DISCIPLINE NEWS

Jumping

It’s been a busy few months with shows being supported by not just SA competitors but from interstate as well. The show season started in SA with NDSJC holding the first round of the Foster’s cup then the start of the Agricultural shows with the first being Angaston who held the first rounds of the League Series and the first round of the Balharry Cup. The SA show run was well under way with the following weeks being Mundulla Ag, Mallala, Mt Pleasant, Mt Gambier four day Easter Festival and Waikerie three day shows. Some SA competitors made the trek to Kimba for the Yeltana championships & the Adelaide Hills Showjumping club held at Wirrina. AHJSC hosted popular interstate Course Designer David Sheppard which was fantastic for our competitors late in the season. Finishing off the run was the Strathalbyn Jumping Club Jim Dunn Memorial Show with David Johnson from Portland Course Building. It was great to see Jump Clubs and Agricultural Shows being well supported in both official and unofficial heights.

To see the current SA Jumping Leader boards, please see the Jumping Page on the ESA Website.

The PSI Dressage and Jumping with the Stars was held at Werribee Park National Equestrian centre late March. We had some very lucky SA riders make the trip over. Conor Reed and ES Casello, a young stallion with a super bright future, competed successfully across the show and placed 6th in the 5yr old class.
 

Conor Reed riding ES Casello

We then had SA rider Nicole Bruggemann who was invited to be one of the three judges on the jumping panel. Nicole, James Patterson-Robinson and John McMillan judged the 4, 5, 6 & 7yr old’s on their technique, rideability, how they were presented, scope and general. They had to score them out of 10 for each category judging panel for the jumping, the rider’s were given feedback with overall ranking for that day. There were 2 qualifiers and 1 final. On the final day the overall winner was the champion of each age group who then went into contention for the Champion of Champions. One judge had the opportunity to ride each of the four winners, that lucky judge being Nicole. The idea of a judge riding the horse is to get a feel of the horse and see if what the judge’s saw is how they felt being ridden. After each of the four horse’s had been ridden, the three judges came together to discuss and declare a winner. The Champion of Champions was won by the 6yo Cera Cadbury (ridden by Billy Raymont). What an honour and great experience it must’ve been for Nicole.

It was great to see SA rider’s not only competing interstate but also up in the placings, with some SA competitors travelling to Werribee again but this time, for the Victoria State Jumping titles. There were three rings of Jumping with SA competitor’s placing in not just the rounds of the Series but also placing in the finals. Congratulations to Amber Howie, Anthony Thomas, Ashleigh Westcott, Kaitlin Smith, Kristy Bruhn, Lara Kluske and Zara Young on their fantastic results at the Vic Champs.  

  
Zara Young riding Captain Lightning Bolt                    Zara Young 3rd Overall - Children's Jumping Series
Images: One Eyed Frog Photography.


Congratulations to the following rider’s on making the SA Squads:

SENIOR ELITE SQUAD  
• Michelle Clark - Ulouve B Z  
• Adam Crouch - Oaks Pindari  
• Conor Reed - Leopoldo MVNZ  
• Anthony Thomas - SL Donato  
• Susanna Verco - Captivate  

SENIOR DEVELOPMENT SQUAD  
• Nicole Bruggemann - Nikandro MPH  

YOUNG RIDER / UNDER 25 SQUAD  
• Kate Crauford (YR) - Oaks Cairo  
• Conor Reed (YR) - Clasique Dorien, Dollar Girls MS  
• Gabrielle Thomas (YR) - Gothenburg  
• Hannah Hardy (U25) - Great Gatsby K1  
• Ashleigh Westcott (U25) - Con Brio, Land of the Free  
• Troy Woollard (U25) - Centago  

JUNIOR ELITE SQUAD  
• Harry Beckel - Party Rocker  
• Lauren Bolzon - Madagascar  
• Sophia Craddock - Sandon Grove Bobby Royal  
• Kane Johnson - Twins Imperial K  
• Abigail Lewis - MEC Gossip  
• Alexandra Morris - Starlight Dazzle Razzle  
• Regan O’Brien - Billara Woodbine

JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT SQUAD  
• Millicent Quigley-Smith - EABS Moretti  
• Zara Young - Captain Lightning Bolt, Law Abiding Citizen 
 
The season for jumping has finished in SA but remember there are lots of freshman’s and winter series. The first show back in SA will be Mallala SJ Club on the 31st Jul/1st Aug. See the calendar on the SA Jumping website for the dates and list of shows.
 
