Horse Vibes October 2019

OCTOBER 2019

I N F O R M AT I V E , I N S P I R AT I O N A L & A S P I R AT I O N A L

Inside: OUR HERO

BILLY RAYMONT’S STAR IS ON THE RISE

BRISTER’S BRIEF CHARLIE BRISTER’S GRAND TOUR

GARRYOWEN GARLAND

A WORK OF ART FOR THE 85TH ANNIVERSARY

TRAINING TIPS

GOING FORWARD SIDEWAYS WITH ALYCIA TARGA ... PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE ...

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46 INFORMATIVE, INSPIRATIONAL & ASPIRATIONAL

HorseVibes Editor: Candida Baker candida@horsevibes.com.au Deputy Editor Amanda McWhinnie editorial@horsevibes.com.au Advertising Enquiries: Lainie Towner advertising@horsevibes.com.au The Saddle Hub Sales Enquiries: info@equestrianhub.com.au Website/subscriptions: www.horsevibes.com.au

Cover photo: Billy and Anton winning the final round of the 2018-2019 World Cup at the Boneo Classic in January 2019.

Photograph: Geoff McLean from Gone Riding Media Design & Production: Obelia McCormack design@ailebo.com Published by Equestrian Hub PO Box 13, Tintenbar NSW 2478 info@horsevibes.com.au www.equestrianhub.com.au

19 OCTOBER

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FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH

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BRISTER’S BRIEF

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OUR HERO BILLY RAYMONT

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WHAT THE HAY?

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HORSEVIBES SCHOLARSHIP

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AS TIME GOES BY

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THE HORSE LISTENER

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TAKING IT TO EXTREMES

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HORSES IN HISTORY

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JESTING AND JOUSTING AT THE FANTASY FEST

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YOUNG RIDER THEA HORSLEY

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HORSE BREED: SELLE FRANCAIS

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ON MY TACKBOX WITH ADELE EDWARDS

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GIVING BACK WITH GRAEME WATTS

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SADDLE REVIEW

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AROUND THE TRAPS

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TRAINING TIPS FROM ALYCIA TARGA

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FINDING YOUR EQUANIMITY

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PUBLISHER’S LETTER

From the Horse’s Mouth With Fiona Todd

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t’s just over a year since Billy Raymont rode Redwood Oaks around his stunning clear round at WEG, ensuring that Australia kept its eighth place in the competition, and since then Billy has been – literally – riding high, keeping us on the edge of our seats with his fabulously quirky ride, Anton, and with his recent wins on Ansiosso Z. It seems as if Billy’s star is firmly on the rise, and this month we’re proud to profile him as ‘Our Hero’.

In fact, I am even prouder than usual to be introducing the October issue of HorseVibes to you, because this month, we’ve launched our journey into the exciting world of print.

It’s five years since I started The Saddle Hub, a business dedicated to be a safe go-between for buyers and sellers of pre-loved saddles. Our magazine began its life as a way to advertise and promote our saddles, with some valueadded editorial.

The first edition in July 2016 featured Katie Umbrack on the cover and was a mammoth 22 pages. It was fun and people enjoyed the information we provided - and it was a great way to promote saddles.

But quite quickly our little magazine – with the editor Candy and I working closely together - began to grow up.

Exactly two years after our first edition

SCHOLARSHIP

Delivering Dreams Scholarship Thank you to everybody who applied.

Winner in November issue.

was launched we changed the name from HubVibes to HorseVibes. That issue featured the wonderful Carl Hester, in what we felt was a decent sized 50-page magazine.

Since then we’ve experienced exponential growth in all areas of the magazine – including the amount of pages, now up to an average of 84 pages each month.

What I am most proud of is our commitment to add value to our community, to empower people to become the best that they can be and to demystify much of the mystery surrounding the equine industry.

Every month we’re full of interesting feature stories and columns designed to entertain and educate you. In this month, you can read about Extreme Cowgirls; the work that goes into making the Garryowen Garland; the world of tiny horse rescue with Candy in her Horse Listener column; Charlie Brister’s European dream trip; the lowdown on different types of hay; our Young Rider, dressage training tips, and much, much more.

Last but by no means least, we’ve also developed the Delivering Dreams Scholarship, and the fist recipient will be named in the November edition.

As always pour your favourite tipple, relax and enjoy.

BRISTER’S BRIEF

Sporting a snappy unicorn pattern shirt at Neuschwanstein Castle.

BRISTER’S BRIEF

Greener pastures, open minds Most young Australian riders dream of competing in Europe, but it may not be what everyone expects, writes CHARLIE BRISTER, who recently spent a month in Europe.

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t’s always great to have an open mind, and during a fantastic tour of English and German stables last month, there was obviously plenty to learn. So in this article I’m going to share some inspiration, as well as touching on a couple of basic training techniques along the way.

There are some great riders and incredible trainers in Europe and the UK, plus a huge surplus of horses with which to train. You really get to see everything, from the top to the bottom of equestrian experiences

Facilities are...well...WOW! The grass is certainly greener on the other side of the globe. Not just because Australia is in drought and the European fields are amazing.

The top eventing, dressage and jumping stables really do have incredible facilities. Some have three indoor arenas and yet more outdoor arenas. Then there are the hacking trails, walking machines and huge stable complexes with horse solariums.

The horses are absolutely superb The top horses are amazing. They are uphill, athletic and have a canter to die for. The number of horses bred and the

attention to genetics certainly shows when you look around. But hey, a lot of horses are just standing in the paddock looking like Aussie hacks too.

The mid-level horses in Europe are still pretty darn good, BUT just because a horse is bred in Germany doesn’t make it a superstar. There are plenty of ‘average’ horses in the back paddocks waiting for some unsuspecting tourist to part with a lot of dollars for a German name.

The riders are plentiful in every direction There were lots of quality riders to go with the quality horses! One thing that really stuck out was that their balance and seat was so in sync with the horse’s movement. Regardless of your discipline having a balanced and independent seat is one of the most beneficial attributes for both you and your horse.

There were also some average riders and trainers. The fact that they were European (and I’m including the UK in that for at least this week!) doesn’t make them ‘the best’. Although I am practicing my German accent so I can increase my fees!

Drawing to a conclusion One thing I didn’t like seeing in Europe was the heavy use of draw and side reins. While there is a place for these in

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BRISTER’S BRIEF

A: Spectators line up at one of Burleigh’s several water obstacles hoping to see a ducking!

A

B: Catering for all ages: Burleigh’s Grassroots showjumping course for young riders.

C: Me during my lesson with dressage champion Warick McClean (Image courtesy of Angi Schernthaner).

D: Pippa Funnell teaching girls from the Windrush Equestrian Foundation, an organisation dedicated to helping young riders develop a successful career as professional eventers.

E: Aubenhause: Home of the Dressage Horse and Jessica von Bredow-Werndl, a member of the European Dressage Championships gold-winning team.

B

D

C

E

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BRISTER’S BRIEF

the right hands, I saw them being used for the wrong reasons. Far too often I saw horses with their heads jammed into their chest, being tightly held in a hopeless effort to get the horse ‘on the bit’, but achieving little more than a head behind the vertical.

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These horses were ‘breaking’ at the fourth vertebrae and shortening the neck. This means the back legs weren’t able to come under properly and horses became confused, diminishing the stop response from the bit. There appeared to be a lot of tongue and contact issues which I felt related directly to some of these methods. Sadly, this results in some amazing horses not reaching their full potential.

If people were a little more educated and patient there would be happier horses, which in turn would lead to better competitive results.

The clash Another area of concern was the persistent clashing of the aids in some stables. What this means is confusing the horse with two different simultaneous messages: for example, trying to perform an upward transition with excessive rein contact. An analogy would be trying to drive a car forward while pulling on the hand brake. I didn’t see this in every stable or at every competition, but it was a problem that appeared far too often to be just a coincidence.

Maybe some of these modern riders need to go back to the old masters of our sport, such as the Frenchman François Baucher who said: “Reins without legs, legs without reins.”

Burghley Horse Trials I was lucky enough to attend the Burghley Horse Trials – along with 150,000 other people. It was a great experience and you can only imagine what it would be like if we could have these kinds of crowd numbers at an Australian event. Of course, we would

need a lot a rain to soften up the track and we would need to import at least another fifty 5* horses!

It was an amazing event with everything available, including multiple high class ‘gin barns’ and shopping for everything from a bling saddle cloth to a luxury

F: Riding Grand Prix horses with dressage champion Warwick McClean at Warwick’s farm near Düsseldorf, Germany (Image courtesy of Angi Schernthaner).

horse truck. Credit card danger zone!

Designed by Captain Mark Phillips, the Burghley course was brilliantly presented but tough, which challenged both riders and horses. There certainly wasn’t any leeway for a number of less OC TOBER 2019 - HORSEVIBES MAGAZINE

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BRISTER’S BRIEF

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experienced riders who got into trouble on the big course.

There seemed to be a lot of faults at jumps with frangible pins, which made me wonder whether because we have this fabulous technology, jumps are being constructed higher and tougher than they might otherwise be.

And congratulations are definitely due to Pippa Funnell, who 16 years after her first Burghley win, led from start to finish across the full four days on her 11-year-old gelding and Burghley debutant MGH Grafton Street.

Burghley should be a ‘must visit’ on any event rider’s bucket list. It’s very hard for me to put into words how it feels walking around the course. Next stop Badminton?

Wedding bells Following Burghley, good friends of mine were getting married on the border of England and Wales. This was a fabulous weekend of celebration with like-minded horse people. Originally

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it was a tough decision to go to the wedding over competing at Willinga Park, but in hindsight it was absolutely the right call. Don’t feel like you’re being a slack rider if you decide to opt out of a competition so that you can attend a special event – in the long run these wonderful occasions shouldn’t be missed!

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And more on the bucket list If you’re lucky enough to get to Burghley, or any other top-level European competition, you will be itching to get home and ride your own horse. Europe does jam a universe of marvels into every corner but it’s hard to find Vegemite in the shops. It’s great to ride in Australia, but I’ll definitely be heading back to Europe for more training ideas and to fill my ever-open mind.

Charlie Brister of Brister Equestrian is an all-round horseman based in western Sydney. His expertise is in re-training problem horses, as well as coaching riders in the art of cross country, show jumping and dressage.

HORSEVIBES MAGAZINE - OC TOBER 2019

G: Back at work: Pippa Funnell the day after her Burleigh win.

H: Looking for squirrels along the bridle path with one of Pippa Funnell’s horses.

OUR HERO

Our Boy Billy Over the past few years Billy Raymont has been on an amazing winning streak, writes CANDIDA BAKER, maturing into a rider who’s here to write his name into the show jumping history books.

“I

f you’d asked me that question a few weeks ago, I’d have said that sadly the answer was no,” says Billy Raymont. “Now I’m not so sure.”

‘That’ question, of course, pertains to the Olympics and the possibility of whether Billy, whose career has been on fire in the past few years by anybody’s standards, has a horse that could be an Olympic prospect.

