Bluegrass Banter - April 2010 - Equestrian Australia

Bluegrass Banter
Official Newsletter
Australian Equestrian Team
April 2010

Welcome back to our second edition of Bluegrass
Banter, the Australian Equestrian Team WEG
Newsletter. Thank you to those who contacted us and
commented on our first edition, and also those who
provided some good ideas for future editions.
Since our last edition Brett Parbery and Carolyn
Lieutenant’s Victory Salute have done Australia proud
at the Dressage World Cup Final in s’Hertogenbosch
(NED), a National Para-Equestrian Squad WEG nonhorse
rider focused preparation camp at the AIS, and
had two more Dressage combinations Rachael Sanna
& Jaybee Alabaster along with Rozzie Ryan and & Jive
Magic achieve a COC for WEG at Dressage With The
Stars.
In this coming month we will have Edwina Alexander,
Chris Chugg and Boyd Exell all representing Australia
at the Jumping & Driving World Cup Finals in Geneva,
along with Clayton Fredericks and Peter Atkins
competing at the Rolex Kentucky 3DE (which is part of
the WEG Test Event). Speaking of the WEG Test
Event, I will be part of an Australian Delegation
travelling to the WEG Test Event with the much
appreciated additional funding from the Australian
Sports Commission, the details of which are contained
in this edition. A full report of the trip will be in the May
edition of Bluegrass Banter. Following Kentucky we will
have Bill Levett and Paul Tapner looking for a strong
performance at the famous Badminton Horse Trials to
press their claim for selection at WEG.
On the home front we have the renowned and popular
Sydney CDI. This will be the final opportunity for AUSbased
riders to get a WEG qualification here in
Australia. It is a great credit to Toni Venhaus and her
Organising Committee that we will have four 5-Star
Judges (4 of them foreign and two who will be judging
at WEG). This is fantastic for the development of the
sport here in Australia. Following the CDI, we will have
the ‘Weekend of World Cups’ for Eventing and Jumping
at SIEC, which provides a huge week of competition for
our major Olympic disciplines and a great boost for the
sport here in Australia. The High Performance Program
hopes to expand on this week in the coming years and
is looking to make it a major High Performance week of
activities.
Finally just a reminder to all riders and owners of FEI
registered horses, and particularly those in contention
for selection for WEG. As of 5th April this year, you are
required to keep a log documenting what substances
from the FEI Equine Prohibited Substances List have
been administered to your horse. Using this record will
focus attention on what active substances are being
administered and also act as evidence should an FEI
tribunal wish to examine the Log Book as part on the
investigation into the detection of a prohibited
substance at an FEI event. The log-book can be
downloaded from the Equestrian Australia website. For
those members selected on the WEG short-list, it will be
a requirement of your selection in the Team Member
and Owners Agreement that you keep this log and also
make it available to your Team Veterinarian.
We wish all our riders, owners and their supporters all
the best wherever they are competing this month. One
thing we hope and look forward to in the selection
process is that the Selectors have a difficult job! This
then means that we have a number of riders and
horses in contention. This provides greater competition
in gaining selection and can only increase the standard
of the Australian Team at WEG.
Brett Mace
Chef de Mission WEG 2010
Bluegrass Basics
Kentucky: An Explorer's Guide
This guide will help you decide where
to eat, where to sleep, and what to
do while you are there.
Covering attractions that are both on
the beaten path, as well as off, this
guide is essential for travelling in
Kentucky.
Deborah Kohl Kremer, a lifetime
resident of Kentucky, has been travelling through the state
her entire life. For more than 20 years she has been writing
about Kentucky's people, places and events and has now
compiled all this into a book, chock full of insider
information.
Kentucky: An Explorer's Guide is like travelling with a friend,
guiding you to trusted accommodations, the most unique
shopping opportunities, and delicious dining destinations,
from upscale, fine-dining to the neighbourhood greasy
spoon. Following the likes of other Explorer's Guides by
Countryman press (www.countrymanpress.com), chain
restaurants and hotels are not included, ensuring you find
the best examples of authentic Kentucky. Available at
www.deborahkohlkremer.com

AUSTRALIAN TEAM OFFICIALS FOR WEG
Chef de Mission Brett Mace Para-EQ Chef d’Equipe Sally Francis
Assistant Chef de Mission Franz Venhaus Para-EQ Team Coach Julia Battams
Para-EQ Team Vet Janine Dwyer
Dressage Chef d’Equipe Deborah MacNicol Driving Chef d’Equipe Karen Everett
Dressage Team Supervisor Ton de Ridder Endurance Chef d’Equipe Trish Mackay
Dressage Team Vet Janine Dwyer Endurance Team Vet Dr. Robyn Mather
Eventing Chef d’Equipe Rob Hanna
Endurance Assistant Vet Dr. Narelle Cribb
Eventing Team Coach Wayne Roycroft Reining Chef d’Equipe TBA
Eventing Assistant Coach Harry Boldt Vaulting Chef d’Equipe TBA
Eventing Team Vet Dr. Denis Goulding Vaulting Coach TBA
Jumping Chef d’Equipe Stephen Lamb Assistant Vet Graham Potts
Jumping Team Coach Gilbert Böckmann Farrier Sandy Parker
Jumping Assistant Coach Rod Brown Stable Manager Rod Winchester
Jumping Team Vet Dr. Andrew Hunt Physiotherapist Narelle Stubbs
TEAM STRUCTURE

WEG Test Event 19-25 April
The final series of official Kentucky Cup Test Events in
Dressage and Jumping, held in conjunction with the Rolex
Kentucky Three-Day Event will be held at the Horse Park
19-25 April.
Kentucky Cup Dressage CDI***
Dressage Grand Prix: Tuesday, April 20
Dressage Grand Prix Special: Wednesday, April 21
Dressage Freestyle Thursday, April 22, 7:00 p.m.
Kentucky Cup Jumping CSI**
Jumping Warm-Up: Friday, April 23, 7:00 p.m.
Jumping Grand Prix: Saturday, April 24, 7:00 p.m.
Jumping Speed Class: Sunday, April 25, 6:00 p.m.
Rolex Kentucky Three-Day Event
Kentucky Cup Eventing CCI****
Dressage Test: Thursday, April 22, Friday, April 23
Cross-Country Test: Saturday, April 24
Jumping Test: Sunday, April 25, 12:00
Go to www.rk3de.org for more information about the Rolex
Kentucky Three-Day Event.
Equestrian Australia will send three athletes and two
team veterinarians to the WEG test event in Kentucky 20-
25 April due to additional funding generously provided
by the Australian Sports Commission.
The following people will attend the WEG Test Event as
part of the Australian Delegation:-
Brett Mace Chef de Mission
Wayne Roycroft National Eventing Coach
Denis Goulding Eventing Team Vet
Graham Potts Europe-based Vet
Megan Jones Eventing rider (not competing)
Stuart Tinney Eventing rider (not competing)
Sam Griffiths Eventing rider (not competing)
A Chef de Mission meeting will be held on Monday 26 April
following the Test Event.
Also attending the test event will be 4 Stewards from AUS:
Chris Wallace (VIC) Lyn Roycroft (VIC), Lindy Young (VIC) and
Merry Branson (NSW).
KER Sponsored Rider – Megan Jones
Photo by Marie Kukawski
Kentucky Equine Research (KER) was founded in 1988 with
the goal of increasing the horse industry’s knowledge of
equine nutrition and sports medicine and applying this
knowledge to produce healthier, more athletic horses. KER
has grown to become one the most prolific private equine
nutrition and sports medicine research organisations in the
world.
David and Karen O’Connor are also
sponsored by KER
Photo by Marie Kukawski
KER has played a critical role
in the nutritional support of
horses in Olympic
competition, serving both as
the official feed supplier and
nutritionist to every Games
since 1996.
KER is prominent in
international equine
nutrition and exercise
physiology circles, due in
part to its commitment to
the nutritional well-being of
top class equine athletes. In
2003, the Australian
Equestrian Team (AET) named KER together with Ridley
Agriproducts as its official equine nutritionist, with the
primary responsibility of consulting with AET members on
nutrition programs for internationally competitive horses.
KER has also taken on this role for both the Australian
Endurance Squad and the United States Equestrian Team.

DRESSAGE NEWS
Dutch Dominate WC Final
It was no surprise that
Edward Gal and Moorlands
Totalis were crowned the
2010 FEI World Cup Dressage
Champions in
s’Hertogenbosch (NED) 28
March. The pair have
Photo by Kit Houghton
dominated Dressage for the
best part of the 2009/10
season including breaking the
world record for the highestever
percentage achieved in
a Grand Prix Freestyle on three occasions. Gal and the super
stallion did not get off to the best start with an edgy test in
the Grand Prix competition, leaving them in second place
behind fellow-Dutch rider Adelinde Cornelissen who enjoyed
a great performance from Jerich Parzival. Gal and Totalis
did, however, once again find form in the Freestyle scoring
89.80% which gave them a clear victory ahead of
Cornelissen, who claimed overall second place (82.85%).
Third place on the podium was also filled by a Dutch star,
Imke Schellekens-Bartels on Hunter Douglas Sunrise
(82.15%).
"I know he's special and he deserves to win, and on
Thursday I was so upset for him and so surprised when he
was tense because he's not usually like that. The thing
about him is that he has so much power, and sometimes he
can use it against you. Today he worked with me instead
and I am very, very happy!" Gal said of the black stallion
after the Freestyle.
Australian Brett Parbery was overjoyed with the
performance of 14-year-old Victory Salute. A smooth and
concentrated test produced a score of 70.55% and 10 th
place.
“I feel very honoured to be part of such an amazing event
and to witness the quality that fills the sport at the moment.
My goal was to finish in the top 10 so I am thrilled,” said
Parbery.
Parbery has been based at the home of Edward Gal and has
enjoyed watching Totalis in training. Parbery’s ambition is to
secure a spot on the team for the World Equestrian Games,
and the World Cup experience has been a great stepping
stone, “I can take a lot of positives from the World Cup and
build on it. For us, this has been a great start to our run into
Kentucky,” said Brett.
The wonderful Indoor Brabant in Den Bosch is truly
an amazing show. As a die-hard dressage rider, there are a
few things one must tick off the list and Indoor Brabant is
high up the order. To go there and compete in the World
Cup Final......that’s just a bonus! Indoor Brabant signified the
start for us, the start of our campaign towards selection and
hopefully making it to Kentucky. It was our first competition
in Europe this time around and our first since early December
'09. Sam has a very honest character so apart from me
feeling rusty in the ring, he was fine. Unfortunately we drew
first starting position in both tests so the draw didn’t go in
our favour, but someone had to lead the charge.
I am very pleased with our results now reflecting back on the
World Cup. I am happy for a lot of things that didn’t go
wrong, and for the few things that went in our favour. I
know that as the year progresses, we should become
stronger and more finely tuned to the high level of accuracy
and concentration that is required in Europe. This was my
experience from last time and with more time up our sleeve, I
feel confident that
we will see the best
in the horse this
year. As from here,
it’s firstly back home
to keep the home
business alive and
to be close to my
wife Mel for the
birth of our first
baby. Then
unfortunately,
swiftly back to
Europe for
Rotterdam, then a
Dutch national show
and then maybe to
Photo by Kit Houghton
Cannes or Aachen,
depending on how
things are going.
Finally, I would love to thank the strong contingent of
supportive Aussies, both at home and at the show. Heath,
Rozzie and Roger Fitzhardinge lead the charge of support
from home, while Chuggy, Helen, Caro and Pete Wagner lead
the charge from the stadium. Thank you to all of you.
Cheers
Brett and Sam
A postcard from
Brett Parbery