For up to date information, please like and follow the Jumping Facebook page.

The interschool competition calendar has been in full swing over the past few months.
 
Mundulla, Lucindale and Angaston Ag societies kindly hosted Show Horse, Show Hunter and Working Hunters classes at their agricultural shows along with Show Jumping at Lucindale and Angaston.  All three shows were well supported and had a number of riders who travelled to all three events.
 
Several of the Interschool show jumping riders also successfully competed at the John Brice Memorial before moving onto the final show jumping qualifying rounds at the Waikerie Easter Show.
 
Dressage continued with two qualifying rounds held at the Adelaide Hills Dressage Club’s March and May competitions. Dressage is becoming one of the hotly contested Interschool disciplines and the clubs have received an increasing numbers of Interschool riders attending their events.
 
Waiting patiently for their season to commence, the Interschool eventing riders finally kicked off with Kirkcaldy Horse Trials in March, closely followed by Reynella Horse Trials and the Naracoorte State Championships. It was pleasing to see so many of the Interschool riders not only successfully completing these events but many of them going on to win or place outright in the open competition.
 
A special mention goes to Eliza Spiers and Ella Beissel who competed, and completed, their first Interschool eventing qualifier in the EVA 80 at Naracoorte.
 

Ella Beissel riding Pretty Little Hazelwood 
Photo Credit: Ty Manning


Eliza Spiers riding
Photo Credit: Ty Manning

The focus now moves onto preparing for the ESA Interschool State Championships being held at the Strathalbyn Recreation grounds on the 19^th-20^th June. With the interschool numbers steadily increasing over the past few years, this year’s event is looking like being one of the strongest championships to date!

 If you have any questions, please contact the committee via email: interschool@equestriansa.com.au

For up to date information, please like and follow the Interschool Facebook page.

The Show Horse Working Party were pleased to deliver our Autumn Gala as the last ridden event for the 2020/2021 season. Our interstate judge Tania Hay was very impressed with the depth of talent in SA, with many Royal Show, Grand National and EA National Champions out competing. Tania had a busy day selecting her winners from quality fields which also included some very promising new combinations. We are very excited for the future of ESA Show Horse. On the financial side we were also pleased to return $650 in cash prizes to members, whilst conducting yet another profitable event, adding to the past profits gained from our Summer Gala Show.

We are very keen to expand our EA judges list, and have been busy planning a Judges Seminar to support this goal. We have secured an amazingly talented panel, in Dale Plumb and Joanne Prestwidge, who will present a ‘zoom seminar’ for all EA members on Friday the 18th of June. Please head to our ESA Show Horse page for the links to the paperwork necessary to become an EA accredited judge. We encourage all members to participate - procuring judges is a really important part of the future of Show Horse, especially in SA. Registration for the judges seminar will open on Nominate soon, please join us for what is sure to be an interesting, informative and fun night.

Planning is also underway for a Regional and Junior Development Clinic to be held at Northern Equestrian Centre during the school holidays, July 16/17. We are thrilled to announce that Ali Berwick and Ty Zoontjens will join forces over 2 days to provide excellent learning opportunities for our junior members aged under 21. This will also coincide with our Winter Gala - Southern Cross Qualifier (July 18). Most importantly, ESA has secured a significant grant to subsidise Regional Members to attend. We understand that fuel, accomodation and stabling costs for those travelling far are considerable, and we are happy to inform our regional members that this grant money will be shared to assist those who participate. Entries will open on Nominate shortly, and regional members are encouraged to make it a ‘long weekend’ and join us.

