HQ Magazine Issue 162C

Dear HQ readers,

Welcome to the latest edition of HQ Magazine. We’re thrilled to have you here, and we hope you’ll enjoy this issue as much as we’ve enjoyed putting it together.

This past month saw the loss of an equestrian icon, Ronnie Lawrence. No article could ever really encapsulate what Ronnie has done for this industry and so many of the individuals within it, but we hope that our short tribute here recognises him as the legend he was. May he rest in peace.

This edition has many of our usual features, as well as an exclusive interview with Luca Watson, a health piece on diatomaceous earth and an interview about the barefoot showjumping movement. We’re particularly excited about our feature article with Callaho Warmblood Stud. Despite having worked together with Callaho for many, many years, we had never heard the full story of their history in such detail. Callaho has long been an example of all that is best in our industry, and hearing of their multigenerational pursuit of excellence in horse breeding helps to comprehend their remarkable talent for creating their signature ‘breeding magic’. This article is an absolute must-read.

As always, we welcome your feedback and ideas for our future issues. Our goal remains to create a magazine that truly reflects the interests and passions of you, our readers, and we can’t do that without your input.

Thank you, as ever, for your support. We hope you enjoy Issue 162c of HQ Magazine.

Lizzie and the HQ team xxx

IN THIS ISSUE

72 Barefoot showjumpers

Interview with showjumper Katie Pontone

80 Groundwork, Part 4

Yield backwards with an indirect feel

86 Crucial conformation, Part 3 Muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments

92 Is your horse truly healthy? Part 1

100 Deworming with Diatomaceous Earth

Does it work?

106 AskHQ

Your equestrian questions answered

108 Products we love Shopping fun

THE BEST WAY TO PREDICT THE FUTURE IS TO CREATE IT.

“A giant tree has fallen”

REST IN PEACE, RONNIE LAWRENCE

TITLES HELD:

SA Derby Winner

1989, 1995, 2006, 2010

President’s Cup

2004

SA Outdoor Grand Prix

1989, 1998, 2018

SA Champs

1987, 1988, 1997, 1998, 2000

SA Victor Ludorum

2010, 2016, 2018

Protea Colours

1990

Over more than four decades, Ronnie Lawrence amassed 13 South African titles, was the South Africa Victor Ludorum on three occasions and was awarded Protea Colours. Yet, this icon of the equestrian world was more than just an exceptional horseman and showjumper – he was a generous and talented coach. Having brought many of the top showjumping names of today up through the ranks, his legacy lives on in those who have been fortunate enough to call him their coach.

It is been a privilege for all of us here at HQ Magazine to witness Ronnie’s illustrious career, lighting up the showjumping circuit with his remarkable skill and determination. His legacy will continue to inspire generations of South African showjumpers to come.

Rest in peace, Ronnie Lawrence –a true equestrian great.

Dear Ronnie.

10 years ago I had my first lesson with you. In that moment I realized you were the one who could teach me everything I needed to know. You showed me how to be a humble winner and graceful loser. You very graciously and humbly shared all your life experiences and lessons with me. I loved hearing every story.

I wish I could have just another 10 years…

You always believed in me and my horses. And with this your wisdom, patience, generosity, love, talent and skill helped me to earn my South African Showjumping colours amongst many other titles.

I always aimed to make you proud and I promise to continue to do so. Ron, my friend, the greatest mentor, my biggest supporter and my hero.

I salute you. May you rest in peace Love Hannah.

– Hannah Garton

Ronnie. I cannot thank you enough for all that you did for me in the past 10 years that I’ve known you. You have been the most unbelievable mentor and friend since the day we met. I have never met someone who could turn my bad days into the best days. You always supported me and had my back through thick and thin. It breaks my heart to never have a lesson with you again but I will never forget the lessons we had.

I will always cherish the memories we made in the ring and out. You made me the rider I thought I’d never become. You made all my dreams come true and helped me win titles I never imagined winning.

From winning on ponies to receiving my Junior Protea colours. I will wear my South African flag proudly in your name. You are definitely one in a million Ron. Rest in peace. Love you always, Livvy.

– Olivia Garton

How do you say goodbye to someone that played such a massive role in who you are as a rider today. You were there for so many of my firsts; from my first JA competition to my first big win in Juniors to holding my hand in my first Grand Prix, my 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th Avis Derby and guiding me around my first World Cup. You even watched me get a few good wins…

You always believed in me and guided me to become better! Goodness, I gave you so many grey hairs but still you were so patient!!

You were an exceptional trainer whose commitment to promoting success and excellence in the equestrian sport was such an inspiration.

Thank you for all the help, support, and guidance you have given to me over the years.

I will never forget what you taught me and how many times I begged to have my stirrups back!

Rest peacefully - the best coach ever, Ronnie Lawrence. – Neriske Prinsloo Hill

contributions to the equine world, which have left an indelible mark on the industry. Your name was synonymous with excellence and a name I grew up hearing as a child. Your coaching and accomplishments have inspired generations of horse lovers and achievers. Your loss will be deeply felt.

– Hilary O’Leary

Ronnie Lawrence you were a friend and a client for many years. We have shared many great and some devastating experiences along the way. You were always a loyal and forthright friend.

I am extremely saddened at your passing and the emptiness in my soul that you leave behind.

Rest in peace Ronnie I will never forget you and am proud to have been your friend and the veterinarian to most of your horses.

– Mike Ross

legend, my hero! Ron thank you for everything you did for my riding career. I wouldn’t be where I was today without you. You believed in me like no one else and I promise I will carry on making you proud. Till we meet again my friend.

– Ronnie Healy

The world seems a little less bright tonight now that you are gone. RIP Ronnie Lawrence. I hope that you are with all your special horses that have gone before you. I know Goofy is going to miss you so much. You were one of the best coaches I ever had the privilege of riding with and I have so many wonderful memories with you. You will be so missed.

– Amy Tolmay

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THE GENTLE GIANT

TEXT: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE

PHOTOGRAPHY: HILARY O'LEARY

Churchill’s quote is one top showjumper Marlene Sinclair would certainly agree with when it came to her champion Camaro. Our team felt it fitting to pay tribute to this special horse that inspired many equestrians with his largerthan-life showjumping presence.

HISTORY

Wayne van de Burgh imported Camaro as a seven-year-old. As the story goes, Wayne saw Camaro standing in a field in Europe, looking lost and forgotten. After enquiring about him and watching him jump, he immediately purchased him and made plans to bring him back to South Africa. Little is known about what Camaro had been doing in Germany up until Wayne’s arrival, as no performance record could be found; his owner had sadly passed away after a long illness,

and her husband wasn’t a rider, so Camaro’s past was a bit of a mystery.  Unfortunately, when Camaro arrived in South Africa, he contracted a severe case of biliary, from which it took him nearly a year to recover. So, as an eightyear-old with no performance history to speak of, Marlene came to try him, thanks to her then-coach Barry Taylor, who found him for her. She bought him immediately.

Marlene tells us that despite her instant bond with the horse, their partnership didn’t exactly have the perfect start! In their first lesson, jumping a small wall, he hesitated for a moment before engaging his hind end and throwing a huge jump, resulting in a first flying lesson for Marlene. A week later, when mounting, he reared and smashed her nose into the side of her face causing

When you are on a great horse, you have the best seat you will ever have”

– Winston Churchill.

HORSE AND RIDER

the first of two broken noses! Then in their third week together, while out on a small track, he decided to show Marlene his buck! Having been unseated and left lying on the ground looking up at Camaro, she thought to herself, “How on earth do I get back on this 17.3-hand snorting draft-type horse without any help!”, but with her usual determination, she piled up some stones and logs and climbed aboard, now adamant that she would figure her new teammate out.

This ‘figuring out’ was not a fast process, Marlene informs us, as their first few shows didn’t go so smoothly either; “If I didn’t squeeze on take-off, he would question whether he should jump". All these quirks remained with him his whole career. All I had to do was understand his quirks, and we would be best friends… soulmates”.

Thankfully once they reached the 1.20m classes, their progress to the

World Cup Qualifiers went by in the blink of an eye. However, their notable career sadly only lasted from 2013-2018. During that time, Camaro could only complete one full year of competition as he suffered from recurrent colics and issues relating to shivers, a neurological disorder he suffered from.

Marlene’s goal with Camaro in the first few World Cup Series’ was simply consistency, which they certainly achieved. By opting for safer double clears than winning rounds, Camaro accrued nine World Cup podiums! In less than five years, the pair earned 13 podium finishes in total, including National titles and Grand Prixs. Although it seemed that they were always the bridesmaid and never the bride, their commitment to consistency resulted in their winning the World Cup Qualifying Series in 2018! This meant they had qualified to compete in the 2020 FEI World Cup Finals in Las Vegas!

Heading into the 2019 season, the time was ripe to really go for it and get some wins under their belts, but Camaro was sadly not himself. As a rider who always puts the horse first, Marlene pulled him from competition and did everything she could to get to the bottom of his issues. Having treated the only minor issue several vets could find at the time, he was back up and running for Burlington Cup later that year. Unfortunately, this proved to be his last competition.  Having spent a significant amount of time after this getting him sound enough to retire, he was eventually retired to dear friends to Marlene, the Jacobsz, who have a family farm in Ermelo,

Mpumalanga. He lived out the rest of his life in massive fields with friends, being cared for and loved as well as one could ever hope for their soulmate! At 19 years young, he peacefully passed in his field earlier this year.

ABOUT

Camaro was by the great Holstein stallion Caretino out of a Lantaan mare. Marlene says, “My boy was never really built for such athleticism that World Cup Qualifiers and the like require. He was a super tall, heavy, long backed, deliberate type. However, he embodied sheer power, a gentle heart, and a good mind. He was spectacular.”

CAMARO’S LEGACY

Sometimes, it seems that the biggest lessons horses teach us have nothing to do with riding, and, as Marlene states, Camaro was a phenomenal teacher, not just in the arena but in life.

First and foremost, he was a gentleman of a horse. He was so gentle, in fact, that Marlene’s daughter, young daughter Carlotta, would hold him in the FEI trotup line, providing her with treasured memories of her little girl whispering to her gentle giant. He defined gentleness by keeping his strength under control.

Secondly, he may have been big, heavy, and deliberate, but he had an incredible heart. He proved to so many that athleticism is only half of the equation; for what he lacked, he made up for in bravery and power!

Thirdly, he showed that horses

communicate if we just take the time to listen. They may not speak our language, but if we listen and work with them to understand their quirks, they can grow from ‘challenging’ youngsters to World Cup Champions.

And finally, we learn that we are better together. When your horse knows how much you care, he will go the extra mile for you and Marlene and Camaro embodied this principle.

Camaro – you were a giant of a horse in more ways than one. Marlene considers it an honour to have called you her friend, partner, and soulmate. And, for us, it was a privilege to witness you and Marlene in action together. Your sheer power and presence made the biggest tracks look small. Thank you, Camaro and Marlene, for the inspiration you provided to many, many South Africans. Rest in peace, Camaro.

