffective in the execution of some movements. For example, there may be a problem sitting in medium trot, incorrect weight distribution in pirouettes or half-passes, exaggerated flying change aids, or a dominating curb rein or loose outside rein on circles and/or through lateral work. Poor marks should only be given if the rider disturbs the horse consistently, or if the rider is unable to present most of the movements of the test in a satisfactory way.
And what exactly is meant by an independent seat? In riding we have our leg, rein, and seat aids, and in addition to working together, they must also work independently. The rein aids are used to manage the frame of the horse, the leg aids are used for acceleration, and the seat aids are used for regulating the speed and assisting our horse to remain
ABOVE & LEFT: Proof that patience and perseverance pay off, Nicole and Everdeen were Open Elementary Champions in the 2025 Regency Floats NSW Dressage Championships last month (Images by Sue Crockett Photography).
in balance. All three aids are used together for half-halts, and for increasing and decreasing the paces, transitions and turning.
Co-ordinating the aids effectively with the horse's movements requires postural strength, flexibility, and balance. In a simple transition from walk to trot, for example, the rider gives the cue for the horse to trot. If we let our rein aids go, we are praying the horse remains in the same frame; and if we relax our seat aids, the horse will roll on in walk before it trots, and the transition will lack the push, carry and precision the judges are assessing, thereby scoring the monotonous six.
Dressage is not an easy sport. Being effective on a 500kg plus animal with strong social and flight instincts through a pattern of movements while appearing not to do anything is not a walk in the
park. Riders must be able to identify and manage tension in themselves and their horse, as it can negatively impact our performance. And remember, our sport is negatively geared. Even if you are getting eights, the judges are telling you why they can’t give you a 10.
As dressage riders we need to accept that dressage training is both routine and different with every ride: what comes easy won’t last, and what lasts doesn’t come easy. We make easy happen through hard work and learning. Confucius say: “all good things are difficult to achieve."
The best thing about our sport is that with patience and perseverance, a dash of luck, and a plan that we put into action every day, our goals can be attained.
For more information on lessons or a clinic with Nicole, visit Nicole Tough
LIFE AFTER RACING
OTTs dazzle at the Ekka
Sponsored by Racing Queensland, the QOTT Program Showjumping Showcase, along with the Thoroughbred and Standardbred Day, are more popular than ever.
It will come as absolutely no surprise to learn that, once again, off the track horses dazzled at this year’s Ekka (Queensland Royal Show) in both the show ring and the prestigious Queensland Off The Track (QOTT) Program Showjumping Showcase.
OTT Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds have earned a rapidly growing and
extremely well-deserved reputation for their versatility, temperament, and cando attitude – and that was on display during last month’s spectacular show.
On Monday, the Main Arena hosted the always popular Thoroughbred and Standardbred Day. Over $25,000 was on offer across 18 Led and Under Saddle
classes. Harness trainer/driver Felicity Reinke swapped the track for the show ring to compete with mare Pretty Good Reason and gelding Parcellaires in the Standardbred Led classes. “It’s fantastic! These horses definitely deserve a chance after racing and it shows their versatility,” Felicity says. “I’ve been predominantly in the show world, but I’ve also taken some horses jumping, had some in the harness, had some campdrafting, and they’ve gone very well.
Pretty Good Reason won the Standardbred Mare or Filly Led class, while the Best Presented Standardbred ribbon was awarded to Amanda
ABOVE: Leanne Jones and O'Thunder, the Led class Champion Thoroughbred Stallion.
LEFT: Jamie Hewitt-Toms and Koko Story (Southern Pride), winners of the prestigious 1.20m class. (Images by Michael McInally Photography).
Triandopoulos and Diamond Park Adonis, and Champion Standardbred Led was won by Lisa Bahr and Creedence.
Also in Led classes, Ashleigh Brieffies and She's Our Empress took out the Champion Thoroughbred Mare, and the Champion Thoroughbred Stallion award went to Leanne Jones and O'Thunder, while Letesha Dean and Thoroughbred Brockhoff won Best Presented Horse and Handler.
Under Saddle classes were also very well represented, with Lillian Mill’s and Super Angel placing first in the Open Lady Rider 21 Years of Age and Over. Meanwhile, Ken Uren and Bloomfield Amparo took out both the Open Gentleman Rider 21 Years of Age and Reserve Champion Gentleman Rider. Thoroughbred Mare Under Saddle Over 15 Hands and Champion Thoroughbred
Under Saddle were both awarded to the Fraser Family’s Telephone Booth.
By Monday afternoon, it was time for the much anticipated, and hotly contested, 1.20m class in the Queensland Off The Track (QOTT) Program Showjumping Showcase.
Twenty-two-year-old Jamie Hewitt-Toms and Koko Story took out first place, finishing ahead of last year’s winning rider Makaylah Fenwick on The Garret in second place, and Natalie Siiankoski and Curwood in third spot.
For Jamie, this was a momentous win. After placing third last year, the 2025 event represented a challenge. “It was pressure on myself to want to do something a little bit better, and I was just trying to go in with very low expectations, but it's good to finally get the win,” she says. “Any of those horses
that jumped over clear could have easily taken the win, they all deserved it and they're all really great horses, so it's just a bit of luck of the draw I think.”
Of the field of 17, the top eight had progressed to a jump off. But Koko Story and Jamie, who was battling sickness, claimed victory in the last run of the day to take home the $10,000 top prize. Koko Story was also crowned the highest placed Queensland bred Thoroughbred by the Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association for the second year running.
Twenty-two-year-old Jamie and her mum Christine Hewitt, a former jockey, had bought the 18-year-old retired Thoroughbred from Victorian event rider Robert Palm in 2023. Racing as Southern Pride, the chestnut gelding had just three trials at Doomben, the Gold Coast and Eagle Farm back in
ABOVE: Winner of the 2024 1.20m, Makaylah Fenwick rode The Garret into second place in this year’s event (Image by Michael McInally Photography).
2009 and 2010, finishing last in all three runs.
But now, partnered by Jamie, Woody, as he’s affectionately known, has hit his stride. “He’s very laid back, very easy to do everything with, he never has any issues or anything hard to deal with, he's just a perfect horse,” Jamie says.
Racing Queensland Senior Animal Care Manager Kim Duffy said the QOTT Program was proud to have again sponsored the two days of show jumping along with Thoroughbred and Standardbred Day. “We’ve seen an increased number of entries year to year, and this year is a record breaking one for us with 214 entries for Thoroughbred and Standardbred Day,” Kim said. “It is a really good way to showcase the versatile racing breeds in a range of led and under saddle classes. It’s just another avenue for them postracing that’s not as traditional as some of the other pathways such as eventing and showjumping,” she added.
LAST PAGE - TOP: Open Lady Rider 21 Years of Age and Over Lillian Mills and Super Angel (LMG Photography). LEFT: Jamie Hewitt-Toms and Koko Story (Michael McInally Photography). RIGHT: The Fraser Family’s Telephone Booth, 1st in the Thoroughbred Mare Under Saddle Over 15 Hands, and Champion Thoroughbred Under Saddle (LMG Photography).
TOP LEFT: Standardbred Led Class Champions Lisa Bahr and Creedence (Michael McNally Photography). TOP RIGHT: Jonah Hutchinson and Lets Blaze took 2nd in the Standardbred Turnout in Harness (LMG Photography). ABOVE: Letesha Dean and Brockhoff won Best Presented Horse and Handler Led (Michael McNally Photography).
of Age and Over,
Ken Uren and Bloomfield Amparo, 1st in the Open Gentleman Rider 21 Years
and Reserve Champion Gentleman Rider (Image by LMG Photography).
It's about more than a pass or fail
Pre-purchase veterinary examinations are more complex than you might think. DR JONATHAN LEE explains why they’re an invaluable tool.
Buying a horse is one of the most exciting – and sometimes daunting – decisions you can make. Whether it’s a youngster for the show ring, a racehorse in training, or a seasoned campaigner, every horse represents a significant investment of time, money, and emotion. That’s why a pre-purchase veterinary examination (PPE) is one of the most important steps
you can take before signing on the dotted line.
As vets, we often remind clients that pre-purchase exams are not about delivering a simple yes or no answer. Horses are living, breathing athletes with quirks, histories, and varying degrees of wear and tear. The purpose of a PPE is to provide you with a risk assessment,
helping you make an informed decision about whether a horse is suitable for your intended use.
Why it’s a risk assessment
No horse is perfect. Even the soundest, most successful horses may have old scars, blemishes, or mild radiographic changes. What matters most is whether these findings are likely to affect the horse’s ability to do the job you want them for. For example, a horse bought as a child’s pony will be assessed with very different expectations compared to one being purchased for high-level eventing or racing. During a PPE, your vet will talk you through any findings and explain:
• How relevant they are for your horse’s future workload
• Whether they pose a short- or longterm risk
• What management strategies may be needed
• The potential impact on resale value
This process gives buyers a balanced
VET VIBES
understanding of the horse’s suitability and the level of risk you’re comfortable with.
