Equestrian Hub Magazine October 2025

The stars align at Boneo Park Off The Track Carnival

Set For Life

The importance of good education.

Australia's Greatest Horseman 2025

Team work makes the dream work Comeback Ride

A journey of grit and gratitude

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OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Anita Barton BVSc (Hons)

A veterinarian with a PhD in Equine Veterinary Sports Medicine, Anita is also a Grand Prix dressage competitor and judge, and has had extensive involvement in event management, including the Brisbane CDI, Australian Amateur Dressage Championships and QLD Youth Dressage Championships. In this issue she discusses the causes, symptoms and management of Ross River virus and what it means for your horse.

Averil Crebbin

Amanda Mac

As editor of Equestrian Hub Magazine, Amanda’s two long-standing loves, one for horses the other for writing, come together perfectly. And the October issue of EH is a cracker, with a roundup of exciting English and Western events, the Shahzada Endurance Ride, a thought provoking Point of View, and for inspiration, a Grampian's trail ride, and the story of Kylie Reynold's and her OTT Leroy.

Tania Huppatz

Tania combines her love of horses and travel in her successful company Snaffle Travel. She visits some of the world’s major horse shows and equestrian-related locations, and enjoys sharing her experiences with the Equestrian Hub community. One of the very best ways to connect with South Africa's is on horseback, and Tania recently did just that. Don't miss her fascinating report.

Dr Jennifer Stewart B.V.Sc., B.Sc., Ph.D.

With over 40 years’ experience as a veterinarian in mixed and equine practice, Jennifer’s special interest is equine nutrition. She was a Senior Veterinary Officer with the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for 10 years, and a Biosecurity Veterinarian with the ACT Government for two years. This month, she explains why Tying-up is a symptom, not a disease.

Growing up around horses meant the bug bit early, and with a daughter who was also horse-crazy, capturing moments of her training at home or at dressage competitions became a passion that spread to multiple disciplines and to Picture the Moment Photography, Averil's successful studio. In this issue she brings us the wonderful story of Kirkwood Marcus, a little pony with a heart of gold.

Anne-Marie Lasserre

Anne-Marie is a Miss World and Miss Universe Figure Champion. She’s an AOR dressage rider, and a specialist coach in aesthetics, sports performance and nutrition. She is dedicated to empowering equestrians to achieve peak fitness and personal transformation, and in this explains why fitness determines how well you cope under pressure and recover between classes.

Nicole Tough

An EA Level 2 Dressage Specialist Coach and National A Level Judge, Nicole has over 30 years experience in training, competing, judging and coaching. She enjoys presenting seminars and masterclasses, has trained in Germany, Spain and The Netherlands, and has produced nine very successful FEI horses. In this issue, Nicole takes on the best and the worst of anticipation.

Katie O'Brien

This month's Behind the Shot contributor, Katie is based in rural Southeast Queensland. Accredited with Equestrian Queensland, she specialises in equine portrait and event photography with a style that is both candid and casual. She strives to catch those tiny, intimate moments that make everyday life magic. Happy to travel to her client's home or to work on location, she is the owner of Equinox Images.

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Power and grace at the Beaudesert Show

Based in Southeast Queensland KATIE O’BRIEN specialises in equine photography and is the owner of Equinox Images.

Event: 2025 Beaudesert Show, QLD ettings: Sony Alpha a7iii, Sony 85mm prime lens at f/2.8, 1/2500s, ISO 160.

This composition was deliberate from the outset. Using the Ferris wheel as

both a background and visual anchor, I wanted its rigid, symmetrical lines to heighten the sense of motion and freedom expressed by the horse and rider in the foreground. In no small way,

the work was inspired by Helen Cruden and her masterful pairing of equine forms with architectural structure.

Here, the mechanical and the magical, the fixed and the fleeting, exist in a single frame. The Ferris wheel's perfect geometry provides a stark counterpoint to the fluid, dynamic arc of horse and rider.

The shallow depth of field isolates the subject, but the background remains unmistakable. I always enjoy the contrast of Beaudesert Show’s rides and sideshow as a backdrop to the discipline and intensity of show jumping. The photograph is not just a record of a competition, but also a portrait of the event itself: a community gathering where tradition meets festivity.

Beyond the technical aspects, this photograph is also a story about place. The Beaudesert Show has always carried that distinctive mix of country warmth and carnival energy - where agricultural traditions stand shoulder to shoulder with flashing lights and laughter from the rides.

In this frame, the Ferris wheel doesn’t just act as geometry; it evokes the voices, smells, and sounds that permeate the grounds: popcorn, dust, music drifting across the arena. By placing the horse and rider within that living context, the image becomes more than sport - it becomes memory, heritage, and a celebration of what it means to gather as a community.

Ultimately, this image is about balance between stillness and motion, structure and spontaneity, precision and freedom. Pairing the rigid geometry of the Ferris wheel with the freedom of leaping horse and rider celebrates the artistry hidden in a single, split-second moment of equestrian sport.

Katie offers a variety of professional photography services. To see more of her work, visit Equinox Images, or you can follow her on Instagram

Worth his weight in gold

Kirkwood Marcus is an older pony with a wise head on his shoulders, and he knows how to look after his young rider, writes AVERIL CREBBIN.

In a weekend filled with polished performances and high-scoring tests, one pair stood out - not for technical mastery, but for the profound connection and quiet determination they brought to the arena.

Ten-year-old rider Amity Broadbent and her beloved 32-year-old New Zealand Riding Pony Kirkwood Marcus, competed in the Pony Novice Tests. While their score placed them mid-pack, the performance resonated deeply with all who knew their story.

Despite his age, ‘Markie’ moved through the test with evident care and a clear understanding of the patterns. His rhythm was steady, his transitions smooth, and his responsiveness to Amity’s aids was a testament to years of training and trust. Amity herself rode with quiet hands and patient poise, showing a maturity beyond her years. When asked how she felt after the ride, she simply smiled and said: “I love him –he’s such a good pony.”

The unicorn pony

Marcus’s story is as special as his test. His owner, Juliann Broadbent, explained how he came into their lives: “We’ve had him about five years. We got him from Trudy at Ivey Banks Performance Horses - she’d had him for her daughter Jade for about ten years. He was so special that she never felt comfortable selling him on. When I was chasing a unicorn for Amity, word of mouth put us in touch, and they trusted us with him. We’ve had him ever since. He’s very, very loved,” Juliann adds. “He’s a bit of a Mitavite pony—he lives on Munger and Amino66—and of course, lots and lots of hay.”

Amity first started riding at just five years old on an 11hh pony she adored. But her ambitions soon outgrew him. “She wanted to jump jumps bigger than her pony!” recalls Juliann. “That’s how we ended up with Marcus. He’s only 14.2, but he can jump.”

Jump he did - sometimes a little too enthusiastically. “In dressage he’s so obedient, you’d never think it,” says Juliann. “But in show jumping he loves

LEFT & ABOVE LEFT: Kirkwood Marcus is dealy loved by Amity and her mum Juliann (Images Averil Crebbin). ABOVE RIGHT: In 2023 Markie and Amity won the double header PCAQ zone dressage championship and the zone Combined Training Championship to have the highest points over the two days (Images Chris Seen Photography).

it so much that Amity has been more of a passenger at times. He doesn’t necessarily know the course - he just makes his own!”

These days, they’ve channelled that energy into dressage, where his education and foundations shine. “He’s so well educated, we’re so blessed. He makes dressage fun for Amity, because when she presses the buttons, he gives her the right answers. That’s so important for kids - you can’t always get them interested in dressage, but he gives her a love for it.”

Bred in New Zealand, Marcus was a champion from the beginning, crowned Horse of the Year six years in a row. He was imported to Australia as a show pony, but soon after arrival he developed the dreaded Queensland Itch. The condition damaged his ear badly enough to require surgery, leaving him with the unique look he carries today. Managing his itch is constant in the warmer months: summers are spent in a breezeway barn with fans and an airy, shaded walk-in/walk-out yard, though he prefers to be out in the

paddock for the rest of the year.

Poster pony for good education

To Juliann, Marcus represents the importance of correct foundations. “He’s the poster pony for what happens when you take the time and put the proper education in from the start. At 32, he’s still going strong. And honestly, there’s a lineup of people who’d love to have him if Amity ever gave him up - which she won’t. He’ll never have to worry about his future.”

That future is lovingly protected with preventative care. From corrective shoeing for longevity, regular x-rays, attentive management of his teeth and feed, Juliann’s philosophy is simple: “Prevention is better than cure. If you want them around as long as possible, get ahead of problems early. Give them every possible chance. Older horses need more care, not less.”

More than a pony

Marcus has long since become part of the Broadbent family. “I get fullblown anxiety about the day something happens to him, and what that will do

to Amity,” Juliann admits. “I keep telling him he’s Sir Marcus the Immortal!”

Through floods, cyclones, and everything Queensland summers bring, he has proven himself not just as Amity’s competition partner but also as the calm nanny horse who keeps the others settled no matter what. “If I could clone him, I would. Until then, I just have to keep him immortal.” Juliann laughs.

A true partnership

Kirkwood Marcus and Amity may not have topped the leaderboard at Brisbane CDI, but their ride captured something deeper - the true spirit of horsemanship. Their test was less about points and more about joy, heart, and the unspoken connection between a young rider and her once-in-a-lifetime pony.

As Juliann says: “We’re not chasing ribbons anymore. It’s about giving Amity the chance to live her dream with him for as long as he’s willing.” It’s the kind of story that reminds us why we fall in love with horses in the first place

Averil Crebbin is the owner of Picture the Moment Photography

Teamwork makes the dream work

Horses have always taught KELLIE HANDFORD the same lesson: horsemanship isn’t about the individual, but about unity, trust, and teamwork.

My team was being formed long before I was even born. My grandfather, Jack Clifford, attended the very first meeting of the Far North Coast Australian Stock Horse Society in 1975. At the time, he had two young horsemen under his wing, teaching them how to shoe horses and how to recognise a good type.

Enter Graham Patterson and Rodney Doyle. Graham went on to become President of the Far North Coast branch, while Mr Doyle supplied me with my very own show pony, Dimples - a mare my grandfather had encouraged him to buy years earlier. That pony carried me into the arena at the Royal Brisbane Show in 1982. I was nine years old.