PHILLIP SMITH MEMORIAL TROPHY 2023

WINNER – ASHLEE TAYLOR

TEXT: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE PHOTOGRAPHY: CRYSTAL BALDWIN

International Research has long suggested a link between riders who originate from an equestrian background and elite rider success and perseverance. This popular Long Term Rider Development Model suggests that young riders who are exposed to excellent role models in terms of expertise, knowledge and conduct and have access to professional facilities are the most likely to succeed. Therefore, individuals from families who can provide appropriate, consistent, and regular supervision, mentoring and coaching would be in the optimal position to achieve ‘elite’ level success. This year’s Philip Smith Memorial (PSM) Trophy Winner may be the perfect fulfilment of this theory!

Ashlee Taylor is the daughter of celebrated Protea Show Jumpers Barry (who was also born into an equestrian family) and Lorette Taylor, who own and run Farnham Stables, a high-performance showjumping yard in Chartwell, Johannesburg. We had the opportunity to catch up with Ash

HQ: How did your preparation for the PSM go?

Ashlee: Preparation went well with the help of Whitney Deverneuil and Georgina Roberts. The main focuses in preparation for the PSM were my dressage/flatwork test and practising the gymnastic: one-handed with no stirrups. We worked very hard, especially over the last two weeks before the show started trying to nail down my dressage test and get each movement correct. I also had the opportunity to practice my flatwork test and the gymnastic on four unseen horses under competition circumstances before the event.

HQ: How was the draw?

Ashlee: The draw was probably the least stressful part of the whole experience. I wasn’t worried about the draw because I felt that no matter what number I was, it wouldn’t have changed or affected anything, and I could still see how each horse went with their own riders. I drew number four, which was nice for the flatwork part, as I watched everyone on their own horses before I rode my horse and saw how their horses went. The jumping was then in reverse order, so I was first in, which I didn’t mind because I was less nervous about the jumping, and I had already

HQ: How was Day One, the flatwork?

Ashlee: The flatwork was probably the harder part for me compared to jumping. I’m a showjumper and had probably only done one dressage test before, which was when I was still in ponies! It was also very different because the dressage arenas are much smaller than jumping ones. The tests were very long and quite tiring because I had to focus on every movement and try and watch the horses to see how they went. The hard parts of the tests for me were the walk-to-canter, the 10m circles and the counter canters, so I mainly focused on getting these correct. I think the different-sized circles in both walk and trot and some with one hand and no stirrups didn’t go quite as I planned on all the horses because I don’t think I got the sizes quite right. But I think my leg yields and counter canters went well on all the horses.

HQ: How were you feeling after Day One?

Ashlee: I felt unsure about where I was lying after Day One, but I was very happy with how it all went. I felt that I had ridden all the tests as well as I could have under a lot of pressure and in a very different situation from what I’m used to.

HQ: How was Day Two, the showjumping phase?

Ashlee: I felt more confident about the jumping part

because that is more my thing and something I feel more confident in. It was exciting and a little overwhelming doing the jumping part in the Bob Charter because it is such a big arena, and there are lots of spooky things in it that horses might look at. It was also weird not having any guidance in the warmup and not having a coach to speak to because I usually have my dad to give me pointers in a jumping course. The hardest part of the course was probably the gymnastic with no stirrups and one hand, but it was a quick element in the course, and I felt that all the horses and myself were good through it. Watching all the riders go on their own horses was more nerve-wracking but also useful compared to the dressage because I could see the horses’ weaknesses and strengths and I knew where I had to ride a little harder.

HQ: Which was your favourite horse to ride on the flatwork day?

Ashlee: I really enjoyed riding Capital Conlanc (Jenna Eager’s ride) on the flat as he was so beautifully schooled and did all the movements so easily.

HQ: And your favourite horse to ride on the jumping day, and why?

Ashlee: Callaho Luigi Vella (Erin O’Dwyer’s ride)! He was so game and ready to do anything in the ring.

HQ: Was there a horse that you were more nervous to ride?

Ashlee: Each horse had their own quirks, so I was cautious and nervous for each one because it could go any way in the ring.

HQ: Did you have any tricks up your sleeve for how to handle each horse and the competition in general?

Ashlee: I noticed one of the horses had quite a short stride, so I added a stride into the triple combination to not jump big into it. Another horse looked a bit sticky to some jumps, so I had to make very sure I had a good distance and was very positive to the jumps. I also didn’t use all my jumps in the warmup because the horses were quite tired, and I wanted to save the jumps for inside the ring.

HQ: So, now that the PSM has been ticked off your bucket list, what are your plans/goals for the year and the longer term?

Ashlee: My most important plan for this year will be to get through Matric! Besides that, I would like to get my baby, Callaho Lariboo, into the 1.35m and to get more stabilised in the 1.40m with Hope Van Orshof. Longer-term plans would be to hopefully jump in the 1.50s and a World Cup. Oh, and, of course, the Derby!

HQ: WE ALSO ASKED LORETTE AND BARRY HOW THEY FELT ABOUT THEIR DAUGHTER WINNING THE PSM…

Lorette:  It was the most nervewracking experience for me. I hardly slept before the flatwork day, as I was so nervous for her. I desperately wanted her to succeed, but at the same time, as a parent, you must always be prepared to deal with disappointment. The jumping day was less stressful as that is her strength, and we had complete confidence in that phase. I am still crying when people congratulate me two weeks later! I am so proud. Barry: It feels better than winning a World Cup! Ash came to me probably four years ago and told me that she would really love to win the Philip Smith as it is such a unique and special event. I told her she would really have to work hard and learn to ride properly because you must in order to win this event, and she definitely did put the work in. I am so proud, and it is even more special that she did it on Govett Triggol’s Callaho Lariboo, who she has produced herself from a fouryear-old.

HQ: Last one, after surviving Matric, what are your plans?

Ashlee: My absolute passion is horses, but I’ve been told by my parents that I’m not allowed just to ride and that I need to get a degree. So next year I will be studying. I’d like to do an architectural degree and later a business degree, but, of course, I will still be riding.

HQ: Wise parents! Congratulations Ash; we look forward to seeing your name on many more trophies in the future!

THE 2022 SASJ AWARDS

AN EVENING TO REMEMBER

Once a year at the SA Showjumping Awards, the showjumping fraternity gathers without their horses in tow. This year's gathering occurred in early April at the Indaba Conference Centre and was an evening of feasting and celebration in the smartest of apparel!

The food was exceptional, and the speeches were inspiring. The President of the SA Equestrian Federation, Professor Ian Sanne, one of the first guest speakers, gave some insight into what has occurred in the past year in the equestrian world in South Africa and what the future holds. He noted that South Africa had hosted the FEI General Assembly in Cape Town last year, with the President of the FEI and officials from 56 countries. One key discussion held at the event was the potential to create a 'High-Performance Bubble' in Cape Town to host a big international event such as Longines Global Champions

Tour (stay tuned…)! The hosting of the General Assembly of the FEI has also drawn significant interest to South Africa and in growing the sport here.

Prof. Sanne also touched on imports and exports, indicating that we should see some progress with this in the near future. Qatar may also provide an opportunity for direct exports, which could be ideal as they might be hosting the next World Equestrian Games (WEG) in 2026. This led to a mention of the creation of a High-Performance set-up, which is already in the SAEF Pipeline. This would aim to ensure South Africa puts out teams across all disciplines at future WEGs and Olympic Games! On this note, Thomas van Rijckevorsel was commended for his International Gold Medal win, and we would certainly agree with Prof. Sanne in saying that we hope it will be the first of many for South Africa!

TEXT: AMELIA CAMPBELL-HORNE PHOTOGRAPHY: DENFORD STUDIOS

Nicola Sime-Riley

Ray Korber and Prof. Sanne

Prof. Sanne, Kayla Gertenbach and Jeanne Korber

Jeanne Korber and Prof. Sanne

Nicola Sime-Riley, Gonda Betrix and Dominey Alexander

Ronnie Healy and Prof. Sanne

Ronnie Healy and Mark White

Lisa Williams

Dominey Alexander and Prof. Sanne

Dominey Alexander and Nicola Sime-Riley

Prof. Sanne and Jade Coetzee

Lisa Williams and Prof. Sanne Prof. Sanne, Ray Korber and Di Slade

THE AWARDS

Dominey Alexander was invited as a guest speaker to present the first award. He rightly noted that one of the reasons our sport is improving in South Africa is due to the quality of the coaches and the international exposure they receive. Coaches are being kept more up to date with the current rules and the different and modern training techniques and they are passing these on to their students. Dominey paid tribute to the famed rider and coach Gonda Betrix, who has won every noteworthy prize and Championship and has a list of accolades that would have kept us at the event well into the early hours if we were to list them all. Generations worth of knowledge have been handed down to her, and she has since passed that knowledge on to all her students (including Dominey, who has ridden with her since moving to South Africa from Zimbabwe). Dominey had the privilege of awarding Gonda the SASJ Riders Coach Trophy for the 2022 Coach of the Top Ranked Rider, who happened to be himself! Dominey also won the 2022 SA Derby Trophy aboard Athena V and

the 'Something Special' Trophy for his World Cup win at the Toyota Highways Shongweni WCQ aboard Jelle S. The rest of the many awards were then handed out with breaks in between to enjoy the diverse and delicious main course buffet and desserts. Some noteworthy prize winners include:

SASJ ELITE ATHLETE TROPHY

Thomas van Rijckevorsel was awarded the SASJ Elite Athlete Trophy. Previous winners of this award include Oliver Lazarus, Nicole Horwood, Alexa Stais and Lisa Williams (x3).

PONY RIDER AWARDS

These awards were cleaned up by two up-and-coming riders, Kellen Jade McLaren (Scooby Doo), who was awarded the Somersby Trophy for the 2022 PR HighPerformance Rankings as well as the PR Showjumper of the Year and Jade Anderson (My Irish Boy), who won the 2022 SASJ Rising Star Pony Rider Youth Series, the PR SA Championships and the PR Derby.

Gonda Betrix and Nicola Sime-Riley Kayla Gertenbach and Jeanne Korber Tamar Gliksman

JUNIOR AND YOUNG RIDER AWARDS

• The individual carrying away the most accolades in this category was Alexander Ric-Hansen and her trusty steed Callaho Laois. The pair were awarded the 2022 Junior Showjumper of the Year, Junior SA Championship, SA Junior Outdoor Grand Prix and the SA Junior Derby awards - what a year they had!

• The 2022 Rising Star Junior Youth Series was awarded to Shannay Marais.

• The 2022 Rising Star U25 Youth Series was won by Divan Bosman, who also won the Quinsey Trophy for the Junior High-Performance Rankings.

• The 2022 SASJ U25 Championships/Trophy was awarded to Jade Rosaley Coetzee and Rotoflo Catinio.

• The 2022 YR High-Performance Rankings went to Paige Lee Goetsch.

• The 2022 SASJ Young Rider Show Jumper of the Year went to Amy Michau and Go to Blue.

HORSE AWARDS

• 2022 Top Namibian-bred in the High-Performance Rankings was awarded to Your Perfect Africa's La Mina Z (La Pimeur x Consuelo) ridden by Jeanne Korber and owned by Jeanne Korber and Alison Van Deventer.

• 2022 Top SA Born and Bred Warmblood in the HighPerformance Rankings was awarded to Callaho Lexington (Callaho's Lissabon x Callaho's For Joy), ridden by Jeanne Korber and owned by Jeanne Korber and Michael Whitehouse.