Different types PPEs
The level of detail depends on the horse’s intended use and the buyer’s needs. Some buyers want a general health exam, while others require a full investigation including advanced imaging. Options may include:
Standard clinical examination
A thorough check of the horse’s body condition, eyes, heart, lungs, skin, limbs and feet. We then perform flexion tests with the use of the Equinosis machine (see below) and observe the horse in motion.
Radiographs (X-rays)
These can reveal issues not visible externally, such as early joint changes or old injuries.
Endoscopy
Often requested for racehorses and performance horses, this allows us to
examine the upper airway for conditions that may affect breathing.
Blood Testing
Used to screen for the presence of drugs or medications that may temporarily mask lameness or behaviour.
Ultrasound
For closer examination of tendons, ligaments, or other soft tissue structures.
This flexible approach means you can choose the level of detail you need based on the horse’s value, intended use, and your own peace of mind.
Next level lameness detection
One of the advanced tools we use is the Equinosis Q – a computer-based gait analysis system that provides objective data about how a horse moves.
While a vet’s eye is highly trained, subtle asymmetries or intermittent lameness can be difficult to detect, especially in the excitement of a pre-purchase exam. The Equinosis system uses sensors
placed on the horse to measure stride patterns and limb loading in real time. This allows us to:
• Detect subtle or inconsistent lameness
• Differentiate between true lameness and natural asymmetry
• Monitor progress in horses with previous injuries
• Provide a clear, objective record for buyers
In a pre-purchase context, Equinosis offers buyers greater confidence in the assessment, especially when investing in high-value performance horses.
Why a vet check matters
A common misconception is that prepurchase exams are only for expensive horses. In reality, a PPE is valuable at every price point. Even if you’re purchasing a ‘cheap’ horse, the costs of long-term management for undetected issues can far exceed the purchase price. Discovering chronic lameness,
ABOVE: A vet check provides an honest, thorough assessment of risk so you can make the decision that feels right for you. LEFT Dr Jonathan Lee has a particular interest in diagnosing and treating lameness.
VET
dental problems, or airway issues after the fact can quickly turn a bargain into a costly mistake.
Conversely, a PPE can confirm that a more affordable horse is fit for purpose, giving the buyer confidence.
The value of baseline X-rays
Radiographs are useful not only for detecting existing conditions but also for establishing a baseline for the future. In this way, X-rays can be an investment in the long-term management of the horse.
Even if no problems are found at the time of purchase, having a set of radiographs on file is incredibly valuable for the future. If the horse ever develops lameness, joint changes, or is re-sold, you have a clear before and after
Baseline X-rays can:
Track the progression (or stability)
Assist in planning management and preventative care
Provide transparency to future buyers, protecting resale value
Reduce disputes between buyers and sellers down the line
In this way, radiographs are not just a diagnostic tool but also an investment in
Peace of mind for every buyer
As equine vets, our goal with every pre-purchase exam is to arm you with knowledge. We don’t deliver a pass or fail verdict – we provide an honest, thorough assessment of risk so you can make the decision that feels right for you.
By using modern technology, comprehensive exams, and practical advice, we help ensure buyers can make decisions with greater confidence, ensuring the best possible start to their partnership with a new horse.
Dr Jonathan Lee BSc (Vet Bio) DVM is the owner of Advance Equine Vets on the Queensland Gold Coast.
ABOVE: Ten times more sensitive than the human eye, the Equinosis precision lameness measurement system uses three sensors to measure and record gait asymmetry.
Spotlight on Kadell Syke s
At just 15 years old, Young Rider Kadell Sykes has already packed more riding experience into her life than many manage in a lifetime.
Kadell Sykes has been in the saddle since the age of two, and these days she’s chasing big dreams in the world of showjumpingwith a string of horses as colourful as her ambitions.
Ask Kadell what she loves most about her sport and she doesn’t hesitate: “the adrenaline.” And when you’re clearing fences up to 1.60m, we’re
pretty sure her heart rate matches the jump height. For Kadell, it’s that thrill, that split-second of trust between horse and rider, that makes showjumping so addictive. It’s not just about going clear, it’s about chasing that feeling of flying.
Meet the horses
Of course, no rider does it alone - and Kadell’s team is a vibrant collection of
equine personalities, each with their quirks and charms.
First and foremost is Brandy, her 10-year-old palomino Thoroughbred gelding who she lovingly calls her “real-life unicorn.” Brandy has been by her side for four years, helping her climb the ladder from 60cm classes to confidently competing at 1.30m. Kadell says the gelding has a heart of gold and always tries his best, no matter what the challenge. Together, they’ve created a bond built on trust, determination, and plenty of sparkle in the show ring.
Then there’s Diva, her 8-year-old German Riding Pony mare whose name really does say it all. Sassy, sharp, and full of opinions, Diva adds plenty of personality to the stable. Tonka, another 8-year-old, is a striking pinto Thoroughbred gelding who hasn’t had as many outings but is
LEFT: Kadell and Especial MB Z in the Desert Circuit Children’s 1.05m class. ABOVE: A very successful partnership, Kadell and Ratina won the Open 1.0m class (All images by Holly Casner).
YOUNG RIDER
one to watch. Kadell has big plans to bring him out more on the competition circuit next season.
Her most recent addition is a very special filly from Glenara Stud, sired by Olympic stallion Ermitage Kalone. This young horse represents an exciting new chapter for Kadell, who’s not only a competitor, but also has her eye on the future as a producer of young talent. Alongside her main horses, she’s developing a handful of youngsters with the aim of bringing them up through the levels and eventually selling them on - a big responsibility for any rider, let alone a teenager still juggling school, training, and competition.
Mentors and guidance
Behind every rider is a network of coaches and mentors, and Kadell is the first to acknowledge the people who’ve helped her along the way. Right now, she’s coached by Dan Blundell, who she describes as “amazing for me and my horses.” His guidance has sharpened her riding and given her the tools to bring out the best in her equine partners.
Kadell also gives a special mention to Phillip Knight, who has become both a mentor and a friend. Phillip entrusted her with the ride on his stunning mare, Pippins D’Mae, a gesture Kadell doesn’t take lightly. “He’s been such a great support,” she says. Having people like Dan and Phillip in her corner has given her not only technical skills but also the confidence to keep chasing her big goals.
Achievements that shine
Despite her age, Kadell already has a string of achievements to her name. Two moments in particular stand out. The first was placing 2nd in the puissance wall at the 2024 TSHA National Titles, where she and Brandy cleared a massive 1.60m. That kind of jump height is a thrill most riders only dream of, and Kadell took it in her stride.
The second was at the Racing Teams Challenge during the 2023 TSHA National Titles. Just 13 years old at the time, Kadell was the last rider in her team and needed to go clear to secure the $20,000 prize. With the pressure
at its absolute peak, Brandy rose to the occasion and delivered, sealing the win. It’s a memory Kadell treasures - not just for the prize money, but for the trust and connection between her and her horse in such a high-stakes moment.
The competition scene
While Kadell has ridden at plenty of great events, one competition stands out above the rest: “Hands down the Desert Circuit in California, USA. The venue was spectacular and everything was just ‘wow’,” she says. Competing overseas has only fuelled her appetite for more, and her next big goal is planning another international outing. With her drive and determination, there’s no doubt we’ll be seeing her name pop up on more global start lists in the years to come
Beyond the saddle
Life with horses isn’t all about ribbons and trophies, though. For Kadell, some of the best moments are the quiet ones - brushing, bathing, or just hanging out with her horses and sneaking them a few too many licorice treats.
ABOVE: Kadell and Brandy competing in the Racing Teams Challenge during the 2023 TSHA National Titles (Image Diane K. Smith Photography). RIGHT: Owned by Sesin Equestrian, Josje Van De Heffinck Z was another of Kadell’s Desert Circuit partners.
Of course, competition days have a slightly different vibe. “If I don’t start the day by having a pointless argument with my mum, is it even a horse show!?” she jokes. Luckily, a stop at Maccas on the way home usually resets the mood.
Style and advice
Kadell’s go-to look in the saddle is her Samshield breeches paired with Equestrian Club shirts - a combo that’s as sharp in the ring as it is Instagramworthy.
When it comes to advice, Kadell has a couple of golden rules she lives by. The first is something she was told early on: “If you fail to prepare, then prepare to fail.” It’s a motto that keeps her focused and organised, no matter the event.
The second is a message she shares with other young riders starting out: “Everyone is on their own journey, never compare yourself to others. Find a great coach as you can’t progress without help.”
On the tougher days, she reminds herself that “even the best riders in the world have bad days.” Small wins, moments of progress, and encouragement from her support crew help her reset and push forward.
Inspired by family
Above all, Kadell draws her biggest inspiration from her mum. “I know I’m living her childhood dream and she loves this crazy lifestyle as much as I do. She sacrifices everything to give me opportunities and keep the dream alive,” she says. Their partnership - both inside and outside the arena - is a huge part of Kadell’s success story so far.