My brother Danny and I made up half the Casino Pony Club junior team of four. We competed in pairs - and won - before joining our older teammates Scott Doyle (who later competed in the PBR in the USA) and Sarah Hay. Having only just learned to canter that year, I shed plenty of tears as I tried to master walk, trot, canter, gallop, steering, and, above all, sticking right beside my brother.

Under Mum’s (Gale Munce) watchful eye, and with the patient help of Rodney Doyle, I was given the role of ‘inside rider’. As the smallest, my job was the quickest and trickiest: catching the bigger horses during direction changes. Mum trained us every afternoon. Our black ponies were practically glued together with affection - Danny and I less so. Yet those long hours are what bound us. The golden rule of team riding, one I still teach today, is simple: it’s not about you, or how exceptional your horse

might be. It’s about unity. It’s about knowing your role, trusting those around you, and working together to cover the rough edges. It isn’t for the faint-hearted, but the rewards are lasting.

At every youth camp or clinic I am now a part of, I bring music and teamwork to the arena. The music entertains the crowd, but the teamwork transforms the riders. Suddenly, the kids aren’t just individuals on horses. They’re part of something bigger. Dust rises, hooves thunder, voices echo, and somehow it all comes together.

For the kids, these moments become core memories they’ll carry long after the dust settles. Teaching this isn’t easy. In today’s world of private lessons and polished arenas, the art of team riding is often overlooked. Yet it remains one of the most powerful ways to build resilience, camaraderie, and true horsemanship. Riding as a team teaches not only technical skill, but also patience, humility, and the joy of belonging.

I can still recall 1982 like it was yesterday. The trotting track was wet, the arena crammed with 40 teams. It was chaotic. Months of training to cover the dodgy bits paid off. In the middle of it, Scott and Sarah had a heated debate over which side of a guide post to take. Scott ended the argument by steering his mare, Baby Doll, (owned by Johnny Hitchcock) straight over it. Danny and I held our line, Sarah glued herself to Scott, and poor Baby Doll erupted in a bucking fit as the post scraped her belly. Scott just laughed, somehow managing to stay on. Through it all, we stuck together - stirrup iron to stirrup iron. And in the end, that was enough.

As time passed, troop drill has faded for many instructors who never learned its value, and with it, another generation of riders have missed out. But for me, it was invaluable. Under the disciplined guidance of ex-mounted police officers in our club, I absorbed lessons that went far beyond horsemanship. Troop drill grounded me: the blur of movement, the rhythm of horses in unison; a discipline that shifted focus away from the self

and reminded me to simply ride. Those lessons stayed with me into adulthood.

We became our very own Kelton Farm team - Tony, Sam, Brooklyn, Till, and myself - falling into that same safe rhythm together. Teamwork became our anchor. We learned it wasn’t about looking perfect. You were, after all, working with an animal with its own mind and instincts. The sport is already tough and fiercely competitive, but in our team, the truck was our sanctuary. It wasn’t always jovial. We are competitive, and often our own harshest critics. But someone was always there with a kind

word, a hug, or a laugh when it was needed most.

That’s the true beauty of this sport. Unlike many families who scattered across Saturday sports, ours chose horses - together. It was affordable, it was shared, and it was deeply cherished. Looking back now, I can see the thread that connects it all. From my grandfather at that first meeting in 1975, to the mentors who shaped me, to the teammates who rode beside me, and to the young riders I teach today, my life has been built on teams. Proof forever that teamwork really does make the dream work.

YOUNG RIDER

Next generation horseman

From breaking in his own young horse to making the finals at the National High School Rodeo in the U.S., teenager GRANT LEACH is carving his own path.

At just 16 years old, NSW's Grant Leach is carving out an impressive path in the world of western performance horses. With a strong family background, a passion for reined cow horse competition, and a stallion paddock full of homebred talent, Grant is proving that focus and dedication can take you a long wayeven before finishing school.

Early beginnings

Grant first climbed into the saddle when he was eight years old, and like many young riders, it was the combination of

freedom, challenge, and partnership with horses that kept him hooked. What began as a childhood passion has already grown into a pursuit of excellence across several disciplines: reined cow horse, campdrafting, and cutting.

“I compete in all three, but reined cow horse is my favourite,” Grant explains. “There’s nothing like the thrill of going down the fence - it’s fast, it’s technical, and it really shows the finesse and heart of a reined cow horse.”

Meet the horses

The Leach family has built a strong breeding program, and for Grant, that connection to horses he’s known since birth makes every ride more special. His current star is Arlee Conpact, affectionately known as “Dude.”

“Dude is three years old and by our stallion, Hazelwood Congressman, out of our imported mare, Pep N Coda Lena - who we call Pumpkin,” Grant says with obvious pride. “Pumpkin won numerous NRCHA aged events in the U.S. and she’s a legendary mare. She was one of the first horses I competed on, and she taught me what a really good horse feels like. Now, everything Pumpkin taught me helps when I ride her son.”

Dude, born premature and too small for Grant’s dad to ride, became Grant’s project horse. “I got to break him in and train him myself,” he shares. “He’s a little horse with a big personality and a lot of heart. I’m preparing him for the 2026 reined cow horse futurity, and I’m excited about what’s ahead for him.”

For Grant, the horses they’ve bred and raised are the most meaningful. “They’re the ones I feel closest to - watching

them grow up, putting in the work, and then seeing what they can become.”

Coaching and mentorship

Behind every young rider is often a strong mentor, and for Grant, that role is filled by his father. “Dad is my coach,” he says simply. “He can be intense at times, but I wouldn’t be where I am without him.” The combination of tough lessons and consistent support has clearly shaped Grant’s development, not only as a rider but as a trainer in his own right.

Career highlights

One of Grant’s proudest achievements to date has been reaching the finals at the National High School Rodeo Finals in the United States for reined cow horse. “That was definitely a highlight,” he says. “It was a huge event and the competition was tough, but I was really proud to make it to the finals.”

It’s also his favourite event to attend. “This year it was held in Rock Springs, Wyoming, and the atmosphere was incredible. Being surrounded by so many riders from around the world who are just as passionate as I am—it was unforgettable.”

Routines, rituals and style

Show days are all about focus for Grant. His ritual? Visualization. “I like to visualize my run and get in the show zone. No matter how big the event is, I imagine I’m at the Run for a Million or one of the major U.S. shows. The more pressure I put on myself mentally, the better I focus.”

When it comes to riding attire, there’s one accessory that completes the picture: “My American Hat Co cowboy hat. It’s my go-to.”

Outside the competition arena, Grant enjoys connecting with his horses in different ways. “I like teaching them tricks on the ground, like how to lay down. It’s fun and builds trust.”

Words of wisdom

Grant carries with him a piece of advice that guides his showing philosophy: “When showing, show what your horse can do, not what they can’t do.” It’s a simple but powerful mindset that reminds him to highlight his horse’s strengths rather than dwell on limitations.

And for other young riders just starting out, he has encouraging words: “There’s no reason you can’t train a horse like

Adan Banuelos or Casey Deary. It’s all about focus and attention to detail.”

Motivation and inspiration

Like many teenagers, Grant leans on music to keep him motivated. “Music hypes me up, especially on tough days,” he says. But his deeper inspiration comes from striving for something bigger: perfection. “It’s about pushing myself and my horses to be the very best we can be.”

Looking ahead

With his sights firmly set on preparing Dude for the futurity, Grant knows the road ahead won’t be easy—but he’s eager for the challenge. “I love the process of training and developing a horse. Seeing how far they come, especially one you’ve trained yourself, makes it all worthwhile.”

At just 16, Grant Leach is already showing maturity, talent, and ambition beyond his years. Whether he’s working a cow down the fence, visualizing his next big run, or teaching his gelding a new trick, his focus and drive are undeniable. With horses in his blood and a futurity on the horizon, Grant is definitely a young rider to watch.

Riders need fitness too

Fitness determines how well you cope under pressure, recover between classes, and maintain form when your horse needs you most. You don't need a gym, you do need determination, writes ANNE-MARIE LASSERRE.

Why riders need fitness too

What muscles do we use when we ride? Simple answer: all of them. No matter your discipline, riding is a totalbody workout. From dressage tests to cutting runs, from led classes to chasing kids (or occasionally horses) around the showgrounds, you need a level of ‘match fitness’ to stay in the saddle and perform at your best.

Fitness isn’t just about looking good in the ring. It determines how well you cope under pressure, recover between classes, and maintain form when your horse needs you most. Ever felt your legs burning with lactic acid halfway through a test? Or gasped for breath as you chase after that hard to catch pony? Those moments aren’t just about gritthey’re about conditioning.

The heart of the matter

Cardiovascular fitness is your body’s ability to deliver oxygen to working muscles. It’s influenced by heart rate, stroke volume, cardiac output, and maximal oxygen consumption. The better your cardio base, the easier it becomes to ride well - and enjoy it. The good news? Cardiovascular fitness can improve at any age and stage. You don’t need to be a pro eventer or on a performance squad to reap the benefits.

Try these practical tweaks in your next ride:

Active rest drills: Instead of dropping the reins and reaching for your water bottle between lesson sets, try a walking drill or sitting trot transitions. Even an extra 1-2 minutes of movement

will challenge your lungs and build endurance.

Arena intervals: Warm up as usual, then introduce a focused challenge - ride a lap without stirrups, guide only with your thighs and core, or keep one hand lifted. Returning to ‘normal’ riding will suddenly feel easier, while your cardiovascular system adapts.

Strength to stay secure

Riders naturally develop strong legs and cores, but upper-body strength often lags behind. That imbalance can lead to injuries, instability, and weaker communication with your horse. Resistance training evens the score.

You don’t need a full gym setup - water bottles, feed bags, or even bricks can become weights. Bicep curls, hammer curls, and concentrated curls are simple but effective. Aim for three sets of 12-15 reps, every other day, and you’ll notice the difference in your rein stability and posture.

Remember, strength training isn’t about bulging muscles. It’s about control, balance, and endurance - the qualities that make your riding safer and more effective.

Stretch it out

We diligently stretch and cool down our horses, but how often do we extend the same care to ourselves? Skipping rider warm-up and recovery is a fast track to soreness and stiffness after shows. Quick, effective stretches include: Triceps: Arm overhead, hand down spine, gently press elbow.