• 2022 Top Thoroughbred in the High-Performance Rankings was awarded to Outeniqua, owned and ridden by Tamar Gliksman (Woodman XX x Shadeed XX).

• The 2022 Top Mare in the High-Performance Rankings received the Hera van de Bien Trophy presented by Kelly O'Connor. The Trophy was awarded to Data Sciences Enouche RK (Tinka's Boy x Chin Chin), owned by Slade Equestrian.

• Northland's Trophy for the 2022 Best Sire in the High-Performance Rankings was awarded to Callaho Warmblood Stud's Callaho Lissabon (Lordanus x Sion).

• The Wachmann Trophy for the 2022 Top Ranked Warmblood Horse was awarded to Protein Feeds Campbell (Catoki x Laptop).

Charley Crockart and Prof. Sanne

Jeanne Korber and Prof. Sanne

Prof. Sanne and Shannay Marais

Thomas van Rijckevorsel and Prof. Sanne

ADULT RIDERS

In addition to the Wachmann Trophy, Protein Feeds Campbell was also awarded the Campbell Trophy for the Riders' 'Horse of the Year'. He shared this award with Bronwyn Meredith Dos Santos' Capital Levubu (Cachas x Cassini I). Lisa Williams and Campbell also walked away with:

• UAG Diamond Rider's Grand Prix Tour

• Adult Showjumper of the Year

• Erreplus SA President's Cup

• Capital Stud SA Championships

• Goldrush Trophy for winning the Biogen Kromdraai World Cup

• Leading Lady Rider and Horse in High-Performance Rankings

• And 2022 Owner of the Top Ranked Horse with husband George Williams

Ronnie Healy picked up two major awards: The Danelaw Trophy for his win of the Reonet Midrand WCQ aboard BlueTurtle's Catweazle, and the Tiger Oats Trophy for his win of the Toyota SA Outdoor Grand Prix aboard his wife's stallion, Hausberger's Eldo.

The Leading Gentleman Rider and Horse in the HighPerformance Rankings were awarded to Rainer Korber and Data Science's Enouche RK, who also picked up the Capital Stud

Trophy for their Win of the Foresyte Shongweni WCQ.

The 2022 SASJ Riders Grand Prix Tour Awards were awarded as follows:

• The 2022 SASJ Riders Bronze Grand Prix Tour went to Tamar Gliksman and Outeniqua.

• The 2022 SASJ Riders Silver Grand Prix Tour went to both Jeanne Korber and Your Perfect Africa's La Mina Z and Kayla Gertenbach and Like Mike van Pela Graca.

• The 2022 SASJ Riders Gold Grand Prix Tour went to Charley Crockart and Callaho Lorenzo.

The Nabab Forever Riders' 'Rider of the Year' was awarded jointly to Dominey Alexander and Nicola Sime Riley. Nicola also took home the Capital Colnardo Trophy for her win of the Brits Stokkiesdraai WCQ aboard Sunny Parks Insaghi DB and was the overall RSA League Winner of the FEI World Cup Series for 2022!

THANK YOU

Well done to Tiffany Dewar, Kate Launder and the whole SASJ Team for pulling off another impeccable awards dinner. Thank you to all the sponsors that make this sport possible, and congratulations to all the 2022 Winners!

Tamar Gliksman and Mark White

Mark White and Thomas van Rijckevorsel

THE WORLD HAS SEEN WHAT WE’VE BEEN UP TO

TAKE A DEEP BREATH

THE COUNTDOWN IS ON!

Up-and-coming Young Rider Profile

Luca Watson is one of our most promising young riders in SA right now. Despite his youth, 13-year-old Luca has achieved many astounding feats in his showjumping career thus far. With wisdom beyond his years, he has also tackled the heartaches of the sport and shown resilience and drive, bouncing back into an already successful junior career. HQ caught up with Luca to take us through his triumphs, his losses and his plans for the future.

HQ: Tell us a bit about yourself.

Luca: I just turned 13, and I'm in grade 7 at Beaulieu Prep School. English is my favourite subject and when I'm not on a horse I love playing football, rugby and tennis. I'm also currently captain of the BPS Equestrian Team. I'm going to Beaulieu College on an equestrian scholarship next year, which I'm super excited about. I feel so lucky to be able to stable my horses at home; it's just amazing.

I have an older brother, Jude, and a younger sister Emi, who is four and also rides. I love sushi, F1's Max

Verstappen, playing soccer with my grooms after hours, and I am a diehard Liverpool supporter.

HQ: How did you get into riding, and who was your first pony?

Luca: I went to a friend's pony party when I was seven and arrived home to tell my mom I wanted to start lessons. Nobody in my family rode, so they were all a bit confused, but they supported my request. I was 8 when I got my first pony Zossie and had lessons at Farnham Riding School with Petrus, Vicky and Tamar.

Zozzie was a feisty dun mare, talented and forward, and I loved riding her. She scared me a bit initially but I eventually got the hang of her 'built-in engine' and we flew together. I went from school ponies to winning graded shows with her so quickly; she gave me the best start in ponies I could have asked for. She was a schoolmaster who wanted to win, but she could duck to the left, which kept me on my toes.

LUCA WATSON

PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH DE VILLIERS (WWW.SLDV.CO.ZA) AND PIX BY ALEX (MARKED)

PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH DE VILLIERS

HORSE AND RIDER

After six months together, we made the 70cm Gauteng Team, helped the Gauteng Team to win Gold in the Team Event, and finished the year as the 2018 Reserve South African Champions, snatching the Victor Ludorum. That was my first away show, and I've been in love with the sport since. That day was when my journey really began, and I was totally hooked.

HQ: Your journey with Treat was phenomenal. Can you tell us about it?

Luca: I saw Medunsa Trick or Treat, or 'Treat' compete in PE at the 2018 SA Champs and was blown away. He was in the Open classes with Ella Murphy, and I was in the 70s with Zossie, and I remember turning to my mum and saying, "Imagine owning a pony like that." My parents bought him for me five months later, in May 2019, and I cried non-stop when they told me.

We started our journey together in the PR90s and formed an immediate and easy bond. We became Reserve South African Champions that same year and helped Gauteng win Gold in the Team event. We just gelled, Treat and I. He understands me, and we just started having so much fun together. We won many eventing shows and started to really form an incredible partnership in the ring too. He was one in a million, and I knew it every time I sat on him. I felt so lucky to own him. He gave me enormous confidence, never said no, and always gave his best. Although he wasn't the biggest pony in the class, he always had the biggest heart in the ring.

COVID hit in 2020, and we entered the PR1m classes with masks on but full of excitement. It was a very disrupted year, but we won Gauteng Champs and finished the year on a high, taking the Reserve South African Champion slot and the Victor Ludorum. It was

Callaho Madeline. Photography: Sarah de Villiers

PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH DE VILLIERS

HORSE AND RIDER

Callaho Conny Will.

Photography: Pix by Alex

my third time as runner-up – it was becoming a habit I didn't like.

It was such a super fun year for us, though, and we had huge success at that height finishing the year ranked 1st in SA. We were inseparable, and I trusted him with my life. In 2021 when I was ten years old, the year started with such promise in the Open classes. We won many classes at big shows like Easter Festival and President's Cup, and we were Reserve Gauteng Champions and the Spring Fair Champions. It was set to be my best year yet.

Sadly, tragedy struck at the SA Derby when Treat tripped and fell in the warmup arena and came up with sand in his nose, mouth and eyes – I just knew something wasn't right. After withdrawing him, we ran many tests and scans and then learnt the awful news. He had done a deep digital flexor tendon. I was totally shattered.

My vet Patrick Martin never candy-coats what happens with my horses. He told me straight that Treat would never come back from that injury – and he was right. It has been the single hardest thing to accept so far in my riding journey. We finished that year ranked 2nd in SA in the Open classes, even though we didn't do the last four shows of the year. I never got to ride him at that level again, and I have never gotten over the loss.

HQ: You bravely handled Treat's accident; it's a true inspiration. What highlights from your pony rider career can you look back on?

Luca: I think getting to own and ride a Pony like Treat is the highlight of my Pony Rider career. Ribbons and victories aside, he taught me about patience, partnership, putting the horse first, and how to come back from massive disappointment.

Treat is — and will always be — a legend. He is the most incredible pony in every way. He is reliable, kind, honest, brave, careful and a total schoolmaster. He made me the rider I am today.

I am also very proud to have produced Ebb & Flow Blue Ivy, a super talented Pony on her way to greatness, up to PR1m, where she snatched a 2nd place at a class at President's Cup and won the 2022 Open Pony Rider Working Hunter Championship at Horse of the Year.  I also rode Roly Starlight for Hailey Gould while she recovered from a traumatic brain injury, and we won Gauteng Champs, Post Derby and were Reserve Spring Fair Champions all in just two short months together. My Pony Rider career was amazing and has taught me so much.

HQ: What challenges have you faced getting to where you are now and how did you overcome them?

Luca: During my days with Treat, he had a lot of niggles and injuries as an older schoolmaster pony. I had to sit out a lot of shows to ensure he got the time off, rest and treatment he needed, which taught me patience and respect for these animals and what they do for us.  I never pushed him to do more than what he could, and I learnt to always put the horse first. When he went lame at Derby, it shattered my dreams of finally winning a South African Championship with him. Watching everyone travel to Mistico without us hurt so much. His injury taught me that things don't always go the way you plan, and sometimes it's hard to understand why things happen the way they do.

HORSE AND RIDER

PHOTOGRAPHY: PIX BY ALEX

For a long while, I was without an Open ride in ponies, and my parents couldn't afford to buy me another one. It was frustrating and a real challenge to overcome mentally to keep myself in the game. Various leasing options didn't work out, and that's when we decided to transition onto horses, even though I was only 12.

My parents made huge sacrifices to buy Maddie (Callaho Madeline), which taught me to be so grateful for what we have. I think experiencing all these setbacks and big disappointments so early has taught me so much about bouncing back, which is something I'm good at now.

There are many more losses and disappointments in this sport than victories and celebrations – and being mentally prepared for both is important. I work with a sports psychologist to help me do this, as grit and determination aren't always enough, and sometimes we need some help from the professionals to keep us mentally ready and in the game.

HQ: How was the move from ponies to horses?

Luca: Maddie is 15.2, forward, hot, and built very compact, which made the move off ponies size-wise quite easy for me. Maddie is kind, honest, brave and very careful. Although she is a very sensitive and a super-hot ride, she and I had an easy and immediately successful start to my junior career last year with nine class wins, taking the National Championship at SANESA Level 7 and ending up as Reserve U25 Spring Fair Champions in the 1.10s.  With the classes being so huge and so competitive, it's really been exciting for me to be off ponies and onto horses where there is so much more competition. Most of our classes are combined with adults, and I have loved riding alongside some of my idols. It's a whole new world, and I have loved every minute of it. In some ways, it also feels right that I didn't continue in Open Ponies without Treat. It would never have felt the same.

Maddie and I helped Gauteng to Team Gold at the 2022 SA Youth Championships, won the 2-phase and finished 6th in the Championship out of 52 riders. I am very proud of what we have achieved together already – and not without some challenges and setbacks along the way!