We are busy making exciting plans for our HOTY Show to be held at the Strathalbyn Polo Grounds, September 18/19. In 2021 the Sponsors Tent will be back - bigger and better than ever!

We would like to thank the Fricker Family for being the first to pledge their continued sponsorship support for our 2021 show. If you are able to assist in sponsoring a class please email showhorse@equestriansa.com.au and we can forward a proposal for your consideration.

Finally, the Show Horse Working Party would also like to congratulate our many members who recently attended Interstate events, including the Southern Cross Spectacular, the SHC Grand Nationals and Sydney Royal. As a small state we were more than well represented in the winners circle and we are very proud of all your successes. It was lovely to see so many SA competitors and every one of you who qualified and made the trip to compete are very much winners in our eyes. Go SA!

Melissa Harding and her Danson Dakota
Photo Credit:  Lisa Gordan

Outstanding SA representative at all 3 Interstate shows.

• Grand Champion Owner Rider Horse - EA Southern Cross Spectacular
• Champion Large Hunter Hack - SHC Grand Nationals
• Champion Show Hunter Horse - Sydney Royal

Planning is well underway for our September Horse of the Year, which we anticipate to be ‘bigger & better’ than ever. If you are interested in the future of Show Horse in South Australia and feel you have the skills to join a positive, progressive working party team please email showhorse@equestriansa.com.au

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Eventing

At last eventing is in full swing with a busy calendar. OCs have done a fantastic job bouncing back from Covid to get events happening.

Regional clinics in the Riverland have been successful at enticing riders to event and the FSTS (Future Stars Training Squad) have enabled riders to access affordable quality coaching.

The Eventing Discipline Committee has been working hard to compensate for the significant gap the loss of Di Schaeffer has left in the sport. 

The SA Eventing State Squad riders have also enjoyed the return of clinics with show jumping coach Jamie Coman throughout the year and as they head into Melbourne International Three-Day Event preparations.

March
Eventing 2021 got off to a false start with numerous South Australian riders making the long journey to Ballarat Horse Trials only for it to be cancelled due to a covid outbreak in Victoria forcing our riders to hightail it back across the border before the state went into lockdown. Fortunately, the disappointment didn’t last long with Geelong Horse Trials able to run the very next weekend with several South Australians heading back across the border and yet again for the Tonimbuk and Wandin Horse Trials which followed. Notable results include Megan Jones with Kirby Park Impress 1st in the CCI4*S and Steph Hann with True Célèbre 3rd in the CCI3*S at Tonimbuk.

At Wandin, Wendy Schaeffer with Sun Quest were winners of the CCI3*L with Sarah Clark runner up in the CCI4*S with LV Balou Jeanz.  Jaimie Stichel with New World Rolls Royce placed 3rd in the CCI3*S. Back on home turf Kirkcaldy Park Horse Trials ran a successful event catering to riders from EVA 65 to CCN2*S level. 

April
It’s was wonderful to have Eventing return to Reynella Horse Trials for the first time since 2019, the crosscountry course featuring a renovated water jump as well as a new start-box position.

Riders from EVA 65 to CCN3*S thoroughly enjoyed being back competing at one of SAs favourite eventing venues.

Interstate adventures continued, riders heading towards Heytesbury Horse Trials in VIC and Wallaby Hill in NSW on the same weekend. Notable results from Heytsesbury included Steph Hann and True Célèbre coming 2nd in the CCN3*S, Lucy Williams and Over Girl BHI 2nd in the EVA 80 and an impressive win in this class for Chelsea Wicker and Wooeage park Alibi.

At Wallaby hill Claire Nitschke on West Side Vision and Rachelle Verma on Sandhills Crystella  placed 2nd and 5th respectively in the EVA 95. Sarah Clark and Megan Jones also put forward respectable performances in the huge CCI4*S and CCI3*S classes.

May
Back to Victoria with Ballarat Horse Trials take two, and two South Australian riders successfully made the step up to CCN4*S level; Jaimie Stichel with New World Rolls Royce and Steph Hann with True Célèbre. Wendy Schaeffer also picked up a 4th place aboard Sun Quest in the CCN3*.

