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This past quarter has seen the exciting news that Equine International Airfreight were given the responsibility of transporting the Australian Eventing team to New Zealand to compete in the Oceania Championships. Team Australia performed brilliantly (see article below) and we were very to have played partN in their success. These championships are part CHN Oexcited LOG Y + D aEsmall SIG of Equestrian Australia’s high performance program for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. The international cargo travel routes continue to be well supported by the horse industries. Currently EIAF have horses going to most regions of the world with our peak movement times being the months of May, June & July. Our flying grooms are kept very busy and our quarantine farms well supported during this busy time. It is important to acknowledge my two flight coordinators Sue Ellis and Shauna Nolan who are very committed to the business and making sure that horse movements in and out of Australia are well organised. EIAF will have a strong presence at the upcoming Magic Millions National Sale with a charter arriving from New Zealand to deliver horses to the sales but we will also be offering a charter service from the sales back to Auckland to service our kiwi buyers in getting their purchases safely home. – Cameron Croucher
EIAF FLYS THE AUSSIE EVENTING TEAM TO THE OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIPS Taupo in New Zealand was the stunning host to the biennial Oceania championships held at the National Equestrian Centre on 9th to the 12th May 2019. Equine International Airfreight had the honour of flying the horses to New Zealand to attend the championships. The planning and organisation process began months prior and after plenty of gear cleaning and EIAF meeting the team and support crew everything was ready to go. A select few grooms and riders came to Sydney airport to assist and supervise their precious cargo boarding the flight to Auckland. All horses travelled beautifully accompanied by the team vet. Although a little rest was required, they were in fantastic order after arrival at the complex in Taupō. Australia sent over 12 horses and rider combinations including an additional senior team to trial the new Olympic teams format to be used at Tokyo 2020, which no doubt proved for some head scratching moments by the judges, delegates and competitors. Some impressive rider resumes made up the senior green and gold Australian teams competing in the CCI-4*L while some riders were making their first international debut all whilst Chef d’equipe Stuart Tinney lead the charge.
Senior Gold Team Shane Rose & Ultimate Velocity Sonja Johnson & Misty Isle Valentino Emma Bishop & CP Issey Miyake Individual - Jess Rae & Rascal Senior Green Team Emma Mason & Warrego Marco Polo Jade Findlay & Oaks Cordelia Amanda Ross & Dicavalli Diesel Individual - Madeline Wilson & I’m Bruce The Young Rider Team Who competing in the CCI-3*L were the most S C I Eabout N Cthis E fantastic + T opportunity E C H N toO L O G Y + D E S I G N enthused represent their country overseas and soak up the incredible learning experience. Jordyn Faint & Double S & Evergreen Jackpot Isabel McLachlan & Ventura Tayah Andrew & Silver Force Individual - Hannah Klep & Reprieve The sunshine made its appearance for the dressage phase and Amanda Ross with Dicavelli Diesel stole the show with a score of 28.3 putting her into first place, leaving some of the New Zealanders a little worried. The Chris Ross designed cross country course on Saturday certainly challenged all the competitors with its technical elements. It’s safe to say the course shook up the rankings and star of the day went to Madeline Wilson and I’m Bruce who climbed up to sit in third. The final day of competition saw the typical NZ wet and cold weather descend. Sadly some horses were withdrawn. Although the ground was a little slippery some careful and precise rounds saw the Aussie Senior Gold team take out first place and taking their victory lap to the sound of an elated travelling team of supporters. Not to be outdone by their seniors the young riders jumped superbly in heavy rain and also pipped the kiwis to post and also took out first place. Monday was a rest day for everyone to recoup and recover before the horses were safely returned by EIAF back to Sydney. We hope to meet some of the horses and riders again for their trip to Tokyo.