Sam’s owner Carolyn Lieutenant commented “We had a very
good competition and made lots of friends and I hope a
good impression. Brett and Sam are gradually becoming
known now in Europe as a combination with potential.
At the moment Sam is being ridden by Edward
Gal until Brett's return and I am sure he will be
able to unleash some of that extra bit of energy
and flair.
I cannot speak highly enough of Edward Gal. He and his staff
made our stay a pleasure. I also gained the envy of many
being able to watch the everyday schooling of his horses,
then to see him perform so amazingly in the competition
with so much pressure was amazing.”
Rolex – Isabell Werth Diary
Isabell Werth is writing a diary as she prepares for the 2010
Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games from 25 September – 10
October. Rolex has kindly supplied the diary to Equestrian
Australia. Here is Isabell’s first entry...
Could you describe a typical training day?
Since my son Frederik’s birth last year the day now starts
with him! I then start with the horses at around 9.00am and
I can ride about seven horses per day. The rest of the day is
now usually based around the stable business and Frederik.
How many horses do you have at the moment?
At the moment we have around about 40 horses under the
saddle, so my whole team is very busy!
Do you have any up and coming horses that you see real
promise in?
I have two horses with a lot of potential and great futures.
The first is El Santo who is a horse with a lot of hope – he
competed in the FEI World Cup in Gothenburg in February
and I think he’s really talented; he did a great job there and
also last week in Dortmund. The next horse is Don Johnson
who is quite naughty at the moment, but he is an
outstanding talent and I hope I can bring him to the Grand
Prix at the end of the year.
Can you briefly explain El Santo’s and Don Johnson’s
personalities?
With Ernie (El Santo) training is easy as he’s so
uncomplicated and polite, and I would say he is the easiest
horse at my stables. Don Johnson is a very strong character
and needs a few more shows to increase his experience and
calm down, so it is difficult for him to come to big
showgrounds at the moment.
What are your plans now that the indoor dressage season
is over?
We have to prepare for the outdoor season at the beginning
of May and we will try to concentrate on the big shows, then
come back in good shape and be prepared as best as
possible for the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in
September 2010.
Which shows have you got lined up between now and the
World Equestrian Games?
The big shows will be in Munich, Wiesbaden and, of course,
Aachen, and then we have our National championships in
Munster. We have a lot of shows up until August, and then
after the German Championships we have the team
nominations, and we will see what’s going on then.
Are you looking forward to London 2012?
Yes, it’s a big goal with one of the young ones, and Hannes
(Warum Nicht) will be 16 then so he’s a possibility; I think we
will have a few options and I hope we will be able to fight for
the top places.
Isabell Werth, multiple Olympic Games gold medal winning
dressage rider, is a Rolex equestrian sports Testimonee

DRIVING NEWS
Karen Everett -Driving Chef d’Equipe
How did you get involved in Driving? 19 years ago
after starting a family. I always evented before but
thoroughbreds and young children didn’t mix!
Tell us a little bit about yourself: Married with two
sons Will (19) Ben (17) help run our own Fine Art
business which specializes in fine art restoration with
my husband in Somerset. Also, branching out into web
design and management which I have been studying at
college for the past year. Drive my own 8-year-old
black horse, Vladimir in Open class at national level in
UK. Boyd went to look at him in Holland for his WEG
team but he was too small for the team luckily for me!
Explain your role with Boyd? I have worked with Boyd
for about 10 years now helping him manage his
competition team and when abroad act as his
Chef’d’Equipe – this will be my third WEG with Boyd!
Is Driving a growing sport? Yes definitely in Europe
Roughly how many professional Drivers are there?
Not sure but I would think there are around 40
professional competition drivers
Other than Boyd who is in contention for the Aussie
Team for WEG? The other serious contender for the
team is Gavin Robson who is based in the USA – the
only time I have seen him drive was at the WEG test
event last October where he finished 5 th .
What is the plan before WEG? The plan is for Boyd to
compete the WEG team at a few major events such as
Royal Windsor and Aachen. The horses will fly in to
USA just prior to the event.
What will be the most difficult aspect of the
campaign? Funding definitely!
What are the goals of the AUS team at WEG? After
receiving a bronze medal in Beesd, the last world
championships, we are aiming to better this in
Kentucky!
Our latest catalogue has just been released and we
thought you might like to take advantage of the great
offers we have available.
If you are a Rider Rewards member don’t miss out on
the fantastic opportunity to receive 25% OFF. It’s easy;
all you have to do is update your details at our website.
Terms and conditions do apply.
We are also very excited
to launch our New and
Exclusive brands
straight from Europe at
an affordable price!
These include Mountain
Horse Footwear,
Eurostar Breeches,
Eurostar Horse
Essentials and Isabell
Werth Bridlewear.
Other amazing offers we have in-store include a FREE
$200 Horseland Gift Card with the purchase of any
Bates Saddle with CAIR and up to $75 OFF selected
Ariat Boots.
You can also Win a Trip for 2 to the WEG with the
purchase of any Virbac Wormer, PLUS go into the draw
to Win a Trip for 4 to Equitana in Melbourne – see in
store for Terms & Conditions.
Click here to view the latest catalogue for more
amazing specials and great offers.
If you need any further information please drop in or
call your local store.

ENDURANCE NEWS
Trish Mackay - Endurance Chef d’Equipe
Who are our leading Endurance riders? Our long list of
seven riders has one based in WA, one living in Victoria and
five who live in Queensland, one in the far north.
What are the biggest events in AUS and overseas? The
biggest event in Australia is our national championship ride
the Tom Quilty held in a different state every year ,the most
recent in Victoria where Mat Sample won equal with his
brother Brook and Kristie Tapprell was third, both these
riders are long listed for Kentucky. Overseas the WEG and
the world champs on the alternating two years are very big ,
also the European championships. There are lots of rides in
the UAE with high prize money.
What success has AUS had in Endurance to date? Australia
has had individual bronze medals twice and the team won
gold in France in 2002, bronze in spain in 2004 and silver in
dubai in 2006.Our young riders won gold in Bahrain young
rider world champs in 2005 with individual placings of 4th,
9th,10th,18th 21st and 38th .
What countries dominate Endurance and where do we
stand? In recent years the Arab states of Dubai, Bahrain and
Qatar had been very dominant often on horses brought from
Australia. These three filled all the team medal spots in
Malaysia in 2008, with Spain getting the individual gold but
the horses and rider living and training in Dubai.
What will be the competition format at WEG? The ride is
160km long with six loops each followed by a strict
veterinary inspection and a recovery period before the
competitors leave again. Horses must be completely sound
and metabolically stable to continue.
Riding time continues until the horses presents to the vet
with a heart rate less than 64 so crewing and strapping the
horse is very important both an track and in the vet gate, our
teams practise to achieve the shortest possible time to the
vet. Endurance is a very intellectual sport with lots of input
into training ,feeding and riding the horse in a way to
achieve optimum speed with minimal energy expenditure.
AUS sells Endurance horses overseas – does this drain our
talent pool? Yes but the money on offer is very good and
the average endurance rider really cant turn it down. The
bigger stables breed lots and attempt to keep some talented
horses in Australia.
What are the Endurance team goals for WEG? We are
aiming to achieve best performances from all horses I think
top 20 places are achievable by most of our selected horses
and a team medal is achievable. Two of our riders who are
long listed for Kentucky Penny Toft and Kristie Taprell,
both have the distinction of having won, gold ,silver and
bronze medals as part of teams. Penny in France 2000, Spain
2002 and Dubai 2004 and Kristie at Spain, Dubai and
Bahrain 2005.
A history of Endurance in Australia
Australia is one of the world’s most-established and
dedicated Endurance riding nations and it shares with the
people of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) a proud heritage
of long-distance riding. Its national team has taken part
every World Championship and World Equestrian Games
since they were formed and has carried off medals in all but
one of these events.
The country also has a formidable reputation as a breeder of
purebred and part-bred Arabian horses. A key factor is the
success of Australian Horses is the unique and valuable
bloodlines. Australia was fortunate to acquire a series of
Arabian horses who have proven to be outstanding
Endurance progenitors. Among these was the legendary
stallion Shahzada, who showed himself an exceptional
performer in Endurance tests in England before his
importation to Australia in the 1920s. Many of the best
Australian horses carry multiple crosses to this stallion.
Australian bush legend RM Williams and his then wife Erica
were responsible for sowing the seeds of early Endurance
riding. Through their magazine, Hoofs and Horns, they
promoted the first American Tevis Cup Endurance ride and
canvassed the notion of a similar event in Australia. Out of
this was born the world Endurance classic, the annual 160
km Tom Quilty. The Quilty attracts the very best riders and
horses from around the globe. It has been joined by other
‘classics’ including the 400km Shahzada marathon and the
Windorah Desert Challenge.
An estimated 8,500 people are involved in Endurance riding
in Australia. Endurance riding in Australia is organised under
the Australian Endurance Riders Association (AERA) a
federation of state associations. The Australian Endurance
Squad (AES) was formed in February 2003 and its mission –
‘To promote and Foster excellence in Equestrian Endurance’
has been the vehicle from which the riders and horses of the
Australian Team has emerged.

