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November Issue on Sale Now!
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Here is just a taste of what is included in the November 2024 Issue.
Navigating the Highs and Lows of Equestrian Sport
As riders and athletes, we all want to perform well, but unfortunately, that is not always the case. In our sport, our closest team member has a brain, feelings and fears that we, as their rider, must manage and support for how they need us to show up on any given day. So, how do you cope when things don’t go to plan? Horse Deal spoke to Grand Prix Showjumping Rider and Sports Psychologist Lisa Stevens, Australian Paris Paralympic team member Di Barnes and Australian Endurance World Championship member James Sheahan to hear how they felt and have since coped with not producing the performances they had hoped for.
New Combination Tahlia Hope and Kalimna Quick Hit
A visit to the EA Nationals at Werribee proved a turning point for the 26-year-old professional jockey Tahlia Hope and her fiance Tim Eurell. She was sitting with her mother, Lisa Bird, and sister, Courtney Hobson, ringside when the big, striking Warmblood Kalimna Quick Hit and owner/rider Kate Halliday trotted into the arena. It was love at first sight, with Tahlia telling her mother, “If you want to get me back into showing, you have to buy him”. Horse Deals spoke with Tahlia to find out how the new combination are going, what it was like taking over the reins of a well-known horse and her future plans with the one-in-a-million Kevin.
Chris and Bek Burton’s Homecoming
“It has always been in our minds to come back to Australia, as there is no place like home and no place like Australia,” says Chris. For the Burton family, there has been little time for post-adrenalin blues after the Games as they are busy selling horses and packing up to return to Australia in December. The couple have bought a block of land at the back of Goulburn, NSW and Chris will assist in building the family home. “It’s a big move for us, but Bek and I are really looking forward to returning home.”
Off the track - Kolding
By any measure, it seems that Kolding is a Champion. Trained by Chris Waller, Kolding won close to seven million dollars on the track. Retiring from the track at eight years old, eventing rider Clare Oxley got the call and jumped at the opportunity to take on the stable favourite. In just under a year, Kolding has shown his natural talent and love for eventing. Clare chats to Horse Deals about Kolding's journey post-racing and how she is excited for his future in eventing.
From Surrender to Reserve National Champion
Through fate, Boy George found his way to the Lalor family after being destined for the doggers. From surrender to Reserve National Champion, George tested the feline theory of having nine lives when he was involved in a major paddock accident that severed his deep flexor tendon in his hind leg, risking his future. With a lot of persistence, love and care, George has had a slow but steady recovery and is now looking towards his next show.
At Home with Karen Blythe
Karen Blythe is a true horsewoman with the runs on the board to prove it. An exceptional trainer, educator, rider and coach, Karen and her Sonic K were recently awarded the FEI Athlete of the Year and Karen the EA Vic Dressage Coach of the Year. Horse Deals spoke to a very busy Karen to learn more about her journey.
Equestrian Legend Steven Jefferys
A memory for many of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games was Steve Jefferys riding Ammo to open the Games in spectacular and quintessentially Australian style. With a four billion viewing audience for the Opening Ceremony, it certainly put Steve’s name out there as a talented horseman who could handle and come through on the biggest stage, and up until Covid stopped everything in its tracks, Steve was in much demand. Horse Deals spoke to Steve about his life with horses from growing up in a non-horsey family, to learning how to get horses to perform tricks, right through to travelling across the world for film making and live audience performance gigs.
Katy Driver
In 2007, a horse fell on Katy whilst mustering and shattered her lower spine. In 2011, she suffered an acquired brain injury during a horse wash accident, and in 2020, Katy was bitten by a tiger snake and spent five days in the ICU. She has had to cope with increasingly debilitating issues as a result of the various traumas, but rather than making her horse averse, it has made her more responsive to the joy horses can give, not only to able-bodied people but especially to people with disabilities.
Young Rider - Evie Gilmore
A horse she bought and trained on her own, Evie Gilmore is mixing with the big guns. Through hard work, motivation and determination she has been successful in both Non-Pro and Open reining. Horse Deals spoke to Evie to find out about her journey so far.
Horse's Tale - Revelwood Noble Dream
Revelwood Noble Dream’s presence in the show ring does not go unnoticed. With his striking colour and strong personality, he stands out for all the right reasons. Horse Deals spoke to owner Angela Unsworth and rider Tyler Buchanan to learn more about this delightful Show Hunter Galloway.
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