Hamstrings: One leg extended, ankle flexed, reach for calf.

Quads: Balance against a wall, draw ankle to glute, knees together.

Chest: Squeeze elbows back together.

Calves: Straight leg, toes lifted.

Back: Hug knees to chest while lying down.

Stretch lightly for 10-15 seconds preride, then hold 30-45 seconds post-ride. You’ll improve range of motion, prep your joints for activity, and recover faster.

Shape it, flex it, own it

Fitness isn’t just about guns of steel or chasing toned arms for summer cut-aways (though that’s a fun bonus). It’s about strength, sport-specific endurance, and longevity in the saddle. Whether you’re chasing higher dressage scores, 90 or nothing campdraft scores, or simply wanting to feel less puffed when walking up the paddock, building your rider fitness is one of the best investments you can make - for both you and your horse.

So next time you think fitness is only for the athletes in sneakers and Lycra, remember this: equestrians are athletes too. Ride fit, ride strong, and be the best version of you.

Follow Anne-Marie on Instagram.

LEFT: Anne-Marie Lasserre and Valhalla (Images courtesy Anne-Marie Lasserre).

TECH SAVVY

A tech take on lameness diagnosis

A recent survey indicates many cases of lameness could be prevented with earlier intervention, and AI may be able to offer some valuable insights.

Although you may not be familiar with their name, Sleip is one of the leaders in AI-based gait analysis for horses. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, users of their software include equine veterinary practices, physiotherapists, farriers, trainers and chiropractors around the globe.

Earlier this year, the company sent a survey to members of the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP). ISELP membership is open to veterinarians who have completed advanced education in the field of equine lameness, and in osteoarticular, musculotendinous, and nervous pathologies of the equine locomotor system.

Using responses to the survey, Sleip has compiled a report which confirms that lameness remains a leading clinical concern in horses. Additionally, of the more than 100 international orthopaedic equine vets surveyed, 95% said that they saw, either frequently or occasionally, horses whose lameness could have been prevented or reduced with earlier intervention. “Sometimes it’s just a slightly uneven push-off, or a shortened stride - but it can be the start of something more serious,” explains Elin Hernlund, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, biomechanics researcher, and co-founder of Sleip.

The top concern

The veterinarians surveyed overwhelmingly agreed that lameness remains a top concern in equine practice. The majority of respondents reported either stable (59%) or increasing (38%) prevalence of lameness in their caseload, with joint disease and tendon injuries consistently identified as dominant causes. They

also reported rising trends in cases related to neck issues and sacroiliac/ back dysfunctions.

Risk factors are shifting

More than half of survey respondents reported an increasing trend in lameness associated with genetic predisposition (54%) and training load (50%) over the past five years, while nearly a third (32%) have seen a rise in cases that they attribute to changes in sports surfaces.

Interestingly, vets across all experience levels - from those early in their career to vets with years of experience - reported seeing preventable progressions.

This overwhelming consensus points to a major opportunity: bridging the gap between subtle signs and timely treatment - and objective gait analysis and proactive monitoring tools could significantly reduce avoidable progression.

An evolving trend

Objective gait analysis tools are gaining traction in equine lameness diagnostics. While not yet as common as the X-ray or ultrasound, data suggest a clear momentum towards wider adoption. Most vets report having used objective gait analysis in their lameness assessments (64%), with a meaningful segment already using them frequently (22%) or always (16%).

Changing how vets work

Until recently, objective gait analysis was reserved for use in larger clinics and research institutions due to the cost of the equipment and the complexities of setting it up. Now, using only a smartphone and the Sleip app, veterinarians and other equine professionals can detect subtle movement changes, track progress, and support sound decision-making, without the need for additional hardware. “When we spot those changes early, we have more options to treat, manage, and protect long-term soundness,” Elin says.

ABOVE: Used with a smartphone, the Sleip app facilitates the type of objective gait analysis once only available in larger clinics and research institutes. LEFT: Whether you’re managing a performance horse or a beloved retiree, early detection of issues associated with lameness is critical.

The technology is scientifically validated and used by vets as well as by equine professionals including farriers, physiotherapists and trainers. And the interest among vets is growing:

• 44% of vets expect gait analysis to become a standard tool within five years

• Over 60% have already used it in their clinical practice

• 80% want more access to movement history for each horse

• 75% would use gait analysis during pre-purchase exams.

How it works

The Sleip app uses AI to track over 100 anatomical key points on the moving horse, quantifying gait asymmetry and detecting even small irregularities. The

app gives access to stride-by-stride analysis results in minutes, while the app's trends view offers historical data in an easy to read diagram. This facilitates the tracking of multiple data points so the horse's performance and health can be monitored over time.

While gait analysis is just one piece of the complex diagnostics puzzle in lameness assessment, it provides veterinarians with objective data to increase clinical precision.

Currently, Sleip equine gait analysis software is only available as a tool for professionals. However, as an owner, you can access the benefits through a veterinarian, physiotherapist, chiropractor or other health professional using Sleip for gait monitoring.

Best friend, worst enemy

Anticipation - it can be your best friend or worst enemy. National A Level Judge NICOLE TOUGH shares her thoughts on getting the best of both worlds.

Horses learn through repetition. Repeated exposure to an exercise strengthens neural connections, making responses more automatic and easier to retain long-term. Repeating a transition or movement until it’s a learned skill also helps horses develop understanding, confidence, form muscle memory, and yes, even to anticipate.

An experienced trainer learns to use anticipation to their advantage. Doing the same thing every time creates relaxation, because our horse knows their job. They know what’s coming. When we’re training a green broken horse to canter, we accelerate the trot going into the same corner, and at the correct phase of the trot, aid the canter transition. If we do the same thing every time, our horse will soon link up ‘the get

ready to canter’ cue and pick up the canter lead closer to our aid. However, this will soon lead to anticipation and in this case, the trainer makes a correction, brings them back to trot, and through their aids tells the horse that it’s wonderful to volunteer canter, but to please wait until they’re asked.

Right at the beginning of our horse's training, we should encourage anticipation, then teach them to wait. Indeed, anticipation is how we develop the gaits. Changing from little trot to big trot over and over again, and with lighter and lighter aids, is encouraging the horse to anticipate. When they start to link this in it leads to increased suspension, which is really our horse thinking ahead and offering energy. The responsiveness to light aids comes from encouraging anticipation, and this is where piaffe and passage begin.

It is useful to consider anticipation as a sign of eagerness and willingness, but it does require rider management to prevent tension and miscommunication. If our horse volunteers movements or

transitions in training, we should always correct them even if we are about to make the transition. If we don’t make a correction, we’ve accidently encouraged free thought, which is disappointing when it happens in the competition arena.

In a dressage test, anticipation costs marks. If a horse consistently performs a movement at the same point in a test, like the entry and halt, they learn to expect it and may start to rush, misbehave, or volunteer the transition ahead of time. We’ve probably all experienced it: we pick up the reins from free to medium walk, and our horse starts jiggy jogging; or when we set up a flying change and they change before the aid; or in a simple change, in anticipation of the new canter lead our horse just will not walk. Anticipation can be an ingrained habit, highly frustrating, and in these scenarios, our worst enemy.

It is a common thought that practising test lines will create anticipation and tension. But guess what? Our horse is right! They will be asked to halt at X on the centre line at the start of the test, and they will be asked to trot or canter after the retake of reins in walk, so not practising movements because our horse might anticipate is not the answer.

The key to managing anticipation is to practise until you can’t get it wrong. Initially there will be degrees of anticipation and/or tension, but persevere. Continue to circle off and repeat until you are past all anticipation. The best tests come when our horse knows their job, knows what’s going to be asked, and yet waits for the aids.

Some horses come to us with ingrained anticipation that only shows up in the competition arena. Horses are very quick to learn the wrong thing and can become ‘ring smart’. These horses have learnt that their rider won’t correct them in the show ring, and this can be point costly and problematic for progression.

Sometimes we do have to school our horses in the competition arena, making corrections where we can and without frustration. A part of every mark given by

the judge is for submission. This willing co-operation is demonstrated by our horse being on our aids. If our horse is anticipating, we should calmly correct them while thinking ‘what a clever horse, but let me be the pilot’!

If you get an anticipated flying change when you’re in counter canter or before the simple change, then walk as quickly as possible and recover the lead you were supposed to be on. If you get the big fall out of canter on the entry, calmly go back to canter and ask again. It will cost more marks in that one movement, but earning ring respect is important.

The flying change is another movement where anticipation is our best friend or worst enemy. The hardest part about teaching the flying change is the anticipation and volunteering it before the aid. In our training, we must have the prerogative to change our mind. Set up for many simple or flying changes, but only do it once.

Horses go the best when they absolutely know what is going to be asked of them. This is why the warmup is so important. We should use the warmup to let them know what’s coming, and not ambush them with a walk-pirouette aid for the first time in the ring, because you can bet your horse will dob on you!

When faced with anticipation in training, we need to offer alternatives using techniques like leg yielding or shoulder-in to redirect their energy. We can use varied bending lines or figure eights to keep our horse focused and on our aids. Patience, consistent communication, and clear aids are crucial for breaking the cycle of repeated anticipation. We want our horses to be obedient and ready to respond, but not to volunteer movements before we ask – and the key lies in our practise.

For more information on lessons or a clinic with Nicole, visit Nicole Tough.

Ross River - what you need to know

Ross River virus is debilitating for horses and human alike. Veterinarian DR ANITA BARTON discusses the causes, symptoms and its management.

Ross River virus (RRV) is a mosquito-borne virus that affects both people and horses in Australia. While it’s most publicly known for causing Ross River fever, a debilitating and complex illness in humans, growing evidence shows that horses can also suffer from the infection – often with insidious and frustrating effects on their health and performance.

Where does RRV come from?

RRV is spread by mosquitoes, which pick up the virus from intermediate hosts, namely various marsupials, and pass it on through their bites to horses and humans. Kangaroos and wallabies are thought to be the main hosts that keep the virus circulating in the environment. Although horses and humans can both catch RRV, it doesn’t appear we can spread it back to mosquitoes in the

same way, so we’re considered endstage hosts.