Of course, there’s nothing any of us would like more than to see the highly successful, but occasionally quirky 16-year-old Anton get there, but the bay gelding isn’t a horse Billy would put his money on for that.

“He doesn’t like open water jumps,” he says, “and that in itself probably puts him out of contention. If there’s an open water jump in the course he just doesn’t jump his best.”

But then along came Anssioso Z, winning the Fielders Roofing Mini Prix qualifier and then the Championship at Willinga Park in blistering form.

The beautiful big grey is owned by Suzannah Willis, who has also competed him up to CSI1*. According to Billy, the horse is in a ‘sweet spot’ right now.

Suzannah, he’s scopey and he’s careful.

It could be that he’s ready to rock and roll,” he says, “but we’re not going to get carried away. We’ll just follow our usual program and see how he goes, but yes, suddenly there’s a possibility – and there’s a few other horses coming along as well – that we might be able to carry on to do a campaign.”

As soon as I mention the words, it’s a year…Billy laughs. “I know,” he says, “almost to the day.” We both know what we’re talking about of course - Billy’s wonderful win at the World Equestrian Games on Redwood Oaks, around a giant course that he made look oh, so easy, but behind that effortless grace was a lot of preparation.

“By the time we got to WEG, he’d come a long way in his rideability,” says Billy, “he had much more confidence in the

Watching that ride a few times, what comes over loud and clear was how relaxed Redwood Oaks was, and it’s something of a mantra for Billy, that to jump their best horses need to be relaxed.

“I really latched on to that concept in Europe with the Olympic Chef d’Equip trainer Hank Noren,” he explains. “You want them to be watching the top poles – that’s where they should be concentrating. The fact is that every horse goes a little differently, and you need to find a way to stabilise and support them – particularly the more quirky horses. There’s a natural tendency, if a horse is hot, to want to take your legs off for instance, but in fact they go better if you can keep your leg on, wrap your legs around them and support them, and keep the contact for them, when you take away too much they can panic. Anton is tricky because he’s quite spooky, he’s easily frightened and wants to run the other way. There’s a small amount of showing him that

The fact is that every horse goes a little differently, and you need to find a way to stabilise and support them...

“He’s 12-years-old, he’s jumped some serious Grand Prix rounds with

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things he allowed me to do in terms of asking him to listen to me. I had to adjust his stride for a smaller horse he’s only 16hh, which makes him quite small on that size of course. He naturally tracks quite forward, and getting him to sit back, wait and re-gather himself was a bit of a challenge. I knew that I wanted him to roll back to the vertical, and I wanted to do nine strides in to the treble, as opposed to most peoples’ eight.”

HORSEVIBES MAGAZINE - OC TOBER 2019

Billy and Anssioso Z winning the Mini Prix Championship at Willinga Park. Photographer: Stephen Mowbray.

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HORSEVIBES MAGAZINE - OC TOBER 2019

OUR HERO

you’re strong and pushing him to do something, but not too much otherwise he’ll just spin and run away. We’ve been working through a lot of different issues, and I think the fact that I travel a lot and do a lot of shows really benefits those kinds of horses.”

Billy is a Sunshine Coast boy, born and bred, although these days he and his partner Tess Cook (also a show jumper) divide their time between Tooradin, Victoria, where her parents live, and Billy’s home in Cooran, Queensland.

At 40, he may well be one of the last great riders Australia produces via a rough and tumble country start. “My dad had given his younger brother, my uncle, a pony,” he tells me, “and that was the pony I inherited, mainly because my uncle lived next door to us, and the pony was always coming over to our place. I learned to ride without a saddle, because we didn’t have one, or at least I thought we didn’t! I rode everywhere with my cousins on that pony, and then when they were going to start Pony Club, I wanted to as well, and my father said, ‘oh well, you’ll probably need a saddle then’. He dragged out this massive old saddle from the back shed, it was probably an 18”, but it did the job.”

He credits his time bareback for his balance, and also for his ability to read different horses. “Riding bareback is a great thing for kids to do” he says, “and in all honesty better than riding around in a badly-fitting saddle.” We talk about how far saddle-fitting has come in the last few decades: “I sometimes wonder about some of the horses we had in the early years, and if they might have gone better in different saddles.”

Billy rides in an Equipe saddle from Trailrace. “I like the carbon fibre tree and the latex panels,” he explains. “They seem to mould to each horse really well.

I have a couple of different trees but in the main I don’t need to have a saddle for every horse.”

Billy and Anton at the presentation after taking out a thrilling Waratah World Cup.

“When I was 16 and 17, I spent a lot of time with Guy Creighton,” he says, “and I think I have quite a lot of attributes that are still strong from those days.

I’m probably not unlike Guy as a rider.

I’ve spent a lot of time with George Sanna, Gavin Chester and Vicky Roycroft over the years, and the best part of spending time with them, without having to have based myself with one particular person, is that I get to have conversations with all of them about different training aspects. They watch you ride, and they advise you. Even as recently as going away last year I was talking to George Sanna about my plans and he was helping me with how to plan the trip. They’re always happy to help a fellow Aussie, and it’s been a bigger part of my career than anybody

realises.” He pauses for a moment. “It’s one thing,” he says reflectively, “to be a good rider, but it’s another to also be a good teacher.”

Over the past twenty years Billy has represented Australia on multiple National, senior and young rider teams, and has campaigned and produced world-class horses, including Royal Selections, Dutch Choice, Balmoral Tim Tram, Nicalette NZPH, Stardom, Anton and Redwood Oaks. In the past he’s won the Australian World Cup League in 2005 and was runner up in 2010, 2011 and 2013. He’s also won a swag of state and National titles including the 2011 and 2013 New Zealand National Senior Title. Throw in the last few years of World Cup and Grand Prix wins, his success at WEG, and his most

It’s not an easy lesson to learn that waiting, and taking things slowly allows your horse to develop its best body...

After Pony Club came Billy’s first mentor.

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OUR HERO

Billy and YPH Capulet won the warm-up class of the ‘In the Future Stars Class’. Photographer: Stephen Mowbray.

OUR HERO

gain a degree, and that pretty much qualifies you to get a job, in this industry you have to build a reputation. It was a very long time before I was approached by clients asking me to take on their horses. I was very lucky, when I first left school I had massive support from my parents – and in fact I still do – but also fuel, horse feed, stabling and entries were much cheaper then. I could take six horses to a show and make a wage from the prize money. The expense of everything these days is just insane. I think that unless young people are lucky enough to be funded by their families, you really have to find a way to support yourself with something that will allow you to have time to compete, and that’s not easy either.”

Billy in Paris with Oaks Redwood at the Hermes 5* in the Grand Palais, on his European tour in 2018. recent successes at Willinga Park and SIEC in the third round of the 2019-20 Australian World Cup Qualifying Series and there is no doubt that Billy is here to stay. At SIEC, Billy and Anton, with just one carry over fault, were the last combination on course, needing a clear round to win. They got it and took out the victory, despite Billy nursing a serious ankle injury.

But although he’s always loved his career choice, it hasn’t always been easy.

“When Equine Influenza hit I had to take to driving trucks for a while,” he says, “and I have to say I did wonder whether it might just be easier to walk away from horses, but then the ban lifted and somehow I found myself just naturally

doing the horses again.”

It’s all this experience that Billy now brings to his teaching, which is now a large part of his life. “Any given day – when we’re not competing – usually includes teaching these days,” he says.

“Sometimes there’ll be working horses too, unless they’re having a day off because they’ve had a massage the day before, or they’re having a rest day. I enjoy the teaching. I feel as if I’ve got to the stage now where I can pass on the knowledge I’ve learnt from my years in the industry, and that’s very rewarding.”

That said, he feels for young people wanting to get into the industry. “It’s not like any other industry where you do a four-year apprenticeship, or you

Patience, he says is a good thing to cultivate for both horses and riders.

“We tend to be a bit impatient here in Australia. It’s not an easy lesson to learn that waiting, and taking things slowly allows your horse to develop its best body, but it’s a great lesson to learn,” he says. “I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned with Warmbloods is that they develop even later than everybody realises. I would say that they’re not fully developed until they’re nine or 10, rather than the six or seven people suggest. They just can’t have their best body, and give you their best work until they’re fully developed. You have to be patient, and wait for them to fully develop. Anton is 16 for example, and he’s in his prime. Even with our thoroughbreds we’re too quick to use them up.”

‘Patience’, ‘a relaxed horse’, ‘taking your time’…it sounds as if the slightly feisty firebrand of the show jumping circuit in years gone by has grown up. Taking his own time to develop into a rider who’s here to make his mark on Australian show jumping – and who knows about the Olympics? If not this one, the next. For sure.

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FEATURE

What the hay?

As the drought bites and hay supplies dwindle it’s more important than ever to know one bale from another, writes AMANDA MAC.

FEATURE

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s the drought deepens, the supply of good quality hay is dwindling. Farmers hit by the drought, and those whose properties have been ravaged by an early start to the fire season, are taking all the hay they can get. Given this increasingly precarious supply situation, what are we to do? Other than performing an energetic rain dance out in the back paddock (and that’s always an option), brushing up on your knowledge of hay varieties and their nutritional value is a really great idea.

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Potential problems It helps to know what hay you’re being offered at your local produce store. For example, are there likely to be barley grass (not to be confused with barley cereal) seeds in the bale? If so, you need to keep a close eye on your horse’s mouth to ensure that the seeds aren’t becoming lodged in their gums or between their teeth (see our ‘Beware the dreaded barley grass’ sidebar for more).

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Is the hay you’re considering buying dusty or mouldy? Good hay smells sweet, while mouldy or dusty hay has a sour, musty odour and should be avoided. Most hay becomes mouldy due to mould spores, which can cause respiratory diseases in horses (they’re not good for humans either) and can also induce colic – and the same goes for dusty hay.

With the exception of lucerne, which, if it’s good quality, should be a vibrant green, a bright colour in other varieties might indicate that it’s only recently been harvested. Hay should be stored for at least one month before use.

Feeding your horse hay that is too fresh can once again create the very serious risk of colic.

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Popular choices Lucerne, also known as alfalfa, and grass hay are the most popular varieties for horses. In a perfect world, hay of all varieties should be baled when the moisture content is no greater than

A: Barley cereal hay. B: Good quality grass hay. C: Rhodes grass hay bales.

D: Mouldy hay can cause both respiratory diseases and colic. E: Protein rich lucerne.

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FEATURE

17%. But if your hay happens to feel slightly damp, don’t store it in a shed it’s a fire hazard. Peculiar though it may seem, high moisture bales can catch fire because of a chemical reaction that builds heat, leading to spontaneous combustion.

Lucerne Hay Because of lucerne’s high protein content - up to 18% of its dry weight - it’s wise to consider it as more of a supplement than for general feeding.

Although it’s an excellent option for foals and mares with foals at foot, too much can cause a nutritional imbalance in some horses. When purchasing lucerne, look for bales that are bright green, indicating that the hay has been harvested at the right time and has been properly stored. The hay must be soft to the touch, and should have a fresh, pleasant, slightly sweet, grassy odour.