Spotlight on Dr. Norbert Radny
Dr Norbert Radny and West Coast Acharon
Norbert and Acharon have been an Endurance partnership
for 7 years. In that time they have amassed over 3000km.
Highlights of their career include: WA Points and Distance
Horse in 2008, Runner-Up WA Points and Distance horse
2009, 2nd National Points Horse and 3rd National Distance
Horse for 2009, WA Best Conditioned HW Horse of the Year
2009, 2008, and 2005. Norbert has been National Points
Heavyweight rider in 1998 and 2004. Norbert and Acharon
have completed 4 x 160km rides including 1st Heavyweight
at the 2007 Tom Quilty; and 3 x CEI *** rides for 2 firsts, one
second and 3 Best Conditioned Horse awards (assessed the
day after competition). Their fastest time over a CEI ***
160km was 9 hrs 47 mins - with a total vet gate present time
of 20mins. From their 36 Endurance rides, they have
successfully completed 34, with 89% top 3 finishes and over
75% Best Conditioned Horse awards.
West Coast Acharon was bred by Norbert and Jane Radny at
their West Coast Arabians Stud in Serpentine, WA. Acharon
is an 11 year old Arabian stallion. Norbert is a Periodontist
operating from 2 Perth based surgeries. The West Coast
operation is a family affair with Norbert doing the long
endurance miles and his wife, Jane and daughter, Rebecca
strapping for them.
Not only does Acharon perform in the elite circles of
Endurance but he is also a very well credentialed show
horse- both led and under saddle. He has competed in the
open and Arabian rings for many years easily combining the
rigours of endurance one week with show ring success the
next. Acharon competes in open Galloway and Show Hunter
events with many broad sashes in both led and ridden
competition. In these instances, Jane is the rider, and it is
Norbert's turn to be groom along with Rebecca. Highlights
of Acharon's show career include winning the Ultimate
Arabian of the Year in 2003; State Champion Ridden Stallion
and Show Hunter 2006; 1st Perth Royal Show ridden
Arabian stallion 2009; Reserve Champion Purebred Arabian
Show Hunter of the Year 2009; WA Arabian Ridden Show
Stallion of the year 2009. He has been awarded Supreme
Status on the Arabian Horse Society Roll of Merit after
achieving the points to gain Champion status in Halter,
Performance and Working sections.
Acharon and Norbert are a perfect match complementing
each other with their competitiveness and attitude. Being
the only WA representatives on the Long List for WEG they
have to make the Nullabor trip twice in the next few months
and we wish them every success.
World-Class Entertainers & Clinicians
scheduled for Equine Village at 2010 Games
Exhibits and Demonstrations offered with Grounds Pass
Tickets
More than 50 of the world’s top performers and clinicians
will showcase their talents and expertise during the 2010
Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.
Entertainment, demonstrations, clinicians and lecturers will
delight and educate spectators in the Equine Village of the
Games grounds each day during the 16 days of the Games,
which take place at Lexington’s Kentucky Horse Park
September 25-October 10, 2010.
The Equine Village daily acts and 40+ exhibits will be
available with a Grounds Pass ticket. Tickets will be available
for purchase through www.alltechfeigames.com/tickets, on
www.ticketmaster.com.
Grounds Pass tickets go on sale April 16.
For a full schedule of activities, visit
http://www.alltechfeigames.com/content.aspx?id=3956

Megan and Kirby Park
Irish Jester have once
again blitzed the
Mitavite Kihikihi World
Cup qualifier. For the
second year in a row
Megan and ‘Festy” led
from start to finish, this
time adding just 3.8
penalties to her
dressage score of 39.4
to win by 21 points.
Megan was the only
Aussie to make the trip,
which is a little
surprising considering
the new format (there is
no longer a Final, now
the prize money will be divvied up to the top 15 placed
riders at the end of the season). Megan will now be a hot
favourite for the AUS qualifier in Sydney 7-9 May, an event
she won last year.
The Khikihi event had 18 starters with 9 completing the
event, 5 withdrew before the XC including some riders who
just wanted to do use it as a preparation for Rolex CCI4*.
Heelan Tomkins improved from 12 th place after dressage to
finish 2 nd on Major Difference. Clarke Johnstone and Oakley
Vision were 3 rd . Well done Megan.
Full results on Kihikihi website
HSBC FEI World Cup Eventing website
Paul Tapner had a great weekend at Burnham Market (GBR)
CIC3* 1-3 April. There were two CIC3* divisions each with
51 horses. Paul won on Stormhill Michael, beating notable
combinations such as Oliver Townend on Carousel Quest,
May King on Imperial Cavalier, Kristina Cook on Miner’s
Frolic and Nicola Wilson on Opposition Buzz.
Paul placed 2 nd in the other division on Inonothing.
Well Done Paul!
EVENTING NEWS
Megan Jones conquers Kihikihi again!
Megan Jones, Heelan Tompkins, Clarke
Johnstone photo by Jan Sutherland
A chat with Megan...
What sort of character is Jester? He is human! Really he
should be totally ruined as he is so spoilt but he just knows
not to push it too far. He is like a quiet kid’s horse he loves
cuddles and kisses.
In your opinion what makes Jester so special? Besides the
athletic ability he has I think the fact that he totally trusts me
and he is completely comfortable in his own skin.
Are you campaigning both Jester and Allofasudden for
WEG? Sure am, I would rather take Jester as Allofasudden
doesn’t really need to do a World Championships yet as he
is only 9years old. He is more than ready for it but Jester is
my first choice.
What is your competition plan for 2010? Well I’ve just come
back from the World Cup in Kihikihi (NZ) where Jester won
in fine style. And I am heading to Camperdown then the
World Cup in Sydney then onto Melbourne CCI*** and
CCI** with Westbury Park Irish Grove.
Describe a typical day for you? I start riding at 7am and ride
till 1pm then I start teaching at 1.15pm till 6pm or 7pm. I
then have Pilates Classes 3 evenings a week at 7.45. And I try
to get a bike ride in somewhere in the week.
Megan and Jester at 2010 Kihikihi CIC3*-W. Photo by Jan
Sutherland
How many horses/people work out of your yard? I have 7
horses of my own in work and 1feed up girl and 3 grooms /
working students. They have between 6 and 10 extra horses
in work between them horses for sale and 2/3-year-olds
getting early work done. We have 15 agisters on the stud
also.
Who do you train with? I train on my own and have clinics
with Jamie Coman, Harry Bolt, Wayne Roycroft and Thomas
Muhlenbeck when they come over to SA.

Have you ever considered moving overseas? I went to the
UK after I finished school and liked it but I was just working
and studying at Christopher Bartle’s yard in 1994. I have
been over on my own with horses a couple of times and well
I just couldn’t make the move. The life style here is so good
it is too easy to be swallowed up over there. We have
excellent competitions here so there is no need to move.
What drives you? I love the life style and I love riding horses
that feel good. Yes I like winning but you can’t win on a
horse that feels average so I’m driven to make the horses I
ride good.
What part of a competition makes you the most nervous?
Umm...... none really I love all of it I really enjoy every aspect
of it. The show jumping is obviously tense when it is tight at
the top but I still like that feeling.
How many overseas trips has Jester done? 5 now he needs
a frequent flyers card!!
Has your approach to training changed over the years, if so
how? I am always developing and trying to improve what I
do I like to approach my training in a very holistic way. We
consider all the needs of the horse before any competition
needs.
What do you like to do when you are not riding? Well not a
lot besides teaching, making phone calls and filling out
things like this!!! I have to book weekends off for myself and
Steve so I can do something more normal. I have bought
tickets to Nitro Circus in a few weeks and it’s a surprise for
Steve. So SHHH! Don’t tell him.
You are now the “Queen of Kihikihi” tell us about your WC
win last week! Well it was fun as usual and I was surprised
that no other Aussies came. With the new World Cup final
rules with there being no final just the leader board I
thought it would be a golden opportunity for the Aussies to
gain extra points. Anyway I hope more come over next year.
Jester was his normal amazing self he keeps on amazing me,
he is 16 now and feels better than when he was 10.
Where would you like to go for a holiday? Ok this is a
problem for me I don’t holiday well. So I want to try
something different next time I want to go hiking and
camping or skiing again but I’m too scared I’ll injure myself
skiing.
Australian Technical Delegate John Lechner recently visited
Kentucky Horse Park and spoke with Cross-Country Course
Designer Mick Costello....
Thanks to the FEI Global Education Program for Eventing
Officials I travelled to Tallahassee Florida in the USA for the
Red Hills Horse Trials. If you have never heard of Red Hills
before you need to remember it now. It is undoubtedly one
of the best run events in the world and is an excellent excuse
to go to the US. It is only a couple of hours drive from
Disney World Resort in Orlando Florida. Following a fantastic
time at Red Hills I spent a couple of days with a mate of mine
Joe Carr, who is an FEI Steward whom I worked with in Hong
Kong.
Bruce Davidson sculpture in its new location outside the Main
Arena
Joe and his wife Karen are both horse people and they have
a little horse property just 5 miles from the front gate of
Kentucky Horse Park. Thanks to some introductions from
both Joe and Karen I was able to spend an amazing day at
the horse park. My first stop for the day was Karen’s office,
which is the US Pony Club head office which is one of the
many horse associations and businesses who have their
offices in the horse park. For all you Pony Club aficionados
they have a gift shop which I have been assured will be open
during WEG, it is also open any business day you pop into
the Horse Park.
The highlight of my day came soon after, I took a stroll
across the park, past the famous Bruce Davidson statue (see
attached picture) and up to the workshop of Mick Costello.
Mick is the course builder responsible for the Rolex 3DE
and WEG cross country courses as well as the WEG Driving
Marathon course. Mick and his team have worked
continuously through the cold Kentucky winter, I was there
on 9 March and there was still snow on the ground, ensuring
all three tracks are ready.