Depending on the part of Australia, different types of mosquitoes are responsible for spreading the virus. For example, coastal areas often see Aedes vigilax as the culprit, while inland regions are more affected by Culex annulirostris. The prevalence of RRV in Australian horses is high, with multiple scientific surveillance studies detecting antibodies to RRV in 80% of the equine population down the eastern seaboard of Australia. This means that if you are located along the east coast of Australia, the chances of your horse contracting RRV at some point in their life is very high.

What happens when horses get RRV?

In people, Ross River fever is notorious for causing severe joint pain, fatigue and sometimes a rash. The joint pain and tiredness can linger for months.

In horses, the signs can be more subtle, which makes the disease tricky to

ABOVE: It may take some months before your horse is fully recovered. LEFT: If your horse suddenly seems stiff, reluctant to train, or develops unexplained swelling in the legs, RRV is one possibility to discuss with your vet.

recognise. Reported symptoms include:

• Stiffness or reluctance to move

• Swollen legs (from the fetlock up to the hock or knee)

• Joint swelling or ‘filled’ joints

• Fatigue and poor performance

• Low-grade transient fever

• In some cases, loss of appetite or a depressed attitude

• Anhydrosis

Because these problems can look like training issues, minor injuries, or general off days, many cases are probably missed.

Diagnosing and managing RRV

Diagnosis relies on blood tests that detect antibodies to RRV. This is a specific blood test that needs to be requested from the lab. Routine blood tests, known as a CBC and biochemistry, are often normal in RRV horses and may not give an indication the horse has RRV.

As antibodies for RRV can persist at high levels for years after infection, likely for

life, a single antibody titre - a type of blood test that determines the presence and level of antibodies in the bloodis not diagnostic for recent infection. Ideally, two samples are taken a few weeks apart. An antibody titre that is rising from one test to the next confirms a recent infection.

There is no vaccine or specific cure for Ross River virus, either in people or horses. Management is focused on:

Rest: allowing the horse’s body time to recover. Horses may need months of rest and careful management before they return to their previous level of work. In a longitudinal case series of five performance horses in South East Queensland affected by RRV all horses were quite noticeably clinically affected for a minimum of six months post-infection and still suffered from poor performance and fatigue up to 18 months post-infection.

Anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs): to control fever and muscle or joint pain

Disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs): DMOADs such as Pentosan polysulphate to reduce joint inflammation

Supportive care: joint supplements, massage, supporting shoeing or alternative therapies may help keep the horse comfortable.

What does this mean for owners?

If your horse suddenly seems stiff, reluctant to train, or develops unexplained swelling in the legs, RRV is one possibility to discuss with your vet – especially if mosquitoes are bad in your area.

The good news is that most horses recover, but it often takes time and patience. Owners should be prepared for months of rest followed by a period of lighter work and understand that relapses or flare-ups of stiffness can happen during recovery.

Dr. Anita Barton is a veterinarian with WestVETS, one of a team of experienced vets with expertise across family pets, horses and farm animals.

Definitions and types

There are many potential causes of equine muscle issues (Table 1) and identifying the right one is critical to effective treatment. While some affected horses are visibly tied-up, others may exhibit reduced performance, irritability, nervousness, loss of appetite, sweating, elevated heart rate, depression and/or a short, choppy gait.

The classic symptoms we most often identify as tying-up include muscle spasms/trembling, stiffness, hard muscles, high heart rate, sweating, muscle pain, reluctance to move freely forward or recumbency, redbrown urine, and in severe cases even death. Episodes of tying-up (which can vary in severity) are categorised (Figure 1) depending on whether they are sporadic, one-off occurrences or recurrent and chronic - and herein lies the clue to the cause.

ER (commonly called tying-up):

Tying-up: it's a symptom, not a disease

MThere are a number of terms which refer to the disorder commonly known as tying-up. DR JENNIFER STEWART explains FEATURE

uscle problems (myopathies) that happen during or within 24 hours of exercise are not uncommon in horses. Over the centuries, a number of terms - including tying-up, azoturia, Monday morning disease, and more recently exertional rhabdomyolysis and exertional myopathy - have been used to describe the syndrome of muscle fatigue, poor

performance and pain that occurs during or after exercise. Previously thought to be a single disease and to somehow involve lactic acid, we know now there are several different conditions which, despite having the same symptoms, and no doubt feeling the same to the horse, are different in their causes, management and prevention, and are nothing to do with lactic acid.

Affects any horse, all ages, breeds and disciplines. The incidence is around 1-2% in pleasure horse, 5–8% in racing Thoroughbreds and polo ponies, 14% in eventers, and affected horses generally have no previous history of tying-up. The most common cause is exercise that exceeds the horse’s fitness level. Contributing factors include hormones (more common when mares are in season); viral respiratory diseases; stress (nervous temperament); high starch/ sugar feeds; electrolyte, vitamin E, magnesium and selenium deficiencies and an unbalanced calcium:phosphorus ratio. The more risk factors, the greater the chance of tying-up and because triggers differ between horses, management changes that may help one horse may not be so successful in another.

ERS/RER: There are several less common exercise-related myopathies we currently know about that cause symptoms of tying-up. A horse that ties-up multiple times most likely has a genetic muscle condition. RER occurs mostly in Thoroughbreds, Arabians and

Table 1: Common terms and definitions

EPSM/PSSM - Equine polysaccharide storage myopathy

ER - Exertional rhabdomyolysis

Exertional

MFM - Myofibrillar myopathy

MH - Malignant hyperthermia

Myopathy

PSSM 1 Specific genetic mutation

PSSM 2 Doesn't have the genetic mutation

RER - Recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyloysis

Tying-up

Standardbreds. Due to disruption of muscle contraction/relaxation during excitement or exercise, it is more common in fillies, horses in a stressful environment and those with a nervous temperament. Fit horses and those on high starch/sugar/NSC feeds are most susceptible. It usually occurs during warm-up after 10-30 minutes of trotting and management requires adjustments to the diet and exercise program.

PSSM Types 1 and 2: PSSM1 is an inherited mutation in Quarter Horses and draft breeds. Stiffness, tying up or pain is caused by an abnormal accumulation of sugars in the muscles. Signs range from mild to severe and include bucking, lameness, loss of muscle bulk, muscle tremors, poor performance, reduced stamina, reluctance to move forward or collect, sore muscles, stretching out as if to urinate, sweating, tripping, tying-up. Usually presents in young horses 10-30 minutes into exercise and a few days off work can trigger an episode. Many affected horses have high resting levels of the CK enzyme. Over time, horses with the PSSM 1 gene may lose muscle mass, become weak and have back pain. A muscle biopsy shows abnormal glycogen and a genetic test on hair of blood is positive.

PSSM 2 can affect Warmbloods, Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses and Arabians, with abnormal glycogen

Excessive/abnormal storage of sugar (polysaccharide) in muscle cells

Muscle pain/cramping associated with exercise

Associated with exercise

Mainly Arabians and warmbloods

Genetic disorder

Muscle inflammation

Primarily Quarter Horses and draft breeds

Primarily Warmbloods and Arabians

Recurring pain episodes due to abnormal muscle contraction/relaxation

Breakdown, damage and dissolution of muscle tissue

Muscle pain that occurs during or after exercise

similar to PSSM 1, but with no genetic mutation. There are often recurring episodes of muscle stiffness and soreness with normal or mild increases in blood enzyme CK levels. Based on muscle biopsies, many cases of PSSM 2 in Arabian and Warmblood horses and their crosses have been reclassified as myofibrillar myopathy (MFM).

MFM: can affect Warmbloods and Arabians. Some proteins in the muscles are degenerate and disorganised and affected horses show exercise intolerance and intermittent ER. A muscle biopsy is needed for diagnosis. In Arabians the basis of MFM is thought to be related to deficiencies in antioxidants and the amino acid cysteine; in Warmbloods it is correlated with individual genetic responses of muscles to diet, exercise and training.

In endurance Arabians who have been rested for a few weeks, marked muscle stiffness often occurs approximately 8-10km into a light ride. In Warmbloods the most common signs are a mild shifting lameness, reduced performance and loss of muscle mass, unwillingness to go forward, a vague, hindlimb lameness, sore muscles, a drop in energy, reluctance to collect and engage the hindquarters, poor rounding over fences and poor quality of the canter.

Feeding programs

Altering diet and exercise regimes to compensate for underlying defects is often the best available strategy to assist horses with exertional myopathies. In combination with exercise, nutrition is an essential component of management. While avoiding feeds high in sugar and starch (NSC) is the cornerstone, a balanced, basic daily diet with correct essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals is a core element in treating all forms of exertional myopathies.

Unfortunately, determining the NSC content of commercial concentrates is not easy, as these nutrients rarely appear as guarantees on feed tags or bags. Check the ingredients list and avoid feeds containing barley, wheat, corn, grain by- or co-products, millrun/ mix, bran, mung beans and raw faba beans. Also check the levels of essential amino acids, vitamin E and biotin in commercial feeds. These are the most expensive nutrients for manufacturers to add and most commercial feeds are low in one or more.

Underweight horses often benefit from additional linseed or canola oil (both high in omega 3). Rice bran is also a source of fat, but is high in omega 6 and although low is sugar, can be up to 25% starch. Many horses with PSSM are easy keepers and may be overweight. Restricting calorie intake is

Figure 1: Managing horses with clinical signs of tying-up. NSC refers to nonstructural carbohydrate; Omega 3s are EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid, and DHA, docosahexaenoic acid (Figure by S. Valberg).

important and grazing muzzles, low NSC or soaked hay or beet pulp and 300500g of complementary balancer pellet can all be used to provide a balanced basic diet without the need for multiple supplements.

Diagnosing the cause

Symptoms of tying-up can be incredibly subtle and nonspecific. To further confound recognition and diagnosis, affected horses may show any of the following: difficulty standing for the farrier, difficulty changing leads, explosive behaviour (bucking, bolting, pig-rooting and rearing), gait abnormalities (hitching when trotting, bunny hopping), generalised muscle stiffness, girthiness or biting/pinning ears when the girth is tightened, heaviness on the forehand, holding tail to one side, intolerance of grooming or being touched, inability to engage the hindquarters, lack of impulsion, lameness, muscle twitches or spasms, poor topline, resisting being tied, rubbing on posts/trees/fences, shifting lameness and sourness during work.