HQ: Tell us a bit about your horses, their personalities, and some of your goals with them for the next few years.

Luca: Callaho Madeleine (Maddie) is a Hanoverian Warmblood mare. She's 11 years old and very sensitive, hot, and extremely speedy. I always say that if she keeps all the poles up, she will win. She has fire in her heart, and she loves to compete. She is the easiest horse at home, according to my groom, but the most challenging to ride. I can't touch her mouth, which is a challenge considering how strong she is. The special ones are always a challenge, and Maddie fits this description well. I want to win some Championships with Maddie this year.

PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH DE VILLIERS

Callaho Conny Will (Conny) is a 16.2 Warmblood mare (Con Coriano/Lissabon/Simply) and has just turned seven. She's such a Diva and struts around like she knows how pretty and talented she is! She is playful and has a very elaborate hind end. According to my groom, she is the more difficult horse at home, but she's a dream to ride and super straightforward. Conny is my ride for the big classes one day, and I am not rushing my journey with her. I want to get Conny into the 1.30s this year and to establish us as a force to be reckoned with in the future. In the meantime, I am proud that she placed well at every show we have done so far together, even picking up a 3rd in the 1.20 A2 and a 5th in the championship class at Easter Festival.

Conny is a much colder ride than Maddie. They're opposites in so many ways. I always say that with Maddie, I use my arms, and with Conny, I use my legs, so I get a full-body workout between them both! I am learning so much from riding two horses who are so totally different.

Finally, I've recently been fortunate enough to start my journey with another incredible horse, Callaho Con Cero. Cero (Con Coriano/Calando I/Capitano) is a 16.3hh 10 year old bay gelding sold on the 2017 Callaho Auction and currently jumping successfully in the 1.30/1.35s. He is a super brave horse and careful, and we just clicked instantly. My goal is to jump my first Junior Open class with him this year. To have three incredible Callaho team mates is a dream come true!

PHOTOGRAPHY: SARAH DE VILLIERS

HQ: What are some of the most important things you have learned from your coaches over the years?

Luca: Tamar Gliksman taught me that I only compete against the course, not against anyone else. It's about how well I can ride that track.

Ronnie Healy taught me it's not only about winning. Loving the animal and the partnership you have with them is more important. If you start there, the results will come.

Jo Van Achtenberg taught me to be calm, even when I feel angry or disappointed in myself because the horse picks up on every emotion you go through, and it doesn't serve you or them to get into a state. All of them have contributed to the rider I am today, and I am very grateful.

HQ: Tell us about your current coach and their coaching style. What do you like most about them?

Luca: Chad Cunningham coaches me, and I mostly have lessons at home, which is amazing. Chad is very technical and has a huge amount of knowledge, which he is always happy to share.

I think what I like most about Chad is how professional he is and how he can explain what I am feeling or where I am struggling in a way that I can understand. Then I can make immediate changes that work for me. I have many 'ah ha' moments each week.

I also appreciate how he sets goals with me and follows up each training session or show with messages or feedback calls about where I went wrong, what I did right, and how we move from there towards my goals. He is calm but firm, and I get the right amount of support from him in a way that really works for my personality type and how I like to be corrected or re-directed.

Kelly Slater is my dressage coach, and she always reminds me that my horses know more than I do and that I learn from them, and that it's not always about just asking them for what I want from them. She has been a huge support to me in many transitions I have made in my career so far and I have learned to love my flatwork lessons because of her.

Callaho Madeline.

Photography: Sarah de Villiers

HQ: Now you've moved up into Junior Open Equitation at such a young age, we notice you're focusing a bit more on this discipline. What do you enjoy most about equitation, and what have you learned from it?

Luca: I am learning to love this discipline, but it's early days, and I do lack the experience of the other riders competing at Open level. I went straight to Open, so there is some foundation learning I'm still getting to grips with. I'm open to learning and loving the ride.  I love the challenge of equitation, having to ride elements without stirrups or show my abilities in various ways on the flat. I am a showjumper at heart, but I am learning a lot, and it can only be good for my jumping. So, I persevere and hope to improve throughout the year with Conny, off the back of some good Open Equitation SANESA test scores with Maddie last year.

HQ: What does a typical training week look like for you and your horses?

Luca: A typical no-show week with both horses would be Mondays off, Tuesday lessons with Chad, Wednesdays hack/hill work, Thursdays a gymnastic or another lesson with Chad if needed, and Friday is a lunge or easy hack

depending on what I have going on or how they feel. Saturday, lunge or hack and Sunday, I try to do something different like a canter track or ICB water complex. I try to mix things up for their state of mind as much as possible.

HQ: Tell us about your sponsors.

Luca: Equi-feeds Equestrian Premium Feed suppliers have sponsored me since I was eight. They picked me up after my 2018 SA Youth Champs success and have been with me ever since. They were the first brand to really believe in me before I even believed in myself. They are such an incredible team to have behind me, and my horses are always kept in perfect condition by Carin, Jen, Shane and the whole team.

I joined the Western Shoppe Team at the beginning of 2022 and became a Brand Ambassador for Pessoa Saddles at the same time. The Pessoa Tom Boy is my saddle of choice. The quality and comfort for horse and rider are absolutely amazing. I am so grateful to be part of this incredible team and feel very proud to represent them each time I head out into the ring. Darryl, Jess, Meg, Robs

Callaho Conny Will.

Photography: Pix by Alex

Callaho Madeline.

Photography: Sarah de Villiers

and the whole Western Shoppe Team are so professional, helpful, and knowledgeable. The store has everything you could need and more.

HQ: You are often complimented on your sportsmanship. Why do you think sportsmanship is important in an individual sport like showjumping?

Luca: Thank you. That is important to me. I guess I really have learned the hard way that sometimes it's your turn, and sometimes it isn't. On both days, it's important to be humble and professional and put the horse first. Sometimes you will make mistakes, and sometimes they will, but it's usually you. Sometimes you win, and sometimes you learn, as my mom always says.

I have also been taught that there is enough sun for everyone. By supporting and congratulating others, you don't take anything away from yourself. Your turn will come. This sport is tough, and we don't need to make it harder by being unsupportive or jealous. Everyone gets a turn to shine.

I love it when my friends do well, and I am the first to say 'well done' when they beat me. You will always see me at shows supporting my friends, even when I am not even competing myself; I love the sport and the animal and to see everyone succeed.

HQ: Do you ever get nervous before shows? If you do, do you have any rituals to get focused?

Luca: Nerves are good as they tell me I'm ready, but I try not to let them control me. I do get nervous before shows, and I'm still learning to control those nerves and channel them into something useful.

I use visualisation to see the course in my head and picture jumping every jump well. I can see every distance perfectly and try and tell myself to take one jump at a time and that I am not competing against anyone apart from myself. It's just me against the course.

I get very quiet at shows and get into the zone – I don't like to talk. I use this focus time to calm my nerves and see the job I need to do. I can see the result I want, but I

Callaho Con Cero.

Photography: Pix by Alex

try to stay in the moment – and that is the challenge which I'm still working on.

HQ: What are your goals for the rest of 2023, and where can we hope to see you next?

Luca: Having missed President's Cup with both horses recovering from freak injuries, my focus now shifts to winning one of the next big titles on the calendar. I have a monkey on my back in that, in the past, I have won many classes and often go into Championship classes as the highest qualifier, but I don't win many title Championships because something doesn't go as planned, and I throw it away.

I also always come second at SA Champs. I've done so three times, so nothing would make me happier and prouder than taking a few important National titles this

year to prove to myself and my supporters that I can do it. Mastering the Champs class mentally is my biggest personal goal for 2023.

I really have the most fantastic horses, sponsors, and an incredible support team around me who make all this possible and who I am beyond grateful for - and I am excited to see what we can achieve together this year. I like to say, "Hustle and heart will set you apart", and I plan to give this year everything I have got.

WHERE CAN YOU SPOT LUCA NEXT?

Keep an eye out for Luca and his horses at many shows throughout the year. For the time being, he has set his sights on Gauteng Champs, the FEI Children's Classic Tour and the South African Youth Championships throughout June and July.

Callaho Madeline.

Photography: Sarah de Villiers

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BREEDING MAGIC

“IT’S IN OUR BLOOD”

It’s no secret that Callaho Warmblood Stud have made their stamp on the South African equestrian scene, but the history behind this enduring excellence is less well-known. This year, HQ are excited to embark on a journey behindthe-scenes with Callaho to explore exactly what it means to have breeding magic ‘in their blood’. Along the way, we’ll also see the fruits of this labour of love in the Callaho Auction horses of 2023 and, of course, the Callaho horses currently excelling on the competition circuit. This promises to be a notable year for the Stud, and HQ Magazine are incredibly proud to be a part of it.

In this first article, we delve into the history of Callaho Stud and the family behind it. All owners of a Callaho know what it means to be a part of the wider family, but this warmth, commitment and personal attention is made possible by the dedicated Callaho Warmblood Stud family, who for decades now have worked together to breed the best of the best. For this nuclear family on the farm in Christiana, there is no doubt that the breeding of horses runs in their blood.

THE CALLAHO STORY

The Callender-Easby family’s recorded preoccupation with equines dates back 120 years to 1903 with great-grandfather William’s arrival in Cape Town on the Union-Castle Line steamship, the Armadale Castle. Hailing from Yorkshire, historic homeland of astute horsemen (and many suspicious horse acquisitions), the 19-year-old had decided that honest horse proprietorship was preferable to thieving, so he set forth on a mission to the Kimberley diamond fields, where he ostensibly intended to earn his leg-up.

Working to steadily make his way inland, William had, however, enough to enable him to forfeit diamonds and settle on a small farm near Bloemfontein, where he set about sheep farming and breeding riding horses for pleasure and the military under his beloved ‘Bethany Stud’ label. After scraping through the depression years, he went on to found and Chair the ‘Registered Saddle Horse Breeders Society of S.A. and Rhodesias’, the first riding horse registry in the country. He acquired the farm Vaallaagte between the Great Wars, specifically for the sweetveld and sandy savannas overlaid on shallow calcareous bedrock on which, he correctly surmised, young growing horses would flourish. William’s youngest son, Grandpa Chris, returned from the War in North Africa and Italy to develop the farm into a successful enterprise. Chris, in turn, passed on and nurtured the passion for horses and breeding to all three of his sons.

It is this ancestral Kalahari farm with its ideal sweetveld which is now home to the Callaho Stud, where over 120 years later, fine Warmblood sport horses are still being bred by William’s third and fourth generation direct descendants.

Ian and Vanessa Callender-Easby

Ivana Callender-Easby

THE NEXT LEVEL

The decision to focus specifically on Warmbloods was conceived during the turn of the century with the acquisition of several mares and youngstock from local Brandenburg Stud. However, to fully realize their dreams it was decided by Callaho in 2003 that only the very best dam-lines in the world would suffice. This decision was a turning point. Early that May Stud Chief Jaco Fourie was dispatched to Europe on a mission to travel the breadth of Holland and Germany in search of the finest genetics with which to give essence to Callaho’s breeding aspirations. Eight weeks of intensive research, untold sleepless nights, and thousands of kilometres later, Team Callaho finalised the acquisition of nine very special fillies. Now over twenty years on, and with more than 120 mares imported subsequently, several of these original broodmares still remain the foundation of Callaho’s most successful damlines. They, their daughters and now several

grand and great-granddaughters, still browse the Kalahari Savannas, quietly going about nurturing the next generation of Callaho Magic.

kinship experienced on the stud farm and the broader Team, underpinned by decades of dedication and service. This manifests throughout the Callaho experience, yielding enduring relationships all harmonizing and focused on achieving excellence, in every facet of breeding and raising Warmbloods for International level competition.

