EQUINE INTERNATIONAL AIRFREIGHT
IN-FLIGHT JUNE 2017
tter
le News
equestriad is all class What a terrific event Equestriad is - so much to see and do … entertainment galore!
Held at Bicentennial Equestrian Park in April at Camden in NSW, Equestriad is run by Shane and Niki Rose of Bimbadeen Park and it’s become a firm favourite on the eventing calendar for competitors and eventing enthusiasts. This year, Equestriad hosted the National Eventing Championships and held 26 classes, ranging from EvA60 up to CIC3*, with approximately 700 horses competing over the weekend. Aside from this being the first year for Equestriad to host the National Eventing Championship, it also launched the ‘Swamp Bar’ which ensured everyone stayed well “hydrated” while watching the CIC* show jumping on Saturday night. EIAF was the proud sponsor of the CIC 2* and with 39 entries, the event was hugely competitive before Andrew Barnett and ‘APH Sparky’ emerged the winners. Other Equestriad highlights were Olympian Stuart Tinney and ‘Celebration’ who won the 105C, while Stuart’s daughter, Gemma, and ‘Annapurna’ took out the CIC3*. EIAF looks very much forward to be involved again next year.
WELL DONE GEMMA TINNEY
Clearly the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree … Gemma Tinney, the teenage daughter of Olympic champion Stuart, won the CIC3* at the 2017 Paul Pace Country National Eventing Championships at Camden’s Bicentennial Park in April. Riding the 12-year old mare Annapurna, Tinney sealed her victory with a combined score of 61.50 penalties across the three phases of competition. It was the first time Tinney had competed at this level and the 19-year-old took the competition in her stride. “I was very nervous,” Tinney told Equestrian Life, “but she (Annapurna) gave it 110 per cent all weekend. We have a great partnership. “I looked at the results and cried. I couldn’t believe that I got around (the cross country course) so well and ended up winning.” As the daughter of dual Olympic Eventing medallist Stuart Tinney, Gemma has aspirations to follow in her father’s footsteps. “You can never dream too big. I’m just taking every day as it comes trying to ride the best I can.”
FAREWELL TO NEWMARKET It was one of the most iconic horse venues in the world. For over 100 years, auction house Inglis (formerly William Inglis & Sons) - has sold bloodstock from the Newmarket complex, based near Randwick in Sydney. For many industry people, they have indelible memories of standing underneath the famous Moreton Bay Fig either participating in, or looking on, as bidding intensified for a horse going through the ring. EIAF was on hand at the very last auction to be held at Newmarket - the 2017 Inglis Broodmare Sale in April - as auctioneers, buyers, vendors and horse enthusiasts bid an emotional farewell (who said we horse people aren’t a sentimental bunch!).
MALAYSIA ON THE MENU
It’s a tough job but someone has to do it! EIAF’s managing director, Cameron Croucher, and Flight Co-ordinator, Shauna Nolan, caught up with Penang Turf Club’s Jaime Lim for some dinner in Sydney during Jaime’s short stop over. EIAF exports many horses to Malaysia with flights every two months.
Inglis will now re-locate to its new $140 million facility at Warwick Farm in Sydney’s west, but we’re happy to say that the Moreton Bay Fig, the main house and the No. 1 Barn will all remain regardless of planned development. And, just for the record, the last horse to be sold at Newmarket was Nervous Nellie, which was offered by Yarraman Park Stud (who fetched $3.4 million for a broodmare in 2007) before being purchased by John North’s Bowness Stud for $26,000.
DESTINATION SOUTH KOREA
EIAF flies horses to many regions throughout the world, including South Korea. Although the country might not readily spring to mind when discussion turns to our favourite subject (i.e. horses), South Korean equine enthusiasts have always supported a wide range of disciplines. Horse racing, for instance, has thrived in Seoul since 1898 (its first meeting included a donkey race!), while Korea’s Jeju breed dates back to the stone age.