Further, these signs are not specific to tying-up and can occur with poor saddle fit, gastric ulcers, lameness from hock or stifle degeneration, suspensory injuries, sacroiliac disorders, inflammation of thoracic or lumbar vertebrae and more.

A thorough evaluation for lameness is needed to rule out these more common issues. Veterinary investigation helps sift through the signs and undertake appropriate tests, which may include blood tests, measurement of vitamin E and selenium concentrations, diet analysis, exercise testing, genetic testing and muscle biopsy.

Although muscular disorders are not commonly associated with a nutritional imbalance, their management and prevention are. There is no single diet or management plan that can guarantee against further episodes, but appropriate management of susceptible animals, including exercise program and diet, may help to reduce the likelihood or frequency of future episodes.

Supplements are often necessary

to provide nutrients not found in the forage or concentrate, either because of low concentrate intakes or to supply levels of nutrients that are greater than typically added to commercial feeds. Electrolytes, magnesium, amino acids, vitamin E, and other antioxidants fall into this category for horses suffering from myopathies. But using multiple supplements to correct individual nutrient deficiencies results in overlap, excesses and imbalances – and important nutrients can still be deficient. A diet analysis is the most reliable way to determine and fine-tune the basic daily diet and to support and protect muscle function.

Dr Jennifer Stewart BVSc BSc PhD is an equine veterinarian, a member of the Australian Veterinary Association and Equine Veterinarians Australia, CEO of Jenquine and a consultant nutritionist in Equine Clinical Nutrition.

All content provided in this article is for general use and information only and does not constitute advice or a veterinary opinion. It is not intended as specific medical advice or opinion and should not be relied on in place of consultation with your equine veterinarian.

LIFE AFTER RACING

Where there's a will

A relationship with a horse is built on trust and understanding, but for some the connection takes on a much deeper significance. AMANDA MAC investigates.

Most of us face challenges at one time or another, some are easily overcome, others less so. But in Kylie Reynolds’ opinion, what really matters is how you respond to whatever life throws at you – and she should know.

Kylie, a Queensland girl born and bred, was raised on Brisbane’s south side in a family that wasn’t averse to a bit of outdoor adventure. Camping was often

on the agenda, and in the true spirit of ‘let’s give it a go’, there was a short-lived interest in trail riding. “I was introduced to horses at the age of five,” she says, and while the rest of her family decided the equestrian life wasn’t for them, her attraction to horses remained.

Then as a 17-year-old, Kylie made a life defining decision: she enlisted in the military. “I went from a private girls’ school in Brisbane to the male

dominated army. It was a bit of a shock at the time, but it suited me to a T and made me the person I am today,” she says.

Early in her career she was given the opportunity to follow up on her interest in information technology when she transferred into the Signals Corps as a computer technician. “I’m a process driven, black and white type person, so computers fit into my realm of understanding,” she explains. And she excelled, so much so that she progressed through the ranks to Warrant Officer Class 2, and was working with the Defence Force’s IT systems in Canberra up until she was medically discharged in 2011.

But the beginning of the end of her 18-year career slates back to 2006,

ABOVE: Kylie loves the freedom riding Leroy gives her (Image courtesy Kylie Reynolds). RIGHT: Attached to Leroy's float is a hoist designed to help disabled riders mount and dismount (Image courtesy Queensland Racing).

when events surrounding the attempted suicide of a colleague caused Kylie a great deal of distress. She was on the point of taking long service leave when she was offered, and accepted, deployment to the Middle East. Unfortunately, this did little to help her state of mind, and she returned to Australia suffering from PTSD: “I went from a high achiever in charge of multimillion dollar equipment and personnel, to someone who couldn’t even make a decision for herself.” True for many in the Australian Defence Force, her years of service had come at a personal cost.

After returning to Brisbane, Kylie volunteered with a veteran owned trail riding company that worked with both veterans and at-risk youth. “And that’s where I got back into horses,” she recalls. “It was having the right opportunity, at the right time, in the right environment, and with the right people

that allowed me to relax, be in nature, and be with horses, while at the same time giving back to others.”

Life took yet another positive turn when Kylie met her future wife Susan, a veterinarian and keen endurance rider. Susan owned a property, and as there was enough room for another horse, the couple began looking for one for Kylie. Enter Leroy (Royal Shine), an off the track Standardbred who had not long retired after a seven-win career in New Zealand. Kylie felt an instant connection with Leroy, but Susan wasn’t so sure. “She was saying no, he’s got Queensland itch, he’s pushy, this is not going to work, but I wanted to buy him.” Fortunately, as it turned out, Kylie won the day.

But of course, adjustments were necessary. Leroy the ex-trotter was unbalanced under saddle, and Kylie, a capable and at that time still able-bodied

rider, wanted to upgrade her skills and explore dressage, so the pair began working with a coach.

And life was going well until 2022. Kylie and Susan were honeymooning in Tasmania, when suddenly Kylie found herself unable to walk or talk.

“The problem was intermittent, after sleeping I could get up and move,” she tells me. “We got ourselves home, but the episodes were happening more and more frequently.” And that marked the start of a frustrating and oftentimes frightening journey which ended with a diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).

After a stint in hospital and rehab, Kylie was sent home in a wheelchair with instructions to do as much of whatever she had been doing prior to her diagnosis in the hope normal function would return. So, loving the sense of freedom it gave her, she began, with

help, to ride again - first on another of the couple’s horses and then on Leroy, who Kylie says has been absolutely perfect. “He’s never put a foot wrong in three years. If I get unbalanced, he stops. If I start having a FND episode, he will walk up to someone on the ground to get help, and then brace himself so I can slide off and be assisted into my wheelchair.”

Although Leroy has never been trained as a para rider’s mount, it seems to come naturally to him and he's adapted to his rider's needs in a quite remarkable way. "Leroy has something special," Kylie comments, "he's different. He's learned to connect with me, to understand what I need and what I don't need, and he knows whether he can push a little, or whether he should absorb whatever’s going on with me." So, while her no nonsense Standardbred may not have the eye-catching appeal of a purpose bred dressage horse, for Kylie he is beyond perfect.

The pair compete at the Caboolture Dressage Group's members days, and although Kylie's disability doesn't fall into an official para classification, the Group's committee is very supportive and happy to let her take part in Grade 3 para dressage tests. That said, she recently competed in a Level 2 Preparatory test with eight able bodied riders and came away with a very respectable 4th place. However, Kylie is the first to admit that trying to canter is very difficult, and that it takes a lot of control on her part just to be able to trot.

The committee members have also seen at first hand the effect stress has on Kylie's body, and so they agreed to exemptions that are standard for a para equestrian: "I can ride in sunglasses, I don't have to wear gloves, and if it's a hot day I don’t need to wear a jacket. And because I can't use my legs, I’m allowed to use voice commands and to ride with two whips," Kylie explains.

Right from the start of Kylie's FND journey, she has had the support of Equine Pathways Australia (EPA), an

ABOVE: Kylie and her perfect dressage partner Leroy (Image courtesy Kylie Reynolds).

organisation dedicated to helping people with disability participate in equine sports and activities. She’s benefited from EPA riding clinics and from the equipment they’ve supplied, including Velcro strips to stabilise her legs, and magnetic safety stirrups to keep her feet in place, all of which allow her to sit more securely and comfortably in the saddle.

Although there are days when Kylie feels the full weight of her FND diagnosis, she is surprisingly philosophical about her situation. "I'm very much a 'don't tell me I can't do it' type of person. I'll figure out a way. I don't want other people to do for me what I can do myself. When something like FND happens, your life falls apart - and it's how you deal with putting it back together that makes you 'woe is me', or you decide you're not going to let it stop you."

Kylie strongly believes in creating a meaningful life in what otherwise might be a difficult situation - and she finds plenty to be grateful for: "I have a phenomenal support team," she says, "and my wife is my number one supporter."

Given Kylie’s steely determination, it’s hardly surprising that although her disability isn’t classifiable within Para Equestrian’s existing guidelines, she has submitted her application for consideration, and if it’s refused will keep trying. In the meantime, she and Leroy have work to do: “We're going to continue to improve our dressage scores and hopefully one day we’ll be able to compete at the para equestrian level."

And it would be a huge mistake to tell Kylie she can’t, because odds are, she can.

Racing royalty meets retrained talent at Boneo Park

All the stars came out for the inaugural Racing Victoria Off The Track Carnival. The carnival, a showcase of the many talents of retired racehorses, attracted nearly 400 horses and their riders.

Boneo Park was buzzing as the inaugural Racing Victoria Off The Track Carnival galloped into town, promising a weekend of glamour, grit, and serious prize money. With $235,000 up for grabs and close to 400 Off The Track Thoroughbreds stepping into new roles, this event wasn’t just about ribbons and rugs - it was a showcase of second chances and spectacular horsemanship.

From

cup

glory to new careers

The star power was undeniable. Five-

time Group One winner Santa Ana Lane and Melbourne Cup runner-up Emissary proved that horses with multi-million dollar race records can also light up an arena far from the track. Adding to the excitement, offspring of the great Americain carried the famous bloodlines into new disciplines, proving that racing royalty can shine just as brightly in their next chapters.

One standout was Prince Alfred (Gilded Prince), piloted by Imogen Bergin. Together, they took out the

MyRacehorse Combined Training 105cm, the Combined Training Grand Champion Award, and the Highest Placed Next Gen Rider title - a triple crown of success that highlighted the thrill of the weekend.

Olympian Amanda Ross added her own sparkle, guiding Valkyon to victory in the Godolphin Lifetime Care Combined Training 95cm, also earning the Highest Placed Masters Award. Meanwhile in the dressage arena, Mariah Kaminski and Linton Street wowed judges to secure both

the Grand Champion Dressage and Elementary Championship, a feat made even more impressive by Linton Street’s past life as a modest racehorse who once earned $75,000 on the track.

Celebrities and Olympians

Day Two drew the biggest crowds - and the biggest names. 2020 Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment, now enjoying life at Living Legends, charmed spectators in the VRC Fashions on the Field. His exhibitor, Adele Ioannou, revealed with a smile: “Twiggy loves to jump logs out in the park, so we might get him into a cross-country career.”