Second generation Stud Foreman, Ace Moeng, now in his 23rd year at Callaho, heads the staff contingent alongside managers, Lucas Seleke, Bennie Marumo and Shimmy Salobeng, all of whom established their place at Callaho in 2007.

Ace Moeng

Shimmy Selobeng

Stable Management also boasts three bedrock pillars on the stud farm; headed by Marike Swanepoel and Johnny Smith, both of whom have been on the

Johnny Smith

Carrie-Anne Bottom

Marike Swanepoel

Ray Körber, Callaho’s professional rider for near on 20 years, now also directs the training of the young horses with Graham Winn and Tani Gerber. Tani has graduated through the ranks since 2017 to also manage all breeding responsibilities. Several more trusted Team members have taken up key positions over the years. Cherricka Appelgryn and Riaan vd Merwe, now in their fifth year on the stud farm and counting, are inextricably entrenched in the Callaho fabric and are indispensable to the efficient functioning of all HR, admin and finance responsibilities. Just absorbing the collective experience of the Callaho

Team is a study in solidarity, kinship and efficiency.

From this fourth-generation horse-breeding family, to the foundation broodmares, to the exceptional stallions, and, of course, to the team and staff who passionately develop these horses into the athletes we see today, one begins to perceive just how deeply the concept of “breeding is in our blood” actually permeates their existence.

With the 17th Callaho Auction just around the corner, our HQ team couldn’t help but ask them to pick five foundation broodmares and offer just a snippet about their connection to the current Collection.

Cherricka Appelgryn

Riaan van de Merwe

Tani Gerber

Ray Korber Graham Winn

1 | CALLAHO’s WELINGAN

Previous Auction horses directly out of Welingan:

• 2009 | Callaho Le Cadeau (Lissabon gelding) SJ 1.50m with Desiree Pienaar

• 2008 | Callaho Fanatiker (For Pleasure gelding) SJ 1.40m with Vanessa Lyon

• 2012 | Callaho Liantos (Lissabon gelding) SJ 1.50m with Tamara Rueda

• 2016 | Callaho Corrigan (Corinth gelding) SJ 1.20m with Martyn Swanepoel

Her grandson on this Auction:

• Lot 10 | Callaho Condesso (Con Coriano gelding)

“Starting a conversation about Welingan without overdoing the superlatives is a challenge, so please bear with us - Welingan was bought from the 2003 Borculo Auction on the ‘whisper-in-the-ear’ advice of Dutch stallion keeping legend, Henk Nijhof, who’s world-famous yard is just around the corner. This must be the most providential, fluky piece of luck that any inexperienced, aspirational jumperbreeder could possibly have hoped for. God Bless his Soul.”

2 | CALLAHO’s LONI

Previous Auction horses directly out of Loni:

• 2010 | Callaho Lissandor (Lissabon gelding) CCIC3*-S with Claudia Cloete

• 2011 | Callaho Contador (Con Coriano gelding) SJ 1.30m with Brendan McNevin

• 2013 | Callaho Casselona (Casparon mare) SJ 1.30m with Kaitlyn Pike

• 2015 | Callaho Connor (Con Coriano gelding) SJ 1.35m with Tanya Strauss

From Loni on this Auction:

• Lot 18 | Callaho I’m Splendid (I’m Special de Muze gelding)

“Loni is simply unique. True to sire Landor S’s reputation, her ability in sport was unquestioned, but her rideability needed harmonizing. However, time has revealed that this stallion in the damline, mated to well-chosen sires, often catalyzes freakish jumpers with interesting demeanours.”

3 | CALLAHO’s RAVELLA

From Ravella’s damline:

• 2007 | Callaho Fiorella (For Joy mare) SJ 1.50m with Jeanne Körber

• 2010 | Callaho Lexington (Lissabon gelding) SJ 1.50m with Jeanne Körber

• 2010 | Callaho Luca Vella (Lissabon gelding) SJ 1.35m with Tegan Bruyns

• 2013 | Callaho Loki (Lissabon gelding) SJ 1.30m with Sabrina Barbaglia

On Auction:

• Lot 1 | Callaho Conté Vella (Contendro I mare)

“It literally took years of prayerful soliciting before we eventually convinced Hanoverian breeder Eberhard Jordan to part with Ravella. It was in a rare moment of weakness, after one particular late-night terminated by dollops of Schnapps, that she was immediately whisked away and onto the plane home. ‘Just-in-time’ as the saying goes, as her son Sinclair (Singular Joter) immediately started making waves on the International 1.60m Circuit.”

4 | CALLAHO’s CASSINA

From Cassina’s damline:

• 2011 | Callaho Lord Cassini (Lord Z gelding)

SJ 1.50m with Jenna Barrow

• 2011 | Callaho Falvio (For Joy gelding)

SJ 1.50m with Martyn Swanepoel

• 2011 | Callaho Conrado (Con Coriano gelding) SJ 1.40m with Ray Korber

• 2012 | Callaho Lucetto (Lissabon gelding)

SJ 1.40m with Paige Goetsch

On this Auction:

• Lot 14 | Callaho Tin Tin (Tolano van’t Riethof gelding)

Cassina is out of a truly exceptional Holstein damline, which is directly related to Jos Lansink’s exceptional WEG winner, Cumano. Cassina’s mother, Weisse Dame, is heralded as one of Holstein’s most prodigious foundation dams. Furthermore, sire Cassini is, even in these days of modern breeding, still referred to with exalted deference. Cassina herself was dam to Van Schijndel’s Optical, International 1.60m sensation under the saddle of Piet Rijmakers. For Callaho, Cassina’s genetics have, over time, and especially so in the 2nd and 3rd generation, proven to be pure gold.

5 | CALLAHO’s CERISE

From Cerise’s damline:

• 2010 | Callaho Luther (Lissabon gelding)

SJ 1.40m with Tegan Bruyns

• 2010 | Callaho Quirise (Quidam's Rubin mare)

SJ 1.35m with Danielle Evertse

• 2012 | Callaho Simone (Stolzenburg mare)

SJ 1.40m with Jeanne Körber

• 2012 | Callaho Con Cero (Con Coriano gelding)

SJ 1.35m with Shaun Neill

On Auction:

• Lot 23 | Callaho Livia (Lissabon mare)

“Cerise is a uniquely precious mare by any measure. Anywhere. Born on the Schleswig-Holstein farm of one of the most famous Warmblood breeders of all time, Harm Thormälen, Cerise is a direct daughter of U-Capitola; full sister to Capitol I & Capitol II; and dam of Quite Capitol I & II. Equally significant, Cerise is by Calando I, a true gem in any damline. He confers exceptional fighting spirit, soundness and longevity.”

IT TRULY IS ‘IN THEIR BLOOD’

The Callaho family, their team and their horses are a remarkable example of all that is best in our sport. Dedication, commitment, the pursuit of excellence, teamwork and, of course, absolute love and devotion to these exceptional athletes sets Callaho Warmblood Stud apart. At HQ Magazine, it has been our great honour to follow the Callaho journey over the years and we never fail to be impressed by the brilliance of both their horses and their team. For Callaho, the excellence is intrinsic – it really is ‘in their blood’.

Don’t miss the Callaho Online Auction Winter Edition, which runs from Tuesday 30th May to Saturday 3rd of June.

BAREFOOT SHOWJUMPING

INTERVIEW WITH SHOWJUMPER KATIE PONTONE

TEXT: CHRISTINE PINNA

Peder Fredricson (SWE) riding All In (barefoot) at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Team Jumping Final. © FEI/EFE/Kai Försterling

Ihave loosely followed the barefoot showjumping movement since I first heard of it gaining popularity in Europe in 2018. At this time, I interviewed Adeline Hécart of Haras de la Roque and was pleasantly surprised at how successful she and her team had been. I was also impressed to hear that their horses' management was very 'untraditional' for competitive horses, which undeniably played a large part in success.

This last interview was nearly five years ago, and since then, there has been a huge explosion in the number of barefoot horses not just competing on the top-level showjumping circuit but winning. I, therefore, decided to reach out to showjumper Katie Pontone and get up to speed on the latest happenings in the movement. Katie is dedicated to following and reporting on the latest news and results from the barefoot showjumpers. She has a unique perspective on what is really going on behind the scenes, and I thought she was the perfect person to get us up to speed and bust a few of the myths surrounding this barefoot showjumping phenomenon.

BAREFOOT SHOWJUMPING IS A HOT TOPIC AND SEEMS TO BE RAPIDLY INCREASING IN POPULARITY; WHY DO YOU THINK THIS?

The biggest factor that has really propelled this forward so quickly has been the recovery of top horses that were condemned by vets and farriers. Horses with significant lameness and injuries that were given a poor prognosis are returning to and excelling again at the top of the sport. Of the riders I've spoken to, who have removed their horses' shoes, no one regrets their decision, and there has not been a single instance of soft tissue injury. The other element that has helped gain traction has been the irrefutable evidence of these barefoot horses' resultsweek after week on a global scale they dominate at every single show and the riders of these horses are reaching the highest world rankings of their careers.

WHO OR WHAT STARTED THIS MOVEMENT?

At the top level, this was all started by Michel Hécart of Haras de la Roque. He read a study by a podiatrist who was following horses living on varied terrain, including stones, without being shod. At the time, Haras de la Roque had about thirty horses in work. The trimmer suggested that they remove the shoes of three of them to see how it would go, but Michel said to pull them all after the first three walked out comfortably. Haras de la Roque's riders and grooms then underwent trimming training with Podologie Equine Libre of Guillaume Parisot. Since learning to trim hooves themselves in 2018, all of the horses managed by Haras de la Roque in 2023 are still competing and dominating barefoot. Julien Epaillard, riding Toupie de la Roque and Alibi de la Roque for Michel Hécart at the time, admittedly took six months to be open to even riding someone else's barefoot horses at the 5* level, but Julien now exclusively rides barefoot horses, and his team also learned to trim through PEL. Since his decision in the 2022 season to keep his horses exclusively barefoot, he has achieved 76 international victories; this is more than any rider has ever achieved.

ROUGHLY HOW MANY HORSES ARE CURRENTLY COMPETING BAREFOOT AT A TOP LEVEL THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF?

At the stables of riders at the top level, there are thousands of barefoot horses at this point. With more and more stables hiring barefoot trimmers for their hoofcare and removing the horses' shoes, we are even beginning to see horses moving up the levels that are reaching the 7 and 8-year-old jumping classes of 1.35m-1.40m this year without ever having been shod. This is noteworthy because the myth was long perpetuated that once a horse begins a certain amount of work, they need shoes regardless of hoof health and quality. Shoeing has, in many cases, been done as a traditional step, but now due to these changes demonstrated by top riders and barefoot trimmers, the number of shod horses drops week on week.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF COMPETING BAREFOOT?