So I got to tag along with Mick for a couple of hours as he
went about his day, whilst listening to him explain to me
which obstacles were for set up for Rolex and how they
would change to be included in WEG, to be honest it was a
blur taking in so much information but a real privilege to
spend time with man who has been responsible for Rolex for
so long. Mick has a young guy who has recently joined his
team straight out of a visual arts course at University. His
favoured medium is clay, well Mick has taught him how to
use a chainsaw and now his medium is wood and this
carving is only day two and already you can see the jumping
trout that it will be.
If you haven’t made up your mind as to whether you want to
go to WEG this year, do it, there are still plenty of tickets left
and the Hotel room prices have started to fall, you will not
be disappointed by the efforts underway in the USA and you
will have a great time. Make sure you include a couple of
days of sightseeing in your trip, I managed to squeeze in
Keeneland the famous race track, Woodford Reserve
Distillery, driving past some of the magnificent horse studs
and don’t forget Walmart. Finally if you want a great burger
and a real slice of the country USA, seek out Sam’s truck
stop, it doesn’t look like much but the burgers are awesome
and the atmosphere is really interesting.
Enjoy your trip to WEG, I’m jealous.
Regards
John
Jumping Trout to be seen first at Rolex
JUMPING NEWS
Congratulations to our overseas riders who have been doing
so well.
So far this year Edwina Alexander has placed:
3 rd CSI 5*-W Göteborg (SWE) Cevo Socrates
1 st CSI5*-W Vigo (POR) Cevo Socrates
2 nd CSI 5*-W Leipzig (GER) Cevo Itot du Chateau
6 th CSI5* - GP Paris (FRA) Cevo Itot du Chateau
3 rd CSI5*- GP s-Hertogenbosch(NED) Cevo Itot du Chateau
Phil Lever has been enjoying the ride on Ashleigh Drossel
Dan and has achieved the following results:
8 th CSI 5*-W Leipzig (GER), Jan 24
1 st CSI3* Arezzo (ITA) 1.50m Grand Prix, March 21
5 th CSI3* Arezzo (ITA) 1.50m Grand Prix, Apr 4
Chris Chugg and Vivant finished 10 th at the CSI3*Dortmund
(GER) Grand Prix on 21 March and 5 th in the 1.50m at CSI4*
Braunschweig (GER) on 14 March.
Harley Brown and Cassiato placed 5 th in the CSI-W HITS
Desert Circuit (USA) in February.
James Patterson-Robinson placed 2 nd in a 1.50m class at CSI
3* Zuidlaren (NED) Feb 14 and 1st in the 1.45m. Also in
February ‘JPR’ was 3 rd in a 1.50m at CSI3* in Neumunster
(GER) and 5 th in the 1.50m at CSI2* Offenburg (GER). JPR was
2 nd in the 1.50m GP at CSI3* Lummen (GER) on 11 Apr.
Matt Williams placed 2 nd in the Silver Tour Final at the CSI2*
Stadl Paura (AUT). Well Done Aussies!!
Chugg & Vivant in Dortmund photo by Philip Jahn
www.jahn-images.de

A chat with Edwina...
Alexander at the twelfth leg of the Rolex FEI
World Cup Jumping series in Gothenburg
I was lucky enough to catch
up with Edwina Alexander on
her recent trip to Australia.
We chatted about her life in
Europe, competing at the top
level and whether or not we
will ever see her back home.
Where did you grow up? I
grew up in North Turramurra
in Sydney. When I was 18 or
19 years old I started training
with George
(Sanna). My
parents bought
a small l place
that was about 3 acres, which was not set up for horses, so
we built some stables and a couple of paddocks and I
galloped around the house! They did end up buying a
bigger place, which was set up for horses, actually where
Julia Hargreaves is now, but that is when I went to Europe so
I never really used it.
You are not from a horsey family; riding was not an obvious
career for you? I was a kid that riding really came from my
heart; you see a lot of kids today, especially in the States,
they have a lot of money, great horses and support behind
them but they don’t succeed. It is all too easy.
I believe that people who are successful in life are people
who have had to fight for it. If you look at the top 20
jumping riders, I haven’t done this in a while, but I think
there was only one who was supported by their family and
had that support there the whole way. Everyone else had to
find a way and fight to make it. They still have that fight in
them.
Why did you go to Europe? The reason I went to Europe was
that I wanted to be very good and I knew if I stayed in
Australia I would be limited so I went to Europe to see if I
had the talent.
I wanted to be good, not just good for an Australian but to
prove that it is possible for an Australian to be as good as
anyone else. No-one believed that could happen.
If I wasn’t good enough I would do something else.
How was it when you first got there? I was a bit naive I did
not know what to expect. I had never been out of Australia
apart from going to Hong Kong. I thought I was decent
enough when I went there, then I realised there were so
many other good riders and the standard was so much
higher and after about a year I started to realise that it is a
whole new ball game.
What did you notice were the biggest differences? The
quality of the horses. They have been breeding jumping
horses for so long. Also the weather conditions and the
indoor shows, you have to learn to ride in smaller rings.
They pour a lot more money into it so it is more competitive,
more sponsors, there is more at stake. Australia’s a good
place to start as a building block. I am one of few people
that have stayed in Europe and stuck it out. It is not just
about riding; it is about living in a whole new country. The
language, the way of thinking, everything is different. I
originally went for six months and have stayed for 12 years
and I don’t plan to come back.
Will you ever move home? When I slow down I would like
to spend time here in the summer, escape the European
winter.
I love Australia and appreciate it more now that
I have been living away.
Tell me about your horses! At that moment I have 8 horses.
I have the horses that I will keep and some of them are to be
trained and sold. Itot is obviously my best horse, someone
offered to buy him last week but he is not for sale. Socrates
fills in for Itot, he shares the load. Itot gets the best
program.
I also have Zorro who was 4 th in a 3-star Grand Prix last
week. There is Nellyupso, a Quidam mare, she is nine and
starting to come up now. There is also Late Night - she fills
in the gaps a little bit. She could do anything, she could do
WEG or the Rolex FEI World Cup Final but she really needs
to be on her game to have a real chance against the best
ones, but she is as good as anything over here. She does the
dirty work for the others a little bit. I also have a good 8year-old
gelding who will take some time and I have a new
11-year-old mare who I hope can do the same sort of job as
Socrates.
I will take both Itot and Socrates to s-Hertogenbosch, Itot
will do the Rolex FEI World Cup class and Socrates will do
the Grand Prix. The week after that I will go to Paris with
Socrates, then a small 3-star show with other horses then
the Rolex FEI World Cup Final where I will take them both
as they have lots of classes there . Itot gets the best
program, this year Socrates will have to pull a little more
weight as Itot has a big year.

Do you do much on the dealing side? I do a lot with the
dealing. Each day I ride my 5 first and then there are always
clients coming. I am always busy on the phone or watching
at shows and thinking which horse suits which client. There
are always videos coming in and we are always thinking
about what to buy.
Staltops has a reputation of quality horses and a reputation
for expensive horses because we have sold some very
expensive horses but we have horses at all levels and people
don’t realise that. We just aim to have quality horses at
every stage. Jan is very good at matching horses to riders,
he has a good eye for a horse.
Does it make it harder being a woman at the top of the
sport? No! It is all the more of a challenge. In America there
are a lot of women but in Europe there aren’t. I am the only
female in the top 10 this season. In the top 50 there are only
about 5 or 6 women.
You once said that the modern style of horses helps the
female riders? The style of the horses has helped. Twenty
years ago the horses jumped massive big heavy fences and
they were strong horses; now the horses are more delicate
and the jumps are more delicate and it requires more
finesse, so that is helpful to female riders. It is not about
strength.
Itot du Chateau is 15.2hh? Yes, it is strange I know! We
never tried him. Jan bought him over the phone together
with my owners when I was in Australia on New Year’s Eve
on 2007. I knew he was small but I had never stood next to
him. When I got home and went into the stable I thought
“My God!” I was really in shock! I still walk in there and
think he is so small.
He has a big heart and a big stride, a very adjustable stride,
and a lot of blood and for a small horse he has so much
power. Nothing bothers him at all, at the Olympics I
weighed him when I arrived and he was 504kg and the day
we left he was 514kg. He put on weight at the Olympics! He
is super cool, he knows his job.
Tell me about 2010 for you? This is one of my biggest years.
In April I have the Rolex FEI World Cup Final in Geneva,
then in September I have the Global Champions Tour Final,
hopefully, as I qualify for that. It is 1 million Euro bonus
money and then I have the FEI World Equestrian Games in
Kentucky.
How much money is there to be made? Most 5-star Grand
Prix and each Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, of which
there are 10 of each year, are worth €100,000.
S-Hertogenbosch World Cup Grand Prix in April is between
€100,000 and €200,000. There is a lot more money but it is
somewhat relative to what it costs, what the horses cost, the
campaigning. Nowadays you could make a living if you have
a good horse. Last year I won over €400,000 with one horse,
but you can’t rely all the time on the one horse.
Was your win with Socrates in Vigo a surprise to you? Yes!
That horse is like a cat with nine lives, he has been operated
for colic three times, he is 15-years-old and he is not built
like an athlete, but he has a mind like a lion. He is very
careful, very clever and he has a big heart he always gives
me 100%. I know he can do the highest level but I don’t
think he can do it over and over. Say WEG which goes for
seven days. He does not have a lot of blood or energy and I
have to really maintain it.
Edwina wins in Vigo on Socrates photo courtesy of the FEI
I am not surprised that he won but I was surprised that he
won with where he is in his program. I did not go there to
win, he had been out for 8 months with an injury and it was
his third show back. He had been a bit flat and he didn’t
have a day of rest between the qualifier and the Grand Prix
so I was thinking it would be too big for him. So that
morning when I got up I watched some YouTube footage of
the shows he had won in Zurich 2008 and Gothenburg Grand
Prix 2009 just to confirm to myself that he could do it. I
thought it has happened before so why can’t it happen
today.
I think everything in life is all about believing in yourself
and you REALLY have to believe it. It is one thing to say it
but it is another thing to really believe it.
I just wanted to get a few points to help me qualify for the
final. In the jump-off I just went smooth and nice and I was
happy, I thought I would be third. But the two after me tried
to go really fast and had rails. Jan (Tops), my boyfriend,
wasn’t there, when I called him and said “I got 20 points!”
He couldn’t believe it. So that was nice.