The Melbourne Racing Club Celebrity Challenge was another crowdpleaser. Olympians Amanda Ross and Jamie Coman joined rising eventing star Sam Jeffree to secure victory for the Elite Equestrians, edging out a team of jockeys led by record-breaker Jamie Mott and trainer combinations that included Group One winners Matt Laurie and Jason Warren. Ringside, VIPs were treated to a lavish luncheon while the arena came alive with sporting theatre.

Jumping into new heights

The jumping ring was a showcase of retraining success stories, many made possible through the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Restart Program, which champions racehorse aftercare worldwide. Jennifer Duffy and Notre Amour (Proletariat) not only won the 110cm Championship but were also crowned Jumping Grand Champions. Philip Stephens and Bequest (Chipper) claimed the 100cm Championship, while Grace Chantler made her mark with wins in both the 90cm and 60cm classes.

LEFT: Olympian Amanda Ross and Valkyon. ABOVE: Sabrina Gilmour expertly piloted Espresso (Jack Regan) to claim Grand Champion. BOTTOM: The Melbourne Cup put in a celebrity appearance.

Showing off style and substance

For those who prefer polish over pace, the showing arena was a feast for the eyes. Grace Pihan and Parklane (Vital Verse) claimed the Ridden Show Hack, while Sabrina Gilmour and Espresso (Jack Regan) not only took home the Ridden Show Hunter Hack but also the coveted Ridden Show Horse Grand Champion title. With his handsome frame and British breeding, Espresso’s future as a show star looks as promising as his $173,000 racing past.

Adding to the parade of equine beauty, Helmiton - with 41 career starts and $157,195 in earningsstrutted to victory in the Led Show Hunter Hack with exhibitor Dale Plumb.

A celebration of possibility From multi-million dollar Cup champions to grassroots competitors

and young riders, the Off The Track Carnival was a festival of possibilities. More than just a competition, it was a powerful reminder of what life after racing can look like when talent, care, and opportunity align.

Thanks to Racing Victoria, Boneo Park, and partners including the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Melbourne Racing Club, MyRacehorse, Godolphin Lifetime Care, VRC, and Winning Edge, the event delivered not only a spectacular weekend but also a bold vision for the future of retired racehorses in equestrian sport.

As the last trophy rugs were presented and the arenas quietened, there was a collective moment to reflect on what had been achieved.

The inaugural Off The Track Carnival wasn’t just a weekend of competition - it was a statement about the future of these horses and the community that supports them.

For the trainers, riders, and spectators who filled Boneo Park, the event was proof of how much can be gained when racehorses are given the chance to thrive in second careers. It was a celebration of resilience, versatility, and connection - the very qualities that make Thoroughbreds so special.

In the words of many who attended, the carnival felt less like an ending and more like the beginning of a powerful tradition. A weekend that not only crowned champions, but also reminded everyone of the deep and lasting bonds between horse and rider, and the meaningful life that awaits beyond the track.

The Racing Victoria Off The Track Carnival not only offered thrilling competition but also provided a powerful reminder: every racehorse has a future, and that future is bright.

Future stars: the Preliminary dressage test's top six line up against a spectacular backdrop.

EVENT

Australia's Greatest Horsemen 2025

This year's Australia's Greatest Horsemen event was a display of outstanding horsemanship, thrilling competition, and many memorable moments.

From 3 - 7 September 2025, White Park Arena in Scone, NSW became the epicentre of Western performance horse sport as riders, trainers, breeders, and enthusiasts gathered for Australia’s Greatest Horseman (AGH).

Across multiple disciplines - from Reined Cowhorse to Stockman’s Challenge and Campdraft - competitors showcased horsemanship, grit, and style. The event also delivered a significant boost to the

Upper Hunter community, filling hotels, cafés, and shops with visitors from across the country.

This year’s show was supported by an incredible lineup of sponsors, including Totalspan Australia, QRS Custom Saddles, Toprail Equine, Stockman & Co, Stance Equitec, Ariat, Affinity Equine Insurance, Ranch House Australia, Thomas Arena Products, Signature Custom Floats, Koobah Performance Horses and many more, helping to

elevate the prestige and rewards on offer.

AGH 2025 delivered outstanding horsemanship, thrilling competition, and memorable moments for all involved. Champions like Robert Leach, Peter Rogan, Myles Williams, and Pia Steers etched their names in the history books, while talents such as Georgia Maben and Karlie Heaslip proved the sport’s future is bright.

More than just competition, AGH reaffirmed its place as a cornerstone of Australia’s performance horse calendaran event where community, culture, and competition meet.

With a high-level of competition, and the support of generous sponsors, AGH 2025 set a new benchmark for excellence. The countdown already begins for next year, promising even more excitement, talent, and horsemanship at White Park, Scone.

The champions of this year’s competition delivered a showcase of horsemanship, grit, and flair across every division.

In the headline event, the Australia’s Greatest Horseman Cowhorse 3 Phase Spectacular, sponsored by Totalspan Australia, Robert Leach rode Smooth Timing (Smooth As A Cat x This Girl Has Time), bred by Mark and Joanne Smith and owned by Rebecca Lock, to claim both Champion and Highest Scoring Bridle Horse with 430.5 points. His precise reining, dynamic herd work, and confident cow sense secured him the coveted AGH Champion title - his third.

The Non Pro crown, sponsored by Cooinda Park Equine, went to Peter Rogan aboard Shirley Shiney (Very Smart Remedy x Shirley Shine), scoring 424.5, while Myles Williams proved the strength of the next generation by guiding Waylon J Yours Truly to 405 points and the Youth Championship. In cutting, Peter MacCallum and Hell Blazer (High Brow CD x One Hellofa Spin) stole the show in the Open Snaffle Bit division with a score of 147, while Julie Sheedy and Zigtallic (Highway To Hell x Sweetallic) commanded the Non Pro title on 145.

The Non Pro Two Handed Cowhorse buckle was awarded to Jennifer Brown and Dance While U Can (Millionnic Chic x Rocking Oak) on 278, and the Open Campdraft, sponsored by Do Me A Favour QH, saw Grace Roth and Maid of Honour (Amaroo Oaks Playboy x Charity Lena) claim victory with 176. In the Novice Campdraft, Michael Hayes and Hazelwood Conacre (Hazelwood Conman x Hazelwood Precious Acres) scored 177 to edge ahead, while the Maiden Campdraft went to Georgia Maben, cool under pressure with Silverthorn Oaks Chandelier (Crillee Amarillo Oak x Silverthorn Belladonna) on 90.

The Open Two Handed Cowhorse buckle was secured by Katherine O’Brien riding Tango in Hollywood (A Hollywood Custom x Docs Tender Oak) with 290, while Pia Steers, showing her versatility, claimed the Non Pro Cowhorse on Swipe Right (Heavy Metal x Acres N Susie) with 275.

In the Stockman’s Challenge, Tim Duggan impressed with Arlee Blue Blood (Hazelwood Congressman x G

IM Smooth Two) to take out the Classic title on 322.75, while Leah Read’s mare Chiconis Stylish Girl (One Stylish Pepto x Dual N Playgirl) lit up the arena to win the Open on 335.75. The Limited Classic went to Georgia Maben on Witherdins Lou Lou (One Knight Stand x Wellsdale Coals Music), giving her a second title, while Karlie Heaslip and RS Puddle Duck (RS Chisum x Puddle Duck) captured the Rookie buckle on 329. Neil Craig’s polished round on Roseleapark Owattanight (Nashville Nightman x Blaxland Jilleroo) earned him the Derby crown with 301.5. Youth riders also shone, with Myles Williams adding another buckle in Senior Youth Boxing on Waylon J Yours Truly (141.5) and Haley Coughlan capturing the Junior title on Fancy A Lil Charisma (130.5).

Meanwhile, Pia Steers capped off a remarkable campaign, adding both the Non Pro Two Handed Boxing with Chisums Little Freckle (RS Chisum x Jazzy Little Freckle, 142) and the Non Pro Two Handed Box Drive Shootout with Swipe Right (74) to her tally.

Shahzada: The Ultimate Test

The longest one-horse, one-rider event in the world, the 400km Shahzada Endurance Ride is not for the faint hearted, reports CLARE FEARY Images by LISA J. WYATT.

Born from the minds of a hardy group of Hawkesbury endurance riders, the Shahzada Endurance Ride has stood as the ultimate test of endurance for the last 45 years.

Spanning 400km, it is not only the longest one-horse, one-rider event

in the world but also takes place over some of the most unique and challenging terrain Australia has to offer - drawing riders from across the country and overseas.

Beginning and ending in the historic township of St Albans, NSW, each of the

10 legs heads out along the floor of the Forgotten Valley before climbing into the steep and rugged - yet breathtakingly beautiful - surrounding National Parks. Riders must navigate rocky goat tracks, cross creeks, canter along fire trails, climb granite steps, and trot through forests of green and gold wattle. Every kilometre demands grit, horsemanship, and an unbreakable partnership with their horse.

Mapped by the weather

This year’s ride was marked by drama before it even began. Heavy rainfall and flooding left the Macdonald River running high and the trails waterlogged. What could have been a setback instead became, as event photographer Lisa J Wyatt described it, “a storyteller’s gift - a chance to capture grit, resilience, and partnership against a moody, atmospheric backdrop.”

On the opening morning, the valley was cloaked in a grey veil of fog. Riders set

out into a countryside transformed by weather: water crossings deeper than expected, slippery tracks underfoot, and light that shifted constantly from muted softness to sharp beams through the gum trees.

Shahzada has weathered its share of setbacks. In 2007, the event came to a halt mid-ride when equine influenza swept through the region. From 2020 to 2023, fires, COVID, and then floods forced its cancellation. In 2025, heavy rainfall in northern NSW triggered flash flooding and a rapid rise of the McDonald River bordering St Albans the night before riders were due to arrive. Thanks to swift action by the Shahzada Organising Committee, alterations were made to the course, allowing the event to proceed - albeit on a modified track. The rhythm of endurance

The format is relentless: two 40km legs per day, for five consecutive days. Held each year and beginning at 4:00am

on Monday in the last week of August, horse and rider combinations must complete each day’s two legs (80km) by 5:00pm to avoid disqualification. Horses are vetted at every stage, with strict checks on soundness, hydration, metabolic function, rubs and injuries. Any horse failing to meet these strict parameters is vetted out. Only those that remain fit and healthy through every leg can continue.