The biggest benefit is horse health and injury prevention through proper biomechanics. By enabling the function of the hoof mechanisms and engaging the digital cushion on impact, we enable healthy tendon function and strengthen the soft tissue, effectively decreasing

concussion which reduces strain taken by the joints and the entire body. Through the correct function of the hooves and body, we improve proprioception and nerve reaction, which when jumping fences at speed is crucial; it's really no wonder that these horses are dominating so regularly. The fact that these horses can now be safely turned out together in groups also helps to improve their mental health significantly. I think it's safe to say a happier horse will perform better than one that is emotionally and mentally shut down and stressed due to solitary confinement.

WHAT ARE SOME NEGATIVES OF COMPETING BAREFOOT?

The biggest downside to competing barefoot is that when our horses are not feeling their best or have not been properly conditioned in their hooves or body, the issue is immediately detectable. As much as this is a downside in terms of competition, knowing our horses need more time to heal or that we are somehow failing in our management is valuable information for the long-term benefit of our horses. Seeing the issue early allows us to take the necessary steps to fix it instead of not knowing and continuing to push the horse that is silently suffering.

Peder Fredricson (SWE) riding All In (barefoot) at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Team Jumping Final. © FEI/ Christophe Taniére.

DID YOU KNOW?

Julien Epaillard, the current world number two showjumper, quotes an 80% decrease in veterinary bills since going barefoot. Similarly, Gregory Sokoloski helped decrease the Houston Mounted Police's horse healthcare cost per year from $150,000-$200,000 to $40,000-$50,000 by removing all of their horses' shoes.

WHAT ABOUT SHOWJUMPING ON GRASS; IS IT POSSIBLE?

It has been done successfully up to the 1.55m completely barefoot by Robin Muhr, the 1.50m using hoof boots by Innes van den Bosch, and 1.50m by Julien Epaillard. However, an ideal non-invasive solution for individual horses lacking concavity and uphill balance is in the works.

IT IS SAID THAT THESE HORSES CAN ONLY BE JUMPED BAREFOOT BECAUSE OF THE ALMOST PERFECT ARENA SURFACES THAT THESE HORSES COMPETE ON. IS THIS THE REALITY?

For some of these horses that are living in non-ideal environments for the species hoof boots are necessary to allow them to manage. With that said, many of these riders are employing barefoot trimmers that are educated in not only hoofcare but holistic horse management that allows for the barefoot approach to succeed even in nonideal conditions. Many riders with stables that house only barefoot horses condition their horses' feet by either implementing varied terrain into their horses' living environments or making time in their training to build their hooves on stony tracks. These riders understand what it

takes to develop their horses' muscles to tackle these jumping courses and, with the help and education from their hoofcare providers, have learned to understand the importance of working the hooves to build their soundness as well. This hoof conditioning is the flatwork of hoofcare whether you are competing in endurance, showjumping, or working for the mounted police.

WHAT IS REQUIRED IN ORDER TO MAKE THE BAREFOOT TRANSITION WORK?

The number one thing is patience. Internal structures within the hoof take time to heal and build. When shoes are removed, the horses move differently, and they engage different muscles and use their bodies differently than when they were shod; this change can present in muscle soreness, and this change takes time to adjust to. Additionally, it is important to be surrounded by people who are knowledgeable, experienced, and skilled at transitioning horses out of shoes, as this can make all the difference in getting the whole horse management right to set your horses up for success. Dietary intervention may also be necessary in many cases, and hygiene must also be addressed so as to grow out strong enough hooves to cope barefoot.

Caracole de la Roque's hoof (courtesy of Sandra Carreira when Caracole stayed at her farm while showing at Vilamoura).

ARE THERE SOME HORSES THAT CAN'T OR SHOULDN'T GO BAREFOOT? UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES?

With the modernization in hoofcare, I hope the industry continues its innovation and development to best protect and heal horses with suitable materials. Horses with irreparable damage and conformational defects deserve to be well supported, and with the pathfinders in hoofcare and bodywork continuously pushing for better, I think that these horses that need support are in good hands. With regards to the sport, I hope horses that are not comfortable and have experienced irreparable damage will not be asked to perform beyond what their bodies are capable of.

I HAVE NOTICED THAT MANY OF THE TOP HORSES COMPETING BAREFOOT WERE LAST COMPETED SHOD VERY RECENTLY; HOW MUCH DOWNTIME IS REQUIRED IN ORDER FOR A HORSE TO GO BAREFOOT AND GET BACK INTO COMPETING?

With the assistance of hoof boots and the quality of venues now many horses, depending on their current pathology, are able to have their shoes removed and compete the following weekend. Depending on the horses' body and hoof condition, in the words of Julien Epaillard, "some horses take two days, others take two years".

WHERE DO YOU SEE THE BAREFOOT MOVEMENT GOING OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS?

In the words of showjumper Jens Fredricson, "I think no one will have shoes on their horses in the future, not in the top sport." And in the words of showjumper Victor Bettendorf on keeping his horses without shoes, "I wouldn't go back for anything in the world." I think barefoot will really take off once people begin to adapt their thinking from 'impossible' and 'can't' and begin to ask how these stables are succeeding at transitioning horses that were all previously under professional farrier and veterinary care and needed shoes, pads, and corrective shoeing packages. These horses are not just surviving without these elements – they are thriving and returning from career-ending injuries that could not be resolved with over 30 different shoeing packages.

However, it is worth noting that even with all of these horses competing without shoes, not one of the horses competing barefoot is doing so because a vet or farrier suggested it. Instead, many of these stables are hiring barefoot trimmers and even learning to trim themselves. When Julien Epaillard put out the information on his hoofcare practices, he received an enormous amount of negative criticism, pointing out that it's absolutely not possible. The farriers were quick to say that it couldn't be done, despite

Robin Muhr piloting Emilio de Gree to a top placing in the 1.45m

the fact he was already doing it and had already won more prize money that season with barefoot horses than any other rider. It is still going to be a long road!

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOUR OWN INVOLVEMENT IN BAREFOOT SHOWJUMPING?

I read Joe Camp's The Soul of a Horse, and that was the start of our journey. At the time, Gregory Sokoloski had transitioned the entirety of his Mounted Police horses out of shoes, and there were a few stables jumping nothing but barefoot horses, and those were my back up against the vets, farriers, and horse trainers.

I currently have two awesome mares that live with me in Ocala, Florida. I received huge backlash when I removed my horses' shoes and pads against both the farrier's and trainer's suggestions. I hired Cindy Valoura, the greatest barefoot trimmer, and we went and won every single class at our first show after pulling the shoes. These mares

MORE INFO

To keep up to date with barefoot showjumping news you can follow Katie Pontone at: Facebook: https://web. facebook.com/katie.pontone Instagram: https://www. instagram.com/katiepontone/

recently took me to and helped us win at both Washington International as well as the North American League Finals.  This evolution in hoofcare is happening so rapidly through rider education and intervention; it is happening because these riders are starting to ask how. How are these riders transitioning horses out of corrective shoe packages with significant pathology and lameness, navicular diagnoses, and tendon damage, and how are they winning on such a massive scale, placing at the top at every Grand Prix and major event on a global scale every week? Compared to what I believed was possible when I jumped down the rabbit hole many years ago, what is being achieved really is simply unbelievable.

Trimming education with PEL at Haras de la Bosquetterie

Groundwork

PART 4

YIELD BACKWARDS WITH AN INDIRECT FEEL

Over the past few months, we’ve received an increasing number of questions about getting started with groundwork. Whilst we advise that an instructor helps you to get started, there are a few basics that you can teach at home that ultimately form the foundation of all groundwork activities. Over the following few issues, we will look at these basic building blocks of your groundwork toolbox and help you to build a solid foundation for your in-hand work.

YIELD BACKWARDS WITH AN INDIRECT FEEL

In this exercise, you will teach your horse to back up out of your space from a distance.

HOW TO DO THE EXERCISE

• Position your horse so that he faces you with both eyes and ears. Ensure there is plenty of space behind him so he can back up without encountering obstacles or uneven ground.

• Focus on a point in the distance behind him, stand tall and lift your energy to let him know you are going to ask him something.

• Straighten your arm that is holding the lead rope towards him and point to his chest. The rope should be loose enough at this point not to move the halter.

• If he doesn’t move back, send a pulse down the line to move the clip where it joins the halter so he feels the movement. You can repeat this a couple of times and even move the rope rhythmically to see if this helps him to understand your request.

• If this doesn’t work, flick the end of the rope or your stick towards his front legs. You can again try this a couple of times and also try to move the rope or stick rhythmically towards his front legs.

Some instructors may advocate working in ‘protected contact’ with a horse that has developed aggression around the behaviour back-up. This involves working the horse in his stable or on the other side of a fence, to keep yourself safe and make your horse feel safe. This can be very effective!

• If this still does not work, you can walk towards him while flicking the end of the rope or stick towards his front legs. If he is still standing, when you get to him, touch him and ask him to take a step backwards.

• Whenever he takes a step backwards or even shifts his weight back, release all pressure. As with the previous exercises, you want to start with just one step of back-up and gradually ask for more over time.

• Keep practising the above steps, and you will find that soon your horse is stepping back easily and earlier and earlier in the process. Eventually, you want to be able to just point at your horse’s chest and have him back up. This will take some time, but if you are patient, he will eventually understand.

TOP TIP

Keep your stimulus aimed low (at your horse’s chest or below) to help prevent him from going backwards with his head up and back hollow, which is undesirable and unhealthy from a biomechanical perspective.

POINTS TO NOTE

Back-up is a valuable exercise for both keeping you safe and for improving the strength and suppleness of your horse, particularly through his hindquarter.

TROUBLESHOOTING

• If your horse becomes defensive and goes backwards too much, you will probably find you have used more pressure than is necessary. Reduce your pressure and try again.

• If your horse comes forward through the pressure, he may be confused, or he may be feeling defensive. If your horse is simply confused, you can continue to work on

the issue with the steps above, making sure you release all pressure when he so much as thinks about taking a step backwards. He will quickly understand what you are asking. On the other hand, if your horse becomes defensive or agitated when you ask him to back up, we advise you to get an experienced groundwork instructor to assist you in handling the issue. Just beware of anyone who tries to ‘force’ your horse to go backwards or wants to ‘show them who is boss’, as this will only escalate the situation and build more tension in your horse, making them more unpredictable in the long run. The ‘dominance’ approach may work as a ‘quick fix’, but the damage done by this sort of training can be long-

HORSE AND RIDER

lasting and almost impossible to undo. Instead, you want a patient instructor who will help your horse understand that backing up is simply about safety, not dominance.  • Most horses will struggle to back up straight as, just like us, they have one side that is much stronger than the other. If your horse veers off to one side, either stop him and reposition him before asking for more steps or ask him to yield his hindquarters (check out our next edition for this exercise) to straighten him up before asking for more back-up steps.