Hay should be stored off the ground to prevent it absorbing moisture...

Grass Hay Grass (or grassy) hay represents a good all-round feeding option, providing up to 10% of its dry weight in protein. But what should you be looking for in order to assess its quality?

Colour: No matter whether it’s in round or square bales, the first thing to notice is its colour – and if you have the opportunity to check the colour at the centre of the bale, so much the better.

If the exterior of the bale has been bleached, the Vitamin A content will have been diminished. A dull brownish tinge indicates that there’s been some rain while it was drying, but if it’s pale gold or green in colour, you’re on a winner. However, a deep golden colour can mean that it was too dry when it was cut, so again, the nutritional value may well have been compromised.

Texture & Composition: Firstly, check to see whether there are any weeds, thistles, or barley grass seeds. Ideally, the hay should be a good balance of clover and grass – but if the grass looks

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stalky with large, mature seed heads then it’s probably past its use-by date.

Next, feel the hay to see whether the stalks are flexible. If it’s too coarse and tough, your horse may be reluctant to eat it. You should also check to see whether the leaf disintegrates when touched. If it does, the nutrient value of the hay will have been adversely affected.

Other options Other than grass hay and lucerne, there are a few other options to consider.

Barley Cereal Hay: Not as nutrient dense as other forages, it is nonetheless worth considering. In order to maximise its nutrient content, barley should be harvested while the seed heads – which are what provide the main caloric value are still soft and not yet fully developed.

When cut at this stage, barley hay contains about 9% protein and provides more or less the same nutrition as

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mature grass hay. However, if the barley is cut when the seed heads are fully mature, it becomes about as nutritious as straw and the seed awns (they’re the spikey bits sometimes known as the beard) can cause soft tissue damage to the mouth. And if your horse suffers from insulin resistance or equine metabolic syndrome, barley hay is best avoided altogether.

Rhodes Grass Hay: Usually pale green or gold with long leaves, this is another good protein source for horses.

However, bear in mind that its mineral content, including calcium, is less than that of lucerne or grass hay. Another potential issue is its texture, which can be quite dry and stalky, and therefore unappealing to some horses. That said it can still be an excellent feed for horses that don’t have high nutritional requirements.

Shedded hay: If you’re offered shedded hay (hay that has been stored for a

FEATURE

period of time) should you buy it? That depends! All hay gradually loses its nutritional value over time. However, if it’s a good quality hay that has been properly stored, even for a season or two, it will still be sufficiently nutritious to make it worth your while.

FiberFresh FiberProtect: Hay is an excellent source of roughage for a horse’s digestive system. Plus, eating from a haynet can help to relieve boredom while they’re confined, as well as keeping their digestive tract active.

So if you’re looking for a nutritious alternative to hay, consider using FiberProtect as a base roughage. This product offers good levels of digestible protein and essential amino acids.

Consisting of high nutritional fiber that has undergone a fermentation process – think equine kimchi – the result is a safe, healthy feed that makes a great base forage fibre. FiberProtect also helps to reduce acidity in the stomach and hindgut, as well as helping to provide a favourable environment for digestion.

Storing your hay Once you’ve purchased your hay, here are a few storage tips to remember when your delivery has arrived. Hay should be stored off the ground to prevent it absorbing moisture - a platform of wooden pallets is the perfect solution. As you stack your hay, alternate the direction of each layer and leave a little space between bales. This results in a stable stack with sufficient air flow to help prevent heat build-up. By following these simple steps, you’ll go a long way to keeping your hay in good mould-free condition.

One final thought: no matter which hay you chose, and as with most other feeds, if you change your hay type it’s a good idea to introduce it to your horse gradually to prevent any adverse digestive reactions.

Above: Barley grass with its spikey seed awns.

Barley grass seeds were firmly stuck in this horse’s mouth, no doubt causing it considerable discomfort. Once they were removed, the full extent of the inflammation caused by the seeds became obvious (Images courtesy of Claire McCallum Equine Dentistry).

Beware the dreaded barley grass Towards the end of last year, Claire McCallum of Claire McCallum Equine Dentistry came across a horse with barley grass seeds stuck in its mouth.

“Although it may look like it in the photo, the seeds were not actually sprouting, just stuck. They were quite rotten with a very nasty smell,” she explains.

Barley grass is quite different to barley cereal hay, a perfectly safe food source for your horse. But with the drought deepening and hay stocks dwindling, it’s good to know what to avoid when you’re on the hunt for hay.

Feeding hay helps with the production of saliva (a buffer to stomach

acid) as well as the healthy grinding of the teeth – so Claire’s a hay enthusiast but is not so concerned about quality.

“Horses need plenty of fibre for roughage. I believe that grass hay that’s not top quality is fine as long as it’s clean and dry, free from mould and a safe variety to feed to horses. I would give the horse as much of that hay as it wants, and then top up with a smaller quantity of high protein hay such as lucerne, plus some hard feed to ensure all their nutritional requirements are met,” she says.

And with hay getting harder to find, that’s good to know.

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SCHOLARSHIP

Delivering Dreams Scholarship Thank you to everyone who has applied for the Delivering Dreams Scholarship. All applications are being assessed via our panel of judges, and the winner will be announced in the November edition of HorseVibes.

TO FIND OUT MORE VISIT THE WEBSITE: w w w. h o r s e v i b e s. c o m . a u / h o r s e v i b e s - d e l i v e r i n g - d r e a m s - s c h o l a r s h i p /

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FEATURE

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B

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A: Jess Stones horse Mikimoto showing off his winner’s garland (Image by Lisa Gordon).

B: Detail of the garland made by Phillipa Harcourt.

C: Violet Murrell and her horse Garryowen.

D: The list of previous winners worked into the garland.

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FEATURE

Garryowen Equestrienne Memorial Turnout competition, with its prize of the Perpetual Turnout Trophy has been part of the Royal Melbourne Show since 1934 and is considered the Melbourne Cup of show riding. In recent years, the stunning floral garland made for the event has become just as famous.

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his year the Garryowen turned 85 at the recent Melbourne Royal.

For Phillipa Harcourt, the owner of HM Garlands and Floral Work, the making of the Garryowen winner’s garland is one of the highlights of her designing year – and a highlight at the Melbourne Royal for anybody lucky enough to lay their eyes on this extraordinary bespoke floral garland.

Phillipa left her position as director of an IT company in 2013 to pursue her passion for horses full-time. Little did she know at the time that her business skills and designer skills and her love of the horse industry would create such a unique and extraordinary career, all starting from garland donations to pony club events and local shows.

“I started to take orders,” Phillipa says, “which gradually gained momentum, and HM Garlands was born. I’m a perfectionist by nature, and I really strive to make each piece as if it was a luxurious one-off designer garment or handbag.”

This year, there’s no doubt that Phillipa has excelled herself. The beauty of the

2019 winner’s garland – awarded to Jessica Stones and her horse Mikimoto – was truly a work of art.

“I really wanted to capture that feeling of awe the Garryowen inspires amongst its competitors, current and aspiring,” she says. “This year I really allowed the garland to be the largest feature it could be.

The Garryowen is often likened to the Brownlow Medal or to the Melbourne Cup, and the standard of turnout required to win for both horse and rider is exceptional. The event is unlike any other showing competition in that there are five judges. One of the judges

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For this anniversary garland, she decided to include a few elements from the past few years pieces. “It was then that the idea of time passing suddenly stood out to me,” she says. “I thought of the people who run the event, the family members who attend each year to represent the Murrell family, and the young riders who progress through the

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As time goes by

assesses the rider’s clothing, based on what was worn in the 1930s; another gives marks on the saddlery – also of the sort used in the ‘30s. The event is prestigious in itself, but also expensive to enter, with almost everything handmade. The fabric is brought from England, and is a heavy-weight 22-ounce cavalry twill; the jacket is heavy and designed for hunting – not something used for general riding!

The breeches are made from 18 once cavalry woollen twill; the top boots are handmade, and the shirts are made to measure from imported Swiss dinner shirt fabric. To top off the top-drawer effect, the riders wear tartan vests, gold cuff links and stocks.

Over the past four years, Phillipa has included elements that reflect a specific period of history, or reflect the costumes that the riders wear, and how those pieces themselves are aging, and have often been worn by more than one winner.

ranks to becoming the young ladies who put so much effort into competing

I really wanted to capture that feeling of awe the Garryowen inspires amongst its competitors...

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FEATURE

F

E

E: Jess Stones on Mikimoto, sporting the beautiful winner’s garland.

F: The timepiece resting in its nest.

in the Garryowen. The garland theming, for me, became quite simply – as time goes by.”

Committee, she used a mixture of lavender tones, and broke that colour up with masses of white gardenias.

What Phillipa is acutely aware of is the gravitas attached to the Garryowen.

“When I look at the printing that I attach to the back of the garland, I remember the precious nature of this particular event. Each name on the list contributes to its history – you wonder about every horse and rider combination and the stories that go with them regarding their experiences on the path to the event, and of course, that final day. The day of the competition itself.”

“I sourced dried violets and placed them on some of the leaves near the front peak of the garland,” she explains. “I used many different types of lavender flowers, and the gardenia fitted in so perfectly because it’s a feature of the event, worn by each competitor and by the officials on the day.”

Philippa, who is based near Brisbane, decided that for this anniversary year she wanted to do something a little different with the colour, so with the blessing of the Melbourne Royal

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To bring extra texture, she also found coral plants, cut them up and placed them throughout the garland. As each week passed, she added more, or changed an element here and there, finding special flowers, and adding a 1934 penny she uses every year.

“I wanted something even more special this year,” she says “so I created a small

HORSEVIBES MAGAZINE - OC TOBER 2019

round nest, the type a finch would nest in, and placed the nest at the front of the garland to the right, as if it was a real nest within thick greenery. I fixed a small silver pocket watch inside the nest, which was held in there by a silver chain. Once it was found, the pocket watch could be lifted and opened – revealing the time, and the message of time passing, ticking its own clock within the garland.”

Finally, the garland was finished with a satin lace trim, pearlised flowers, lavender rose buds, vines and greenery.

“The final piece was a tribute to Violet Murrell, her family, the event named in her honour – and of, course to the competitors, and ultimately Jessica, the very deserving winner.”

Even when she is not actively making a garland, Phillipa is busy sourcing ideas and pieces for the next one. “I really want the garlands to be something someone can cherish,” she says. “I source my ingredients for them from my travels, online and in my daily life as I find some interesting ingredient. I’ll just think to myself, ‘now that would look amazing,’ and the beginning of an idea is born.”

LADIES • MEN • KIDS • HORSES

Shop online: www.pwra.com.au OOCCTTOOBBEERR22001199- -HHOORRSSE EVVI B I BE ESSMMAAGGAAZ ZI N I NE E

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THE HORSE LISTENER

A little life is worth a lot A horse is a horse, of course, of course, writes CANDIDA BAKER, even when it’s only a few hands high.