Who are your new sponsors CEVO? Isovlas, the company
that was my sponsor before Cevo was sold and Cevo is the
new company formed by the same man.
Would you be interested to do any clinics back home? I
would but I just do not have time at the moment. I have
tried but the schedule is too tight at the moment. I compete
45 weekends a year. At this level you have to be competing
every weekend because everyone else is and you have to
keep up.
Do you get nervous at big shows? I am very relaxed at a 3star
show now. In Monaco last year I was at the 3-star
shows for two weeks and normally at the big shows I have
routine of how I build myself for the class, for example I
don’t eat for two hours before I ride and I get on 15 horses
out. But I was so relaxed I found myself breaking all my own
rules. It felt like a training show. Mentally I was so relaxed.
That is why you have to go regularly to these big shows so
you can stay mentally relaxed.
In the beginning I did not have any pressure on me, I did not
have any expectations, I was just so happy to be riding
against those good riders and looking at my level against
their level and building back. Now there is more pressure
because there are more expectations, I go in the ring and
people say “I put a bet on you” and I think “Oh no don’t tell
me that!”
To go to a championship show, an Olympics or World
Games, and I think of it as just another show. I think
people get too worked up. You have to treat it as just a
show, basically that is what it is because I am against the
same riders week in week out. There is not a big difference.
Do you feel the pressure to better your last WEG result?
Last WEG I never expected to finish 4 th . There was no
pressure at all. I went there and my goal was to finish in the
top 25 that was it. Suddenly I was in the final with the best
riders in the world, I was the surprise and I surprised myself.
That is when I realised ‘I am not so bad.’
Jan would not have all this support behind me, all this
money, if he did not believe I was good enough. Jan is not
one to give me lots of compliments, he is very strong behind
me, but he is tough and critical which I need. Normally I
don’t get very nervous but I am better if I am a bit aggressive
or nervous. I need pushing.
What does it feel like when it all comes together? I was
reading the book by Andre Agassi and I could relate to what
he was saying about winning. When I have a bad round or
show and I haven’t done what I had hoped to, I get really
down on myself. I don’t sleep well for a couple of days and I
am really disappointed and I think about trying to get back
on track for the next competition and stay positive. It is
harder to deal with disappointment than the feeling of
winning.
Winning is a great feeling and you feel good but it is only
for that moment and maybe the next day and then it is
gone. I get many more emotions from having bad rounds
than from winning.
The good thing about winning is that it makes you believe in
yourself. I have to pinch myself sometimes and think ‘you
are the number one female rider in the world’, I have to
remind myself of that regularly. I have confidence and great
support around me and I have won a lot but still there is,
well it’s not fear, but maybe just high expectations on
myself. The more you win the more you want. I have so
much more in my career to do. I have for sure 5 more years;
my career has only really just begun over the last 3 to 4
years. I was a late starter.
Who do you admire as a rider? For me it is the women, I
admire Meredith (Michaels-Beerbaum) and Jessica (Kurten)
a lot. Jessica because of her determination and she is very
tough. She always fights back and NEVER gives up
sometimes to the extreme but I admire that. I know how
these women started, the stories behind them and I know
how far they have come. Meredith to me is very impressive,
not only because she is the first woman to become Number
1 in the world but also coming from Germany (she was born
in the USA). There has never been a woman on their team
and winning gold medals! She is SO cool and mentally
strong. That is why she is so good. Meredith has a very very
special connection with her horses. I admire that a lot. She
is also very professional.
She has come a long way and has been fighting from the
beginning and I see myself a little bit like that as well.
Edwina in Sydney in March 2010

Spotlight on Kate Doughty
D.O.B: 13.08.83
Height 5’6
Birthplace: Melbourne
Residence: Melbourne
Occupation: Athlete Career & Education (ACE)
Advisor trainee at Vic Institute of
Sport
Education: Currently completing a Post
Graduate degree in Psychology
When did you start
riding?
Why did you start
riding?
8 years old
Loved horses!
Your coach? Reiner Kramer
What are your
hobbies (apart
from horses):
Most Memorable
moment in your
riding career?
Best
Performances?
PARA-EQUESTRIAN
NEWS
Kate and Al Capone at 2009 AUS Championships
Swimming, cycling, bikram yoga,
running, hanging out with friends,
travelling
Having a standing ovation and
national anthem played after a win
in the Kur in Belgium in 2006
Winning the freestyle in Belgium,
and placing 1 st and 3rd in the
British Nationals 2006, the 2009
Tell us about your
top horse?
Who is the most
influential person
on your riding
career?
What is your
disability?
Was it congenital? Yes
What do you find
most challenging
about being a
Dressage rider?
What is a typical
day for you?
Have you
represented AUS
before?
Australian Championship and also
the Championship for our first
International qualifier (for WEG) in
Dec 2009
Al Capone loves sugar cubes and
his favourite hobby is sleeping! He
is such a wonderful horse, very
gentle and a huge heart. Always
tries his best and is very well
mannered. A little lazy at times,
but a super talented horse!
Reiner Kramer
Limb deficient right hand
Always being busy and there are
definitely no short cuts! (And not
being the millionaire I’d hoped to
be!)
Varies, but generally includes
riding, working in the city and cross
training in the gym
Yes in 2006 in England, Canada and
Belgium
Sponsors Peter Horobin and others TBC
What do you do
before a big
competition?
Any superstitions? No
Have a good night’s rest, visualize
my test and make sure I’m packed
ready to go.. Make sure I’ve given
my training 100% so that on the
day hopefully it’s easy! (Well that’s
the desired result!)
Sporting philosophy “We can all live our dreams, if we
have the courage to pursue them”
Other information Success is not the key to
happiness, happiness is the key to
success – if you love what you are
doing, you will be successful… SO
GIDDY UP!!! �

REINING NEWS
The final WEG qualifier for Reining (a CR1*) is on 18 April at
Tamworth. We expect to have 7 people with qualifying
scores who will then be submitted to the selection panel for
team selection.
‘Reining 101’ with Robyn Schiller
Who are our leading Reiners? Martin Larcombe, based
now in Tatura, Vic. Spent 8 years in Europe (Italy &
Switzerland). Two-time NRHA Open World Champion (the
biggest title you can earn). Has over $850,000 in Reining
earnings. Has won every major event in Europe and holds
the highest score in Australia (unofficially).
Shauna Larcombe, based in Switzerland. She has $100,000
in NRHA earnings (doesn't include Australian earnings, which
are unknown).
Warren Backhouse is based in Gympie, QLD. He has over
$200,000 Reining earnings, all earned in Australia.
What are the biggest events in AUS and overseas? Biggest
events in US are the NRHA Futurity & Championship Show,
the NRHA Derby and the National Reining Breeders Classic.
Biggest events in Europe are The European Championships,
The Italian Futurity. Biggest events in Australia are the
Reining Australia Futurity & Continental Affiliate
Championships, the Queensland State Show and Equitana
(when it is offered).
What success has AUS had in reining? Well, to the rest of
the world, Martin & Shauna have had the biggest success, as
has a guy named Bill Norwood who is based in the US.
Clinton Anderson has had some success as an owner at the
big NRHA shows recently. To sum it up Aussies have won: 3
NRHA World Championships (Martin has won 2 Open, I have
won 1 Limited Open) and 2 NRHA Reserve World
Championships (I won the Int. Open Reserve and Warwick
won the Limited Open Reserve). Martin has won the Italian
Futurity & Derby multiple times, Bill Norwood won the
Limited Open Futurity title in the US.
What countries dominate Reining and where does AUS
stand? The US, Canada, Italy, Germany, Austria. I guess we
will see where AUS is after WEG.
What is the value of a good reining horse? In AUS the top
reiner sold for $50,000. Good entry level Reiners cost about
$10,000. In the states....good entry level Reiners cost about
$40,000 US and a top Reiner would be a couple hundred
thousand.
What attributes do you look for in a horse? Breeding,
conformation, attitude. The difference between Reining and
a lot of the other disciplines is that the goal is to show on a
loose rein. The main paragraph in the Reining Rule Book
says, "To rein a horse is not only to guide him, but also to
control his every movement. The best reined horse should
be willingly guided or controlled with little or no apparent
resistance and dictated to completely." We are not
rewarded if we have a hold of our horse, it has to look like
they are doing it on their own, with a suggestion from the
rider. Attitude plays a huge role in this.
Tell us about the ‘scene’ overseas and here (e.g. prize
money, lifestyle, professionalism) Overseas, people can
make a good living training reining horses. In
Australia, there is only one trainer that trains solely Reiners
for a living. Overseas, Non Professionals usually leave their
horses in full-time training. In Australia, this does not
happen, instead sending them for short amounts of time and
attending clinics. Prize money overseas is substantially more
than in Australia.
What are the goals at WEG? To stand on the podium!!!
Really, it is about either winning a team medal or getting
someone from the team to medal individually.
Martin Larcombe on the Schiller’s horse Smart Like Smart,
marking the highest score in Australian reining history
(unofficially) October, 2008. It was on the cover of the
International Reining Publication, The Reiner.

Spotlight on Shauna Larcombe
Birthplace North Adelaide
Residence Givrins, Switzerland. Located between
Geneva & Lausanne.
When did you
move overseas?
Why did you
move overseas?
Tell me about
where you work?
Tell me about
your best horse?
Describe a typical
day for you?
How many
horses/people
work out of your
yard?
Who do you train
with?
2004
Europe presents a lot of opportunities for
showing reining horses, as well as a
decent income for training horses.
I work at the CS Ranch, a beautifully set
up horse training facility. It has a 40m x
80m indoor arena, walker, round pen,
30m x 50m outdoor arena, 26 boxes with
another barn being built at present which
will contain another 9 big boxes (4m x
5m).
Probably the best horse would be RS
Fondadores Olena, in terms of success
and money won. He is a 7yo Quarter
Horse stallion bred in Italy. He has won
or finalled in just about every major
reining event in Europe.
I ride on average 8-10 horses per day,
plus oversee the ranch operations. Also
give lessons to clients and to my boss.
At present we have 29 horses at CS
Ranch with 1 being here on board only.
We have 2 guys to clean boxes, feed etc,
plus one girl to saddle & wash, and I also
have 1 assistant to help ride. Shortly we
will have another person to also help
warm up & ride.
I mainly train on my own. We are a little
bit isolated from a lot of other reining
trainers, so basically only see them when
Best
performances ?
In your opinion
what is a realistic
goal if you ride at
WEG?
What is your
competition plan
for 2010?
What is the most
difficult element of
Reining?
What do you love
most about
Reining?
Has your
approach to
training and
competition
changed over the
years, if so how?
What do you like
to do when you
are not riding?
Will you return to
AUS?
Where would you
like to go for a
holiday?
we attend shows.
Winner of the Italian Derby Intermediate
Open 2 times, Winner of the Italian
Challenge Futurity, Italian Maturity
Intermediate Open Champion,
EquitaLyon CRI 4* winner.
Realistically, I would expect to make the
individual finals, depending on whether I
need to ride a borrowed horse or am
able to take one from Switzerland.
Major reining events throughout Europe,
including the Italian Derby & Maturity,
German Futurity, CS Classic & European
Championships, plus other shows.
If you have a talented horse it makes
most of the manoeuvres fairly simple to
execute. Probably the most difficult thing
is to maintain a good horse, keeping him
honest in the show arena.
Training a horse from the beginning and
then showing him successfully.
Being in Europe has made me a lot more
professional in my approach to training &
competition. The competition is so much
tougher over here that you really need to
be disciplined and focused to be
successful, as well as have good horses!
When I have the opportunity, I like to
travel around the surrounding areas. I
would like to see as much as possible of
Europe while I’m over here. Other than
that, it’s just usually re-charging the
batteries, especially after a big show.
At this stage I have no plans to return to
Australia, but am certain that one day I
will be back there. Its home.
At the moment, anywhere warm. We
have had a really cold, long winter here
in Switzerland. Normally I would be in
Australia over Christmas, but because of
early shows this year I was unable to
come home. I really miss some warm
weather.