Looking ahead
With her natural talent, strong work ethic, supportive team, and a stable full of promising horses, Kadell is a rider to keep an eye on. Whether she’s chasing the thrill of a puissance wall, producing the next generation of equine stars, or arguing with her mum over a forgotten hairnet before the first class of the day, one thing’s for sure: Kadell’s story is only just beginning, and the international stage is calling her name.
Kadell’s story is only just beginning, and there’s no doubt international stage is calling her name.
Regency Floats NSW Dressage Championships
The 2025 Regency Floats NSW Dressage Championships, held from the 14th to 17th of August showcased both developing partnerships and seasoned competitors. AVERIL CREBBIN reports.
LEFT: Serene Ireland and Tjibbe B took 3rd in the Open Advanced Championship. TOP: AOR Small Tour Reserve Champions Olivia Farrell and Big Fish. BOTTOM: Open Elementary Champions Nicole Tough and Everdeen (Images Averil Crebbin).
Jayden Brown and Leopold won the Advanced Championship and Prix St. Georges.
The 2025 Regency Floats NSW Dressage Championships were held at the beautiful AELEC grounds, Tamworth. All classes ranging from Preliminary to Grand Prix were well contested, showcasing both developing partnerships and seasoned competitors in Open, AOR, Pony, Para and Non Competitive categories, in a well-organized and friendly environment. The weather, although a little chilly for our northern competitors, was perfect for competition.
Open Preliminary Championship
Courtney Larard and her partner, Warrawee Bulgaree took top honours in the1.2 and second in the1.3 from Rachael Clarke 73.229%, earning scores of 72.143% and 70.834%, gaining the overall championship from Rachael Clarke and CJP Qudos, with Debra Jane Mills on Falcon Bambina third.
Open Novice Championship
The Novice classes were well-contested with the first six combinations scoring over 70%. Caroline Hooper riding Furst Sir secured a win in 2.2 with 73.516% and a second in the 2.3 72.429% thus gaining the overall championship, with Denise Rogan and Frealyn, Reserve and Rebecca Rooke and Milfield Wynchester Third.
Open Elementary Championship
Nicole Tough on her elegant mare Everdeen were winners in both the 3.2 and 3.2 achieving impressive scores of 74.750% and 72.195% respectively. Reserve champion went to Courtney Larard and Bararmi with Rachael Clarke and Tarcoola Adelina Gold third.
Open Medium Championship
In an evenly contested Medium Championship saw Kate Taylor-Wheat and Bloomfield Valton gain the championship with Lisel Dingley on Elmo’s Fire VIP reserve and Sally Rizzuto and Sir Donnertanz third.
Open Advanced Championship
Jayden Brown and Leopold were impressive in first place in the 5.2 with 70.987% and equally top-scored with Lisa Martin on 73.108%. Jayden was awarded overall champion with Lisa and Vilaggio reserve and Serena Ireland and Tjibbe B third.
Open Small Tour Championship
Jayden Brown and Leopold again impressed the judges for first place in the Prix St Georges on 68.992% with Sally-Ann Quigley and Ballymount Forget Me Not second with 67.598% and very closely ahead of Katina Smith on BC Chilli Pepper 67.500%. The Intermediate I results saw Sally Rizzuto and Quarterland in first place on 69.265%, second Katina Smith on BC Chilli Pepper 68.333% and Sally-Ann Quigley and Ballymount Forget Me Not in third scoring 67.745%. Katina Smith and BC Chilli Pepper were crowned Small Tour Champions with Sally Rizzuto and Quarterland reserve and Alycia Targa and Rayo De Susaeta third.
Open Medium Tour Championship
Katina Smith’s successful campaign resulted in her and Rever Toujours awarded Medium Tour Champions with Megan Keir and Revelwood Queens County Reserve and Victoria Luxford and Revelwood Animation in third.
Open Big Tour Championship
In their first competition since the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jayden Brown and Willinga Park Quincy B were impressive in the Grand Prix winning with 71.703%, while Jayden and D’Esperanza finished second with 69.819%. Emma Flavelle-Watts and Scarlatti Mio VSR in third with 67.065%. Again, the Intermediate II was dominated by Jayden with D’Esperanza in first place 69.951% and Legendary in second 66.961% closely followed by Hannah Rockwell and Baumann’s Diorella in third with 66.667%.
Congratulations go to all dancing partners from all over NSW and Queensland for all your efforts and achievements in all levels. A big thank you goes to the organisers, volunteers, stewards and sponsors in making this event so successful. Full results of all classes can be found right here,
Images courtesy of Averil Crebbin, Picture The Moment Photography
TOP: Jayden Brown and D’Esperanza, 1st in the International II and 2nd in the Open Grand Prix. BOTTOM: Emma Flavelle-Watts and Scarlatti Mio VSR were 3rd in the Open Grand Prix.
Star ting at $34,995
Star ting at $25,995
INTERNATIONAL
A remarkable double at Luhmühlen
Andrew Hoy secured an impressive double in an inaugural eventing competition held at the iconic Luhmühlen Showgrounds.
World renowned Luhmühlen Showgrounds – located in Germany's Lüneburger Heide region and home to the iconic 5* Longines Luhmühlen Horse Trials – has added another fixture to their already busy event calendar.
Last month, the venue hosted a new eventing competition featuring classes from 1* to 4*. The event attracted hundreds of riders, from the grassroots to the top international level.
Australian Olympian Andrew Hoy was among the competitors, and made his presence felt by securing a remarkable double. With a final score of 43.8, he took the win in the 4*-S on his Tokyo Olympic mount Vassily de Lassos, following that up with a decisive second place on future talent Gulliver des Lones with 45.1. Third place went to Germany's Libussa Lübbeke aboard Benedetta 6 with a final score of 48.9.
Gulliver, a 9-year-old Anglo Arab Selle Français gelding by legendary French sire Upsilon, was Eventing Champion in France as a 6-year-old and had competed very successfully up to 3*-L level. His success at Luhmühlen marked his first 4* event.
Since his first start there in the 1982 World Championships, Luhmühlen has always been a standout event for Andrew: “I have competed in many places around the world – but Luhmühlen always holds a very special place in my heart. The conditions are fabulous for
horses and competitors, and so when I heard they had added another fixture to their calendar I wanted to come and support it. To leave with a double in the 4*S is just incredible.”
Andrew, who is very proud of both Vassily de Lassos and Gulliver des Lones, says that at 16 years old, Vassily is in the best shape of his life. “I am so happy he could make his mark on a very challenging cross country day. Gulliver
stepped up to 4* for the very first time at Luhmühlen – and was incredible from start to finish!”
With an impressive tally of six Olympic Medals, including three Gold, Andrew stands as one of Australia’s most decorated athletes. Now, with the addition of Gulliver to his team, the future couldn’t look brighter.
Andrew clearly remembers the first time he saw Gulliver. "His personality, his aura, his movement, his elasticity immediately caught my eye - and once he saw me watching him he looked back at me, straight in the eye. I haven’t experienced that very often in my life with horses and I think only very few horses have this kind of presence and personality.”
Always quick to express his appreciation, Andrew is particularly grateful to Gulliver's owner, Ms Linda Mars. “Linda is the most incredible horsewoman, the most incredible friend ... thank you for always believing in us!"
ABOVE: A final score of 45.1 earned Gulliver des Lones 2nd place in his first 4* event. LEFT: Vassily de Lassos won the 4*-S on a score of 43.8 (All images HMC GmbH | Photographer Jan Frohne).
ABOVE: Ranking 8th after the dressage, Gulliver collected 12 time faults around the cross country and produced a faultless clear round in the show jumping phase. BOTTOM: Sitting 2nd after the dressage, Vassily finished the cross country with six time faults but sealed the winning deal in the jumping arena. RIGHT: At 16 years old, Vassily is in the best shape of his life (All images HMC GmbH | Photographer Jan Frohne).
RIDER STORY
Ellyn Parker on a road less travelled
Not everyone travels the same road to success, in fact 'passing phases' can prove to be the catalyst for a remarkable career, as ELLYN PARKER explains.
My horse story didn’t begin the way you might expect. We weren’t a horsey family at all - at least not at first. My parents were more into camping, and beach days than bridles and breeches. But then my sister decided she wanted a horse. Mum and Dad thought it would be a passing
phase, maybe like when kids beg for a guitar and never touch it again. But after a few lessons, she was hooked. That decision set the course for our whole family.
We ended up selling our house and moving to Samford, a beautiful pocket of Queensland where horse floats
outnumber utes and you can’t drive ten minutes without passing a pony paddock. That move made horses a family affair. My sister and brother were show jumping, my grandfather got interested in natural horsemanship, my mum was happy out on trails, and even my dad got involved - usually in the role of ‘the one who sits on the naughty horses to see what they’ll do’.