Representing EIAF, CEO Cameron Croucher travelled to Hong Kong to watch the Australian representatives compete gallantly at the 2019 Hong Kong International race meeting in the Group 1 Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin. Celebrating the 30th year of running, for any horse racing fan, it is a brilliant experience to savour a unique and thrilling atmosphere. The two Australian horses amongst the international runners selected to take on the Hong Kong locals were TJ Smith Stakes winner Santa Ana Lane and the dual Group 1 winner Viddora and they had big shoes to follow after Chautauqua scored an amazing win in the 2016 edition of the Chairman’s Sprint Prize.With quarantine regulations making it difficult for Australian horses to travel to Hong Kong in subsequent years, it is pleasing to see those rules have now been relaxed, which has reopened opportunities for Australian horses and other international horses to travel and compete in the lucrative and prestigious Hong Kong racing industry.
Aquis hosted a small group of 10 people to Hong Kong for some spectacular racing and hospitality. The group included, racehorse owners, punters, horse trainers and an EIAF rep. Aquis Mr Tony Fung was kind enough to host everyone for lunch at his personal residence as well as looking after the group during their stay. Visits to races at Happy Valley, Sha Tin and the early morning track work leading into the international race meeting was a highlight. Other mmorable moments included a day out on a Chinese junk boat in Hong Kong harbour along with a visit to the Peak. Another “special” on this tour was a marriage proposal from Matthey Hoystead (assistant trainer to Steve O’Dea) to girlfriend Cailtan Levin. All it all it was a fantastic group and well lead by Aquis Patty Power and Bruce Snowy Clarke – a trip to remember.
Australia's most prestigious international dressage event, the OTTO SPORT AUSTRALIA Sydney CDI3*, was held on May 1st to 4th at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre (SIEC). The event attracts the cream of the nation's dressage riders and horses - as well as formidable competition from across the ditch. The 2019 event received the highest number of entries to date, with 85 horses entered across the CDI 3*, CDI U25, CDI-Y, CDI-J, CDI-P competitions. This is a first for a dressage event held in the Australasian region and demonstrates the growth and popularity of the sport. The event's Grand Prix ranks had a turn around after the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018 and organisers are excited to see a strong field of 22 horses competing in the OTTO SPORT AUSTRALIA CDI Grand Prix. Top results include Rozzie Ryan and Jarrah R, both previous EIAF flyers, taking out the showcase Equestrian NSW Grand Prix Freestyle competition scoring 72.955% to narrowly snatch the lead from New Zealand rider Wendi Williamson on Don Amour MH who had scored 72.565% just two riders earlier. While Maree Tomkinson riding DMJ Donna Elena was victorious in the Grand Prix Special CDI Tomkinson, putting in a solid performance to record a score of 68.830%. Australian Olympian and current Sydney CDI Grand Prix Freestyle record holder, Ricky MacMillan, was Ground Jury President at this year's event and said the prestigious show holds many wonderful memories for her. “I've always enjoyed Sydney CDI. As the first Australian international dressage event it has a special place amongst my favourite shows,” she said. “The organisation is always outstanding and it's so special to be at the Sydney 2000 venue, which was also my first Olympics.” As Ground Jury President, MacMillan will occupy one of the best seats in the house, and is responsible for what occurs in the arena during each competition. “Dressage is judged by a panel of judges sitting at different positions around the arena, assessing from each separate viewing point, movement after movement of the test, performed by every horse and rider,” she explained. “The assessment is made according to the FEI sport rules, and also guidelines published from time to time and laid out in the handbook. One judge will be the President of each panel and will sit at the centrally placed judges table, at the letter "C" at the top of the arena, and be responsible for what occurs in the arena during each competition, in particular keeping the competition on time and making decisions about the correctness according to the rules." "The Event President sits at the central table for the highest level competition and also has responsibility for the Fitness Inspection and the competition draws as well as about matters that might come up during the show and acting as a spokesperson for the judging team when required."