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t struck me the other day that for some curious reason, the rescues I’ve been involved with over the past year or so, have all been little folk.

A few months ago, as President of Equus Alliance, a new and small charity dedicated to rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming, with an emphasis on education and advocacy, our very first

rescue was a Shetland pony from the Casino sale-yards, who had sadly found himself in the dogger pens.

At the sales for research on a story about the broader issues of horse welfare in Australia, I was struck by how this little chap approached the bars of his yard the minute there was a child in view, but cowered back when adults reached out to him. He was grossly

overweight, but he had something – that indefinable air of a pony that wants to love, and be loved. I decided to wait and see whether someone private would buy him, he seemed so sweet I was sure they would, but when the little chap went for only $150 to a dogger, it was time to act, and with a few swift phone calls to the Committee, and a small amount of extra money $200 – to the dogger, Murray (as he was christened) became the charity’s first official rescue, going to a foster carer who already owned a Shetland, and was home to another mini-pony.

At first things were a little complicated with Murray. Covered in mangy itch, with flaking skin and his tail rubbed raw, he was also extremely reluctant to be caught, although once he was, he became, his foster carer said, very sweet and cuddly – as long as you didn’t approach his head too fast.

Over the next few months Murray settled into the groove, but we were all curious as to why such an essentially quiet pony was so scared around the head and so overweight.

One day, his foster carer decided it was time to test out Murray’s skills as a therapy pony, and it was there that she deduced something of what may have been his past. When he arrived at the session, there was someone there with a bay thoroughbred mare, and as soon as he saw her Murray started calling out, trying his very best to get close to her.

A

It suddenly all fell into place. He’d most likely been used as a companion pony for a racehorse. It would explain his weight – he’d simply been fed whatever they were eating, and it would explain why he was head-shy, because he’d been pushed around as required, so to speak.

A: Sugar after her first equine lice wash.

B: Sugar has taken to her foster carer, Elisha.

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B

THE HORSE LISTENER

My heart lurched when his foster carer told me what she’d thought, because in the dogger pen next to him at the saleyards, there had been a bay thoroughbred mare, and the pair had been standing, touching noses through the bars. I hadn’t taken on board that they were bonded, I thought they were just keeping each other company in these strange, sad, new surroundings, and so it has somewhat haunted me ever since.

A

But Murray has turned out to be so quiet, and so lovely to handle, that I do believe he must have had another life before the racehorse companion career.

At some point I think he must have been a much-loved children’s pony. Murray’s future as a therapy pony is assured now, he loves being a ‘helper’ and he is safe forever. With the help of all our wonderful supporters, and the care he’s received, it’s been a successful rescue with a great outcome.

B

One thing I’ve got used to in my life as a ‘horse listener/rescuer’ is that horses find me somehow, and I never have long to wait before the next one, but little did I know that the next Equus rescue would be even smaller, much smaller, in fact, than Murray!

In early September, I got a call from a friend, Elisha Cantwell, who runs a lovely pony-based business, Little Pony Tales, based in Murwillumbah in northern New South Wales. She told me that a couple had contacted her to tell her that they had rescued a very small pony that had been tied up to a tree for a considerable period of time, with limited access to grazing and water, and they were very worried for her.

Her owner had fallen on hard times, and the young couple persuaded him to surrender her to them, but once they’d got the tiny, pint-size little Sugar home to their place, their troubles truly began.

Although they didn’t want to tie her up, if they let her go, she simply ran away and was almost impossible to catch.

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THE HORSE LISTENER

C

D

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Mini-ponies may be small but they still have the same needs as a horse.

The couple quickly realised that small as she was, they’d bitten off more than they could chew, and they asked Elisha if she would be interested in taking Sugar on.

Elisha went to visit her, and was worried that Sugar had some fairly severe health problems going on – her skin was covered with lumps and bumps, she was extremely nervous of anyone going near her, she seemed to have the beginning of Big Head, and she was very mangy, suggested she might not have been wormed for a long time.

So Elisha rang me to say she didn’t feel confident to take her on herself

financially, but if the couple surrendered Sugar to Equus, would we take her on and Elisha would foster care for her.

We all agreed it could be a great outcome for Sugar, and within a few days we were there with a float - which looked like a horse-truck with little Sugar standing near it - and a small band of helpers.

The helpers turned out to be a good thing because Sugar took one look at the float and turned into a tiny 7hh rearing dragon, who absolutely refused to countenance the idea of getting in this strange box. But with the dint of marjoram oil, ground-work,

A: Candy doing mini-natural horsemanship.

B: Offering Sugar marjoram essential oil for trauma.

C: Murray helping in an Equine Assisted Learning session.

D: Today Murray is a happy, contented pony with a purpose.

a little bit of bribery, and time, we gradually persuaded her to make her own decision that getting on was a good idea.

Once we got her back to Elisha’s place, she already seemed less nervous, and was very interested in Elisha’s other ponies. Looking at the set-up – ideal for tiny ponies – it occurred to me that Sugar had managed to manifest the perfect home for herself.

Over the next week or so Elisha discovered that Sugar’s health issues included a really horrible parasite, equine lice, that had invaded her skin.

The lice are very contagious and the vet

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HORSEVIBES MAGAZINE - OC TOBER 2019

THE HORSE LISTENER

Murray in the dogger pen at Casino Saleyard, his number visible on his rump.

advised her to gown-up while she was treating her. Sugar had a complete vetcheck and her bloods done, the farrier came, she was wormed, and put on supplements to counteract the Big Head.

She has begun to settle in very nicely, with only the occasional nervous moment when she’s worried about something, which Elisha is sure will disappear with time, but it made me very aware of a major issue around miniponies and miniature horses – namely that people so often think of them as a pet rather than a horse.

But the fact remains that although they may be small, they still have the same needs as a horse - sometimes, in fact more specialist needs since their diets must be carefully managed so they don’t end up overweight and laminitic.

Then there’s training the tiny pony – it’s just as important to establish boundaries with a 7hh horse as with a 17hh horse. It’s in a horse’s nature, that if a leader doesn’t present his or herself, the horse believes it must be the leader, and that’s when the pushing and shoving around, or evading their human starts. Lack of leadership (mirroring the need for the matriarchal mares and the stallions in the wild) creates nervous, worried horses.

thoroughbred given the wrong circumstances.

The other thing is that oils ain’t oils.

Although it’s true that Shetland ponies, mini-ponies and miniature horses tend to have calm temperaments, some of them – which probably also depends on the training they’ve received – are not always suitable for small kids to be around. A small pony can have as feisty a temperament as a hot-blooded

So before you think of taking on a small one, be aware that your little package is still a horse, with all the negatives, as well as the positives that will mean for your wallet and your life.

Last but by no means least, a lot of people buy small ponies as lawnmowers or companion horses without taking on board the costs. Vet bills are no less for a small pony, farrier and dentals and vaccinations the same.

Feed costs are less for sure, but no matter what their size ponies still need supplements.

Candida Baker runs a Facebook page, The Horse Listener. She is also the President of Equus Alliance.

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FEATURE

Taking it to extremes JANE CAMENS, never one to turn down the chance to try something new, has a go at being a cowgirl, and discovers it’s a whole lot of fun.

M

ention the name Bianca Gillanders to someone, and they’re very likely to say, ‘Isn’t she the person who was the first Australian female horse trainer to take part in Equitana’s The Way of The Horse?’ The answer, of course, is yes, she was, in 2014, coming second overall in the competition, and striking a connection with the audience due to her gentle handling of the sensitive filly she chose to work with.

These days, in amongst various other hats, Bianca is also President of the Australian Extreme Cowgirls, and I must say that when I first heard those words, I’d never heard of such a thing. When I first spoke to her about it Bianca was enthusiastic about its positive attributes, for both horse and rider. She likens the sport to sporting horse trail courses with more intensity.

Extreme Cowgirl was all about.

I attended a training day when speed wasn’t on the agenda. We practiced a series of obstacles, including a bridge crossing, gate opening, flag bearing, dragging a tarp, going through a ‘cowboy curtain’, bending, a water feature, an L-shaped back-up, a sidepass pole, a small jump, throwing a ball into a hoop while mounted, ground tying your horse while you run around it carrying a flag, remounting, all eventually done at speed.

Although we didn’t practice with speed on this first training day, watch out when we do. Woo-hoo! The club is all about building confidence before speed, supporting each other and having fun. You can join at any level of skill, starting from Youth and Novice levels.

“You really need to have a trusting relationship with your horse as you manoeuvre through each obstacle and to do so with smoothness and style,” she tells me. “The calmer the horse and the looser the rein the better.”

To date, there are only five Australian Extreme Cowgirl (AEC) branches, in Gippsland, the Victorian High Country, Macedon Ranges, the Yarra Valley, and the Northern Rivers in New South Wales. But the Cowgirls welcome the establishment of new branch locations.

When I heard there was a new club in my area, I decided to go along to one of the first sessions with my stockhorse Beauty, to find out what being an

Bianca predicts that this ‘girl’ sport is set to take off, literally. Have you ever seen video of the Calgary Stampede in Canada? Go online and check it out.

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A

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FEATURE

You really need to have a trusting relationship with your horse...

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B

D

C

That gives an idea of the high standard that can be aspired to. Australian Extreme Cowgirls are affiliated with the Extreme Cowboy Association, which has an international presence.

As a coach and clinician in foundation horsemanship, Bianca found that it was a perfect competition for her to encourage her students to get involved in, so they could test out their foundation and step outside their comfort zone. I do wonder about the

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use of the word ‘extreme’.

“Don’t let that put you off,” she laughs.

“It isn’t about crashing through a set of obstacles at speed without concern for the horse or the safety of the rider.

Quite the opposite actually, everything is set up with the safety of horse and rider in mind and most of all the way you handle and ride your horse is considered extremely important.”

Does the horse have to have specialised training or be a particular breed?

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“No. All breeds of horses are welcome,” she tells me, “and there’s no need for specialised training. The primary purpose of the sport is to have fun with your horse while improving your horsemanship. Of course the higher your level of horsemanship the better your stops, turns and speed control will be and your horse’s willingness to tackle the obstacles for you, which will earn you more points when you compete.

The ultimate goal is to have your horse seek out the obstacles themselves and

FEATURE

E

A: Walk-through discussion with international judge Annie Chance at the EXCA National Race 2018.

B: Flag Carry - one of the official obstacles in a race.

C: Extreme Cowgirls Australia held a fun day at Lismore Showgrounds.

D: AEC President Bianca Gillanders shows how it’s done.

E: Jane Camens on her stockhorse Beauty.

F: Girls will be cowgirls.

F understand where their feet are and how to control the speed at which they take the obstacle. This way you can turn your horse loose over the obstacles and rely on it to willingly take the responsibility of negotiating the obstacles with confidence. You’ll lose points if you have a tight rein, or are pulling on your horse or your horse is gaping its mouth. Once again, the more collection and style you have the prettier the picture and the judges love to see your horse looking smooth and relaxed even at speed.”

The sport is open to riders of all disciplines and is for anyone interested in improving their horsemanship skills.

