HorseWyse - December 2022

72 Pages·2022·67.5 MB·English

CONTENTS
WINTER 2022 10 QUESTIONS WITH...
Editor Serena Ireland 4
Jenny Farthing
FEATURE STORIES
Design & Layout

Jenny Farthing & Emily Farthing Junior Reiners Chiara and Katia Sonsini 7
Going to school with your horse 10
Contributors
Emily Farthing, Serena Ireland, Equine Assisted Learning 12
Chiara Sonsini, Katia Sonsini, Abbey The Adventures of Toby and Dotty 14
Tierney, Nancy Reardon-Fonseca,
The Orphans of Paynes Crossing 17
Mackenzie Patterson Hollibone, Tori
Jeffress, Rosalind McCool, Bridget
EMILY GOES TO
Murphy, Pony Club Australia, Hilary
A Try Vaulting Clinic 18
McEntyre, Hannah-Rose Shilcock,
Carole Herder, Beth Lauren Parrish,
TRAINING
Laura Davis, Hayley Randle and
Tracey Serhan Bridget answers your questions 20
Finding the courage to speak up 22
IT, Finance, Extra Photography etc.
Warming up at a competition 24
Neil Farthing
Subscriptions PONY CLUB
$55 x 4 issues (incl. Aust postage)
Pony racing 26
HorseWyse
READER STORIES 28
ABN: 18 998 054 647
Address: 17 Tasman Close,
HISTORY
Ashtonfield NSW 2323
Beautiful Jim Keys 34
Phone: [phone]
Email: [email protected]
Website: horsewyse.com.au HOW TO

Printed by Goliath National Media Horse Hacks 38
Group
Showing a Welsh Cob 39
Office Assistant Maintain a mane and tail over winter 40
Mau
HORSE HEALTH