All around the nation people stopped, watched and many cried seeing the great mare Winx depart her race career a winner at Royal Randwick. Such was the relief that she would not be beaten, people simply clapped as the mare won by one-and a half lengths in her 33rd consecutive win in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth. The farewell was the fairytale, and she didn't let anyone down. Jockey Hugh Bowman did another lap of the straight after the win to let the huge sell-out crowd see the mare on a race track for the last time. Trainer Chris Waller was speechless again. The champion mare bowed out as one of the modern turf champions and the best racehorse in the world. Now holding an immense value as a broodmare - in the order of $50m, all bets are on to choose who will be her first suitor. Suggestions include Snitzel, being free of Danehill or leading gun, I Am Invincible. Others are suggesting The Autumn Sun, one of the most outstanding colt seen for many years, while Mr Popularity, Dundeel would put some further stamina into her progeny. But don't forget Exceed and Excel or Lohnro, both notably underrated stallions, or will Zoustar or Written Tycoon get a look in? However, it may well be the undefeated Triple Crown stallion Justify that steals the show and the heart of our beloved Winx.
The 2019 Aquis Champions Tour was held at the magnificent Elysian Fields at Canungra in the Gold Coast Hinterland. With nine days of competition, over 400 riders and over 800 horses competing for more than $340,000 in prizemoney, this is Australia’s richest premier jumping event. Competition was feirce, but NZ rider Katie Laurie, riding Casebrooke Lamond took home the biggest prize in Australian Showjumping, winning the feature Gold tour final. International course designer Kraus-Wilhelm Holle built a very tough 1.6m track for the final, With Laurie jumping an outstanding double clear round stopping the clock over four seconds faster than Amber Fuller and CP Arentino in second place, giving Laurie $40,000 for the win. The 1.5m silver tour was a very tough class but the win went to former Australian Champion Tom McDermott and Alpha Activity. McDermott jumped a fantastic double clear round to take the class ahead of Chris Chugg and KG Queenie. Well known Victorian rider Paul Brent would have been pleased to stand at the top of the line in the Bronze tour final with his imported mare Kablesse Kavita. They attacked the course stopping the clock at 43.66 to take the victory and winners payment of $5500 with Olivia Hamood and Dada Des Brimbelles Z in second. Congratulations to the McMahons on a super show.
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Fresh from The Americas, the Global Champions Tour made its next stop in the spectacular destination of Shanghai, China from the 3rd-5th May. Shanghai, renowned for its record-breaking skyscrapers, has an evergrowing number of new show jumping fans in the region where passion for the sport is developing fast with almost almost 2,000 equestrian clubs across the country and this spectacular new state-of-the-art equestrian development. Each Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL event can be separated into two categories - CSI 5* and CSI 2* classes. The CSI 5* is the top level competition, where the top-ranked riders in the world will compete for the highest prize money, over the biggest fences - up to 1.60m which is the highest in the sport. The CSI 2* classes are slightly smaller in height, and offer opportunities for many local athletes as well as international rising stars. The GCL is the team competition, where riders unite like never before to compete for points in the overall Championship. All roads lead to the GC Prague Playoffs, which will see 16 teams compete in the GCL Super Cup this November, so every point counts over the course of the Championship calendar. The Longines Global Champions Tour is the individual Championship, with the world's best battling for the LGCT Grand Prix win. This offers the biggest prize money of the weekend, valuable Championship ranking points, and a win would mean they qualify for a place in the GC Prague Playoffs, where the Longines Global Champions Super Grand Prix will take place. The winners of each Grand Prix throughout the season return for a final locking of horns, to see who will come out on top after another electric season on Tour. Monaco Aces claimed their first GCL victory in the intense team battle of 2019 after a cliffhanger fourth leg of the series in the dynamic city of Shanghai. A strong performance by Paris Panthers propelled them up the ranking leaderboard, but Shanghai Swans retain the top position after four events with an 11-point lead from second place St Tropez Pirates and Monaco Aces five points behind in third.