Bianca says she’d been looking for a long time for a competition that allowed her to really challenge her horsemanship.

“Extreme Cowgirls ticked all the boxes,” she says. She recommends coming along to an event and seeing if it’s for you.

For more information on Australian Extreme Cowgirls go to: https:// extremecowgirlsclub.com/about To learn more about this exciting sport go to: www. extremecowboyassociation.com OC TOBER 2019 - HORSEVIBES MAGAZINE

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HORSE HISTORY

Phar Lap the Wonder Horse Phar Lap will always hold a special place in our hearts, writes N. G. QUINLAN of the rangy chestnut whose career was tragically cut short when he was poisoned at only six-years-old.

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n 1930, halfway between two World Wars, the fledgling nation of Australia was suffering. While the ‘soldier-settlers’ – returned servicemen who had bought or leased Crown land – battled droughts and floods in order to scratch a meager living from the soil, the effects of the Wall Street Crash were beginning to be felt, ushering in the grim period now known as the Great Depression. Hope was at a premium and people were clinging to any heroes they could find.

Four years earlier, in a stable near the town of Timaru on the South Island of New Zealand, a foal had been born.

His sire was Night Raid, an English Thoroughbred, and his dam was Entreaty, a New Zealand mare. The horse’s owner, an American named David J. Davis, had hired Sydney trainer Harry Telford to find him some good yearlings. At the sales in Trentham, New Zealand, Telford bought a gangly colt for 160 guineas and shipped him across to Australia. This ungainly beast would go on to be nicknamed the ‘Red Terror’ and ‘Australia’s Wonder Horse’. In time, he would enter Australian legend as arguably our greatest ever racehorse, and certainly our most beloved.

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Tommy Woodcock, the horse would forever be known as Bobby.

Tommy was only twenty-four years old when Telford employed him full-time as Phar Lap’s strapper. Tommy Woodcock and Phar Lap had a rare bond and on the night before any important race, Tommy would set up a cot outside the stable, spending the night close to his favourite horse. Legend has it that Phar Lap would not accept food from anyone’s hand but Tommy’s.

It was Tommy Woodcock who was with Phar Lap one Saturday morning in November 1930 when unknown assailants fired a shot at the champion gelding from a passing car. Fortunately the bullet missed and neither horse nor strapper were harmed. Three days later, ridden by master jockey Jim Pike, Phar Lap won the Melbourne Cup. As Phar Lap’s fame grew, the chestnut became a hero to the nation. Then in 1931, David J. Davis expressed his plans to ship the horse to the United States to compete in what was then North America’s richest race, the Agua Caliente Handicap. Held just across the Mexican border south of San Diego, the race offered a purse of US$50,000. Such a prize proved too much for Davis to resist and so in November of that year Phar Lap departed from Sydney Harbour, bound for California.

The name ‘Farlap’ was suggested by a Chinese medical student named Aubrey Ping. The word meant ‘lightning’ in both Chinese and Thai (literally ‘sky flash’).

Somewhat superstitiously, Harry Telford decided to change the ‘F’ to ‘Ph’ and make it two words because he felt that a seven-letter two-word name better matched the names of other horses that had previously won the Melbourne Cup. However, to his devoted strapper

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Trainer Harry Telford was vocal in his protests, believing the journey would be too much for Phar Lap. He refused to go, sending young Tommy Woodcock in his place. The truth is that without Tommy by his side, Bobby would have fretted so much that he would have been unable to race at all. On the long sea voyage, Tommy was forced to eat all his meals in the boson’s cabin where ‘Bobby’ could see him through an open door.

Only two weeks before the big race, Phar Lap split his front left hoof after treading on a stone. Tommy and the rest of the team were justifiably

HORSE HISTORY

A

B A: Phar Lap winning the Melbourne Cup spring 1930.

C

B & C: Phar Lap and Tommy Woodcock.

that the poison was present in greater amounts than could have come from any tonic, or even from the taxidermy process itself.

worried and a special horseshoe had to be made to bind and strengthen the hoof. Nonetheless, on the afternoon of Sunday March 20th 1932, Phar Lap took his place in the starting lineup of the Agua Caliente Handicap. Although he was one of the last horses away he won the race convincingly, shaking off the other ten entrants with seeming ease.

Less than one month after Phar Lap’s great win, Tommy Woodcock entered the stable at Menlo Park, California one morning to find the horse in severe

pain. He and the rest of the team were powerless to help and in a matter of hours ‘Bobby’ haemorrhaged to death.

The cause of his death has never been determined, although as recently as 2010 Associate Professor Ivan Kempson from Taiwan’s Institute of Physics, and Dermot Henry from Museum Victoria conducted intricate examinations of several hairs from Phar Lap’s preserved mane and concluded that the horse had died from arsenic poisoning. Although arsenic was an ingredient in several tonics in those days, the tests showed

We will probably never know who poisoned Phar Lap, but what we know from history is that the people of Australia and New Zealand mourned his passing with great sorrow. During his short four-year racing career, Phar Lap won 37 races from 51starts, and had two second placings and three thirds.

His total prize money was £70,123, or more than $16 million in today’s money.

More importantly, he won the heart of a nation and is immortalised with a life-size bronze statue at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne. Phar Lap’s hide was preserved and now stands as an exhibit in the Melbourne Museum, forever keeping alive the memory of one of Australia’s greatest racehorses.

In memory of Phar Lap - Australia’s Wonder Horse (October 4th 1926 – April 5th 1932)

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A

FEATURE

Jesting and jousting at the Fantasy Fest

A

Knights at arms, fair maidens, feasting and fencing.

NANCY CLARKE swaps riding for a bit of sword-play and finds it to her liking.

We rocked up dressed in medieval finery ready to explore the many stalls and displays laid around the grounds.

There was everything from fairy wings, handmade unicorn hats to superbly crafted knives, even knitted fruit – if it was strange and a little out there you could find it.

But in amongst all ye olde banter and glasses of mead the best bit of all, of course, was when the moment we’d been anticipating erupted onto the field – the Gryphon Company, dressed in their amazing outfits and trusty steeds draped in the colours of their banners.

The individual jousters were introduced by the jester and cheers rang out from the crowd.

The action did not disappoint. The horses were strong and true to the course, the amour clanged and the lances shattered time and again.

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We cheered the hits and booed the misses. It was heart pumping primitive excitement. The final session between Lady Amanda and Sir Luke decided the championship and Sir Luke took the Golden Lance.

As the steward picked up the pieces of shattered lances the next act rolled in - a swashbuckling sword display by the Prima Spada School of Fence, a fencing school with five Salles operating in south-east Queensland, and one Salle in Tasmania. Based on the work of European masters of the 16th and 17th centuries, Prima Spada endeavours

‘

‘

O

ne of the most anticipated new events on the calendar for southeast Queensland, the inaugural Fantasy Fest was held at Chambers Flat Equestrian Park a few weeks ago, and boy was it fun.

With splinters flying everywhere and the clang of armor and thunder of hooves making the heart race...

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B

C

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FEATURE

D

E

F

A: Three of the Knights at Arms competing at the Abbey Medieval Fantasy Fest at Caboolture. B: Have at ye! Full tilt they go.

C: Fair maidens dancing the day away. D: In days of yore, when knights wore helmets, who knows who lies beneath?

E: Writer Nancy Clarke swaps a horse for a sword, and finds it to her liking. F: The jousting knights jostle for top spot. to promote the art of Renaissance European swordplay as a modern sport.

Starting with the Renaissance Rapier, two-handed swords and off-hand weapons, we were educated by the master swordsman as he rolled through the varied uses of each different sword and grades of the swordsman. The clang of metal on metal rang across the field as the fencing grew to a crescendo with an all-in brawl started by an insult, an argument and a challenge to defend one’s honor.

But soon it was back to horses, and Medieval Horse Sports Australia put

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on a Horse Archery and Skills at Arms display with their loyal steeds, which was a high-fueled display of medieval weaponry and skills on horseback as the targets were slashed, smashed and shot at.

After lunch I found myself admiring the Prima Spada School of Fence weapons and outfits only to discover that they were having a 30-minute introductory training session. I was so excited I immediately leapt into the group and grabbed my sword ready for an exciting 30 minutes of learning the basic maneuvers in fencing, facing off against high level fencing students. I must say I

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could easily get hooked on fencing as a sport.

My turn at the hilt ended just in time for the second appearance of the Gryphon Company and a lance smashing time was had by all. With splinters flying everywhere and the clang of amour and thunder of hooves making the heart race, another champion was declared.

Fantasy Feast is a great idea, and for those of us who are already interested in horse archery, the idea of jousting goes one step further. I for one am already looking forward to next year’s event.

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YOUNG RIDER

Living an eventful life Nineteen-year-old eventer Thea Horsley is our October Young Rider – and deservedly so, as AMANDA MAC discovered.

H

ailing from Mittagong in the NSW Southern Highlands, Thea first sat on a horse at 10 months old. With her dad holding her firmly in the saddle, she delighted in being walked around Sydney’s Centennial Park, and by the age of seven, began riding and competing seriously.

So, I wonder, are equestrian pursuits a family thing? “Mum did a little eventing in the UK when she was younger, and my older brothers used to ride when they were little, but now it’s just me,” Thea says.

Thea has a history of excellence. NSW’s 2017 Young Rider of the Year, she completed her first CCI4*-L by the end of 2018, and then set her sights on competing at 5* level.

Have goals, will travel! Thea decided to contact internationally renowned eventer Sam Griffiths, who is now based in the UK and competing there himself as well as training other riders – and fortunately he had a position available.

“I wanted to go over to the UK to experience their eventing scene. So here I am, working as a rider. I ride six days a week at least, and on average I’m

50

riding four horses per day and I’m loving it,” she says.

Given the diversity of horses Thea rides, the wisdom imparted by Sam Lyle, her jumping coach back home in the Southern Highlands, has been of great value. “Probably the best piece of advice Sam gave me was to ride the opposite to the energy you feel from your horse, which really helps me to adjust my riding for different horses on different days,” she says. “For example, if your horse feels like he wants to run down a line in five strides, make him collect and do it in six, and vice versa. It’s a great training technique!”

Although sadly Thea had to leave one of her top horses, Fairview Rembrandt, back home in Australia, Kelecyn Supernatural, her 15-year-old Thoroughbred, made the trip with her and has settled in remarkably well.

The pair recently completed Millstream CCI4*-L in Ireland and came 12th, qualifying for 5* in the process.

“I’m so excited to have qualified,” says Thea. “I want to compete at 5* level next year and keep improving in all three phases. I love what I do, particularly the cross country phase, but I really enjoy all

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the phases for different reasons. Beyond that I’m not sure what my next goal will be! I feel that with horses you have to go with the flow a bit,” she explains.

With a stellar career that just keeps getting brighter, Thea is anxious to acknowledge those who have helped her along the way. “First and foremost, I’m so thankful for my parents’ support.