Dealing with a hoof abcess 43
Horses need to be able to make choices too 45
Hoof Boots 101 48
FEATURE BREED
The Curly Horse 50
Copyright & Disclaimer READER PHOTOS 54
All images and articles are copyright
of HorseWyse Magazine and may not PUZZLES AND ACTIVITIES 61
be used without permission from the
publishers. All effort is made to ensure
articles are correct and appropriate and
no responsibility for loss or damage Support the businesses that support HorseWyse!
caused to any person acting as a result HorseWyse could not exist without the support of the following businesses:
of any information contained in any
Capricorn Australia | Cascais Riding Club | Cavallo Horse & Rider | Christine Crawford Dressage
articles is accepted by the authors and
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publishers. HorseWyse recommends
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provided.
horsewyse.com.au HORSEWYSE | 1
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Message from the Editor...
Hi Everyone! By the time you receive this issue of HorseWyse our
I'm not really sure what I think about the last few new website should be live! Please note that entries for
months. On one hand it was great to get released all competitions will now be emailed to competitions@
from all of the COVID restrictions and have all of the horsewyse.com.au rather than downloaded through
competitions back on, but then it rained, and rained, the website. Once we become familar with the new
and rained. I hope that none of our readers were badly website we can post weekly updates of what has been
affected by the terrible floods. going on, put up extra photos and stories plus we are
planning to start to add more merchandise to the store.
Nearly all of our local competitions have been
Let us know what else you would like to see on the new
cancelled due to the constant rain. We are hopefully
website!
heading off for Emily to compete at the North West
Horse Expo at Coonabarabran, then NSW State We are really
Interschools at SIEC, and NSW State Young Dressage looking forward to
Riders, also at SIEC. If any of our readers are going seeing everyone's
to be there please come over and say hi! We will be artwork for the Art
aiming get some great stories from these trips. Competition! The
more creative the
We were hoping to have the final instalment of 7
better!
horses for 7 children in this issue, but due to all of the
rain in Sydney not a lot of riding has been able to be Happy riding :)
done! Hopefully by the next issue the Ayach family will
Jenny & Emily x
be back.
About our Cover Page...
We are so lucky to have the very talented Shannon Smith from La Bella Vita creating our cover
page shots for us again. This issue features the very photogenic duo of Haluma Park Celyn, a
2 year old colt (also known as Dennis, as he used to be a menance as a foal) bred by Hannah-
Rose Shilock of Haluma Welsh Cobs, and Maddison Antonio, who is part of the Haluma Show
Team. The cover shoot was done at Haluma Welsh Cobs in the Lower Hunter Valley, NSW.
There were some amazing shots to choose from, and it was really hard to pick a favourite!
You can read more about Dennis and Maddison in the Showing Welsh Cobs section on
page 39.
About our Posters...
Arkley Windsong Bridget Jones
Arkley Windsong (known as Logan) is a Haflinger. Bridget Jones is a 10year old Clydesdale cross paint
He is photographed here with his owner, Imogen mare. She was bred by Linda Leach at Linlea Stud.
Davies. She is the sweetest soul ever born.
Both of these photos were taken by La Bella Vita Photography
horsewyse.com.au HORSEWYSE | 3
10 QUESTIONS WITH...
Aachen Challenge 2022 Winner
Serena Ireland
It was only 3 years ago that Serena and Rusty competed in their first Novice test together,
and have now won the Aachen Challenge.
The Aachen Challenge is a special event for young dressage riders aged 16 to 25, who have
been competing at Prix St George or FEI Young Rider level in the 12 months preceding this
event. The competitors ride an FEI Young Rider test, and then the top 3 riders go through
to a second round where they ride a slightly different test, and are also judged on the quality
of their riding. The winner of this final round gets to travel to Germany to watch the world’s
best riders compete at the Aachen Horse Show.
Serena has been dreaming about winning this event since she was 12 years old, and so it was
a dream come true when riding her warmblood gelding Royalty R (Rusty) won the event with
73.601%!
It must be extra special to win this event on
journey with so far. He gives everything in the
a horse that you have trained through the
arena and we really know each other inside and
levels yourself. What went through your mind
out. He gave 110% in that final round and while
when you first realised that you won the
there are always things to improve – we truly gave
Aachen Challenge, and would be flying off to
our best performance in that moment. It is hard to
Germany again?
describe a specific first feeling for that moment –
It is incredibly special to share this win on the we were all very emotional! But I was so incredibly
horse that I have been on such a wonderful proud.
We ask so much of our horses when we
enter any competition arena, let alone an
indoor carrying the atmosphere of a dream
you’ve had for years. Rusty is a sensitive
soul and to have his full trust to perform
in that atmosphere when I needed him
most makes me proud of the bond and
relationship we share.
It was overwhelming and exciting as I have
worked so hard at home for the past 3
years since I came home from Germany.
Leading up to this event I was really
noticing how much I missed being there,
I missed all the people that became my
second family. So to have a trip decided for
me – as we all know how hard it is to leave
our horses! – was just icing on the cake!
Photo by Amy Sue Alston Photography
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10 QUESTIONS WITH...
Are you just going over to watch the
Aachen Horse Show, or are you going to
get some extra training whilst you are over
there?
We have 2 weeks in Germany prior to the
Aachen Show. I plan to use this time for as
many riding possibilities as possible! Our first
stop will be catching up with the team from
Hof Boernsen where I was working for 3 years
from 2015-2018. They are my second family, so
I am very excited to be seeing them. I will be
doing some training there with my trainer as
well. Many of the horses I rode and competed
in my time there are also still at the stables so I
am really looking forward to seeing them too!
The rest of our trip between Hof Boernsen and
Aachen is not yet set in stone, but there are Photo by Angie Rickard Photography
some very exciting opportunities that I hope I will
Who has been your most influential role
be able to share with you.
model that has helped you on your equestrian