Teams
Team Olympus
Madeline Winwood
Emma Moulds
Zac Singlehurst
Jessica Beattie
Morgan Winwood
Samantha Young
Morgan Spary
Team Phoenix
Rebecca Hillman
Sarah Leadbeater
Joanne Lee
Ruth Skrzypek
Jessie Mazlin
Lee Briggs
Lani Maher
Jamie Hocking
Sally Briggs
VAULTING NEWS
Vaulting Long List for WEG
Females
Krystle Lander
Sarah Leadbeater
Lani Maher
Jess Mazlin
Emma Moulds
Ruth Skrzypek
Nicole Stapleton
Madeline Winwood
Morgan Winwood
Samantha Young
Males
Justin Boyle
Lee Briggs
Lyn Lynch kindly explains a little bit about Vaulting in
Australia and the plan for WEG.
Who are our leading Vaulters? The long list for WEG 2010
for Vaulting has been out for about one month now. Our
leading individuals on that list are Samantha Young & Emma
Moulds from South Australia; Krystle Lander, Lee Briggs and
Lani Maher from NSW; along with Qld’s Morgan Winwood.
Morgan, Sam and Emma are also long listed with the SA/QLD
team as well as Lani and Lee from the NEqC (Canberra)
based team. These vaulters have a tough decision to make,
as vaulters can only compete in team or individual events,
not both. So a lot is resting on the decision as to which
team will represent Australia, which will in turn narrow the
decision for the three individual places for females.
What are the biggest events in AUS and overseas? Last
October was a milestone for vaulting with a combined CVN
& Nationals held near Gawler & SA. This year selections for
WEG will be held at each state championship in NSW, Qld &
SA. In future, commencing 2011 Sydney will aim to host a
CVI every second year. This will enable our vaulters to gain
exposure to the international judges, as well as provide the
opportunity to gain qualifying scores for world
championships without having to travel overseas.
Overseas, between May and August there are a series of
CVI’s whereby vaulters have many opportunities to
experience this level of competition. The most prestigious
event is the Equestrian Festival held in Aachen, where only a
select few vaulters are invited to compete.
Australians have the opportunity to qualify at home on
familiar horses, or travel to Europe and gain experience at
the much more atmospheric competitions. Spectators and
crowds at vaulting venues are common place in Germany,
and the atmosphere can be electric, which is very different
to our competitions at home. This year Krystle Lander, from
Sydney Vaulting Group will be travelling abroad to once
again put herself in world competition arena, in order to
fully prepare herself for WEG in October.
What success has AUS had in Vaulting to date? Australia’s
top vaulters to date are Tristyn Lowe and Nick Hartog. Both
have achieved outstanding results with Nick coming 8 th in
Rome in 1998, and Tristyn 6 th in Jerez 2002 in their individual
events. Whilst Nick retired from competitive vaulting
several years ago, Tristyn retired last October when she
retained her Australian National Champion title in S.A.
Australia has never competed in the teams event at WEG,
and all going well this year will be a first.
What will the competition format be at WEG? Each nation
can send three females, three males for the individual
competition (plus reserves) and one team which is made up
of seven vaulters plus reserve. Over several days Individual
will perform their compulsory moves and freestyle routine in
separate rounds. From this the top 15 vaulters in each male
& female competition will perform again in the finals with
Technical Test and Freestyle to decide the placings. The
team event will run almost the same, but without the
Technical Test.
AUS will not be taking a horse, is it common place for the
host country to provide horses for many teams? In Europe,
especially Germany, we have been very fortunate over the
years to have been offered good quality horses. Vaulting
being such a large sport in Germany has quite a number of
competitive horses. This year may be a little more difficult
with WEG being located in the US. Vaulting is still relatively
new there, and although they have many more vaulters that
we do, they do not have the number of quality horses that
are available in Europe, especially to accommodate the
number of teams wishing to compete.

What are the Vaulting team goals for WEG? For both Team
and Individuals, Australia’s goals are to place in the top 15 in
the finals. Although this is setting the bar rather high for the
Australian vaulters, it is certainly achievable. We have a
great depth of experience and talent amongst our vaulters,
and we have some very experienced coaches who are
working tirelessly to prepare these athletes for this level of
competition.
What countries dominate Vaulting and where does AUS
stand? The leading countries are traditionally Germany and
Austria, but in 2006 in Aachen the tradition was upturned
when USA gave an outstanding performance to achieve the
Silver medal in Teams, and Megan Benjamin took the Gold in
her Individuals. It is hard to say were Australia stands on
world ranking of teams as this will be our first time there.
WEG 2006 in Aachen Tristyn Lowe was placed 10th and
Samantha Young 14 th . After her last overseas campaign
Tristyn made top 10 on the world ranking list. It is difficult
for any Australians to maintain their placings on this list,
unless they base themselves overseas, and this was no
longer possible for Tristyn as her medical career bought her
home to Australia and has now culminated in her
retirement.
A ‘team’ performing their routine
Spotlight on Krystle Lander
DOB 29 November 1987
Birthplace Sydney, NSW
Residence Northmead, NSW
Occupation Recently gradated uni student,
currently full time bartender
Describe a typical
day for you?
Who do you train
with?
My days change constantly
throughout the week due to my shift
work, but will usually include a
workout (running, strength, skipping,
flexibility stretching) of some kind,
organising vaulting and sponsorship,
occasionally studying, vaulting itself
and going to work. Each and every
day of my week differs.
I have trained my whole career with
Lyn Lynch, the head coach of Sydney
Vaulting Group. As much as possible I
get input from Tristyn Lowe, an
amazing coach and vaulter, and work
with international experts whenever
they are available.

You are heading to
Europe shortly, tell
us about that.
What do you find
most challenging
about Vaulting?
This will be my second trip to Europe
in two years. My first tour opened
my eyes… now I want to fully
immerse myself in the vaulting world
that Europe offers! I head over in
late April, and will go straight to
Hamburg to train with Innes Juestock
(an institution in vaulting… She has
been at the top of the German
rankings for close to two decades)
for my first CVI2* in Austria. After
this I will train with a Czech team for
my second CVI* in Slovakia, and then
back to Germany for two more CVIs,
Krumke and (hopefully) Aachen. This
follows a fairly similar pattern to my
last trip, with one additional
competition.
My chance to train with Innes is
something I am looking forward to
very greatly. She was one of two
Germans I met in Australia in 2002
when Australia hosted its first CVI.
Last year I had the chance to cement
my friendship with her, and now to
be training and competing with her is
amazing. The last two competitions I
will attend will be with Heike
Diederichs on her horse Wie Freddy.
I used this combination of horse and
lunger well last year, and so am very
excited to have the opportunity to
expand on this relationship.
There are two key challenges I have.
This first is in training itself. Given
the nature of my sport, I am required
to have a very high degree of fitness,
flexibility, strength, strength at the
points of flexibility, jump power, and
explosive force combined with
charisma and personality. Finding
the time to train all these aspects of
my own body in a sport with little
financial support is a constant
challenge that I am learning to
balance year by year.
The second is that the heart of
vaulting is in Europe, which means
this is the place I need to compete in.
Do you have a
gymnastic
background?
Have you been a
rider as well?
Is it a disadvantage
when you do not
have your own
horse at a comp?
What are you
focusing on in
training?
Career highlight so
far?
Due to many reasons taking my own
horse with me is not possible, which
means borrowing a horse is a reality
of my competitive career. At an elite
level, a freestyle is built around both
my own abilities and limitations, as
well as my horses preferences and
canter. To change the horse is to
change a key part of this routine, and
something that must be considered
when developing a freestyle.
Gymnastics is one of the most useful
tools a vaulter can use to train their
bodies. I have done gymnastics off
and on over my vaulting career,
though never seriously.
My riding is similar to my
gymnastics…I have ridden off and on
over many years, and enjoy doing so,
but am not a ‘rider’ per say. I actually
have been using riding for two or
three years to develop my seat,
which is a fundamental part of
vaulting.
As discussed above, not having my
own horse at a competition is one of
my biggest challenges in
international vaulting. Each and
every horse has a different canter,
with different impulsion and timing.
A vaulter needs to harness all that a
canter offers, and learning this
canter takes time. Routines are
developed in consideration of a
vaulters body, its size in relation to
the horse, and the horses canter and
preference, so putting a routine onto
another horse often requires
adaptation.
At this stage of my competitive
season I am focusing on the
performance and presentation of my
freestyle and technical test.
My career highlights would include
two CVI’s I attended in Europe last
year, Krumke and Aachen. Krumke
was the second CVI I attended, and
was the place of my highest freestyle