NOTE: Some trainers have ‘chased horses backwards’, particularly during the backing process, as an exercise in dominance. This kind of exercise can lead to a horse shutting down and demonstrating learned helplessness or becoming defensive and even aggressive to protect themselves from the threat they believe humans now pose. We do not advocate for dominance-based training methods but instead train using science-backed equine ethology and behaviour-supported methodologies. It is, however, worth mentioning that back-up has been used in this way by some trainers to give an understanding of why your

You don’t want your horse to have his head high in the air when backing up, as this puts strain on his back and lessens the biomechanical benefit of the exercise.

horse may behave in an unexpected fashion when asked to move backwards; your horse is not being ‘naughty’ - he is simply responding to a traumatic incident that occurred in his early training. It is also worth understanding how backup has been used negatively, as it demonstrates why the behaviours that can be displayed with this exercise can be dangerous and require professional, patient assistance.

MAKING THE EXERCISE MORE DIFFICULT

Once your horse understands this basic form of the backup, you can increase the distance between you both, asking him to move backwards without moving your feet.

NEXT TIME

In our next issue, we will be looking at asking the horse to yield his hindquarters from a direct feel.

Crucial conformation

Part 3: Muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments

When choosing or evaluating a horse, there are many factors to consider: breed, breed type (how the horse embodies the characteristics of his breed or type), pedigree, colour, temperament and personality. However, the most important element is the conformation, particularly if you want the horse to have an athletic career or breed. Choosing a horse based on an understanding of conformation makes it less likely that you will endure the disappointment or heartbreak of a career-ending injury or early loss of use due to arthritis or injury.

A horse with good conformation has no apparent faults that detract from his general appearance and function. Crucially, however, conformation is not just about looks but also about suitability for the job the horse will be asked to do. Some of the 'rules' of conformation are based on pure physics – structural strength, leverage forces and proper angles, for instance – and these help us understand why some horses stay sound, and others do not.

Of course, some horses with poor conformation go on to be winners, but these are truly the exception to the rule. Most of the best equine athletes possess certain qualities of good conformation that enable them to perform at a higher level. Generally, the horse with good conformation and proper body and leg angles experiences less wear and tear on joints and other structures. He is more apt to stay sound and perform well during a long life of athletic service than a horse with serious conformational flaws.

the horse to function and perform his job. Aside from the organs and body cavities that contain these organs, the horse's body is made up of bones, muscles, joints, tendons (which attach muscles to bones) and ligaments (which hold bones to bones).

Muscles cover the bones, and muscles and fat together give the horse his external shape. If the bones are structurally correct and the horse is fit, then these structures in tandem provide him with strength and endurance. If, on the hand, either the bones, muscles, or fatty tissue are damaged, or out of ideal alignment in any way, the appearance and functionality of the horse will be compromised.

MUSCLES

The horse has over seven hundred skeletal muscles, contributing more than one-third of his body weight. Muscles are bundles of elastic fibres.

Most muscle ends attach to bones, but some attach to other muscles or the skin. Muscles attach to bones with tendons at strategic locations, moving the bones by contracting and relaxing. The bones are connected to one another by joints, which extend or flex in response to the movement of the muscles. The muscles that move various bones are usually shaped like bands, with ends that taper into the tendons.

In addition to creating movement, muscles can limit or prevent movement in a different direction. For instance, the muscles that pull the forearm (top of the front legs) in toward the body also restrain it from being pulled too far out from the body.

Most of the muscles that enable the horse to move are arranged in pairs, with one on either side of the body or leg bone. When one contracts, the other relaxes. This is called reciprocal muscle action. This paired arrangement allows the bone to move in opposite directions, such as a leg moving forward and back and also keeps the action smooth, not jerky and irregular. The muscles on each side of the bone regulate and maintain the proper tension or relaxation for precise movement.

The muscles of the legs are extensors and flexors. The extensor muscles at the front of the forearm move the front leg forward, while the flexors at the back of the forearm flex the joints of the lower leg (knee, fetlock and pastern joints). As an example of this, two of the major muscles in the shoulder area are the biceps and triceps. These muscles open and close the elbow joint by pulling on the bones at different positions. When the biceps contracts, it flexes the elbow joint and pulls the 'arm bone' forward and

THE SHOULDER GIRDLE

The ring of muscles encircling the chest to give attachment and support to the front legs is called the shoulder girdle. In the horse, the shoulder blade is not attached by bone to the body, so these strong muscles hold the shoulder blade in place and help absorb the concussion that travels up the leg each time a front foot hits the ground, reducing stress and impact on the backbone.

The shoulder girdle allows the shoulder blade to move back and forth, enabling the horse to extend his front leg much further than would be possible if they were connected to bony joints. This more flexible muscle girdle also allows the body to move up and down and to shift a front leg away from the body to aid in sudden changes of direction or tight turns. At a gallop, for instance, the horse can lean into a turn with his legs while keeping his body and spine straight.

upward, lifting the horse's front foot off the ground. The triceps has the exact opposite effect. When it contracts, it extends the elbow and sends the foot back to the ground. The two muscles work together smoothly without jerking the leg or putting strain on the joints. Both muscles contract simultaneously, but one is more dominant than the other during specific phases of the horse's stride. Similarly, the knee has muscles that straighten it and muscles that bend it. Below the knee, all the muscles of the forearm extend downward as long tendons. There are no muscles below the knee.

The hindquarters contain the largest muscles of the body, providing the power and leverage to propel the horse forward or to rear and kick. Some of these muscles extend the joints of the hind leg, while others act to flex the joints. As in the front leg, the muscles above the hock taper into tendons that extend down the leg to activate the lower leg joints.

All of the muscles that move bones must work in perfect synchrony, or the joints won't move smoothly and will be placed under stress. Similarly, if the bones are angled 'incorrectly' through conformational faults, the muscles may be unable to move the bones smoothly, despite their own function being adequate. Bones and joints under stress are at risk of fracture or degenerative changes, which is why horses with poor conformation or muscle injuries are more at risk of these injuries.

JOINT ANATOMY MEDICAL INFOGRAPHIC

JOINTS

Joints are the junctions between the bones that enable one bone to attach to another. There are three types of joints within the body: moveable joints (in which the bones are joined together with ligaments and the moving parts are lubricated with the synovial fluid contained within the joint capsule, such as in the joints of the legs); slightly moveable joints (in which the bones are bound together by cartilage and have limited movement, such as between the vertebrae); and immovable joints (such as points where the bones of the skull meet, fusing together to create a solid joint). Because of the demands of movement, movable joints are the ones most likely to be injured by uneven stresses caused by improper angles and hard work. The moveable joints in the leg allow the horse to bend and lift his legs and help to absorb concussive forces

NOTE

Muscles and fitness alone cannot wholly compensate for structural defects like an upright shoulder, a short neck or hindquarters, or a long back.

created by the impact of the feet hitting the ground. The joints between the leg bones are created by the ends of the bones, each of which is covered by a protective layer of smooth cartilage to create a frictionless gliding surface. The surface is made even smoother by synovial fluid secreted by the inner lining of the joint capsule. The fluid provides the perfect lubrication for the joint and works to protect the joint from wear and tear. The joint is secured by ligaments attached to both bones and stabilised by a fibrous joint capsule surrounding it. The ligaments connect the bones so firmly that they can only move in certain ways. The basic conformation of the horse determines the long-term strength and durable service of the leg joints (stifles, hocks, elbows, knees and fetlock joints); ideally, it allows the leg bones to move continually without overstraining the joint.

The angle at which certain bones in the body connect can vary greatly from one horse to another. This affects the horse's conformation and athletic power, speed and agility. For instance, the angle between the femur and tibia in the stifle joint of the hind leg may range anywhere from 100 to 140 degrees, depending on the horse. If the angle is closer to 140 degrees, the horse will have a straight stifle and usually a straight hock, making him post-legged (when viewed from the side, the hock is nearly under the stifle instead of being directly under the buttocks). This poor conformation limits athletic ability and tends to pull the patella out of place, locking at the stifle joint.

If the angle of the joint is closer to 100 degrees, on the other hand, the stifle and hock joints are overbent, creating a condition called sickle hocks, where there is too much curve at the hock joint, putting the lower leg at an angle with the feet too far underneath the body. Ideal angulation is somewhere between the two extremes of 140 and 100 degrees and can vary slightly, depending on the horse's discipline. A moderate angle makes the horse a better athlete and exerts less stress on the joints, reducing the risk of injury and unsoundness.

LIGAMENTS

Ligaments are the strong bands of connective tissue that hold bones together at joints. They support and strengthen the joints. Many joints have collateral ligaments, or ligaments on each side, to hold the bones together. A few joints, such as the hip and stifle, have intra-articular ligaments, that is, ligaments that run inside the joints themselves. Some ligaments are long, like those running along the neck or back, and others are short, like those between each vertebra. Some are cords, such as in the lower legs, and some are elaborate structures, such as the one that runs down the crest of the neck, fanning out in sections to attach to the neck vertebrae below it. Other ligaments are sheets of tissue that wrap around specific joints.

DID YOU KNOW?

In an individual, angles tend to be similar. A horse with straight stifles tends to have straight hocks, and a horse with bent hocks (curved, sickle hocks) usually has similarly angled stifles.

TENDONS

Tendons are bands of dense, fibrous connective tissue at the ends of muscles that connect the muscle to the nearby bone. These strong cords create movement by transmitting the muscle contraction into a pull on the bone. Some tendons attach to more than one bone and can therefore act on several joints simultaneously.

Tendons are made of long fibres and are stronger than muscles but less elastic. The thicker and shorter the tendon, the stronger it is. Long tendons are weaker due to the increased effect of leverage. For example, a long cannon bone and its long tendon have less strength than a shorter one because the longer tendon has to move a more significant weight or withstand a greater force over more distance.

If a tendon passes over a joint, a tendon sheath that produces a lubricating fluid protects the tendon from friction. In this way, a tendon sheath is similar to a joint capsule.

IT'S ALL ABOUT BALANCE

A horse with good conformation exerts balanced stress on the leg joints. With proper leg angles and equal weight bearing on the various parts, the stresses on joints are minimised, connecting tendons and ligaments stay strong, muscles remain healthy, and the horse stays sound. Conversely, the joints of a horse with poor conformation undergo uneven stress, which can create more pull (of ligament or tendon on the bone) on one side of the joint than the other, for example, and in turn result in joint problems if the horse is worked hard. In such a horse, there is a serious risk of pulled tendons and ligaments, damaged muscles and more wear on the joint surfaces. With even minor tears or disruptions to these structures, the resulting inflammation may lead to lameness and arthritis. All of this hampers the ability of the horse to be an athlete.

NEXT ISSUE

Now that we have covered the basic principles underlying the importance of conformation, we will be moving onto specific conformation considerations. In the next issue, we will specifically focus on head and neck conformation in the equine.

HORSE AND HEALTH

IS YOUR

TEXT: CHRISTINE PINNA

HO RS E

FACE

A short while ago an article called ‘24 Behaviours of the Ridden Horse in Pain’ circulated social media, opening the eyes of many. Here are a few obvious signs of discomfort in the face that are hard to miss:

• Worried eyes

• Wrinkles around the eyes and nose

• Ears pinned back

• Eyes closed

• White of the eye visible

• Intense stare

• Mouth tightly closed

• Mouth open

• Tongue out

While the reasons for these behaviours can be numerous, the obvious things you want to check for are chronic body pain, tooth pain, saddle fit

issues and inappropriate training methods. I'll never forget the time I was presented with a very old farm horse (or so I thought). She was very scared of people and I was unable to trim her hind hooves during this first session as she kicked violently in fear. A month later after she'd been loved, cared for and trained using positive reinforcement, trimming was a breeze. But more than that, I noticed that she no longer had deep furrows around her eyes and nose - in fact she was hardly recognizable as the horse I had seen just one month before. It was then that I asked her age ,only to find out that she was just eight years old when I'd assumed that she was at least twenty.

