FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

With Fiona Todd

Drum roll please. First up, a word for a project close to my heart. We are absolutely thrilled to announce the winner of the HorseVibes Delivering Dreams Scholarship.

18-year-old trick rider Billie Morgan was the unanimous choice of our three judges, our editor Candida Baker; columnist, eventer and coach Charlie Brister, and coach Charlotte Inglis. All three were in complete agreement that Billie shone out. HorseVibes will be working with Billie over the next few months to help her towards her dream of traveling to America to take her trick riding skills to the next level. We also like to congratulate our runners-up, showjumper Melinda Rechichi, an ambassador for the older generation, and team-penner Lily Dessart who at only 13, is showing a great competitive – and community spirit.

Coincidentally, before Billie’s win, we were already working on a feature on trick riding with two of Australia’s greatest trick riders, Hollie Shiels and Rebecca Klingenberg. Our Hero this month is a horse – as it should be during this Melbourne Cup time. Jo McKinnon interviews Graham Salisbury, the owner, or perhaps partner of the lovely Subzero, winner of the 1982 Melbourne Cup who has gone to have a positive impact on the lives of everyone he meets. We are keen to shine the light on every great life after racing story, and as such we have done our take on the current racehorse welfare scandal, and a small piece acknowledging the amazing work Amanda Ross has done taking her beautiful Off The Track thoroughbred, Koco Popping Candy to 4* eventing.

Charlie Brister tells us what it means to ride with an independent seat. Have you ever heard your coach say something along those lines? Charlie breaks the concept down into digestible chunks.

Training Tips this month comes from the fabulous stables of J & R Equestrian. We talk to Rhys, who gives us the low down on selecting your show horse and what you should be looking for in a horse.

Deputy Editor, Amanda McWhinny, dives headfirst into the confusing world of girths and gives us some sage advice regarding types, tightness and construction materials.

Do you worm you horse regularly but they still don’t seem quite right? Well, perhaps there’s a little pesky blighter hiding in there? Candy, in her Horse Listener column talks about a particular type of worm that most wormers don’t kill, causing scouring and possible small lesions.

In Tackbox this month, Lucy Morton of Kasperado Warmbloods gives us some useful hints to help us find the perfect home for a horse in the challenging current climate.

Jane Camens ‘had a go’ attending the Masters Games in Lismore, as well as completing a trek through Killarney to raise funds for drought relief. She sure gets about!

On another very personal note, we pay tribute to Madonna Hedberg, whose passing will definitely leave a void in breeding circles. She will be missed by the Queensland Young riders particularly and the equestrian community at large. We extend our condolences to all who knew and loved Madonna.

As usual, pour your favourite tipple, grab your copy, kick back and enjoy!

SCHOLARSHIP

Delivering Dreams Scholarship

Congratulations to winner Billie Morgan, and thank you to everyone who applied.