First steps
My first rides were on Kelly, a 35-yearold white pony who was worth his weight in gold. He was patient, steady, and absolutely perfect for a beginner.
My proudest achievement back then was receiving the 100% attendance award at Pony Club in 2000. It might not sound glamorous, but to me it meant everything - I was showing up, learning, and loving it.
From Kelly, I moved on to Trixie, a striking liver chestnut mare who had
just as much attitude as she had beauty. Trixie tested me in every way possible. She had a knack for making me question if I should even keep riding, and there were plenty of moments when I felt like giving up. One particularly mortifying day at a training event, she managed to get herself tangled up in ropes and caused a complete scene. I was so embarrassed I cried the whole way home and told my mum I didn’t want to do it anymore.
But Trixie gave me something important too - she taught me resilience and patience. Hours in the saddle trying to get her soft, willing, and on the contact planted the seed of my lifelong love of dressage. In many ways, that difficult mare laid the foundation for everything I do now.
Meeting Rosette
The real turning point came when my mum bought a young Percheron Warmblood mare named Rosette. Mum and she didn’t quite gel, so one day I hopped on, and that was that. Rosette and I clicked instantly. She reignited my love for horses at a time when I wasn’t sure if I would keep going. Together, we learned dressage from scratch. I was figuring things out as I went, and she was patient enough to come along for the ride.
Rosette is now 27, semi-retired, and happily teaching my daughter to ride. Watching them together fills me with the same joy I felt all those years ago when she carried me through my first proper dressage tests. If not for Rosette, I honestly don’t think I would still be in the saddle. She kept me connected to the sport when I was teetering on the edge of giving it up.
Discovering dressage
The spark for dressage truly lit up when I watched Blue Hors Matine’s freestyle at the 2006 World Equestrian Games. I was 14, and I sat in front of the computer in awe. The music, the expression, the harmony between horse and rider - it looked like pure magic. I had no idea
then just how much work, dedication, and sheer grit it would take to even scratch the surface of that level. But from that moment, I knew: dressage was it for me.
What I love about the discipline is the training journey. Competitions are a useful checkpoint, but they’ve never been the main goal. I still treasure rides that feel more like those long Samford trail days; out from sunrise to sunset, laughing with friends, riding just for the joy of it. The connection with the horse has always meant more than the ribbon.
Enter Rosalee
My current partner, and the horse of my heart, is Rosalee. She’s a 14-year-old Cleveland Bay Sport Horse × Friesian Warmblood mare, and I’ve had her since she was a gangly yearling straight off a cattle farm in Widgee. I broke her in, trained her up, and we’ve been together
every step of the way since.
Rosalee has the kindest nature with people. My daughter rides her happily, but with other horses she’s definitely the mean girl of the paddock. Think Regina George with a tail. Despite not being bred for dressage at all - her sire produced buckjumpers, and her pedigree screams working horse more than Grand Prix competitor - she has exceeded every expectation.
Step by step, lesson by lesson, we worked our way through the levels. In 2024, Rosalee proved just how far heart and training can take you. Together we won Brisbane CDI, the QLD State CDN Grand Prix, the Australian Nationals Big Tour Championship, and Dressage QLD Big Tour Horse of the Year. To achieve those results with a home-raised horse who was never bred for this level felt surreal.
ABOVE: Waving to the audience after their performance at the Australian Outback Spectacular’s Mastery of the Horse (Image courtesy Australian Outback Spectacular). LEFT: Competing with heart horse Rosalee (Image Sue Crockett).
ABOVE: Rosalee is a 14-year-old Cleveland Bay Sport Horse × Friesian Warmblood mare who Ellyn has owned since she was a yearling (Image Amy Sue Alston). PREVIOUS PAGES: Performing the breathtaking routine choreographed by Brett Parbery and Edward Gal (Image courtesy Australian Outback Spectacular).
Memorable moments
Some highlights along the way stand out. One of the most amazing was being invited to perform at the Australian Outback Spectacular’s Mastery of the Horse show. Riding a floorplan choreographed by Brett Parbery and Edward Gal, under bright lights and in front of a live audience, was unlike anything I’d ever done. Rosalee took it all in stride, as if to say: Don’t worry, I’ve got this. It was one of those pinch-me moments where I realised how special our partnership really is.
Influences and mentors
I’ve been fortunate to have some incredible guidance. Early on, Danielle Keogh and Matthew Dowsley both shaped my riding and gave me confidence. More recently, working with Emma Flavelle and Robert Schmerglatt has been invaluable. Their support, feedback, and belief in us helped me transition into Grand Prix with a stronger
sense of purpose and belief in myself.
Training philosophy
At home, training isn’t all about the arena. We mix it up with hacking out, rides in the paddock without tack, or even trying a little ODE for fun. I think variety is essential - not just for keeping horses fresh, but for reminding both horse and rider why we do this.
I’ve also always felt strongly about responsibility. Since 1999, I’ve only ever sold two horses. The rest have stayed with me into their older years. They give us their best, and I believe we owe them the same in return
Words to ride by
For young riders, my advice is simple: Don’t let a lack of fancy breeding or big budgets hold you back. Train what you have. Invest in knowledge and horsemanship - it lasts longer than any horse or saddle.
Progress takes time, but the journey is
where the magic happens, and when things get tough, don’t bottle it up. Cry if you need to. Then get back on, reset, and try again. Horses don’t care about whether you nailed every flying changethey care about how you treat them
Looking up to others
I admire riders like Catherine Dufour, not just for their results, but for their honesty, their horsemanship, and the way they keep their horses for life. That’s the kind of rider I want to be. Someone whose horses are not just competition partners, but family
Looking ahead
As for the future? My goals aren’t medals or glory. I ride because I love it. Always have, always will. If I can keep producing horses like Rosalee, horses who thrive in partnership with me, horses who prove that background isn’t everything, I’ll consider that the biggest success of all.
EVENTS
Horses, opera and orchestra
In a sand arena like no other, the 2025 Bleach* Festival promised a spectacular finale – and the breathtaking Cavalcade by the beach delivered.
With 11 electrifying days of art, music, visual wonder, opera, theatre, storytelling, and culinary delights, the 2025 Bleach* Festival once again celebrated the Queensland Gold Coast's exciting, multicultural identity.
And when festival director Michael Zavros promised this year’s finale would be like nothing seen before, few could have imagined just how breathtaking Cavalcade would be.
Over two unforgettable nights on Kurrawa Beach, audiences witnessed horses, riders, opera singers, and a full symphony orchestra weaving together an hour of magic against a backdrop of rolling waves and a brewing evening sky.
Horses take centre stage
For equestrian enthusiasts and lovers of live performance, Cavalcade was a rare celebration of the horse as both athlete and muse. The Aceline Performance Team dazzled with precision vaulting formations across the sand. International dressage stars John Thompson and Katherine Farrell mesmerized as their horses glided along the shoreline in an unforgettable pas de deux, passage and piaffe almost otherworldly against such a unique backdrop.
HLS Trick Riding team brought the freedom and drama with flying vaults
and spins that drew audible gasps from the crowd. Rising star Caleb Degen, known for his top billing at the Australian Outback Spectacular, was a stand-out. His liberty act with a striking white horse under the spotlight was a highlight the audience won’t ever forget.
Across all acts, the theme of the evening was clear: the delicate balance in the horse-human connection, holding on and letting go. The production was a masterclass in trust, partnership, and artistic exploration. The horses themselves were unflappable, delivering foot-perfect performances despite the charged atmosphere.
Opera and orchestra by the sea
The equestrian displays were interwoven with soaring vocals from Katie Stenzel, Cassandra Seidemann, Carlos Barcenas, and Sam Hartley, carried across the dunes by the Southern Cross Symphony Orchestra. Both the peaks and silences were breathtaking, but one moment stood out: Carlos Barcenas hit a note under the spotlight, the heavens opened in a sudden downpour. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause; the atmosphere was electric. There was barely a dry eye in the house (and not because of rain!) It was everything live performance, art and horse shows are meant to be – raw, emotive, unforgettable.
A wild and wonderful backdrop
The weather itself became part of the performance. A building ocean and dark, rolling skies set a dramatic stage. Far from hindering the show, the wild conditions amplified the intensity. The horses however, were utterly composed, showing what forces of nature they are themselves, and demonstrating the trust, benevolence, and their intrinsic bonds with their riders and handlers.
Audience response
When the last notes faded and the performers took their final bows, lively applause carried down the shoreline. Locals and visitors alike remarked that Cavalcade had redefined equestrian performance in a contemporary festival context. One sentiment dominated: this show deserves to become an annual highlight on the Gold Coast, a cultural meeting point where equestrian artistry and the broader arts converge in a celebration of elegance, refinement, and beauty.
Why Cavalcade mattered
Cavalcade was so much more than a festival finale - it was a statement. It proved that equestrian belongs not just in arenas but on the grand stages of culture and creativity. Horses emerged not only as performers but as collaborators and storytellers, bringing their own poetry and theatre which they do so naturally.