Britain’s elite equestrian teams will benefit from sensor technologies normally used to manage cockpit conditions for fighter pilots to improve their competitive performance. The project is part of BAE Systems’ ongoing technology partnership with UK Sport and will support the teams transporting horses to major competitive events throughout the season. As with athletes, the performance of horses flying to international competition can be adversely affected by the symptoms of long haul air travel. Engineers at BAE Systems were asked to provide a technical solution to overcome the impact of long haul travel to ensure the animals arrive in a peak state of health ready for competition. The specialist team at BAE Systems produced a unique and bespoke environmental monitoring unit developed, called Equus-Sense, for the British Equestrian Federation (BEF). The technology builds upon advanced sensor systems such as those that monitor cockpit conditions and air quality found in Eurofighter Typhoon combat aircraft for the fighter pilots. Novel integration techniques and additional sensors appropriate to equine transport were introduced to provide a complete monitoring unit for the horses. The system covers elements including sound, temperature, vibration, humidity, dust levels and oxygen, allowing trainers and athletes to monitor the environmental conditions for horses travelling to international events. Equus-Sense can be housed in any travelling environment for horses, and will sense and log environmental conditions during transit. It allows trainers to evaluate the individual conditions of horses upon arrival at competitions to make informed decisions on their readiness to compete. In time the technology could be applied outside the BEF to monitor transportation and welfare of other horses travelling to competitions worldwide. “When it comes to elite sport, marginal gains can help leverage a real competitive advantage – and that preparation begins before competitors reach their competition,” said Henry White, UK Sport Partnership Lead at BAE Systems. “We develop aircraft and equipment monitoring technology which helps ensure our fighter pilots are as comfortable as possible to enable them to realise their incredible skills and there is no reason why horses cannot benefit from this. Applying such technology to horse transportation had its challenges but our expert engineers have developed such a system allowing the equestrian competitors to gain an advantage”
Nine mini donkeys arrived from the USA into Australia on May 13th. These included 1 “Jack” and 8 “Jennies – four of which are pregnant. These little guys will join a fledging band of mini donkeys for one of our long term clients who continue to purchase these from breeders in the USA. After a long trip from Houston to Germany and then onto Australia - they have finally made it.
Recently EIAF directors Robert Roulston and Cameron Croucher visited Japan to view the racing set up at Northern Farm and to inspect quarantine facilities for horses heading in and out of Japan. Hosted by Northern Farm, the trip was very interesting and seeing horses work in an undercovered training track while the tempretures outside were below zero with very deep snow.
Horse racing was introduced in Singapore and Malaya by the British in 1802. On 4th October 1842, the first racing club to be established was the Singapore Turf Club in 1924. Racing clubs in Malaysia were established later, the Penang Turf Club in 1864, followed by the Perak Turf Club in 1886 and Selangor Turf Club in 1896. Malaysia, has a very rich horse racing history and the sport has become extremely popular. Even though horse racing was introduced as a foreign sport, it is now a part of the Malaysian culture and is well supported by horse racing enthusiasts. The first racing event in Malaysia was organized as an amateur event by William Henry Macleod Read, when he established the Singapore Turf Club in 1842. Racing was dominated by ponies brought in to race by foreign traders from countries such as China, but Australia began showing interest in the 1880s, transforming horse racing into a serious sport. Organizers began to set up large race meetings twice a year. The Penang Turf Club was then founded in 1864. As racing grew, the need for a governing body was filled by the founding of the Straits Racing Association in 1896, which would later be renamed, as it is known today, the Malayan Racing Association. In 1921, the inaugural Penang Gold Cup was run, with the first Singapore Gold Cup being held in 1924. Selangor Turf Club, the other large horse racing track, was officially opened in 1896, even though racing had taken place here for a few years prior. Many countries saw a decline in horse racing during and after World War II, but Malaysia seemed to go virtually untouched by these events, and continued racing as soon as the war had come to an end, expanding on the horse racing industry. Soon weekends were filled with racing, and led to the public being welcomed to these events in 1960. Today, jockeys, trainers and racecourses are well established and there are approximately two thousand horses competing during Malaysia’s racing seasons. Betting is only allowed within the turf parks and breeders have also begun to develop, producing local competitors. Horse racing contributes greatly to the economy of Malaysia and offers a variety of opportunities to work within the industry. Below is EIAF CEO Cameron Croucher with EIAF agents in Malaysia - Dharma & Thiban Thevarasa.