Without them I wouldn’t have been given such an incredible opportunity to go to the UK with my horse,” she says. “I also owe a great deal to Ali Soster and

YOUNG RIDER

Robbie McKinnon who have been my dressage coaches since 2009, as well as Sam Lyle for all his support and top class coaching. Of course, having been based with Sam Griffiths for the last four months I’ve learnt so much - so a huge thanks to him also.”

And all of us here at HorseVibes wish Thea continued success on her exciting UK adventure.

Images courtesy of (above) Allira Fontana Photography, (left) Top Shots Photography .

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HORSE BREED

The Selle Français has a lot of style The origins of the Selle Français, the internationally renowned French warmblood, can be traced back to an assorted collection of half-blood horses that were once scattered throughout France, writes AMANDA MAC.

W

ith an elegant neck, muscular legs, and a strong, compact body, there’s no doubt about it: the Selle Français (literal translation ‘French saddle’) is an eye-catching horse. The breed’s sturdy conformation is further enhanced with long, sloping shoulders, a deep chest, and powerful hindquarters that contribute to their great success in the international show jumping arena.

the French Saddle Horse, the beginnings of the Selle Français bloodline can be traced to the 1700s when native French mares were crossbred with Norman warhorses. By the 1800s Austrian, Asian and Egyptian genes had been included in the mix, followed by Norfolk Trotters in the mid-1800s, and the final later addition of Thoroughbred blood. By the early 1900s, these crossbreds had been recognised as ‘demi-sang’, or half-blood

And if good looks weren’t enough, there’s that famous French charm!

They are known for their friendly, quiet, patient temperament - and yet when the need arises they show great spirit and have apparently boundless energy.

Selle Français are also very athletic and are possessed of sharp intelligence, which makes them fast learners and consequently easy to train.

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Meeting shifting needs As with many continental warmbloods, the Selle Français was formalised as a breed towards the end of the 1950s as Europe was recovering from the effects of WWII. With the increase of mechanisation, there was little need for horses to work the fields, to provide transport, or to be beasts of burden. The focus had shifted to leisure and sport, and so, with the object of producing a consistently good all-round sport horse, a decision was made to unite all of France’s regional half-blood horses under one name: the Selle Français.

Initially, the wide variety of local horses - which had also been crossed with Anglo-Arabians and French Trotters meant that the first Selle Français were far from uniform in type. However, because the Norman, and subsequently the Anglo-Norman had for many years been bred with local mares throughout

A: Galoubet A demonstrating his trademark buck.

B: A typical bay Selle Français with white leg markings.

European heritage France’s history for producing excellent riding horses dates as far back as the first century - so what’s the story behind this remarkable breed? Also known as

horses, and were usually named after the many regions from which they had originated. There were however, three main types: the Anglo-Norman which hailed from the Caen area; the Vendeen from the La Roche-sur-Yon district; and from Cluny, located not too far from the centre of France, the Demi-sang du Centre (Half-blood of the Centre).

A

HORSEVIBES MAGAZINE - OC TOBER 2019

HORSE BREED

B

HORSE BREED France, the one consistent feature of all horses now included under the Selle Français banner was their sturdy confirmation, a throwback to their Norman heritage.

A

Refining the breed Over the following years, the Selle Français was gradually refined as a breed, which eventually became more standardised. The first Selle Français stud book was published in 1965, but it wasn’t until July 2003 that the Association Nationale du Selle Français (the National Association of French Saddle Horses or ANSF) became the recognised association for a horse that was fast becoming a much soughtafter and very successful competitor in international equestrian sports.

That said, due to the diversity of bloodlines in the Selle Français’ genetic make-up, set breed standards tended to be a little flexible. Although heights can range from 15.1 to 17.3 hands, most usually now stand at 16.1 to 16.3 hands.

Their scale of confirmation is very similar to that of the Thoroughbred, but with more bone, a heavier build and a square frame. Many Selle Français have a large head with a slightly convex profile, and thanks to the Anglo-Norman legacy, bay or chestnut with white leg markings are the predominant colours, while grey and roan are less common. However, any solid colour is acceptable.

An enviable reputation From western trail horse to endurance, the multi-talented Selle Français excels in most disciplines. They have a considerable reputation as show jumpers, and are formidable contenders in international competition. A Selle Français by the name of Baloubet du Rouet was the only horse to win three consecutive show jumping World Cups (in 1998, 1999, and 2000). His equally famous sire Galoubet A, well known for his signature buck after a jump, was champion French five-year-old and champion of France in 1979. He was also placed either first or second in 19

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A: Selle Français stallion at Haras du Pin, a French national stud.

B: Baloubet du Rouet, winner of three consecutive show jumping World Cups.

International Grand Prix show jumping events, and was on the winning French World Cup team in 1982 at Dublin.

But aside from their very obvious claim to show jumping fame, the breed is also well-suited to cross-country and does well in the dressage arena, making it a successful eventer. And because of its good nature, patience and kindness, the Selle Français is an excellent mount for both adult and younger amateur riders.

Caring for the Selle Français Overall, the Selle Français is usually easy to care for. Its mixed ancestry is generally thought to have contributed to its robustness, which is more pronounced than in many other European breeds. As youngsters they’re fairly slow to mature, and will continue to grow well into their fifth year.

They tend to be remarkably sound, a great advantage given their exceptional abilities as show jumpers. However,

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this hardiness should never be taken for granted. If you are jumping your Selle Français, err on the side of caution and use leg protection to guard against splints, as well as tendon and suspensory injuries.

Although the Selle Français does not usually develop health problems, care should be taken to avoid ailments such as laminitis and colic. Overfeeding is definitely not recommended, as this breed is a fairly easy keeper.

And finally (but no less important to their well-being) the Selle Français like to participate in activities that allow them to use that sharp intelligence – languishing idly in a stall is simply not their style. They are also gregarious by nature. They love human company just as much as they enjoy shooting the breeze with their equine friends, so be sure that they have the opportunity to enjoy plenty of both.

HORSE BREED

B

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ON MY TACKBOX

A

ON MY TACKBOX

Healing horses and humans using bio-energetics ADELE EDWARDS came to an understanding of horse bodies via her work in the hospitality industry, a stint as a dental nurse, and her work as a natural therapist and energy practitioner. A reconnection to her passion for horses allowed a natural progression of healing modalities to emerge.

O

ver the last 100 years, western scientific achievements have been profound. Simultaneously, however, much ancient wisdom of the east has been forgotten or left behind.

connection that existed between us was unquestionable to me, and through many wonderful experiences, shared with my horse, I became inspired to delve deeper into natural health practices.

Through my experience in working with horses, one of the most important links that continues to show up is that of bioenergetics, and yet it still seems to be an overlooked therapy. Within the context of Equine Therapy, bio-energetics is the theory that a horse’s body is more than a collection of tissue, sinew, muscle and bone, but rather, these physical elements are part of a larger collective open dissipative system.

In exploration of the unseen, I studied Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, acupuncture and body-work for human and horse - along with other energy healing modalities. This journey transformed my world and for the next 25 years I worked closely with people that had tried everything to shift their physical and emotional issues.

From early childhood, I became aware that I experienced the world through a different lens to that of my conservative family background. Having a horse brought much comfort to me as a child.

I could get lost in my own world and my equine companion never questioned my way of being. I couldn’t articulate it at the time, but the energetic

An eye-opening opportunity arose to work with an incredible doctor where I had much training and exposure in treating many serious issues from mental illness to physical dispositions and cancer. Witnessing many amazing recoveries from energy healing my desire to teach people how they could heal their life became my driving force.

Along the way reconnecting my passion

with horses, I found myself applying these same bio-energetic healing tools to my very sensitive, misunderstood horse. An extremely athletic individual with the potential to be explosive, I worked out quickly the trauma he was carrying needed attention. After only a few sessions the transformation was obvious and in a very short space of time he became more manageable and responsive.

Although our journey has been challenging, if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have been able to pull together the different strands of my healing work, but still the most important steps in the healing process remains creating a connection.

Once the emotional connection is clear, I then tap into the horse’s innate energetic physiology, which is a nonverbal, non-logic based system, that exists below or outside the level of our normal everyday awareness. Though everyone has access to it, we just don’t use it, or we switch it off when we lock into or fixate on language, rationalism or logic.

When treating horses I look for disruptive energy patterns in their anatomy and reconfigure the energy back to its natural flow state. What then takes place is an unravelling within the horse’s energy, allowing them to find neutral ground, or to go back to homeostasis. This then helps the horse to find its natural rhythm and connection. It’s like hitting the reset button. Other factors also determine how quickly you see results. For example, feed, stress levels, training etc.

In a session the first step is listening and communication. Once the horse becomes aware that I understand their needs, the flow and connection becomes more established. For me this takes place as a conversation in my mind as if someone was sharing their story out loud.

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ON MY TACKBOX

B

I became aware that I experienced the world through a different lens...

C

D

A: Adele working with her own horse. B: Adele first checks to see if a horse is in pain. C: Establishing emotional connection. D: Using alternative methods to free up energy meridians.

After gaining more understanding of the horse’s condition and emotional state I proceed with feeling the quality of energy in the horse’s organs, meridians and acupuncture points as well as gaining insight into past events that have been stored like a memory chip in the endocrine system. This assessment is performed in a non-tactile way.

To me, the disrupted energy patterns appear fragmented which can manifest as distress, physical pain and trauma.

If energy disruption occurs for long periods, physical depositions will manifest. The treatment process is then to clear the blockages through an energy healing method I use with my hands. Working on local areas of imbalance is one thing but treating the

58

horse as a whole system is paramount.

I also accompany the treatment with acupuncture and body-work if required.

Every horse’s session is unique, determining how many treatments needed. Although significant changes can occur after the first session, in most cases three treatments, a week apart, seems to bring about the most effective change. This of course really depends on the severity of the situation. Sessions mainly run for an hour but can vary depending on the condition.

I believe there is more to life than the obvious and the relationship you have with your horse can be symptomatic of what is happening within you. When you help the horse release its stress you transform the dynamic between

HORSEVIBES MAGAZINE - OC TOBER 2019

human and horse. All we need is a little openness, to test and validate our experience. From here we can draw our own conclusion - as the more flexibility we have within the greater our capacity is to make positive change.

For more information on Adele Edwards’ work go to: https://adeleedwards.com. au/ or find her on Facebook under https:// www.facebook.com/timelinehealing/ Adele runs an Alternative & Holistic Health Service in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

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GIVING BACK

The deceiving designer Graeme Watts has been at the forefront of Australian jumping for decades, and for good reason, writes JO MCKINNON.

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Watching Graeme at events it’s easy to see how engrossed he is in the role. He’s deeply driven and has a genuine passion for seeing horses and riders develop for the greater good of the sport.

A revered course designer, Chair of the Australian Jumping Committee and Chairman of National Selectors, he’s been at the coalface of the sport since he left school at the age of 17 to become a travelling groom for former Olympian Guy Creighton.

Graeme attends up to 40 events per year in his capacity as a course designer which assists him greatly in his role as a team selector, allowing him to watch so many horse and rider combinations compete.