As the Bleach* Festival drew to a close, one thing was certain: Cavalcade had not only capped a fantastic program but ignited a collective hope that this breathtaking fusion of horses, opera, and orchestra will return to the Gold Coast shoreline year after year.
LEFT: The Aceline Performance Team dazzled with their precision vaulting (Image by After Dark Media). PREVIOUS PAGE The stage is set (Image by Novasoma Photography).
From the grace and elegance of sand dancing on Kurrawa Beach to the drama of the opera, the Cavalcade had it all (Images by After Dark Media).
Caleb Degen's unforgettable liberty performance enchanted the audience (Image by After Dark Media).
Spectators were treated to skilled displays of trick riding (Image by After Dark Media).
For equestrian enthusiasts and lovers of live performance, Cavalcade wove a very special magic (Image Novasoma Photography).
Dublin Horse Show celebrates milestone
Now with 150 years of equestrian excellence behind it, this year’s Dublin Horse Show was as spectacular as ever, writes
TANIA HUPPATZ
Last month’s Dublin Horse Show was more than just another date on the equestrian calendar.
Reaching a remarkable milestone in the history of the sport, the show celebrated its 150th anniversary.
From small beginnings in 1864 as a modest exhibition of led horses, the show has grown into one of the world’s most celebrated equestrian events, attracting top international riders and elite horses. This year, more than 1,600
horses and ponies competed in over 168 classes, and upwards of 120,000 devoted equestrian fans attended from across the globe.
Held on the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) grounds in the heart of Dublin City, the show has retained the warm, country fair atmosphere that has long been part of its charm. The show delivers world class competition, shopping, and entertainment, as well as serving as an annual meeting place for Ireland’s equestrian community, who are joined each year by familiar faces from every part of the globe.
Thursday’s Ladies Day was every bit as competitive as the show jumping arena, with a €10,000 (A$18,000) prize for the winner Nadine King from Dublin. The fashion stakes were high, rivalling the glamour of events like the Melbourne
ABOVE: Riding for the Irish team, home crowd
two
Cup. Away from the competitions, more than 350 trade stands tempted visitors with everything from fine equestrian art and luxury saddlery, to Irish crafts, clothing, and homewares.
Across the grounds, other show rings were busy with breed, side saddle, Pony Club, hunter and carriage driving classes.
The hunter divisions in particular stand out for their tradition and detail. After the initial round, competitors are asked to line up to be assessed by two judges. One judge rides each horse, while the other asks the rider to remove the tack for a trot-up. Even with large classes, no competitor is dismissed early; each receives a full evaluation in the interest of fairness. This process can take hours, but it preserves the sport’s integrity and honours its history.
favourite 20-year-old Tom Wachman and Tabasco De Toxandria 2 produced
sensational clear rounds. BELOW:Competing in the Connemara Pony Stallion class, Sean Barker with Drumhowan Stud’s eye catching Gortfree Lakeside Lad. LEFT: Time to celebrate - Laura Kraut and Bisquetta winners of the Rolex Grand Prix (All images by Tania Huppatz).
The highlight of Friday’s program was the FEI Jumping Nations Cup of Ireland, with the Aga Khan trophy (sponsored by the Underwriting Exchange), up for grabs along with a €250,000 (A$451,700) prize pool. Dating back to 1926, this prestigious team event is always fiercely contested, and 2025 was no exception. Eight nations - Ireland, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico, Switzerland, and the United States –vied for glory.
The victory went to the Netherlands team, with members Kevin Jochems, Willem Greve, and Harrie Smolders all producing double clear rounds. Their fourth rider, Frank Schuttert, had suffered a nasty fall outside the arena earlier in the day when
his horse slipped. Frank, who was already recovering from a hip injury, unfortunately landed on that same side, but bravely battled through to support his team.
Germany took second place, with Olympian Sandra Auffarth riding Quirici H also overcoming a pre-event fall to deliver two faultless rounds and winning the individual placing. The Irish team, featuring the 20-year-old rising star Tom Wachman, finished in third position. Tom delivered a gutsy performance, finishing sixth overall. Wachman’s second clear round under intense pressure brought spectators to their feet and he received a well-deserved standing ovation from the Irish crowd as he finished his round.
Saturday evening belonged to the Defender Puissance, a crowd favourite
and one of the most thrilling spectacles in show jumping. The concept is simple yet nerve-racking: a towering wall, raised higher with each round, until only one horse and rider combination remains.
This year Rachel Proudley made history, clearing 2.15 metres aboard Easy Boy de Laubry Z to become the first British woman in over 60 years to win the Dublin Puissance. Ireland’s Paddy O’Donnell claimed second place, clearing 2.10 metres with Kilcorig Elysium before wisely retiring to preserve his horse. For context, the world Puissance record, set in Belgium in 1991 by Germany’s Franke Sloothaak on Optiebeurs Golo, still stands at 2.47 metres.
On Sunday, all eyes turned to the €500,000 (A$903,475) Rolex Grand
ABOVE: Lining up for the Connemara Pony class. The breed first became recognised as a distinct type in the Connemara region of County
Prix. The RDS Dublin Horse Show Grand Prix recently became part of the Rolex Series, which now brings together six Grand Prix events. Aimed at the show jumping elite, these CSI5* competitions are held on both sides of the Atlantic throughout the year. Since the Dublin show’s debut in 1934, the Dublin Grand Prix has been won by some of the sport’s greatest names, including Eddie Macken, John Whitaker, Michael Whitaker, Nick Skelton, Jessica Kuerten, Lauren Hough, Cian O’Connor, Bertram Allen, Kent Farrington, and Shane Breen.
Irishman Alan Wade had designed a formidable track which tested each and every one of the 40 entrants. Defending champion Martin Fuchs (SUI) and Conner Jei incurred 12 faults, and so could not repeat their success of the
previous year. But Martin wasn’t the only casualty of the demanding course: 27 combinations finished with faults, 12 retired, and for most of the afternoon it looked as though there would be no clear rounds.
Then, with just two riders left, the USA’s Laura Kraut, an Olympic gold medallist and one of the sport’s most respected competitors, delivered the only faultless round aboard her mare Bisquetta. The crowd erupted in celebration, knowing they had witnessed a piece of Dublin Horse Show history. Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Major Tom finished second with four faults in 73.61 seconds, while Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz placed third with four faults in 74.39 seconds.
Laura’s win was even sweeter given her
long term partner, British show jumping legend Nick Skelton, had himself won the event five times. Only weeks earlier, she had placed second aboard Baloutinue in the Rolex Grand Prix at CHIO Aachen, but said that she felt “sick to her stomach” while watching the other riders navigate Alan Wade’s track. Ultimately though, Laura was grateful that competing late in the class allowed her to study the course and make strategic decisions.
While elite sport takes centre stage, the Dublin Horse Show is far more than fences and ribbons. With three main arenas as well as other smaller rings, it offers a full spectrum of equestrian competition and culture.
Entertainment and education are both important features of the five-
County Galway in western Ireland, where the harsh landscape gave rise to strong, hardy ponies.
day program, and this year Spanish equestrian artist Santi Serra brought his Arabian horses to deliver a mesmerising liberty display. Australian horseman Tristan Tucker, who since 2015 has been developing his TRT online training courses and now has over 60,000 members, drew a full house for his masterclasses. Ian Miller shared his world-class insights on training, course strategy, and building a winning mindset with a series of popular masterclasses. Ian, an Olympic medallist and international show jumping icon fondly known as Captain Canada, has an equestrian career spanning more than five decades with ten Olympic appearances.
The 150th Dublin Horse Show proved that while the sport has evolved into a global high-stakes industry, the event has never lost its heart. It remains as much about community, tradition, and celebration as it is about top level sport. From the electric atmosphere of the main arena to the quiet pride of the breed rings, the RDS grounds offered a
week that was equal parts competition, culture, and craic.
With final rosettes awarded and the last horses loaded for home, one thing was
clear: the Dublin Horse Show is not just surviving after 150 years, it’s thriving.
Snaffle Travel specialise in escorted tours to the world's top horse events.
ABOVE: Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa aboard Major Tom took out a hard fought second in the Rolex Grand Slam. BELOW: Tara Kinsella and Killaloe Lance competing in the Ladies' Side Saddle class.
Riding side saddle isn’t just a discipline, it’s a dance between tradition and strength, elegance and resilience, writes SIMONE JOHNSON.
As a passionate side saddle rider, I’ve dedicated myself to preserving and promoting the timeless elegance of riding aside. While side saddle riding is steeped in tradition, it represents far more than history. It’s an expression of grace, strength, and enduring beauty. Whether in competition, on parade, or during public demonstrations, it never fails to turn heads and spark conversation.
My journey is deeply personal. Before her passing, my dear friend, mentor, and supporter Wendy Tidbold, who devoted much of her life to this beautiful discipline, entrusted me to continue flying the flag for side saddle in Australia. It wasn’t just a request; it was a legacy to carry forward. I gave her my word.