What are your
personal goals?
Who or what
inspires you?
Who do you
admire?
Have you ever
been Kentucky?
score to date. In fact, I was placed 8 th
in the freestyle section at this
competition, which was amazing. I
won the small finals at this event as
well, so overall I was very happy with
how it all went.
Aachen is one of the most
prestigious events on the
international calendar, and being
invited to this event in my first year
of international touring was amazing.
My personal goal is to make the
finals at WEG this year, and to be the
Australian Vaulting Champion.
Beyond this I am also trying to get
into medical school, so this year is
looking intense!
Tristyn Lowe is a source of
inspiration to me as a vaulter, and as
a representative of vaulting on a
personal level. Her integrity and
evolution over many years is
something I have modelled my own
behaviour on. Further afield, the
exemplary merging of dance and
gymnastics that the top vaulters
display inspires and drives me to
reach that type of excellence.
Well, as said, I greatly admire Tristyn
Lowe. Internationally I am in awe of
the dancing fluidity of the current
European Champion Joanne Eccles.
Megan Benjamin’s (2006 WEG
champion) ability to continue to train
in a isolated university environment
is something I greatly admire.
Not yet! But I will be there for WEG
this year. Whether as a competitor
or as a support crew, I will attend.
THE VIP MARQUEE
This month we spoke with three of our Elite owners.
JENNY WAALER (GBR) owner of Inonothing (Eventing)
BEV EDWARDS owner of two Elite listed horses, Vivant
(Jumping) and Jaybee Alabaster (Dressage)
EDUARDO FISCHER (BRA) owner of Elite Dressage horse
Relâmpago do Retiro.
Jenny at Paul & Georgie
Tapner’s wedding
Jenny Waaler
Tells us about her involvement
with Aussie Eventing...
Where did you grow up? Born
in Twickenham – I spent my
childhood in Venezuela, Japan
and UK
Please tell us a little bit about
yourself: I am an identical twin
– Married Claus who is Danish in
Toyko Japan – moved back to
UK – We have three sons –
Nicholas who is married to
Neasa (Irish) they have two
children – and live in USA –
James who lives in NZ with his
partner Dee (New Zealander) – Cameron who lives in
London and engaged to Sharon (Scottish) and due to get
married this August
How did you become interested in horses? My father’s
family were all involved in farming – therefore had contact
with horses from an early age – Claus bought me my first
horse
Were you/ are you a rider? Yes – When Claus and I moved
to Oxfordshire – we both hunted
How did you come to own Inonothing? He was bred by my
brother-in-law Lars (who also lives in England) – Mannie was
six months old when I bought him
What is his stable name? Mannie, Faulty Towers fans will
get the connection between his stable and show name….
Have you owned other elite listed horses? Any with other
riders? No – Mannie is our first

Was it a ‘consideration’ to give the horse to a rider from
GBR? No, there was a natural progression to Mannie’s
career that just seemed to fall into place. Paul’s wife
Georgina did the “breaking in” with Mannie (before she met
Paul), and her sister Hannah Mace then begun competing
Mannie at Pre Novice level when she started to struggle with
some behavioural issues that Mannie had at the time, she
herself then suggested that Paul, whom she was training
with at the time, take over the ride on Mannie, as he had
some fairly serious “sorting out” to go through. At the end of
their first Eventing Season together, it all just seemed to
“click” between Paul and Mannie, with a win at a Novice
ODE, since then the results have been fantastic, so
nationality doesn’t come into it when you know the horse
has bonded so well with his rider.
So far, what has been the highlight of owning of this horse?
The highlight for me has been the consistency of his
performances – completing six 4* competitions (so far) – he
very seldom disappoints his rider or his owner.
However, last year when he attained over 1000 British
Eventing Points and also coming 6th at Burghley were both
very special.
How involved are you in the program of the horse, i.e. do
you leave it to Paul or do you decide as a team what the
plan will be? Paul always sets out his programme for Mannie
and then sends it to us for approval
Are you at most of the events? Are you a “hands on” or
sideline owner? We attend all his training sessions and
events if at all possible – I am very ‘hands on’ – though
Georgina Tapner is boss and tells me what to do!
Are you happy to don the green and gold, even at London
2012? As you can see we are a very international family – so
we are more than happy to don the green and gold
especially in 2012
In general do you find any differences between the Aussies
in England and British riders? I have not had much
experience with British riders – but having been around the
Aussies in the UK and when some of them came over during
the Hong Kong Olympic year there was a great camaraderie
amongst them, which I found delightful
Does the horse have any unique characteristics? Oh where
to start!!! His nickname at the yard is ‘Spin Head’ as when
being ridden if he loses his temper or gets over stressed, he
spins round and round in extra tight and extra fast circles–
His other nickname is Mr Happiness which is what Paul calls
him on many occasions in typical Aussie sarcastic humour.
What do feel is his strongest trait? Mannie has bravery and
trainability only because he has learnt to trust Paul and that
trust in Paul is his strongest trait.
What have you had to ‘work on’ most to ensure a good
performance? Dressage
What would it mean to you to have this horse at the World
Games? It would mean the world – I have a friend (who shall
remain nameless) who is a very well known and locally
respected horseman that said he would eat his hat if Mannie
would ever be good for anything – he said that when Mannie
was a 2 year old – I’m still reminding him of that regularly,
but If Mannie got to the World Games I might be finally
able to get him to actually eat his hat.
Things often go wrong at events – what do you feel is
important to maintain a good relationship between riders
and owners through the tough times? Where can things go
wrong? Communication ; Tact; Understanding and Patience
are all vitally important for any team, Paul and Georgina do
their best to get all concerned to feel part of and to act as a
Team. Things can go wrong with a lack of any or all of the
aforementioned
Have you been to Australia? Brisbane airport on the way NZ
– I would dearly love to have chance of a longer visit one day
Have you practised Aussie Aussie Ausie Oi Oi Oi? (It
sounds very nice with a British accent) All Paul’s owners
frequently practise the cry at the 4* events, and Paul seems
to shout it often at us during the Ashes or any Rugby
contests!
Paul and Inonothing at 2009 Burghley CCI4*.
Photo by Tim Nicholls

Bev Edwards
Vivant ridden and part owned by Bev’s son
Chris Chugg
Horses are a family affair in the Edwards/Chugg family. We
spoke to BEV EDWARDS, mother of Chris Chugg and owner
of two Elite listed horses; rising Dressage star Jaybee
Alabaster ridden by Rachael Sanna and Australian Jumping
Champion Vivant, to find out her secret to success.
Where did you grow up? I was born in Sydney and grew up
in Botany, a southern suburb. A horse mad small girl who
never quite grew out of it. I had no encouragement, in fact
active discouragement from my parents, which probably
made me more determined (I am a Capricorn). I am an only
child.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself: I was an editorial
assistant at the Sydney Daily Telegraph in my twenties,
working for the Editor King Watson and also Sir Frank
Packer.
I also worked for Jim McFadden at the Australian Jockey
Club compiling the Australian Stud Book, and at one time I
knew every thoroughbred mare breeding in Australia.
I was training trotters and pacers in the 60's and was the
first woman trainer to both get a metropolitan trainer’s
licence and also to train a winner at Harold Park in 1967.
How did you become interested in horses? I had always
ridden when possible from about the age of 14, hacks,
hunters etc, and also worked in racing stables part time
riding track work.
I had my first formal lessons from Gladys Bunworth at the
Centennial Park Pony Club. I rode there through suburban
streets on my part Arab gelding. He was very quiet in the
ring after the long ride, and I often arrived home after dark.
This was during the 50's My hobbies have always been
horses and the hobby grew into a full time occupation.
Were you/ are you a rider? Up until about 5 years ago I was
still a competition dressage rider. During the 70's I was a
member of the NSW dressage squad and when I moved to
Queensland to take up the position of Senior Instructor
Horse Studies at the Uni of Qld, Gatton College, I became a
member of the Qld Dressage squad in the 80's.
How did you get into breeding? I started breeding when I
bought Chico Dóro in 1971. He was a yearling at the time
and I bought him at an auction sale.
He was meant to be gelded and to be my riding comeback
horse after my interest in the trotters waned, but he had
other ideas. When he got together with Chris, when Chris
turned 18, it was the turning point for Chris. He now had a
competitive showjumper.
Skyhigh (imp) was the next stallion and he took Chris into
the big time.
How many horses have you bred, how many do you breed
each year at the moment? I have literally bred hundreds of
horses. The Jaybee prefix on a horse means it was bred on
Jaybee Farm by my husband John and me. I'm sure you have
seen this prefix many times at major and minor dressage
events.
What is your set-up at Jaybee Farm? Jaybee Farm is 300
acres in the home farm and another 100 acres about 5km
away where we run the dry pregnant mares during the
winter. We are a fully set up breeding and training
establishment. We have two part time girl riders to develop
the young broken in horses and a part-time male stable
hand to help with the stud work and clean boxes and feed
up in the afternoon. John and I do the afternoon feed-up.
How do you choose a breeding stallion? I bank the genetics
of my old stallions in the best of their daughters and bring in
an outside bloodline when buying a new stallion.
My criteria are as follows: Type, this includes
conformation, athletic ability, movement or jumping and
preferably both, rideability and character.
Colour doesn’t matter, although with Aachimedes we have
had 20 years of bay horses and now we seem to have a run
of chestnuts, mostly because of the progeny of Gloria(imp)
the mother of Jaybee Alabaster, Jaybee Don Grande, Jaybee
Cardinal, Jaybee Desiree - all very successful competition
horses.
What do you look for in a mare? In a mare, type,
performance and pedigree. We are into our fifth generation
of home bred mares and what each family produces is very
reliable.
Is it correct that you bought Alabaster’s mother in foal? I
bought Jaybee Alabaster's mother from Werner
Schokemhole in 1998, the same time I bought Carbine (imp)
from Werner as well. Gloria was in foal to Alabaster | (Ger)
and the foal born in Australia the following year is Jaybee
Alabaster.
What were your first impressions of him as a youngster? As
a foal there was nothing wrong with him, but he did not
scream "stallion", although with the very interesting