EIAF PROFILE ROBERT ROULSTON You have recently been appointed to the Board of EIAF, how did your appointment come about? I am currently working for a large Chinese conglomerate which has become actively involved in the Thoroughbred and Equestrian fields. Additionally, they have recently invested in the aviation industry, having purchased a business in New Zealand with many aircraft at their disposal. With that interest, I felt it was a good fit to get involved with EIAF as their key business is horses and aviation. With your previous experience as a bloodstock agent and as Chairman of Racing Victoria, this appears a very strategic and positive move by EIAF! Hopefully I am in a position to add value to the strategic direction of the company. Obviously my past involvement with the thoroughbred business and my network of contacts around the world should enable me to contribute to EIAF. Have you worked with the EIAF team previously? I have sent horses with EIAF previously and been very impressed with their level of service and commitment to EVERY horse: absolutely first class. Also I have dealt with (EIAF Managing Director) Cameron Croucher many times over the past 20 years during his previous role as CEO of Eliza Park. EIAF has the strong backing of Gerry Harvey and the Magic Millions Sales Company … was this a consideration when deciding to become involved? Definitely. Businesses need to constantly evolve and develop strong partnerships. Having key people with established relationships is very important and having Gerry Harvey and Magic Millions on board means we have a strong backbone to develop an exciting growth strategy. What impact do you think you can make as a board member of EIAF? As a board member, you have a responsibility to govern and grow a business. I believe I can contribute positively to this company and I know EIAF has some pretty big plans and I am excited to be a part of it. What attributes of EIAF impress you the most? Most certainly the company’s commitment to each and every horse. EIAF has great communication systems in place and the fact that every member of the team has an interest or experience in various horse industries - from Thoroughbreds, Polo, Sport horses and Standardbred racing. EIAF is well managed and organised and has some of the best grooms in the world, coming from horse industries in England, Ireland, New Zealand, Japan and Australia. Will we see you actively promoting EIAF at various horse events in the future? Every growth strategy takes time and commitment and as a Director I have a responsibility to contribute to this growth strategy. WE believe we don’t need to do the “hard sell” but I will certainly be promoting this business as I truly believe what they have to offer is exceptional. I’m confident once people use EIAF they will be equally impressed.
UPGRADE TO EIAF EUROPEAN QUARATINE BASE Always endeavouring to ensure client’s horses have nothing but the best, EIAF’s quarantine farm in Europe - utilised for the importation of horses to Australia - has recently had an upgrade to its facilities. With the rapid growth of horses coming into Australia from Europe, it’s important that the farm has facilities of the highest standards, with upgrades including a fully undercover, allweather free walker, additional stables, fencing, and extended storage facilities. Managed by Mr Bernd Blömer, from Guido Klatte, the property was recently inspected by Australian Department of Agriculture officials as part of their audit procedures and had nothing but praise for the quarantine centre: “The EIAF PEQ facility is a quality, purpose-built equine enterprise, specifically set up for preparing horses for export to Australia. The PEQ facility is located on private property where no other horses are located and Mr Blömer has extensive experience with his equine transport company (Guido Klatte), transporting horses all over the world.”
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The very best at EQUIFEST The 2017 EquiFest, of which EIAF is a naming rights partner, was held at Hawkesbury Showground in NSW from 30 March to 2 April and what an event it was. EquiFest is described as more than a ‘horse show’ … “it is entertainment and competition at its best and designed to bring all aspects of Equestrian Sport together in a unique and entertaining format”. After four days at Hawkesbury, we can certainly say it was ‘mission accomplished’. The action was jam packed: EIAF was naming rights sponsor of the New Zealand team in the test match, which again proved to be a terrific spectacle before Australia emerged the winners. Well done to team riders, James Arkins, Billy Ramont, Clint Beresford and Jamie Kermond. And while we’re on the subject of winners, well done to Madeline Sinderberry and ‘Fernhill Zinzan’ in the EIAF Young Rider 1.30m class, along with kudos to riders and horses of EIAF imports in the 7YO class: Tom McDermott and ‘Elegance De La Charmille’ (1st) and Isabella Stone on ‘Bandito’ (4th), plus Gabrielle Kuna on Dutch mare ‘Flaire’ (1st). EIAF also had a hospitality marquee at EquiFest and we were happy to see so many faces - both new and familiar - drop by and say hello. Clearly one of the star ‘guests’ was the trick pony, ‘Crunch’ who didn’t have much to say, but who needs snappy dialogue when you’re that cute!