Since then, I’ve achieved international certification by becoming an American Sidesaddle Association qualified instructor. Wendy was also a qualified instructor, and I’m honored to follow in her footsteps, continuing the work she held so close to her heart.
It has been a joy and privilege to share this art with others. I’ve welcomed riders who have travelled hours to learn, including women with disabilities, graceful ladies well into their 50s, 60s, and 70s, and even one enthusiastic gentleman. Youth have also shown great interest - proof that the future of side saddle riding holds promise.
Riding side saddle has always been imbued with a unique sense of empowerment. Historically, it offered women the same freedom and independence in the saddle as men, while still allowing them to embrace grace and femininity.
Contrary to popular belief, riding side saddle is actually much more secure than riding in a regular saddle. Side saddles are designed with two horns: a fixed horn and a leaping horn. The rider gently hooks their right leg around the fixed horn without twisting their body, while their left leg rests naturally against
the horse’s side without pushing the knee into the leaping horn
When the 'emergency grip' is engaged, this unique design offers remarkable stability and can provide significantly greater security than a traditional saddle, especially in challenging situations when a horse might buck, bolt, or rear.
Unlike the standard attire worn by astride riders in the show ring, I wear the traditional side saddle habit, comprised of a finely tailored jacket, a safety apron skirt, and a top hat of appropriate crown height and a veil. This habit became standard from the 1900s onwards. The look is both elegant and timeless.
Historically, the colour of the habit held significance: married women traditionally wore black, while navy was reserved for unmarried women - a subtle yet meaningful detail rooted in side saddle tradition.
Concours D'Elegance is a personal favourite for me. The classes allow competitors to wear the earlier and very elegant side saddle outfits. I own a habit made by Foxgloves Habits in Wales which is as replica of the outfit worn by American Socialite Jospehine PomeroyHerrick in 1888.
I’ve had the pleasure of winning and placing in several Concours D'Elegance classes in this outfit, each time celebrating not only the beauty of the costume, but the history and artistry it represents.
Each ride is a tribute - to Wendy, to the generations of women who came before us, and to the joy of keeping this beautiful tradition alive.
Riding aside is more than just a skill; it’s grace in motion and the preservation of a bygone era through the timeless elegance of side saddle.
If you’re eager to know more about riding aside, visit SS Equestre or the Australian Side Saddle Community site.
ABOVE: Simone has enjoyed success in several Concours D'Elegance classes in this stunning habit (Image Sharyn Hine). BELOW: Competing with Featherdale The Drumroll (Image Chris Seen Photography). LEFT: The outfit inspired by American Socialite Jospehine Pomeroy-Herrick (Image Down Under Photography).
FEATURE
The importance of core strength
All horses in all disciplines need to be fit for task. DR JENNIFER STEWART explains what this means for your horse.
The most important fitness requirement for dressage horses is strength – the maximum amount of force that can be generated in a specific movement pattern. But for all disciplines, horses need to be trained and conditioned so they are fit for the task.
Fitness is a rather vague term, but generally it is the ability to complete
the required amount of physical activity without fatigue, stress, or injury. Training involves a combination of conditioning and schooling. The two main aspects of conditioning are fitness of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, and fitness of the musculoskeletal system. Conditioning induces physiological and structural adaptations that maximize performance and maintain
soundness, whereas schooling develops neuromuscular coordination and mental discipline.
Body systems vary in their rate of adaptation to conditioning and exercise. Cardiovascular and muscular systems respond rapidly, with significant changes occurring in only a few weeks, and hold their fitness for 3 to 4 weeks of spelling.
However, hoof, bone, cartilage, ligament and tendon adapt more slowly over many months, and after even a short lay-off will lose strength. If your horse has had time off, it’s best to err on the side of caution and progress slowly when they return to work. A reasonable rule of thumb is to allow a month of reconditioning for every month off.
Regardless of the discipline, the initial stage of conditioning is based on 3 to 12 months of long, slow distance exercise to the point where the horses can walk, trot and canter easily for 45 to 60 minutes at an average speed of 6 to 8kph, including 2 to 3 minute periods of moderate canter (16 to 18kph). This work is generally done three times a week, with schooling on the other days.
Through the levels of dressage training, the centre of gravity of horse and rider moves further back. This is achieved by increasing the degree of flexion and loading of the hindlimbs, while at the same time freeing the front end of the horse to create a more airborne, uphill set of movements. This can only be achieved by increasing the power of the hindlimbs, by synchrony in movement between the front and hindlimbs, and through the freedom of movement of the back.
Lateral movements apply specific, unique strains to different structures within the skeleton. Movements on two, three and four tracks are integral and fundamental to dressage, and can create an unusual strain on the horse’s back and additional twisting movements on the leg joints. Incorporation of specific core strength training into the
general strength training program, including hill work, cavaletti poles and gymnastic jumping, offers many benefits The increased engagement of the hindlimbs developed through collected work allows for greater storage of elastic strain energy in the hock joints and pelvis, which via the increased lifting of the forehand, allow for high energy movements such as medium and extended trot.
All movements require training to increase muscular strength (the force produced in a single maximal effort), muscular power (the rate of force generation) and muscular endurance (the ability to perform repeated submaximal contractions before muscular fatigue occurs). Just as important as the muscles of the hindlimbs, are those of the back and the core.
During exercise, the horse’s back provides support and stability as well as facilitating flexion and extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending. Back extension is moderated by the back flexor muscles (including the rectus abdominis - see Fig.1) and flexion by the back extensor muscles (including the longissimus dorsi) and is under the influence of the head and neck position. To provide a stable support platform for the rider, training of the horse should aim to stabilise and improve coordination throughout the head, neck, and back.
Meet the muscles
Deep under the skin and surface muscles, lie the core muscles. These play a crucial role in supporting and stabilizing the spine, enabling movement and maintaining posture. The core muscles include the large longissimus (named for its length from the withers to the sacrum), which supports the spine and allows it to extend and to flex laterally, and the multifidus, so called for its multiple sections (see Fig.1.) Lying deep within the spine and running from the skull to the pelvis, its
LEFT: Figure 1 - Abdominal muscle (Courtesy University of Minnesota).
ABOVE: Figure 2 - Muscles of the back (Courtesy London College of Animal Osteopathy).
role is to support and stabilise individual vertebrae and prevent overload and excessive stress on the longissimus
Working together, the deep muscles prevent excessive movement between vertebrae; extend, laterally flex, and rotate the spine; and contribute to the transmission of power generated by the hindquarters to the rest of the body. Strong, well-functioning deep core back muscles are essential for athletic performance, injury prevention, and overall soundness.
Underneath the body, running along the horse’s belly, is the rectus abdominis (RA), one of the main muscles responsible
for creating dorsal flexion and rounding the back. It is extremely important for stabilising the back, and strengthening the RA can improve back flexion and hind limb protraction, potentially reducing back pain and promoting career longevity in working horses.
Core strength training is often underutilised, but should be performed throughout a horse's career to maintain a healthy back and when back pain is identified. Some excellent recent studies have deepened our understanding of the means and methods that can be easily done at home to strengthen the horse’s core. Two valuable exercises developed specifically to improve
core strength in horses are dynamic mobilisation exercises (DME) and myotactic reflex exercises (MRE) that include rounding and lateral bending. MRE involves bending specific joints in the spine, including thoracic/belly and pelvic lifts that target muscles involved in balance and self-carriage.
The only way to evaluate muscle strength in horses is with a muscle biopsy. However, there is a relationship between muscle mass and muscle strength. The cross-sectional area of the muscle is the total of all the little muscle fibres and is related to muscle power. Larger muscles have a greater capacity for powerful contractions. Both symmetry and the cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle and rectus abdominis can be increased with DME, and greater flexion of the lumbosacral joint can be achieved with pelvic lift exercises. Pelvic lift exercises benefit lumbo-sacral joint flexion which is fundamentally important for joint health and horse performance.
In a study using Irish Sport Horses, Warmbloods and Thoroughbreds – all in training and/or competing in dressage or show jumping - exercises using thoracic and pelvic lifts, and combining with a tail pull, increased activation of the longissimus, rectus abdominis and gluteal muscles.
Exercises (see Fig, 3) included three spinal flexion levels (chin-to-chest, chinto-carpus and chin-to-fetlock), three spinal lateral bending levels done on both sides of the body (chin-to-shoulder, chin-to-girth and chin-to-hip), and two myotatic reflex back lift exercises: (thoracic and pelvic lifts).
Because different exercises have different benefits, a core strengthening program would ideally include a range of exercises, the level of which can be progressively increased when the horse is comfortable. The wide variation in muscle activity between horses performing dressage exercises and movements is due to differences in core strength and fitness, and DME and
MRE are valuable tools to increase core strength.