pedigree and quite a nice type we were not going to geld
him in a hurry.
Rachael Sanna and Jaybee Alabaster
He was gelded last year – has that helped his training? He
was gelded last year to give him a greater chance of
Australian Selection and to make Rachael's job easier. As a
stallion he was very easily distracted. I think that his success
at Dressage with the Stars has completely justified the
decision to geld him. The decision was made easier by his
frozen semen being extremely good and we will continue to
breed with him for many years to come yet.
He now has 5 year olds competing very well.
Another factor that made the decision easier is that we have
another Alabaster (Ger) colt bred out of Jaybee Alabaster's
half sister the premium/elite Hanoverian mare Jaybee
Desiree by Don Schufro. He is the next step in our breeding
program.
How involved are you in the program of the horse? I leave
the training of the horse completely to Rachael. She is the
one with the experience. She is very comfortable training
with Clemens Dierks, and so am I. We do plan the
competition schedule together, although at present that is
almost automatic.
In your opinion which is the best horse you have ever bred?
The best horse I have ever bred is still to come. I m not
finished yet.
You recently became an owner of Vivant – at a very
exciting time in the horses career, tell us about that: Buying
Vivant was necessary. He came up for sale and Chris had so
much time and energy invested in him, we just had to have
him. I am breeding to him as well and have some lovely
young stock by him.
George Morris said Chris was not a (riding) God but just
“God like” - do you think he is riding at his best nowadays?
Chris has a great rapport with Vivant. He goes out to the
stables with a green pear and kisses him goodnight last
thing. I think that the partnership he has with the horse and
the obvious trust between them is the most important
factor in the very confident and successful performances he
is achieving, another reason why we just had to buy the
horse.
What was Chris like as a child? Chris was hyperactive as a
child so I had to find something he was really good at and
enjoyed. As a very small boy it was soccer, but once he
started riding we had found his talent. I made sure he went
to bed tired every night.
When Chris started riding it was probably the trigger for my
giving up the trotting horses and going back into
competition horses. As any parent with a keen young rider
in the family knows it is lots of fun.
What advice would you give to other aspiring performance
horse breeders? My advice to performance horse breeders
is not to become "stable blind". Just because you breed it,
it’s not necessarily a champion. You have to face this fact
and always try to do better.
Travelling overseas and seeing how things are done here and
what the various bloodlines are achieving is very good. Just
buying frozen semen without actually "eyeballing" the
stallion is buying a pig in a poke.
What would it mean to you to have either of these horses
at the World Games? Having either of these horses at the
World Games would really put a cherry on top of the ice
cream.
You just need an event horse to make a possible team
trifecta – any chance of that? I am interested in
Eventing horses these days. The Carbine (imp) horses are
making a name for themselves and I am putting horses
under Nat Davies from Victoria. I have a huge opinion of
both her talent and her attitude and we will continue to
send her horses to try until she gets the superstar she needs.
What inspires /drives you in life? I am 70, and my husband
John, who manages the farm. He does the breeding and
feeding and I do the training, competition and sales, will be
80 this year.
However, the interest in the horses and that little "thrill"
that comes from seeing a young one show you a talent you
didn’t realize it had still keeps me getting out of bed and
putting on my boots. I think John and I will drop in harness
rather than retire.
Have you ever been to Kentucky? I have never been to
Kentucky, however I did have two buying trips to America in
the 70's for various clients and I really enjoyed both the
country and the people and I am looking forward to going
back.

Eduardo Fischer
Hayley Beresford, Isabell Werth & Eduardo Fischer
with Relâmpago do Retiro
Brazilian businessman EDUARDO FISCHER is a world leader
in the breeding of Lusitano horses and the proud owner of
2008 Olympic Dressage horse Relâmpago do Retiro ridden
by Hayley Beresford. We chatted with Eduardo to find out
more about himself, his horses and how Relâmpago came to
represent Australia.
Where did you grow up? I was born in São Paulo- Brazil and
I have spent my youth always among the horses. I was used
to go to Atibaia, a pleasure city near to Sao Paulo , on the
weekends and vocations to spend delightful days in Hipicas
of that place.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Since I have started
working, I have been a pioneer on many areas and have
been responsible for some important paradigms for the
advertising market. I could built a very successful career in
this area in Brazil in the practice of the Comunicação Total® ,
a philosophy that integrates all the disciplines of
communication around a great concept, aiming to generate
greater synergy, and mainly to increase the result to the
client.
Nowadays, I am the president of the Totalcom Group that
gathers many companies and is the leader and precursor of
the integrated communication in Latin America. Today we
have been one of the biggest groups of communication and
marketing with 100% independent capital in Latin America
and also the first in Brazil multinational in this sector with
operations in Brazil, Argentina, Portugal, in addition to
operational agreements all over the world. We have worked
for large brands in Brazil and the other Iberian-American
markets as suppliers of strategic and integrated solutions of
communications joining companies from different
specialties. Having more than 500 collaborators, our
companies attend today more than 200 clients – brands such
as Heineken, Honda Automóveis, Panasonic, Volkswagen,
Telefonica, Bardahl, Basf, LG, Du Pont, Movistar, Gillette,
among many others – with recognized in many international
awarding in the sector of marketing and publicity (Cannes,
AME Awards, The Globes Worldwide Awards, El Ojo de
Iberamerica, among others). I try to continue with my
entrepreneurial spirit and eighteen years ago I have found in
the Lusitanian horses breeding a passion, which makes this a
practice that goes beyond a hobby.
Fortunately I have my wife and three wonderful daughters
supporting me all time for pursuing different challenges.
How did you become interested in horses? Since I was a kid
I had contact with horses. My family had a country house in
Atibaia - SP, and there I could have my first contact with
horses.
Were you/ are you a rider? Yes, in my youth I was an
amateur jumping rider. I could compete on some Endurance
tests but nowadays I just ride in my haras for pleasure and to
relax.
How did you get into breeding? I have always been very
fond of breeding some bred of horse.
During my honeymoon trip to Spain on the 90s my wife and I
were introduced to the Iberian horses. We could ride that
incredible horse and from that time I had in mind to breed
that historical horse.
How many horses have you bred, how many do you breed
each year at the moment? Probably more than 300
hundred….and many of them has been sold to different
countries such as U.S.A, Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium and
Mexico.
Tell us about your stud farm? Along the last eighteen years I
have bred very important Lusitanian representatives.
The Villa do Retiro has been focused on the quality and the
potential of the horses we breed.
Nowadays we have thirty selected breeding mares
producing and we look forward crossing with the best
stallions of our breed. “Do Retiro” stallions are worldly
renowned and we sell its semen to many Breeders spread in
the world.
How do you choose a breeding stallion? Besides considering
the blood lineage and the balanced morphology, a stallion
has to fulfil many requirements such us the progeny from a
functional line, to show very good gaits and to show the
potential for performing the modality that it has been
designed to.
What do you look for in a mare? A mare has to gather
characteristics of a very good blood lineage, also has to have
a balanced morphology, good gaits and the potential to
produce high qualified animals.

What advice would you give to other aspiring performance
horse breeders?
I would say that before starting any breeding everyone has
to research and visit the important breeders of any specific
breed, to worry about the quality, never quantity, of the
incoming herd and to make use of the best stallions of the
most important blood lines to be developing a breeding
program.
What is the breeding of Relâmpago do Retiro? I would say
that Relâmpago´s offspring always shows gifts a tremendous
impulsion and the facility for learning, concentration for
working, good mind and great character.
What were your first impressions of him as a youngster?
Relâmpago has always been outstanding for the quality of its
gaits since it was a baby and when he started under saddle
here in Brazil, he showed a great facility on its schooling
process and especially on its first competitions, he surprised
everyone with its potential for concentration during the
shows.
How did he come to be ridden by Hayley? Relâmpago was
already at Isabell Werth’s stables under her training program
when Hayley Beresford came from Australia to be a Werth
team member. Then, Isabell made to connection between
Relli and Hayley.
How involved are you in the program of the horse? I am
deeply involved with Relâmpago training program, with
Hayley and her trainer.
It is my pleasure to make part personally of its career plans.
What is his character? It is fantastic! And I would say that it
is very easy to realize that once after five months training
and competing Hayley and Relâmpago come to the 18 th of
the world in the Olympics.
Obviously it was due to a very professional work and deep
efforts of Werth’s expertise but it could come true due to
Relâmpago´s character and its capacity to learn.
Hayley and Relâmpago at the 2008
Olympic Games
Do you spend much
time in Europe? Do
you get to watch
Relampago often? Yes,
I do go very often to
Europe for my work
meetings and also to
follow Relâmpago´s
show schedule.
Does Hayley have
other horses of yours
in training? We are
now seeing about the
shipping of three other
Do Retiro horses to
starting their training
with Hayley. They are Aquiles, BomBom and Zorro!
Hopefully they will enlarge the Do Retiro Team in Europe
what is now made of four other stallions - Violino, Unicónio,
Velasquez and Poderoso - that are boarded in France at the
Olympic Portuguese rider Carlos Pinto.
An Australian rider on a Brazilian horse training in
Switzerland, you still get to wear green and gold but was it
a consideration to you to have the horse with a Brazilian
rider? Not for Relâmpago. The plan for its career not
expects a Brazilian rider.
However, our Brazilian rider has been improving his ride a
lot and we do hope in the near future we can have a
representative Do Retiro being ridden by him!
Have you been to Hayley’s new facilities in Switzerland? I
will be there on April 9 th .
What inspires /drives you in life? I would say that the great
challenges drive me always. Personally feel myself with a
permanent creative spirit. Also, I believe that a good
business plan and a qualified and expertise team lead us to
great conquests.
Tell us about being at the Olympic Games watching your
horse? I could not describe that feeling. It was a mix of very
good feelings and expectations all together. To watch my
first horse taking part on an Olympic Games, by the way, one
horse descendant of a not traditional bred of horse on that
modality by that moment….
For me that 18 th place sounded as a Podium!!
Did you ever dream he would be at an Olympics –
especially so quickly? Yes I dreamed and No, I did not
expected that it would come true so soon!!! Our efforts had
always been toward that goal but I could not predict how
long it would take…
What makes Hayley a good competitor? Hayley is an
extremely talented and a hard worker. Besides being a
winner as a rider, she has been showing how winner she is
on getting over all challenges on her personal life.
Have you ever been to Kentucky? No, my debut will be this
year when hopefully I would have two Do Retiro
representatives: Relâmpago with Hayley and Poderoso do
Retiro with the Portuguese Olympic rider Carlos Pinto. They
have been recently on the European Games on Windsor –
England and scored as the best Lusitanian of the Europe.
So, today we have the best Lusitania horses in the world
under our Do Retiro’s brand. I wish it is just the beginning!
If you would like to contribute content to Bluegrass Banter
please contact Nicky Turner at
nicky_turner@efanational.com
In our May edition you can look forward to a wrap-up on the
WEG test events (incorporating Rolex Kentucky CCI4*), the
FEI World Cup Finals for Jumping and Driving, Badminton
CCI4*, the Sydney CDI 3* and the ‘Weekend of World Cups’
as well as lots of other news. Til’ next time!