Megan Jones was the only SA rider to head to Sydney International Three-Day-Event with three horses, although trying conditions forced early finishes for two.

Naracoorte Horse Trials 
Hosted SAs only FEI competition catering to all levels from EVA 65 to CCI4*S and incorporated the South Australian Eventing State Championships. They had their highest ever entries with 186 combinations competing with Victorians having a straightforward border crossing. The calibre of the competition proved worthy of the titles, the crosscountry tracks challenging but rewarding for horses and riders established at each level. The weekend was marred by tragedy when Victorian based rider Usman Khan suffered a fall at the last fence on the CCI4*S crosscountry track resulting in the loss of his mount, Kasheer. The organisers are to be commended with how they handled the incident, one that we all hope we will never have to face yet must always be prepared for given the nature of the sport. We wish Usman all the best in his recovery and send deepest sympathies to all connections of Kasheer. Despite the sorrow felt by all, congratulations are to be extended to every rider and their horses, particularly the newly crowned SA State Champions -     

·         CCI4*S Sarah Clark and LV Balou Jeanz,

·         CCI3*S Megan Jones and Guhr,

·         CCN2*S David Middleton and WEC In the Breeze,

·         CCN1*S Asha Warnock and Alhambra Calligraphy,

·         YRCCN1*S Chelsea Clarke and Highfield Chiquita’s Chico,

·         EVA 95 Isabelle Haughton and Yoicks Baltimore,

·         EVA 80 Kaitlin Smith on Classico

·         EVA 65 Keely Hutchison on Mouse Detective

Sarah Clark riding LV Balou Jeanz 
Image by Emma Kalderovskis

Hills and Barossa Horse Trials 
Made a fabulous return to the SA eventing calendar after several years hiatus, the Reynella Horse Trials organisers generously allowing their grounds to be used for the occasion. The hard-working Hills and Barossa committee’s efforts provided riders with another quality event on home turf, offering classes from EVA 65 to CCN3*s as well as 4* combined training and optional hunter trials for horses aiming for Melbourne International in a few weeks’ time. Wonderful to see eventing in full swing late into the season! 

For SA Eventing updates and latest information, please like and follow the Eventing Facebook page.
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Dressage

It has been a busy first half of the year for Dressage with lots of outstanding performances and personal bests achieved at competitions  around the state.  Horse of the Year for 2021 is underway and thanks go to Mt Carwford Dressage Club for organising and running a fabulous 2021 State Dressage Championships.
 
Mary Seefried Visit
We were very luck to have Mary Seefried over in April for three jam packed days of judge education, protocols and masterclass. She stared off her trip at the Judges Jackpot competition held at Mt Crawford Dressage Club. 
 


A big thank you to MCDC for helping DSA run this competition designed especially to help judges in their education.  Feedback from the judges that attended was very positive.  Thanks must also go to Judge Mentors Helen Whittle and Rai Walla for mentoring on the day!  Congratulations to the winners, we’re sure that the prize money that was up for grabs came in handy.
Sunday morning saw Mary giving protocol  sessions to some our Squad & HOTY riders before her fabulous masterclass—A  Judges View.  This was a fantastic event and was full of insights and educational tip bits that will help us all in our test riding and judging.  A big thank you to our demonstration riders.  You all did an amazing job and were beautifully presented as Mary took us through the requirements at each level. 
 
The final day of Mary’s visit saw her working with our SA Squad members.  This was well received by the squad.  Each member was given the opportunity to have a protocol session with Mary to help them hone their test riding skills.


 
Important Information
Riders please be aware that the Dressage SA Performance Medal Scheme document has had a few minor changes made to it and is now up on the website.  A list of medal recipients can be found on the website.

Squad applications for the 2021/22 year will be opening shortly on Nominate and the information document setting out the criteria can also be found on the website.
 