Once a rider himself who attended Pony Club during his childhood, he doesn’t miss a trick and knows just about everyone there is in the industry, from grassroots right through to the elitelevel nationwide.

The knowledge he gathers at competitions across Australia is invaluable when it comes to earmarking up and coming riders and giving in-

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There’s also a significant amount of administrative work involved behind the scenes. On average he spends two hours per day, seven days a week answering emails and queries and doing plenty of forward planning. He also travels many miles to attend Australian Jumping Committee and National Selector meetings, but although he has a lot on his plate, he’s adamant that he loves every minute of it.

“I must do to keep doing it, or, I am stupid. I haven’t worked that out yet,” he jokes.

raeme Watts is one of the most recognisable and loved characters in Australian show jumping.

“When I finish this term on the selection panel for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics it will be 28 years. You get 27 years for murder,” he laughs.

in his own time and at his own cost. “You get paid for course designing but you don’t make money out of it – you’ll never retire rich from course designing,” he says, “but it’s very rewarding and I get a lot out of watching the classes.”

“I want to see the sport progress on a level playing field to make sure that everyone is given an equal opportunity to qualify for a team,” he says. form combinations a deserved shot at representing Australia.

“You need to be fair to all riders and go to events and watch them.

Unfortunately it’s a job that doesn’t help you make friends because someone will always feel disadvantaged,” he says.

“Every rider has a dream to represent their country and unfortunately selectors sometimes have to deny them that dream so you have to be very conscious about your decisions. Not everyone will agree with our choice but in the end it’s our role to put the best team on the jumping field.”

He manages to earn a bit of money from course designing but all the work he does in helping to select teams is done

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Each year he designs courses for the Victorian, Queensland and Tasmanian State Show Jumping Championships. He also travels to Perth twice every year to design championship courses at events hosted at Yalambi Farm, and whilst all the travel might sound glamorous and exciting the reality is that it’s a lot of hard work.

“You travel everywhere but all you see is the inside of a hotel or motel and the showground. It’s not an easy life,” he says.

In 2009 he earned the accolade of Equestrian Australia Official of the Year, which he treasures – as he does the friendships he’s made.

“There are some terrific people in the sport and you get to meet people from

GIVING BACK

A

B

A: Course building.

B: Checking the course.

all walks of life and different lifestyles.

It’s interesting to sit and talk to people,” he says.

The pair have worked closely together for more than 20 years and Stephen says Graeme’s skills are unique.

Fellow National Jumping Selector Stephen Lamb has huge respect for Graeme and his tireless commitment to show jumping in Australia.

“I’ve seen first-hand just how analytical he is. Even when we’ve looked at various selection methods, using different systems or gauging performances at different shows, Graeme has always been at the forefront of putting forward suggestions, and coming up with sound principals of what may, or may not, work,” says Stephen.

“Graeme’s skill and expertise as a course designer are well recognised,” says Stephen, “but I think sometimes people don’t appreciate the enormous commitment he has made through his role as a national selector. It’s often quite a thankless task. His attention to detail and deep understanding of the technicalities of the sport are what make him such a good selector. He can be quite deceiving, as his ‘knockabout bloke’ character can be mistaken for someone who doesn’t think deeply or critically about things – but nothing could be further from the truth.”

With the Tokyo Olympics less than 12 months away there’s pressure on Graeme to ensure he’s across Australian horse and rider performances both here and overseas. And what makes his job as a selector particularly challenging right now is the depth of our international standard riders.

“There’s probably eight or ten riders at this point in time in the mix with the

likes of Edwina Tops-Alexander, Rowan Willis and Scott Keach, and then there are all the guys based here in Australia.

Over the next eight months to June 1, 2020, when we pick the team, a lot of things will change because that period of time is a long time with a horse, so nothing is set in stone.”

At this point, all the indicators are there to suggest a strong performance from an Australian show jumping team at Tokyo, which, with a bit of luck, Graeme hopes will lead to a podium finish.

“There would be nothing better for me to see,” he says. “The ultimate would be to snag a medal. We have some very good riders, so who knows?”

Who knows indeed, but if Graeme and his long-term dedication and passion for the sport has anything to do with it, we will have our best chance for success.

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SADDLE REVIEW

Kieffer Ulla Salzgeber JUSTICE NICHOLSON loves Kieffer saddles, and she recently found the perfect one on the Saddle Hub.

A

t 18 years old, Victorian Justice Nicholson is about to sit her school finals and dreams of being accepted into a veterinary science degree specialising in (you guessed it!) equines.

Justice started riding when she was six.

Her discipline is now mainly dressage, but she’s not averse to variety: “I’ve also competed in up to 85cm show jumping events, and I really enjoy clinics in both cross country and show jumping,” she explains.

“My previous saddle was a Keiffer and I loved everything about it. But sadly, I outgrew it, so it’s been handed down to my sister.”

On the hunt for a new saddle, Justice’s instructor Moya Jess suggested that she should take Moya’s own Kieffer Ulla Salzgeber for a test ride.

Justice was delighted with the saddle, which was also a great match for Stormy Meadow, her 17-year-old Connemara Thoroughbred cross.

“There were no particular issues with Stormy that I needed to consider when choosing a saddle, but the Ulla Salzgeber was a perfect fit for us both,” she says. “The saddle’s just great because I feel very secure in it, but at the same time you have the freedom to move and to have that

Justice and Stormy Meadow enjoying their recently purchased Keiffer saddle.

important contact with the horse. That’s something which is really important to me.”

A first-time Saddle Hub visitor, to her delight she found the very saddle she wanted on their website straight away.

Her only concern was the potential for damage to the saddle during shipping.

“I was a bit apprehensive about that,

but it arrived in perfect condition and was very well packed,” she says.

The Equestrian Hub has a wide variety of second hand saddles, so be sure to visit www.equestrianhub.com.au and browse through their fantastic range.

All saddles come with a two-week trial, finance options, and a courier right to your door.

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AROUND THE TRAPS

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A: Neve James and Sorbeaux competing in their second Grade 2 (EVA 95) event held at Monmouth Pony Club (Image by Annika Young Photography).

B: Pearl Dessart and Ruby hard at work in a Team Penning event hosted by the Southern Eyre Team Penners at Cummins, South Australia (Image by Liz Dessart).

C: Tyla Budden riding Vivace Cocoa at the Sydney Spring Classic ODE (Image by Oz Shots).

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AROUND THE TRAPS

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D: Jess Stones and Mikimoto, winners of the Garryowen Equestrienne Turnout at Melbourne Royal (Image by Lisa Gordon).

E: Elizabeth Boneham and Calypso at the recent Gold Coast Show at Broadwater Parklands (Image by FreeStyle Visual Media).

F: Zali Greeney with Willowcroft Jester after successfully competing at the Zone 15 Pony Club Jamboree (Image by Saasha Greeney).

G: Holly Nastasi with Doongara Delight, Champion Led Yearling at the Far North Coast ASH Show (Image by Flash Pony).

H: Georgia Leva and Birdie in the CCN 1* at the Agnes Banks Equine Clinic Sydney Eventing Spring Classic at SIEC (Image by Oz Shots).

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AROUND THE TRAPS

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I: Samantha Palmer and Hempstead competing at the Friends of Werribee 1* (Image by Tim Herbert).

J: Natalie Calvert and Junior enjoy some well-earned downtime at Cabarita Beach, NSW (Image by Jenn Wagstaff).

K: Poppie Gorton with I Spy getting lots of air in the EVA 95 Jnr at the Agnes Banks Equine Clinic Sydney Eventing Spring Classic at SIEC (Image by Oz Shots).

L: Shane Rose and Virgil, winners of the CCN 4* at the Agnes Banks Equine Clinic Sydney Eventing Spring Classic at SIEC (Image by Oz Shots).

M: Last year’s Australian Champion Aaron Hadlow riding Vahlinvader at the Jumping@Willinga Grand Prix, Willinga Park (Image by Australian Jumping).

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AROUND THE TRAPS

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If you would like you and your horse to be featured in next month’s HorseVibes, please send a high-resolution photo with the name of the event, rider and horse, as well as the photographer’s credit, to info@horsevibes.com.au OC TOBER 2019 - HORSEVIBES MAGAZINE

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AROUND THE TRAPS

The Saddle Hub Manager Shae Herwig and Bravour M at the Tweed Valley Equestrian Group’s dressage day (Image by Blue Ribbon Photography).

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• 2 week suitability TRIAL • Horse Lovers Help HOTLINE • Interest-free FINANCE

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TRAINING TIPS

The art of going forward sideways There’s more to leg yielding and shoulder-in than meets the eye, so AMANDA MAC asked top dressage rider Alycia Targa for some expert how-to tips.

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f you want good advice, the smart move is to go to someone who really knows their business.

So, without further ado, meet Alycia Targa. Alycia is a world ranked high performance FEI dressage rider.

Successful in the sport since she was young, she rode internationally at the Young Rider World Cup in Frankfurt, Germany, and the Tri Nations Cup at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show.

Alycia has successfully trained her current Grand Prix horse, CP Dresden, from a novice right through the levels up to Grand Prix.

She was named the Reserve Big Tour Champion at the Horse First 2019 NSW Dressage Championships, held at Tamworth in August, where Alycia and CP Dresden finished second in both the Grand Prix and the Grand Prix Kur with new personal best scores. And at September’s Boneo CDI, the pair came fourth in the Grand Prix with a personal best CDI score of 67.2, and also scooped third place in the Freestyle to Music event with a score of 70.5.

With credentials such as those, who better to give some sound advice on two movements that are more complex then they look, and are often performed with less accuracy than they require. But first, some definitions:

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The leg yield This is a lateral movement in which your horse travels both forward and sideways at the same time. During the leg yield the horse is fairly straight through their body, with a slight bend opposite to the direction in which they’re travelling. One of the first lateral schooling exercises, it teaches your horse to move sideways away from the pressure of your inside leg.

How to begin the leg yield “Start with a small circle and gradually spiral outwards into a larger circle, using your inside leg to push your horse into the outside rein,” Alycia explains. “The most important thing to notice is where their inside leg is stepping, which should be underneath your centre of gravity.”

Alycia adds that the biggest mistake when performing a leg yield is letting your horse fall out through their outside shoulder. When this happens, they may be trying to avoid working from their hindquarters by over-bending the neck.

This is quite a common problem that can be made worse if a rider has the habit of pulling on the inside rein while turning.

The result is that the horse will turn their head too far to the inside, creating an easy way to avoid the correct movement by falling out through the outside shoulder.

Shoulder-in The shoulder-in is another lateral movement. It increases your horse’s suppleness and balance, helps to loosen up their shoulders, and encourages them to activate their hindquarters.

When correctly performed, the horse is bent around the rider’s inside leg and is moving on three tracks, with their inside hind leg and outside foreleg travelling along the same line.

The importance of flat work Alycia’s a great believer in flat work. “It doesn’t matter what discipline you’re into, basic flat work training is a critical to good performance,” she says. “The value of the leg yield is in teaching your horse to respect your inside leg, and to understand where you want them to move when the inside leg is applied.”