Feeding the muscles
Although body condition scoring is used to guide nutritional advice, muscle development scoring is useful for training, nutrition and lameness detection. Higher muscle scores are associated with increased elevation of the forehand relative to the withers and increased spinal stability.
In response to correct training and conditioning exercise, many things happen inside the muscles, including increases in muscle fibre size, the number of power generators (the mitochondria) and the enzymes that activate energy production. The diet must support these adaptations with correct amino acids to build muscle fibres; correct minerals and anti-oxidants to mop-up waste products, and sufficient magnesium, the need for which increases with exercise – in other words, the feed must support the work.
The five main objectives of training are to: improve or maintain maximum performance; prepare for competition; delay onset of fatigue; improve skills or work capacity; minimize the incidence of injuries or metabolic disorders; and maintain willingness and enthusiasm for exercise. Core strengthening exercises should be recommended as routine for core strengthening and helping in injury prevention, as well as being part of rehabilitation protocols. These principles and exercises are applicable to riders too – so remember your own core!
Dr Jennifer Stewart BVSc BSc PhD is an equine veterinarian, a member of the Australian Veterinary Association and Equine Veterinarians Australia, CEO of Jenquine and a consultant nutritionist in Equine Clinical Nutrition.
All content provided in this article is for general use and information only and does not constitute advice or a veterinary opinion. It is not intended as specific medical advice or opinion and should not be relied on in place of consultation with your equine veterinarian.
Figure 3: Dynamic mobilisation exercises (Courtesy Journal of Equine Rehabilitation).
EVENTS
AOR Australian Dressage Championships
The 2025 Dr Show Amateur Owner Rider
Australian Dressage Championships were an outstanding success, writes ANITA BARTON
The 2025 Dr Show Amateur
Owner Rider (AOR) Australian Dressage Championships once again shone a spotlight on the passion, dedication, and talent of Australia’s amateur dressage community. Over four days, 108 non-professional riders from Queensland, New South Wales, and Tasmania came together to compete across levels from Preliminary through to Grand Prix, delivering a showcase of skill, sportsmanship, and the special partnership between horse and rider.
Celebrating inclusion
Running alongside the AOR Nationals, the event also proudly hosted the Queensland State Para Dressage Championships and the Virtus Dressage Championships, ensuring talented combinations from across classification grades were recognised and celebrated. This inclusive approach highlighted the breadth and depth of Australia’s dressage community.
High
standards, big moments
With Dr Show as naming rights sponsor, the Championships provided a professional stage for amateur riders to shine under the eye of some of Australia’s most respected judges. From elegant technical tests to crowd pleasing freestyle performances, the standard of riding was exceptionally high. Tests were marked not only by technical precision, but by expressive, polished performances that reflected the evergrowing strength of the AOR movement in Australia.
More than competition
The Championships were not just about results sheets - they were a celebration of camaraderie. The atmosphere around the grounds was warm and supportive, with riders cheering one another on and a small but lively trade village adding to the buzz. A highlight of the social program was an exclusive Q&A evening with some of Australia’s leading professional riders, including Olympian Mary Hanna, who shared insights, stories, and encouragement with the next generation of AOR competitors.
A platform for amateurs
The AOR Championships remain an important stage for riders balancing careers, families, and their love of horses while allowing them to compete at a national level. The 2025 event demonstrated just how far the movement has come, providing not only a competitive outlet but a community that uplifts and inspires.
As the curtains closed on this year’s Championships, riders and supporters alike left proud, inspired, and already looking toward 2026. With its welcoming atmosphere, high standard of competition, and unforgettable memories, the 2025 Dr Show AOR Australian Dressage Championships has firmly cemented itself as one of the most memorable yet.
LEFT: Novice Pony Champion Kylie Munn and Garnet Ranger (image Averil Crebbin, Picture the Moment Photography).
TOP ROW (L to R): Medium Pony Champion
Small Tour Champion Madison Advanced Champion Rebecca
MIDDLE ROW (L TO R): Medium Champion
Big Tour Champion Carla Cosgrove
Medium Tour Champion Georgie
BOTTOM ROW (L to R): Small Tour Pony
Novice Champion Maci
All images Averil Crebbin, Picture
Australian Championships
Champion Kylee Chandler and Brazzen Rock; Madison Clarke and Fiesta; Rebecca Haigh and D Artagnan TPH.
Champion Rebecca Crane and CJP Quarterstern; Cosgrove and Chapplehurst Decamerant; Georgie Cham and Immenhof Scout
Pony Kerri-Lee Ryder and TMH Bogart
Maci Cottrell and Cirocco
Picture the Moment Photography
Red dirt flies at Keeroongooloo Station
Lexi Payne and Little Twirl shone brightly at Keeroongooloo Campdraft, clinching the prestigious Keeroongooloo Cup by the narrowest of margins. Photos by LISA ALEXANDER.
Mundubbera’s own Lexi Payne and her homebred mare Little Twirl stole the spotlight at this year’s Keeroongooloo Campdraft, clinching the prestigious Keeroongooloo Cup by the narrowest of margins.
Against a field of top riders and horses, Lexi’s consistency and horsemanship carried her to victory, making a career highlight to be the first to win the Keeroongooloo Cup at the inaugural event held in Queensland’s channel country.
The program was packed with action,
from the $50,000 Maiden Draft through to the Novice, Ladies, and the hotly contested Cup. NSW competitor Zeb Pearce and his horse Woody impressed in the Novice Draft with a winning 179 points, while Laura Hardie and Hardies Lenas Conman* took out the Ladies with 90 points - just one ahead of a five-way tie for second place.
But it was Lexi and Little Twirl, an 11-year-old mare by the late sire RS Chisum and out of Brenwan Twirl, who rose to the occasion in the Cup. Posting an aggregate score of 273 points, they edged out a strong field, with four combinations sitting just one point behind.
Photographer Lisa Alexander, who spent five days capturing the event, summed it up perfectly: “The facilities were incredible, the cattle were second to none for consistency over the entire draft, and each horse and rider combination was an absolute pleasure to watch. The colours and light in the channel country at this time of year are to die for - as a photographer, it’s a dream.”
The effort behind the scenes also earned praise. Sam and Amanda Hughes of Keeroongooloo Station, along with the Windorah Rodeo Club committee, including Josh and Natalie Gorringe, Brad Mourilyan and Sarah Malloy, Charlie and Emily Southern, and Dale and Carolyn Chicken, were all recognised for their tireless contribution to bring the event to life.
As the announcer put it during the Open Draft final: “Keeroongooloo may be in the middle of nowhere, but it’s the centre of the Universe right now!” With the Maiden and Novice finals each producing bumper fields - 35 and 46 riders respectively, all posting scores of 88 and above - the standard was as high as it gets.
ABOVE: Sam Hughes, Lexi Payne and judge Paul Christiansen. BELOW: Lexi and her number one fan (All images by Lisa Alexander Photography).
Lexi Payne and Little Twirl’s winning run in the Keeroongooloo Cup final.
Rosie Alexander in full flight
Time to catch up with old friends.
The standard at this year's event was high, with riders demonstrating their outstanding horsemanship. ABOVE: Pete
Comsikey. BELOW: BJ Rae.
TOP: The Windorah Rodeo Club and Kerroongooloo Station crew. ABOVE: Shari Knudson.
ABOVE: Hamish Lamond.
Keeroongooloo Campdraft: middle of nowhere, centre of the universe.
Transitioning to spring
Equine nutritionist LARISSA BILSTON offers expert advice on transitioning your horse from winter feeding to a springtime diet.
As winter eases and spring breathes new life into pastures and paddocks, owners are often eager to let their horses enjoy the lush green grass. But transitioning your horse from a winter feeding routine to a springtime diet isn’t as simple as throwing open the gates. Horses need
a careful, thoughtful shift in nutrition to stay healthy and perform at their best while adjusting to seasonal changes.
The warmer, longer days that come in spring causes a dramatic change in pasture composition, especially in cooler or temperate climates where C3 type
grasses and clovers flourish. The fresh, fast-growing grasses of spring are often high in non-structural carbohydrates (NSCs) including sugars and starches. If not managed properly, this abundance can lead to digestive disturbances, laminitis, and metabolic flare-upsespecially in sensitive horses.
Here’s a comprehensive look at nutritional adjustments every owner should consider when transitioning their horse to spring.
1. Monitor body condition
One of the first steps in preparing for spring is evaluating your horse’s body condition. Winter rugging, long hair and reduced riding often mask changes in body weight, and once the blankets come off, owners may be surprised to see a fuller or leaner horse than expected.
Use a Body Condition Score (BCS) system, typically using a scale from 1 to 9, to objectively assess your horse's fat cover. Ideally, horses should be maintained at a score of 4 to 6. On the 1 to 9 scale, a BCS of 4 suggests a lean but healthy physique, while a 6 indicates a slightly fleshy horse - not overweight but potentially at risk if left unmanaged.