Horse of the Year Update
The competition for the 2021 HOTY Awards is really starting to hot up!
After 4 competitions, there are many fabulous combinations appearing below in the Mid-Year Standings. With 6 different Awards on offer, all Dressage Riders in South Australia are catered for. Of course you must be members of Equestrian SA to be eligible and have entered via nominate. A new initiative for 2021 is the offering of 2 divisions for AOR riders - Elementary to Advanced and Preliminary/Novice (Foundation Award). Dressage SA is committed to encouraging riders at all levels and with different ambitions, so recognising the achievements of AOR riders is integral with this philosophy.
There are 6 more Competitions remaining in 2021 for riders to gain points - details below.  The winner's rugs are stunning and the Awards night is a seriously fun evening held in late January / early February of every year.  Congratulations to all the winners and place getters at HOTY events so far and good luck for the remainder of 2021.
* Southern Flinders Dressage Club (EA only ) 20/6
* Southern Vales Dressage Club (FEI only) 18/7
* Mid South East Dressage Club - Country Champs  25-26/9
* Adelaide Hills Dressage Club - Spring Festival  9-10/10
* Mt Crawford Dressage Club 13/11
 
Horse of the Year—Mid Year standings
Photos of current leader board winners are courtesy of Emma Woolman Photography
 

 









For all the latest in Dressage, please like and follow the Dressage Facebook page.

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Vaulting

Vaulting has enjoyed the return of competition over the past few months. With our first competition in over a year occurring in March at Danson Dressage and a second competition held at Cromwell Park in May. Both events ran smoothly and it was great seeing all of our vaulters in the competition ring once again. These competitions have shown how hard our vaulters have worked over the past 12 months through Covid restrictions with some incredible vaulting shown.


Sophie Thomson & Skye Barrowcliffe on Wilameka Leviosa, lunged by Robyn Oram-Thomson
Photo credit: Alixandra Bell Designs

Thanks to Melbourne Equestrian Vaulting and Van Someren Vaulting Team who travelled over from Victoria to take part. Results can be found on the ESA website.
Thanks to the Vaulting SA committee for organising the competitions and to Janet Leadbeater for judging. Congratulations also goes to Emily Leadbeater who completed her final shadow judging assessment and will soon become a Level 1 Vaulting Judge.


Skye Barrowcliffe on Matavia Rosenkrantz, lunged by Nina Fritzell
Photo credit: Alixandra Bell Designs

We now have a break from competitions through winter but have some clinics lined up in June and July. We are excited to have coach and 3* vaulter, Ellen Vincent, over from Victoria for the June clinic and Tristyn Lowe who is a coach, Level 3 Judge, and previous multiple National Champion from New South Wales for our clinic in July. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for more information. If you would like to be on our mailing list for updates and information about events then email us at savaulting@gmail.com
The committee are also in the thick of planning the National Vaulting Championships which are being held at Danson Dressage in September. We look forward to hosting this national event and bringing vaulters together from across Australia.

Alyssa Watkins on Eagles Retreat Alejandro, lunged by Robyn Oram-Thomson
Photo credit: Alixandra Bell Designs

We are always looking for more volunteers so if you would like to help please get in touch with us.

The committee has lots of events planned throughout the year to help our sport grow with a focus on new membership. 
If you have ever wanted to give vaulting a go or find out more about the sport then get in contact with us at savaulting@gmail.com

For all the latest on Vaulting, follow and like the Vaulting Facebook page.

Carriage Driving

Regenerating Driving in South Australia
 
Many of us who are interested in driving horses have been busy over the past year or so despite the Covid-19 pandemic having touched all our lives. We have been schooling our carriage ponies and larger breeds in anticipation of a return to competition and greater social freedoms afforded by new vaccines. Fortunately, caring for and schooling our horses has kept us focused on the future and how to regenerate people’s interests in the elegant and skilful discipline of driving horses.
 