THE TEMPORALIS MUSCLE

Overdevelopment and asymmetry in the temporalis muscle could be a sign of dysfunction in the biomechanics of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and the consequent compensation for this issue. This most commonly occurs due to dental imbalances or pathologies in the mouth.  Watch your horse chew and note the direction of chewing and if it is always to the same side. If you see this, especially with an asymmetry in the temporalis muscles of the left and ride sides, you can be pretty sure you're dealing with an issue. I personally prefer to use a neuromuscular-based dental practitioner where possible, as this is a holistic method of dentistry that focuses on proper TMJ function. However, if this service is not available to you, at least speak to your vet and usual dentist to see how they can best assist your horse to move more symmetrically through their TMJ.

RUNNY EYES

While runny eyes are usually indicative of irritation by dust, wind or flies, other causes can be more sinister. These include Equine Recurrent Uveitis (an auto-immune condition), blocked tear ducts and allergies. Runny eyes may also be suggestive of liver problems, which can cause the horse to be photosensitive (light sensitive) leading to tearing.

SUNBURN

If your horse is prone to developing sunburn, it is a good idea to check that he is getting sufficient levels of copper and zinc in his diet according to NRC nutrient requirements. This will likely involve a consult with a qualified equine nutritionist. You should also consider mycotoxins as a possible cause, especially if other symptoms are present. Mycotoxins place stress on the liver which allows photosensitivity to occur resulting in sunburn and mud fever-type reactions.

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO READ MORE ABOUT MYCOTOXINS.

Asymmetry in the temporalis muscle

NECK

Does your horse's neck attach to his withers gradually or is there a sudden dip just before the withers? How is the development of the underside of his neck? Does it appear overdeveloped and braced?

Along with this, If you notice a dip in your horse's back and a hanging belly these may be signs that your horse is uncomfortable in his body. In this instance, it is highly recommended that you use a bodyworker, chiropractor and possibly a vet to rule out issues such as kissing spine.

A period of time where the horse is not ridden

and is instead re-educated to lower the head and engage the hindquarters using groundwork methods may be ideal before re-introducing the horse to ridden work where one should ensure that the horse is working correctly and not moving with his head and neck up in the air and his back hollowed. Before ridden work is resumed, saddle fit should be also checked as well as the horse's teeth and bit placement and style. Training methods that have a high success rate in improving these issues appropriately include the Balance Through Movement Method and Academic Art of Riding Method, amongst others.

Sunburn

LOIN AREA

Raised vertebrae in the loin area usually indicate chronic issues in the horse's back as well as the hindquarters, particularly in the sacroiliac joint region and hamstrings which can cause compensatory discomfort into the loin area. Overdevelopment of the iliopsoas muscle group in response, primarily psoas major and minor, compresses the lumbar spine to the point of elevation. The iliopsoas group works synergistically with the hamstrings. The dysfunction in these muscle groups frequently causes sciatica and and stifle weakness as these muscles work antagonistically with the quadriceps and therefore cause the horses to be stuck in flexion instead of in even balance of extension and flexion.

SACROILIAC JOINT

When analysing this area it is important to stand your horse square and view his sacroiliac joint from the side first and then from behind. Is it raised and prominent or does it blend smoothly into the hindquarter? From behind is one tuber sacrale (bony point) raised more than the other?

If so, it is important that sacroiliac dysfunction is diagnosed properly and treated accordingly, usually through massage, chiropractor treatment, acupuncture and rehabilitative exercises.  Sacroiliac dysfunction can be a lengthy process

to prevent it. Allowing the young horse to develop fully before backing - ideally getting as close to age 6 as possible which is when growth plates in the back begin to fuse - will produce a stronger animal more capable of carrying a rider. Mindful training and allowing the horse to live in as species-appropriate an environment as possible can also go a long way to prevent sacroiliac dysfunction.

Of course there can be causes of SI dysfunction that are not related to riding such as slips and falls in the paddock, and these are still managed as above.

According to classical trainer and equine body worker Celeste-Leilani Lazaris of the Balance Through Movement Method™, sacroiliac dysfunction can resolve completely with correct muscular development.

SHOULDERS

It is important that the shoulder is well-developed. One should not see obvious lines and indents in the muscles of the shoulder as this can be indicative of nerve impingement.

If the muscles of the shoulder are not well developed, primarily the thoracic sling, infraspinatus and supraspinatus, the scapula can compress the brachial plexus of nerves which serve many important functions in this

region. Compression of the plexus can cause undiagnosed lameness, head shaking, aggressive behaviour, hyper-vigilance and other ailments. The shoulders should be even in height when viewed from behind. An over-developed shoulder on one side with an under-developed shoulder on the other can indicate high-low syndrome. Regular hoofcare, bodywork and careful saddle fitting is imperative for these horses.

TOPLINE

The horse's topline should be well-developed with the wither and spine being properly covered without any muscle wastage visible. The spine should also be at a neutral angle to decrease unnecessary loading on the neck, lumbar spine and sacroiliac joint.

Muscle wastage can indicate poor saddle fit and/ or improper training methods both of which result in pain and muscle wastage down the line.

POSTURE

Is your horse weighting each leg equally with the legs placed vertically? If your horse is standing camped under behind or leaning forward over his

front legs this should be taken very seriously. The cause of leaning over the front legs is usually heel-pain and is most common in shod or previously shod horses. Along with this, quite often the horse will stand camped under behind which is when one may notice crushed heels and negative plantar angles.

Traditional open-heel shoes lift the frog off the ground leading to poor heel development. Because the back of the hoof becomes uncomfortable the horse will lean forward to alleviate weighting his heels. He will also quite possibly begin to land toe-first when moving actively which can place unnecessary strain on tendons, ligaments and the navicular area. Apart from this, you will most likely find that the horse suffers from sacroiliac dysfunction; sore neck, shoulder and back muscles; and much more.

Going barefoot or using glue-on composites or traditional shoes with heel support can assist the horse in developing stronger heels and frogs over a period of time. Often the change in posture is almost instant.

NEXT TIME

In the next issue, I’ll be describing a few more warning signs to look out for when trying to assess the health and well-being of your beloved horse. Stay tuned to learn more!

Winners of the Outdoor Grand Prix at the Toyota Easter Festival 2023

– Jessica Prince and Prism.

Photography: Crystal Baldwin

DIATOMACEOUS DEWORMING WITH

DIATOMACEOUS EARTH

DOES IT WORK?

TEXT: HANNAH BOTHA

source of infection.

TREATING WORMS

Currently, the most effective way of minimising worm burdens is to use the check and treat system. This involves assessing each individual horse via faecal egg counts to pinpoint which horses 'contaminate' the surroundings by shedding the most eggs. Faecal egg counts identify high egg and larvae shedders, which expose the rest of the herd to more eggs and larvae. 15-20% of adult horses shed about 80% of the eggs in the paddocks, and so treating these high-shedding individuals allows us to reduce the exposure for the rest of our horses. Faecal egg counts are also very useful for checking the effectiveness

use DE, it is vital to make sure that you use a food-grade source and that you perform regular faecal egg counts to make sure your horse does not develop a high worm-burden that damages his intestinal system or infects the intestinal systems of other horses.

What are the benefits of a bit with a lozenge over a normal French link?

Most horses seem to prefer bits with lozenges over normal French links. This is likely due to how the bit lies in the horse’s mouth under rein tension. Without any contact on the rein, the plate of a French link sits quite comfortably against the tongue. However, when rein contact is applied, the mouthpiece rotates and the plate digs into the tongue or upper palate. NOTE: In horses with a low palate and a large tongue, both areas can be impacted. A typical response to the French link is, therefore, a sharp head

toss during half-halts or downward transitions. Alternatively, some riders report that their horse becomes very heavy in a French link as the horse chooses to lean into the pain

Mouthpiece designs with a lozenge offer a much more comfortable feel. As the mouthpiece rotates under rein tension, the smooth lozenge acts on the tongue as opposed to the narrow edge of the French link. This distributes the pressure over a wider area making the horse more comfortable. Many riders report that this type of bit encourages their horses to take the weight through the rein and accept the bit, rather than resisting it.

My horse never seems to drink enough water. I already soak his hay and add water to his feed but I’ve been advised to try a mash as well. Should this replace his usual concentrate feed?

Horses are generally very good at regulating their own water balance and, while this can go awry when away from the yard, they should drink enough at home provided management is consistent. Having said this, with winter coming it is always worth making sure you are monitoring and maintaining your horse’s water intake. With an increase in colic at this time of year, you want to ensure your horse is taking in the fluid he requires.

All horses gain some water from their grazing and feed. For example, hay contains 15% water, while grass can contain up to 80%. By soaking his hay, as you are doing, you’ll add further moisture content, reducing his need to drink water from his bucket.

Bucket rations should always be fed at least damp, to minimize the risk of your horse inhaling his feed, and there is a lot to be said for adding even more water to the feed to aid in hydration, just as you are doing.

To stimulate drinking you can also add salt to his ration,

TOP TIP

Always check how long you need to soak a mash for and how much water is required. Follow the instructions on the bag, because feeding mashes that aren’t fully soaked can cause digestive issues like colic.

and he should have access to a salt lick 24/7. Most compound feeds contain approximately 1% salt, but others like sugar beet and cereals don’t contain any. Outside of adding salt (and on top of what you are already doing), feeding mash is probably the next best way to increase water intake and, depending on the rest of your horse’s diet, will reduce his total feed requirement. The amount of un-soaked mash you feed will normally replace the same dry weight of a comparable hard feed. The easiest way to feed a mash is to add one with no vitamins or trace elements to either a complete balancer or supplement. This way, his micronutrient requirements are met and not exceeded. Keep in mind that there are also conditioning and lowcalories mashes available on the market, so make sure you know what you are buying.

If your horse is on a concentrate feed and you are uncertain how to add the mash, speak to your equine nutritionist and they will be able to assist you.

Products we love

Bucas Exercise Rugs

Bucas offers three great exercise rugs to support your horse through Winter, be it cold or wet conditions! Each is waterproof and breathable to keep your horse comfortable while on the move.

• The Walker Rug has a light 50g insulation, silky Dermo-care lining and a high cut over the shoulders for unrestricted movement. Use on the walker, for handwalking and lunging!

• The Riding Rug keeps the cold away from the horses back in ridden work. The Stay-Dry & Anti-Bacterial lining moves moisture away from the coat and keeps the rug

fresh for repeated use. Finished with reflective strips for visibility in low light conditions.

• The Rain Protector is a show must-have! The all-in-one sheet fitted with stirrup slits keeps the horse and it’s tack dry while you are standing or riding in wet weather. Essential Hook & Loop straps allow you to quickly remove the rug when it’s ring time.

Find the Bucas range at Western Shoppe, online and in select branches. Learn more at www.westernshoppe.com

Rain Protector

Riding Rug

Walker Rug