If your horse is underweight, gradually increase caloric intake using highquality forage and, if necessary, grain or concentrates.
If your horse is overweight, reduce caloric intake by limiting grain and closely monitoring access to pasture.
Remember, even a small adjustment in feed can have significant results over time, and slow, steady changes are safer than dramatic shifts.
2. Adjust grazing time
Horses find the sweet, green grass of spring delicious after a winter with more mature, sparse grass and a significant hay intake. But spring grass is rich in starch and sugars - substances that can trigger laminitis and overload a horse's digestive system if introduced too quickly.
Why does it matter? The microbial population in the equine gut is highly
sensitive to the food a horse consumes. A sudden dietary change, especially from dry hay to lush grass, can disrupt these microbes and lead to colic, hindgut acidosis, and even laminitis.
To avoid these issues, introduce pasture gradually:
• Start with 15 to 30 minutes grazing per day and increase the duration by 30 minutes every few days.
• Pay attention to grass growth patterns. The highest sugar content tends to occur on sunny days, especially in the late afternoon and evening.
• For horses sensitive to sugar intake, consider morning grazing when sugar levels are lower.
Gradual exposure allows your horse’s microbiome to adapt while giving you time to observe any adverse reactions.
3. Provide consistent forage
It’s tempting to reduce or eliminate hay once the pasture begins to green up. After all, if the field is full of fresh forage, why supplement with dry hay? But here's the issue: compared to hay, spring grass is high in water and sugars, and relatively low in fibre. Horses need a consistent supply of fibre to maintain gut health and avoid scouring or digestive upset. To maintain consistency:
• Offer free-choice hay, especially in the early spring weeks when pasture is not yet fully established.
• Choose a mature, lower-sugar hay to balance the rich spring grass.
• Feed hay in slow feeders or nets to encourage natural foraging behaviour and reduce waste.
Even for horses on full pasture turnout, a small daily ration of hay can help ensure they receive adequate fibre and avoid overconsumption of sugary grass.
4. Limit pasture access
Some horses are especially vulnerable to the perils of spring grass. Those who are overweight, have EMS or insulin-resistance, or have a history of laminitis require stricter management when transitioning to pasture. By far
ABOVE: A variety of grazing muzzles are available at different price points. This is the Roma Rubber Muzzle with adjustable headpiece.
the most common cause of pastureassociated laminitis is a spike in blood insulin levels. This is triggered by eating grass, hay, or hard feeds high in sugar and starch. During spring and autumn, pastures are naturally high in plant carbohydrates (sugars or starches), putting insulin resistant (IR) horses at high risk for laminitis. The best approach for managing these horses includes:
• Limiting turnout time, providing small amounts of early morning grazing if monitoring is possible. It is especially important to avoid grazing during the late afternoon and evening – the peak sugar hours.
• Using a grazing muzzle can reduce grass intake by up to 80% while still allowing the horse to exercise and interact socially. However, the muzzle must be on whenever the horse has access to pasture -
horses can learn when free choice grass is limited to a small part of the day, and are capable of consuming their full daily intake (around 2% of body weight in dry matter) in as little as four hours!
• Providing access to a dry lot or laneway system with minimal grass, supplemented with ‘safe’ hay to meet forage needs. Safe hay for IR horses, and for weight loss, is low in sugar and starch levels. Ideally, choose hay which has been analysed and has a combined ESC plus starch value of less than 10%. Although you can’t pick a suitable forage just by looking at it, the safest forages are rapidly growing, mid-length leafy grasses of native species, or lower sugar introduced grasses. If you do not know the sugar and starch levels of your meadow hay, soak in warm water for 30 minutes or cold water for 60
minutes to remove soluble sugars. Drain and discard soak water before feeding. Remove and discard any uneaten hay at least every 12 hours to avoid mycotoxin contamination.
• Soaking hay can reduce water soluble carbohydrates by 30%, but it also removes some minerals which need to be replaced with a quality, concentrated mineral balancer.
• Avoid pastures or hay made from high production grasses such as clover and ryegrass and do not feed cereal (oaten, wheaten) hay or chaff. Limit lucerne hay to no more than 30% of total daily intake. Do not give access to very short pastures (e.g. mowed or over-grazed) or grass carrying filled seed heads.
• Avoid starving the horse by ensuring a dry weight forage intake of 1.5 to 2% of the horse’s bodyweight. Unless the horse is underweight, limit hard feeds to a token amount that carries the all-important vitamins, minerals and omega-3 fatty acids needed to maintain good health.
Don't wait for problems to arise. If your horse falls into one of these high-risk categories, take proactive steps early in the season. Preventing a laminitis episode is far easier (and more humane) than treating one.
5. Nutritional supplements
As with any dietary transition, spring is a good time to revisit your horse’s supplement regimen. The nutrient content of forage - both hay and pasture may vary, and gaps in essential nutrients can arise. This is particularly true for:
• Minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper, and selenium, which are almost always deficient in forages. During spring and autumn, rapidly growing, heavily fertilised or stressed grass may become high in potassium and nitrate and low in sodium which can have a dramatic effect on electrolyte balance and metabolism in horses, potentially leading to colic, grass-affected
behaviour, grass tetany, or grass staggers.
• Electrolytes, including salt, which become even more important as horses begin to sweat more with increasing exercise and temperatures. When pasture macro-mineral levels suddenly change, an increase in dietary salt and magnesium above the ‘normal’ levels is needed to balance the intake.
• Omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, regulate the immune system, support hoof health, and maintain a shiny coat during seasonal shedding.
Work with an equine nutritionist or veterinarian with a special interest in nutrition to tailor supplements to your horse’s needs, especially if your horse has metabolic challenges. And avoid the more is better mindset. Oversupplementation can lead to imbalances, poor absorption, and wasted money.
6. Be alert to mycotoxins
Mycotoxins are poisonous compounds produced by various species of microfungi. Warmer, wet weather as well as an abundance of pasture plants and seeds increases the risk of horses ingesting mycotoxins in springtime. Symptoms of mycotoxin ingestion can be very different between horses but often include some of the following:
• Sudden development of unpredictable, uncharacteristic erratic behaviour
• Photosensitivity (severely sunburnt pink skin)
• Greasy heel or mud fever
• Lameness or swollen lower legs
• Girthiness or muscle tightness
• Ill-thriftiness despite good feed
• Head flicking
• Staggers
• Unusual sweat patterns
• Coarse dull coat.
When mycotoxin load is very high, remove horses from contaminated pasture, feed clean hay/hard feed and a quality, broad-spectrum toxin binder that does not bind nutrients or medications. Do not feed dusty, musty, wet or spoiled hay or hard feed. If symptoms persist call your vet.
The key to healthy transitions
The key to a healthy transition from winter to spring nutrition lies in balance, patience, and vigilance. Monitor your horse’s body condition, make changes gradually, and keep a close eye on behavioural or physical signs that something might be off - such as hoof sensitivity, changes in manure, lethargy or uncharacteristically spooky behaviour.
Nature may be springing into full bloom, but your horse’s digestive system needs time to catch up, and horses prone to insulin dysregulation need extra special management. With a strategic approach to nutrition, you can make the season change smooth, safe, and satisfying for your equine companion. After all, spring should be a time of joy, renewal, and vibrant health - for both you and your horse.
Larissa Bilston, BAgrSc (Hons) is the Equine Nutritionist for Farmalogic
WHAT WE'RE LOVING
No flies on us
With summer around the corner, it's time to start protecting your horse from flies, midges and other biting pests.
The Wild Horse Ripstop fly mask is impregnated with long-term insect control technology and sits further down the neck so that it stays put, keeping your horse protected from those nasty biting insects. The eye protectors have fleece at all contact points and are made using Wild Horse’s anti-heat absorbing nylon mesh in a collapse resistant design that won’t restrict your horse’s vision. An elasticated poll strap increases comfort.
With an extremely durable textilene body, the Rambo fly mask with detachable nose protection features large fitting, soft polyester ear mesh, comfortable fleece edging for ultimate protection against flies and the damaging effects of sunlight, and an improved design for optimum eye protection. Adjustable closures with elastic allow your horse to graze comfortably. Rambo Plus Fly Masks run slightly large, so sizing down is sometimes advisable.
The Kool Master fly mask with Ears is designed to provide optimal protection for your horse against insects while ensuring comfort and breathability. An excellent choice for keeping your horse comfortable and protected during turnout, especially in warmer weather, this mask features tough, lightweight, cool cotton ripstop fabric, ensuring durability, and a soft, domed mesh eye cover allows visibility while protecting the eyes from insects and debris.
Made from 90% UV Tough Mesh, the Buggez Bugeyes fly mask is polyester coated and UV stabilised. Horses sensitive to wind, dust and UV or who have recurring weepy eyes will benefit greatly from the tough mesh protection. This higher rated mesh is recommended with the treatment of eye ulcers, lesions, scratches, and Uveitis, and is well suited to horses and/or environments that are harsh on fly masks.