To help facilitate greater interest in the sport, the ESA Driving Discipline Committee has collaborated with the EA affiliated Angas Harness Driving Club (AHDC) to develop a program of information and instruction covering as many aspects of driving as possible. This two-day event was held in mid-May at Kirkcaldy Park in Meadows, SA, and attracted significant interest from people wanting to try a new horse sport, as well as those already experienced in other equestrian disciplines.
 
Well recognised as the oldest equestrian sport in the world, and recently having an elevated profile through the passing of former FEI President HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, carriage driving in SA is ready to attract new interest if indications at our May event are any indication. The program included all aspects of harnessing up and correct fitting of harness and carriage for singles and pairs, with AHDC President Jackie Boyd handling the former, and accomplished pairs driver Kim Branch demonstrating how it’s done with larger breeds in pairs harness.


Jackie Boyd with Marie Jarrett assisting in explaining harnessing up with Hunter.


Kim Branch showing the weight of the pairs harnesses, with Jackie Boyd assisting.


Kim Branch with Greg Norris driving Steinway (L) and Ozzie (R) skilfully around the top arena.

ESA Driving Discipline Committee Chair, and AHDC Secretary, Anne Lindh, brought both Hackney and Shetland ponies with which to demonstrate long reining and give driving lessons, with Jackie Boyd doing similarly with star Haflinger pony, Hunter.


Anne Lindh long reining Hackney pony Toby.


Haflinger pony Hunter showing us the long reining ropes at Kirkcaldy Park.
Text and Images by Lisa McDonald, ESA Driving Discipline Committee

This event marks what we hope is the turning point in ESA driving during what has become known as the ‘new normal’ post-Covid. To build on this positive momentum, on June 19^th and 20^th we will present accomplished Victorian driver and coach Jodie McKeone whose skills range from Show Driving to CDE, as well as horse wrangling in the Australian film industry. Individual lessons with Jodie will be held at Kirkcaldy Park. Join us on Facebook for further information or let us know you’re interested by contacting Driving SA Committee Chair Anne Lindh.
 
It’s a great privilege to experience the power and grace of the horses who share our lives. The Driving SA Discipline Committee is grateful for the support of ESA in funding these events and looks forward to building further collaborative relationships through education and enterprise

For all the latest on Driving, follow and like the NEW Driving Facebook page.
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Dressage Judges

Judges Education Opportunities
The next seminars planned for 2021:

1. F/G Regional Seminar – 22^nd May with Felicity Yuncken – Mid South East, Naracoorte.
2. D/E Seminar – Saturday 12^th June with Wendy Hunt at Cromwell Park

Riders and spectators are welcome to attend any of the judge education seminars, they are a great opportunity to learn what judges can see and how marks are awarded.
 
Congratulations
Congratulations to Helen Whittle on co-presenting the recent A/B seminar with Maria Schwennesen and also with Barrie Stratton at F/G.  She has now successfully met all the requirements to be a judge educator. It’s fantastic for South Australia to have another local judge that is qualified to educate new and upgrading judges.
 
April 2021 Seminars
Maria Schwennesen presented the A/B/C seminar at McLaren Park Equestrian Centre on the 24^th April, followed by a Young Horse seminar on the 25^th April. Thank you to the riders that volunteered to participate as demonstration test riders.  Thanks to all the judges and spectators who attended and supported the weekend. 
 
Whittlesea Dressage Committee Bursary
The Whittlesea Dressage Committee in Victoria has generously donated funds to help South Australian dressage judges travel to Victoria to gain experience shadow-judging interstate, to assist in the process of upgrading. Congratulations to Cheryl Hatswell and Janene Clark who will both be shadow-judging at Werribee in Victoria in June.  
 
South Australian Judges Subsidy Scheme
The ESA Dressage Judges Committee (ESA-DJC) recognises that to maintain accreditation, upgrade qualifications or gain further experience, judges may need to travel interstate. As this can be costly, the ESA-DJC have allocated funds from the SA dressage judge levy collected by clubs, to support judges travelling for further education.  Contact the Dressage Judges Subcommittee for more details at dressagejudge@equestriansa.com.au  
 

Image courtesy Andrea Piacquadio 

EA have further dates now available for concussion training for all Coaches, Officials, OCs and Clubs.