Even at the very end, the coveted gold Shahzada buckle isn’t secure until the final thumbs-up from the vets. Those who finish the full 400km but fail the last check reluctantly join the dreaded Friday Club - a small and exclusive group no one wishes to be part of.

Triumphs and tests

Forty-three riders and their horses from every Australian state (except NT) lined up to face the challenge of a lifetime. For some, it was a first attempt, with nerves sharpened by the tales

of notorious obstacles like The Steps, Prestons’, Gotchas, and Short Wellums shared by veterans around campfires in the lead-up. For others, it was a familiar test, returning year after year, older and wiser, determined to measure themselves against a track that has no equal.

Shahzada requires a unique skill set. This is not about a perfect seat or flawless riding technique (though it helps). It is about being finely attuned to your horse’s health and spirit, balancing speed with rest, managing ego against caution, and sustaining trust in both yourself and your horse. Of 2025’s 43 starters, only 26 completed the course; the rest either vetted out due to soundness issues or withdrew.

Epitomising the Australian Endurance motto To Finish is to Win, the Shahzada Endurance Ride does not crown a single champion, though the fastest times and special categories are recognised. This

year, Georgia Curry riding Mountain Breeze Just Annallusion (Middleweight Division) recorded the fastest time of 34 hours and 37 minutes. She was followed by Fia Hasko-Stewart (Lightweight Division) on Blakes Heaven Adventuress with 36 hours and 44 minutesremarkably, their second fastest time after also topping 2019 and 2024.

The first Heavyweight rider home was Heather Nagel on Aloha Dash in 46 hours and 59 minutes. Junior honours went to Sanjay Nix on Homeleigh Mountain Khalid’s Komet (35:35), with fellow Junior Coco Edwards and Teddy also successful in 49:28. At the back of the field, Irene Adams and Renbury Cedar (Lightweight Division) crossed the line in 50:03. A bittersweet note came as Nadine Cooper and Arabec Skip the Blues joined the Friday Club after a heartbreaking vet-out, despite completing together in 2024.

The coveted Best Managed award recognises exceptional horse welfare management or combinations that overcome significant challenges. In 2025, five pairs were nominated: Allix Jones with Stella (49:10), Clare Feary and Barracuda Betty (44:59), Heather Nagle with Aloha Dash (46:59), Wendy Leach with Jabeila Leif (48:59), and Tanya Meares and Abrielle Spa (49:15). The trophy went to West Australian rider Wendy Leach, whose exceptional care and presentation of her horse and the horse’s fitness and keenness impressed the veterinary team.

Capturing the essence

Lisa Wyatt’s lens captured not just the sweat and dust, but also the quiet, profound moments of connection: a rider hugging their horse at a vet check, tack dripping water after a river crossing, a determined glance before a steep climb. “Photographing Shahzada this year was about more than documenting a ride,” she reflected. “It was about telling a layered story: the challenge of nature - floods, fog, mud - and the resilience of horse and rider, tested not

just physically but mentally. Endurance isn’t just measured in kilometres. It’s measured in patience, care, and the small, powerful moments between horse and rider.”

More than a ride

Running alongside the 400km marathon is the 120km mini marathon, where horse and rider combinations complete 40km per day over three days. It offers newcomers a taste of Shahzada’s spirit and, for some, a goal to aspire to. Beyond the competition, Shahzada is also about community. The ride is an endurance test for strappers and supporters too. They prepare feeds, cool horses, check tack, and offer quiet reassurances, often running on little sleep themselves. Away from the course, the camps hum with energy - horses resting while riders gather around fires, sharing food, laughter, and tales from the track.

Each day brings entertainment for strappers and spectators: fancy dress days, cook offs, black tie awards, scavenger hunts, the much-loved dog races, and, of course, camaraderie at the local pub as weary riders return at day’s end.

For every rider and horse, victory or vet-out, first attempt or twentieth, Shahzada 2025 carved indelible memories. They will remember the slow sunrise over the mountains on Monday morning, fog rolling across the valley floor, the anxious breath held at vet checks, the heart- stopping moment of a horse’s stumble, the muffled rhythm of hoofbeats in the dark, the vet-out’s sting of disappointment, and the pure exhilaration of completion. And quietly, each will ask themselves: Will I saddle up again next year for Shahzada, the ultimate test of endurance?

EVENT

Eastern Downs Branch Stockman’s Challenge and Campdraft

Held at the Allora Showgrounds, the event attracted competitors from across the region, reports KATE CUFFE.

The Allora Showgrounds played host to the Eastern Downs Branch Stockman’s Challenge and Campdraft on 20–21 September 2025, drawing an impressive contingent of riders and horses from across the region.

First held in 2022 in response to local member feedback seeking a dedicated challenge competition and expanded drafting opportunities,

the Eastern Downs Branch was the first nationally to run a challenge competition under the Australian Stock Horse Society’s Stockman’s Challenge rules. It has since become a fixture on the Australian Stock Horse Society calendar, providing opportunities for riders of all abilities to compete.

The Kenny & Co Realty Challenge program commenced Saturday morning under wet conditions, though by midday

the skies had cleared, offering fine spring weather for the remainder of the day. The dry work phase, conducted in the indoor arena, saw horse-and-rider combinations assessed for athleticism, responsiveness, and accuracy as they completed the set pattern in each division.

Competition intensified in the afternoon with the Junior and Juvenile Rider Challenges. Chloe Beckett and Stannum Conflict emerged victorious in the Warwick Credit Union Junior Rider Challenge, while Zane Renyard and Topaz secured the SCOTS PGC College Juvenile Rider Challenge title. The Black Toyota Juvenile Horse Challenge was claimed by Angie Seibel riding Goodwood Matches, and the Braeview ASH Stud Encouragement Rider Challenge went to Isabelle WalkdenBrown on Roselita. In the Scott Jenkins Horse Starting Open Horse Challenge, local Eastern Downs branch member and Vice President Joe Maher guided Joma Glory to top honours.

Adding further excitement, the Valera Vale Maiden Shootout made its debut on Saturday afternoon, quickly proving a highlight for competitors and spectators alike, with Tom Craig and Lynxs Las Vegas taking the inaugural win. Utility pattern events rounded out the day’s program, with Carly Domrow and Wilbro Hustlin Helen secured the win in the Equest Athletes Open Utility Pattern, and Chelsea Webb aboard Boonara Chelsie was the Braemar ASH Stud Youth Utility Pattern winner.

Sunday’s focus shifted to the APL McDougall & Sons drafting competitions. The Austral Ag Maiden Draft was won by Jason Bischof on Zibibbo, while the JOMA Equine Novice Draft went to Brett Welsh riding Allstars Harmony. A newly introduced Novice Jackpot Draft delivered a thrilling two-way run-off, ultimately won by Zak O’Brien and Neirbo Nicolette. The weekend concluded with the Open Station Horse Challenge, claimed by Terry Ryan aboard Binnia Hilfiger.

The event was open to all horse breeds, although particular emphasis was placed on Australian Stock Horses through additional awards. Riders of all ages and experience levels participated, and it was encouraging to see both new and familiar faces attend.

The branch extends its thanks to all competitors, volunteers, cattle donors and judges for their contribution to the smooth running of the event and acknowledges the support of valued sponsors who make the Stockman’s Challenge and Campdraft possible. Looking ahead, the Eastern Downs Branch is planning for the 2026 event to be even bigger and better and welcomes new ideas and suggestions from participants to help shape future programs.

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The comeback ride: A journey of grit and gratitude

There are some rides that change you forever. Not only for the miles in the saddle, but for the stories shared, the people you meet, and the way the land imprints itself on your heart. This was one of those rides writes NICOLE HINTZ.

In August 2025, I had the privilege of joining Globetrotting and their ride partner, Australian Saddle Safaris, for five unforgettable days exploring the rugged beauty of the Grampians in Victoria. But this wasn’t just any ride. This was the comeback ride of my dear friend, Marie Strong - a woman who personifies strength, courage, determination, grit, and gratitude. Watching her return to the saddle after the fight of her life was nothing short of extraordinary.

A friendship forged through horses I first met Marie on another Globetrotting adventure through the breathtaking Kimberley region. At the time, she and her family were travelling around Australia in a caravan, and I was captivated by her stories of wide - open roads, endless horizons, and the courage it takes to live life on your own terms.

Our paths crossed occasionallyat the Magic Millions Polo, at the Spit where she brought her kids to meet my horses - but horses were always the anchor. They tethered our conversations, the silent thread connecting us through the shifting chapters of life.

When Marie later embarked on a Globetrotting trip to Mongolia, I cheered her on from afar, inspired by her adventurous spirit. But not long after, everything changed.

A battle few could imagine Marie was admitted to hospital with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) - a rare autoimmune disorder where the immune system attacks the nerves, often leading to paralysis. It was a devastating diagnosis.

She spent 201 days in hospital: four months in ICU, then three more in rehab. Days blurred into weeks, weeks into months, as she fought to breathe, fought to move, fought to live.

On her birthday in July 2024, still in hospital, I wanted to remind her of the life she was fighting to reclaim. With her husband Ash’s help, I brought my horse Sapphire to the hospital grounds. I’ll never forget the moment she wheeled outside - pale but smiling, her eyes brimming with both joy and uncertainty. Quietly, she admitted her deepest fear: *What if I never ride again?*

But Marie is nothing if not determined. Against all odds, she walked out of hospital on her own two feet.

Fast forward twelve months. The woman who once wondered if horses would ever be part of her life again was boarding a plane with me from the Gold Coast to Melbourne. Destination: the Grampians. This wasn’t just another Globetrotting adventure - it was Marie’s comeback ride.

The Grampians ride, run in partnership with Australian Saddle Safaris, is a

journey that blends raw natural beauty with history and adventure. Across thousands of acres of estate country, we rode through landscapes scarred by fire and reborn in vivid colour. Rugged rock formations gave way to sweeping views, mobs of kangaroos bounded alongside us, and emus

sprinted across the plains.

At the heart of it all was Marie, swinging into the saddle with a grin that spoke volumes.

Lessons in strength and stillness

Each day held new challenges and triumphs. We rode through

fire - corched bush now carpeted in wildflowers. At Skull Rock, once a gold mine, the fire had revealed old shafts and rusting carts - ghostly relics of another era.