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Leg yield: The horse is looking away from the direction of travel with the inner legs crossing in front of the outer legs.

TRAINING TIPS

Warming up for a Grand Prix test: Alycia and CP Dresden demonstrating a shoulder-in with full hindquarter engagement.

“If this is what your horse is attempting, you need to remedy it the moment it starts to happen by using your outside

next step is to progress to turning up

rein to prevent the outside shoulder

is to move the whole horse sideways while keeping their inside leg under your centre of gravity and not falling out through the outside shoulder. When correctly performed, your horse’s inside hind leg should be reacting to your inside leg,” she explains.

falling out,” Alycia advises. “Another option is to counter-flex them for a couple of strides to get their shoulder back in line. Once your horse has understood what’s required of them when you apply your inside leg, the

the centre line, still pushing them with your inside leg. Remember, the object

Practising shoulder-in Once your horse has the basics of the leg yield, the next step is the shoulder-in.

“The shoulder-in is the same idea as the leg yield in that it’s the inside hind leg you’re trying to get to step underneath the horse so the outside shoulder can step up and out down the long side. You are aiming for your horse’s inside foreleg

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TRAINING TIPS

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A & B: Warming up with a leg yield before a novice test.

C: One of Alycia’s novices, yet to gain the strength required to fully engage their hindquarters during a shoulder-in.

All images courtesy of Victoria Davies-Koch.

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TRAINING TIPS

It doesn’t matter what discipline you’re into, basic flat work training is a critical to good performance...

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to cross in front of the outside foreleg, with the inside hind hoof arriving in the hoof print made by the outside foreleg,” says Alycia.

Alycia starts by using a ten metre circle to get the bend and positioning she wants for the movement. “A couple of strides away from the long side, I keep my inside leg on and once you reach the long side think of pushing your inside leg through to their outside shoulder to produce the shoulder-in,” she says. “I find the biggest mistake riders make is that they ride neck in and quarters out instead of shoulder in – and don’t forget that your horse’s head still needs to be in line with the middle of their chest throughout this movement.”

If you lose the correct positioning, Alycia’s advice is to ride another ten metre circle: “The objective is to persevere with this movement until your horse is strong enough to keep the shoulder-in position for the full distance that you want.”

And a final tip: “To check that your horse is not putting their quarters out, ride the shoulder-in down the centre line so the horse doesn’t have the wall to lean on.

Another good idea is to either ride the shoulder-in towards a mirror, or have someone videoing from in front of you so that you can check for positioning – you should only be able to see three legs.”

Alycia Targa is a high performance dressage rider and coach, and founder of Millbank Equestrian. She is available for one-onone training as well as coaching clinics.

Fig. 1: A correctly executed shoulder-in.

The horse is moving on three tracks with the inside hind leg and outside foreleg travelling on the same line.

Fig. 2: Here the horse is moving on two tracks instead of three and is avoiding correctly executing the movement by falling out through the outside shoulder.

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Finding your equanimity at Equinity Like most of us horsey folk, JANE CAMENS loves a good horse shop, but even more so when its owner is supporting people recovering from trauma by providing horse therapy…

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quinity Horse and Rider Emporium is in a side street on the edge of the Northern Rivers town of Murwillumbah, and is the creation of Sharon Van Den Broek, a 45-year old multi-tasking powerhouse who was recently, tragically, widowed.

Sharon is also the mother of three children, the youngest just six-yearsold. Equinity isn’t her main business, although in the short time since she opened it in July 2018, it’s become an integral part of the local horse community.

The shop was actually conceived to subsidise financially stretched clients of her other business, the Centre for REAL. ‘REAL’ Sharon tells me, stands for ‘Resilience. Emotional Awareness.

Learning’. It’s a form of therapy with horses, mainly for people who’ve experienced trauma, although anyone can benefit and experience revelatory learnings from the deep communication sessions Sharon conducts with her seven therapist horses.

The centre is run out of her hilltop farm in the magical countryside of

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Tyalgum. Sharon and her horses work with people who have fears, anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem due to something in their past. To experience

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this form of deep communication with horses, it’s necessary to slow right down, to breathe and be conscious of your breath.

The REAL horse therapist who approached me was Cody, a big grey Percheron. Because he’s such a big boy and elderly, he was the least likely of Sharon’s horses I expected to have a connection with. I mean, I wouldn’t have chosen him as a working partner.

But there you go. Cody and I had a beautiful silent connection. I wasn’t visiting for a therapy session, only to get a sense of what this form of experiential communication is like and what it might achieve. After a lot of silent, controlled breathing, and imagining a connection between Cody’s heart and mine, Cody simply rested his big head on my shoulder. Sharon’s clients often get teary during the sessions when it seems as if the horses understand something of what they have gone through.

Sharon was a city girl 14 years ago when she and her first husband drove from Brisbane and crossed the Queensland border to start a new phase of their lives afresh in the country. She’d ridden a horse, but fancied she’d like a Clydesdale in the paddock and that she might like to learn to drive a rig. She and her husband bought a bush block and, eventually, Missy, an 18-year-old beginner’s pony. The man who slashed the next door block, Frank Van Den Broek, nearly 30 years Sharon’s senior, eventually became her second husband.

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FEATURE

It was while she was in the process of

I realised that people who’ve had a long history of mental illness aren’t always in a position to pay for therapy...

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A: Sharon with one of her therapy horses.

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B: Sharon in the Equinity Shop.

C: Sharon at her centre.

separating from her first husband that Sharon discovered Equine Assisted Learning. She would eventually become a qualified facilitator and acquire a lot more horses. She certainly does ride these days, often through the Mebbin National Park on the edge of her property.

“When I started seeing clients, I realised that people who’ve had a long history of mental illness aren’t always in a

position to pay for therapy,” Sharon says.

“I started making horse design t-shirts to help subsidise anyone who couldn’t pay, but that wasn’t making enough money to offer significant discounts. I decided I needed to support myself in some other way and thought about a small shop.

I’ve got a background in retail and the idea just grew and grew.”

Sharon’s cheerful presence in the shop always adds an additional energy and

glow to her store, and she has great staff to help her when she’s away conducting therapy sessions.

I spent the half-day with Sharon at Equinity and at her REAL centre not only to hear Sharon’s story, but because I also (temporarily) lost my car keys in her Aladdin’s treasure palace of a shop. It was a great excuse to get to know Sharon and to consider future purchases from her beautiful emporium.

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STARS WITH EPONA

Aries October puts the focus on your committed relationships, be they intimate, business or artistic. Of all the signs, you lead the way in expressing both independence and closeness, love and adventure. Be creative when you choose holidays or social events, making sure you find the fun to be had with others. Us equines Rams are accidentprone this month so walk the fence line. Check the yards. Long warmups.

Otherwise, ouch!

Taurus This month comes with a little warning.

Bluntly, see to your health and wellbeing or you’re down for the count. If you want to avoid being bedridden, keep your diet in check (no indulging), get plenty of rest, fresh air and exercise.

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fter an overload of practical concerns, we can finally take a breath of fresh air. Objectivity and fairness are easier to find this month as balance reigns again. The need for companionship, camaraderie and connection grows for both two and four-legged souls, so see to the social side of things. Life, in October at least, is better when shared.

This is your chance to up the self-care, before you go down. Us four-legged creatures are actually more robust so why not use us in your conditioning routine. We’re keen to work and learn!

Gemini Welcome to one of the most romantic, creative and playful months of the year.

If you’re NOT feeling light-hearted and carefree, then you need to take a close and honest look at how you’ve set up your life. This is your time for matters of the heart, basking in the limelight and taking risks. Look to ways you can experience this now. Us equines are pining for companionship – horse, cow, mule, chickens even. Please!

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STARS WITH EPONA

Cancer

Libra

Capricorn

This month, turn your attention to

This is your personal new moon month,

feelings, emotions and connections

full of excitement and the pleasure

at the roots of your being. While

of other people’s company. Go ahead

everyone’s out having fun or working a

and celebrate in ways that reinforce

great job, you take time out to reflect.

friendships, enhance your love life and

Are you living your core values, or going

leave you looking forward to the year

through the motions? Consider any

ahead. Set intentions for big goals now.

revelations a step in the right direction.

For us equines, we have one word for

Us four-legged Crabs have sensitive

you. THRUSH. It doesn’t take a quagmire

lungs right now, so please check hay for

to cause it so check for damp standing

dust and test for worms. We don’t cough for no reason.

Leo

areas. And hoof pick daily, please.

Scorpio

It’s career advancement month as you look for ways to amp up your CV, increase your range of influence and fulfil your healthy drive for accomplishment. You know how to fly solo, but in the time of Libra, you actually go further via collaboration.

Reach out. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. Four-legged Sea-goats are a little grumpy right now. Please take things slow with loads of patience and encouragement.

Aquarius

October brings a chance to learn, teach

Dreams are ultra-important now, giving

Restless energy is in the air and the only

and communicate, passing along some

you new ideas and answering deep

way to utilize it to your best advantage

treasured wisdom gained over time.

questions you hadn’t thoughts to ask.

is to dare to be different. Ask the

You will have an audience, and as long

Not sure how to remember them?

question no one expects. Point to the

as your heart’s in the right place (and

Put a notepad by your bedside, along

elephant in the room. Reach for the last

the thought of doing being out there

with a pen. The action speaks loudly to

brownie on the plate. As eyebrows go

makes you smile) it will lift the spirits

the subconscious and it will respond

up, doors open. For us equines, we are

wonderfully. For us equines, there’s a

with a rich and potent array of dreams

full of excitement too, so much so we

risk of (mild) poisoning. Please check

remembered. For us equines, we need

might forget some components of our

pastures for toxins - weeds or herbs,

more downtime. Check that our natural

training. It’s hard to stay focused with

rubbish, metals or water contaminants.

sleep cycles aren’t being interrupted.

the wind in our tails. Day off, please?

Thank you.

Virgo

Sagittarius

Pisces

The focus is bang on income streams

After a month of alliances, rapport and

Shared resources come to the fore-

and finances. The trick will be to put

companionship, you might start to feel

ground this month. If you have them,

as much energy into developing your

a little trapped. Make sure you have

there will be much to deal with. If you

potential resources so that the money

reasons to create more space between

are applying for them – collaborative

derives from a talent or skill you love

bouts of connection or they will rub

funds, loans, grants – the charm-angel

doing. It’s all about time spent and for

you the wrong way - #dontfencemein.

is on your shoulder. Just ask for what it

you, that needs to come with a smile

It helps to go places you’ve never been

is you really want and the support will

on your face. Us four-legged creatures

before, so maybe a new trail, picnic spot

follow. Your equine companions are

are willing to work hard, but please be

or vista? Us four-leggeds can be restless

looking for a little more comfort now.

sure you check TPRs. They’re called ‘vital

as all get-out this month so work in the

Like, how hard is it to fork out a little

signs’ for a reason…

fresh scenery for us as well!

more bedding? We’ll be grateful for it.

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