This online training includes an overview of EA Concussion Protocols, concussion health effects in sport and recovery requirements and practical demonstrations of the reporting process using MyEA and the requirements for removing a Concussion-on-hold status etc.

The training runs on average for only 30 mins, followed by question time and we believe this training has been of great benefit and support for EA Coaches thus far.

To date, EA have had great feedback. Participation, engagement and application of the new EA Concussion Protocols have been great.

Coaches, we welcome your comments for those of you who have attended the training to date and encourage others to participate.

EA invite all Coaches, Officials, OCs and Clubs please register now for the upcoming, combined training sessions:

• Monday 7th June 13:00 AEST (Registrations close 12pm on 02.06.21)

• Wednesday 23rd June 19:00 AEST (Registrations close 12pm on 17.06.21)  

• Wednesday 28th July 19:00 AEST (Registrations close 12pm on 26.07.21)  

• Monday 27th September 19:00 AEST (Registrations close 12pm on 22.09.21)  

• Wednesday 17th November 13:00 AEST (Registrations close 12pm on 15.11.21)  

To register please click HERE.

by the FEI /Alison Lincoln (BSc in Equine Sports Coaching)

Most Eventing horses are not being trained at the intensity required for competition.
A study published in recent years looked at horses and ponies selected for the 2010 FEI European Eventing Championships. Four months before the championships they underwent fitness testing and were classified as either ‘good performers’ or ‘average performers’.
Just six weeks before they were due to compete, some 45% of those horses had to be withdrawn due to a locomotor injury and interestingly, the horses classified as average performers were more likely to be injured than those classified as good performers.
The researchers concluded that the good performers at the start of the season (i.e. those who scored better on the fitness tests) were less likely than the average performers to become injured as the season progressed.
Now, I’m guessing most people reading this won’t be aiming for the next European Championships (apologies to any that are) but the moral of the story still applies - have your eventer fit for the beginning of the season and you reduce the likelihood of getting sidelined by injury later on.
But what about the ‘fit enough’ part of the question? At this point we need to understand how hard a horse is working when going cross country.
A useful measure of workload is heart rate. As a rough guide the heart rates, measured in beats per minute or bpm, for each pace are as follows:

• Trot and slow canter between 70 and 140bpm
• Fast canter between 140 and 190bpm
• Gallop upwards of 200bpm

Studies demonstrate that the heart rates of eventers going cross country can fluctuate between 140 and 200bpm irrespective of the level of the class they’re competing in.
This means that a horse competing at the lower levels can have heart rates as high as horses competing at advanced level. That’s because many factors, besides fence height, influence how hard a horse is working including the ground conditions and terrain.
Your horse needs to be fit enough to cope with hills, turns, water and deep going as well as galloping, jumping and accelerating away from fences.
Other research suggests that exercise intensity is generally much lower during normal day-to-day training sessions than during competition. In other words, most Eventing horses are not being trained at the intensity required for competition...read more: https://www.fei.org/.../hea.../eventing-horse-fitness-advice

Amanda Ross Appointed as Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Ambassador
The EA High Performance Program (HP) is pleased announce the appointment of Olympian Amanda Ross as the Athlete Wellbeing and Engagement Ambassador.
Amanda joins the HP team at a time when increasing awareness surrounding athlete wellbeing is at the core of the Program’s development initiatives. The Program has been working closely with the Australian Institute of Sport to prioritise a holistic approach in preparing athletes for not only success in the competition arena, but also a career with sustained longevity.


Photo by Kirsty Pasto

No stranger to the EA High Performance environment herself, Amanda has more than 20 years experience competing at elite level Eventing, including representing Australia at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
“I’m excited to be working with the High Performance team in the Athlete Wellbeing space, where I can utilise my own experiences as an elite athlete, to help improve this important aspect of our sport” says Amanda.
READ full announcement by clicking on the below link
https://www.equestrian.org.au/.../amanda-ross-appointed...

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