Day Four will stay with me forever. The heavens opened, rain stung our faces, and wind tested our resolve. Yet, just as Sarah, one of the property owners, had promised, the skies cleared at the summit. Before us stretched a panorama of rock formations glowing gold under the late sun, with a mob of emus scattering in the distance.

For me, this ride was about more than the views. It was about the stillness between hoofbeats, the grounding rhythm of River - the pinto I always dreamed of. It was gratitude in every breath of crisp mountain air, and the quiet knowing of why we ride.

And it was about Marie. Her courage to face fear, her grit to push on, her gratitude pouring out in every laugh, every tear that slipped silently into her horse’s mane.

A celebration of life

Our evenings were as rich as our days. At Mount Williams Estate, we dined in bluestone stables and a grand dining room, feasting on incredible meals before retiring to the Rhino Room by the fire. Stories flowed, laughter echoed, and strangers became family - bound not just by horses, but by the shared spirit of adventure.

On our final day, after unsaddling the horses, we crossed to Grampian Estate for a wine tasting hosted by Tom and Sarah. Not a glass went to waste. Somewhere between sips, I discovered my grown - up love for red wine - a fitting toast to a week of resilience, friendship, and joy.

Why we ride

For Marie, the ride was more than a comeback - it was living proof that the darkest chapters can give way to radiant light. That even when the odds

are stacked against us, courage and gratitude can carry us home.

For me, it was a reminder of why we ride: for freedom, connection, stillness, and friendships that last long after the trail ends.

And for anyone dreaming of combining horses, travel, and adventure - this is what Globetrotting offers. Not just holidays, but soul - deep journeys across some of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes.

An invitation

As equestrians, we talk often about the bond between horse and rider. But the bond between riders is just as powerful. This ride gave us bothconnection to the land, to our horses, and to each other.

It gave Marie her comeback. It gave me the gift of witnessing it. And it gave us stories worth carrying, worth sharing, worth inspiring others to saddle up - no matter what life has thrown at them.

Globetrotting has built more than a travel company - they’ve built a community of riders whose adventures become part of who they are.

Forever grateful

As I sit and reflect on the Grampians ride of August 2025, I feel an overwhelming wave of gratitude. For River, the faithful pinto who carried me. For the land that welcomed us. For the laughter, the tears, and the moments shared.

But above all, for Marie. For her courage, her grit, her gratitude - and for letting us share in her comeback ride. Because in the end, this wasn’t just a ride. It was a celebration of life. And it’s a story I’ll carry with me always.

The Grampians Ride is just one of many riding holiday adventures. Visit Globetrotting for details of all their horse riding holiday options.

South Africa on horseback

There something undeniably magical about South Africa, and one of the very best ways to connect with its beauty is on horseback.

TANIA HUPPATZ

reports

Itravelled to South Africa for a work conference, but I knew before I left home that I wanted to squeeze in something more - a riding safari. I had heard that exploring the bush on horseback was the most immersive

way to experience Africa, and after some research I decided on Horizon Horseback Safaris, tucked into the Waterberg region of Limpopo Province. The company also offers safaris in neighbouring Botswana.

First impressions

After landing in Johannesburg, I set out on the three-hour drive north. By the time I reached Horizon Lodge it was dark, and I had just missed sundowners on the porch overlooking a hippo-filled lake.

Dinner more than made up for it: a three-course feast with excellent South African wine. The dinner was like a gathering of the United Nations with guests from England, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Argentina, America, and Australia sharing stories around the long table as if we were old friends. For me, mealtimes are often the highlight of a riding holiday as guests all have a common interest in horses, bringing us all together.

Later I retired to my rondavel style garden chalet with views of the lake. The

ABOVE: Equus of a different stripe (Image Tanya Baber, Horizon Horseback). BELOW: With a nod to South Africa's traditional rondavels, Horizon's garden room chalets offers authentic safari styling (Image Snaffle Travel). LEFT: Rich in wildlife, your safari ride is likely to give you a front row view of the locals (Image Tanya Baber, Horizon Horseback).

comfortable rooms were equipped with a mosquito net, and even an outdoor shower under the stars.

Rhythm of life

Days at Horizon begin early. Breakfast was served at 7:30am and by 8:30am we were in the saddle. If we were moving on to the next lodge, our bags were transported to our new accommodation. The mornings were cool, but by 10:00am the air warmed quickly, often reaching 25 degrees.

Winter is dry and crisp, excellent for spotting game, while summer brings heat, rain, and young animals. There really is no bad time to visit.

Horizon has access to more than 15,000 acres of bush, and rides are tailored according to the participants’ ability. Beginners are welcome, while experienced riders enjoy long canters

and closer encounters with game. Groups are purposely kept to no more than eight riders accompanied by two guides, one leading and one at the rear. Safety is paramount particularly around buffalo, whose behaviour can be unpredictable. One thing that had appealed to me about the location of this particular safari option was that there are no lions or elephants in the area, which made for very safe riding.

On our first ride we spotted kudu (South Africa’s spiral-horned antelope), sable antelope, zebra, buffalo, giraffe,

warthog, and ostrich. We alternated between walking quietly through thicker bush, trotting across open plains, and stretching out into canters where the ground allowed. It felt both exhilarating and peaceful: wild animals grazing only metres away, while the horses quietly carried us closer.

Managing the herd

With more than 120 horses, Horizon’s herd is truly impressive. They live out as one large group, coming in twice a day for a wet feed of pellets, with unlimited hay always available. Most of the horses

go barefoot on the sandy terrain, though some with sensitive feet wear front shoes. A farrier visits every six to eight weeks, staying on site for two to three days to trim and shoe.

The horse manager keeps a close daily eye on the herd. Each horse is ridden only once a day before enjoying a full 24 hours rest. Horses needing extra care receive additional feed, and those in work are given electrolytes. Spread by midges, African horse sickness is a major concern in South Africa, so all horses are vaccinated twice ahead

of the rainy season in October. Every horse has its temperature checked each morning, and even the slightest sign of illness is carefully monitored.

The horses are hardy, fit, and relaxed, generally standing between 15hh and 16hh. They are all ridden in snaffle bridles and locally made saddles similar in style to a McLennan. Topped with soft sheepskin covers, these saddles are exceptionally comfortable. Each bridle carries a name tag, and I loved learning the personalities behind the names: Hollywood, Bravo, Overbooked, McVitie,

Hillbilly Blue and The Duke were just a few of my favourites.

The herd is a wonderful mix, with mainly locally bred Boerperd crosses, but also Appaloosas, Friesian crosses, Arabian crosses, and more. The guides and Horizon's team of equestrian volunteers train the young horses, gradually introducing them to the bush and its wildlife. Once a horse learns that giraffes, zebras, or wildebeest are nothing to fear, they settle quickly, even grazing calmly while riders pause to capture photos of the animals.

Pick your itinerary

Horizon runs four main programs across several lodges, including two in Botswana, each offering its own unique features. The itinerary I had chosen in South Africa included an overnight stay at Bellevue Lodge, my favourite stop. After a four-hour morning ride, filming giraffes and tracking buffalo along the way, we arrived at the lodge in time for lunch. The afternoon was spent relaxing by the pool, and later, with a drink in hand, we watched as animals gathered at the waterhole right in front of the

ABOVE: With a herd of Horizon's horses grazing contentedly in the background, a cool dip is a wonderful way to relax (Image Tanya Baber, Horizon Horseback).

lodge. Every lodge has its own pool and quiet corners to unwind, creating the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation.

Another highlight for me was Camp Davidson, a glamping-style lodge that felt a little more adventurous while still providing creature comforts, including a flush toilet and a beautifully set dining area. Evenings here were unforgettable: sitting by the fire under the stars while a qualified astronomer (by arrangement) pointed out the Milky Way and southern constellations was truly magical.

Community connections

Every Friday, guests can ride to the nearby Boschdraai Primary School, a tradition that highlights Horizon’s longstanding ties with the local community. The farm once grew tobacco and the village housed agricultural workers, many of whose children attended the primary school. Today, tourism is the main industry, but the school still thrives with the support of Horizon and their guests.

The children sang songs, showed us their vegetable gardens, and proudly

displayed their classrooms. Guests often bring pencils, books, or small donations, and the experience of connecting with the local community was moving.

Storytelling

Horizon’s guides are all certified to at least Level 1, and their knowledge of the animals and birdlife is extraordinary. They taught us to recognise bird calls - one favourite was the ring-necked dove’s familiar ‘work harder, drink lager’ chant, which had us laughing every time we heard it. Out in the bush, they shared entertaining tales such as the legend of the waterbuck’s white ringed rump, said to be caused by a shaman spilling a pot of paint. What became obvious was that beyond the facts and figures, their passion for the bush shone through in every story they told.

Horizon also welcomes international volunteers, who stay for three months at a time to assist with both the horses and the guests, adding an extra layer of interest and enthusiasm to the experience.

Reflections

A riding safari is about so much more

than the riding. It is the rhythm of life in the bush, the privilege of watching a giraffe step silently across your path, and the camaraderie of travellers from all corners of the world sharing a meal around a table. Then there are the special bush breakfasts, sundowners on the porch or in a special bush location, afternoon teas with delicious cake, and so much more.

For me, Horizon Horseback Safaris captured it all: beautifully cared-for horses, expert guiding, welcoming lodges, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. I left with memories of cantering alongside giraffes and zebra and watching buffalo, kudu and warthogs at sunset, and the friendships forged in the saddle and at the dinner table are among my most treasured memories.

South Africa had called me for work, but it was the days on horseback in the Waterberg that will stay with me the longest.

Snaffle Travel specialise in escorted tours to the world's top horse events and experiences.

P O D C A S T

F r o m t h e A r e n a t o Y o u r A i r P o d s ��

Y o u r h o s t s C h a r l i e B r i s t e r a n d H o l l y H a l l P e r r i n

b r i n g y o u g r a s s r o o t s r i d e r s t o r i e s , e x p e r t

i n s i g h t s a n d i n s p i r i n g c o n v e r s a t i o n s w i t h t o p

i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o m p e t i t o r s

A v a i l a b l e n o w w h e r e v e r y o u l i s t e n

B r o u g h t t o y o u b y

R E A L R I D E R S . R E A L I N S I G H T S . R E A L C O N N E C T I O N .

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