Can you remember what your first
journey so far?
competition was like?
My mum. Without question. I’m pretty sure she is
My first dressage competition was on my Welsh
actually superwoman.
Mountain pony “Poppy”. I must have been about
8 and it was a T-shirt day. I don’t remember much My mum is my biggest role model and my number
of the test itself but I do know there was a pink one supporter. My mum has supported every
T-shirt and purple chaps involved! dream I’ve ever had, no matter how big. Between
running her own 2 businesses, she has been a
So you have trained in the Germany before.
huge influence in developing ‘Serena Ireland
What advice do you give young riders who
Dressage’ into what it is today. You can find her
are thinking about travelling overseas to gain
at every competition with me, walking at Rusty’s
some extra experience?
shoulder from the warm up to the comp arena
Every single moment is a learning opportunity. with a sugar cube in hand ready to send him on his
There is so much to be gained from spending time way.
in Europe – you really see why they are so good at
What is Rusty like at home? Does he know
what they do. My biggest piece of advice would be
that he is special and has he got any special
work hard and seize every opportunity!
quirks?
Rusty is very special to us all and is for sure the
golden child. He can pretty much do no wrong
and is the first horse to be ridden almost every
day. He is an extremely sensitive soul and is often
convinced the world is going to eat him, but he
absolutely adores his people. He loves his work
and always likes to add his own bit of spunk to the
arena, I think the good horses always do!
He is the funniest character with the biggest heart.
I don’t think I’ve ever met a more kind, genuine
and willing horse.
Photo by Amy Sue Alston Photography
horsewyse.com.au HORSEWYSE | 5
10 QUESTIONS WITH...
For the young horses, less is definitely more. They
are like kindergarteners so I keep the work as short
as possible not over working their brains or bodies.
They also have their small short breaks here and
there, often when I’m away competing. We will
occasionally mix in some pole work or small jumps
to keep it interesting, but I’ll admit I’m not very
brave in the jumping department.
What are your dressage plans for the future?
We have a small break in big shows with Rusty
until September, so he will enjoy a bit of a break
now after Sydney CDLite and then we will start
training for an Inter A/B start at the end of the
year. 2023 is my last year for CDI-U25 Grand Prix
so I would love to have him ready for that next
season.
I have several young horses coming through as
well. Flawless NGE and Hollands Bend Veuve
Cliquot are both 4 years old and both competed
at the Sydney CDLite. We will aim to continue with
them through the young horse classes. I also have
two rising 3 year olds who will be broken in at the
end of this year.
What is your no. 1 horse care tip?
Tail bags on all tails! Tail spray or serum first
and then start gently brushing from the bottom
Photo by EquiSoul Photography
working your way up. No ripping or pulling at the
hair unnecessarily.
What do you do with your horses when they
need a break from dressage training? I also have detachable neck rugs on all our
rainsheets and winter rugs. This helps maintain
I like to keep it versatile for the horses, but I tailor
a full mane as unnecessary heat from neck rugs
my plans specific to each horse. All of my horses
damage the hair and cause it fall out. Our cotton
live outside full time and they all have another
sets are the only neck rugs/hoods covering the
horse paddocked directly beside. This allows them
mane.
plenty of opportunity for them to socialise and
What do you like to do when you are not
relax in their own space outside the training areas.
riding horses?
There is no set program for everyone. For example,
It is a mission in itself to get me out of riding
Rusty loves his trail rides and we have a great cycle
clothes! If you can manage to drag me away
path near our property. However, my other mare
from the stables, I love finding new, interesting
Jingle Belle doesn’t enjoy being hacked. She would
restaurants to enjoy with my friends or family.
much prefer her break from riding to be grooming
I’m a big lover of the movies as well – popcorn at
and being doted over while munching on hay in
home just never tastes the same!
her stable.
You can follow Serena on Facebook - Serena Ireland Dressage
and on Instagram @serena_ireland
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FEATURE STORY
MEET JUNIOR REINERS CHIARA
AND KATIA SONSINI
Reining is a western horse sport where the riders and their horses ride a set pattern.
Each pattern is a variation on a set number of required manoeuvres including large
fast circles, small slow circles, spins in both directions, flying lead changes, roll
backs, sliding stops, and backup.
Sisters Chiara, 13 and Katia, 15 have recently competed in the Victoria Reining Horse
Association (VRHA) State Show, which was also the NRHA Oceania Regional Finals
(USA affiliated show). We caught up with these star sisters to find out more about
what it is like to compete in the horse sport of reining.
CHIARA & HERO
When did you first start riding? Youth Team Tournament was a lot of fun I loved getting
to show with other Youths and getting to encourage my
I started riding when I was 10 and started riding Hero
teammates.
when I was 11.
A typical day at one of these big shows is like, wake up
What made you take up reining as your
at 5:30 am or 6:00 am, depending on when my first
discipline?
event is on. After my first event I would untack Hero,
I started horse riding by watching Katia compete
take him to the wash bay for a rinse, then take him for
in reining competitions and it looked like so much
a walk so his legs don’t get puffy. After that I would
fun, and I think that was definitely a big contributor.
put Hero back in his stable and fill up his hay net so
Then when I started competing and got to see how
he doesn’t get hungry, and the go and watch a couple
everything works, I decided that I liked Reining more
runs and then eat lunch. After lunch I usually go to the
than any of the other events.
stables to check on Hero and get him tacked up for our
Tell us about your horse Gay Bar War Hero next event. That way, we have plenty of time to warm
up. After Hero has been rinsed and untacked from our
Hero is 14.2 HH and is nineteen turning 20 this year. He
event, I would give him a wash and then take him for a
is a palomino. Hero is the perfect all-rounder and is the
good munch on some grass.
best horse ever. Hero loves scratches and getting fed.
He loves being ridden and being played with.
What was your experience like at the VRHA
State Show?
My experience at this competition was very exciting.
The other competitors in my events were extremely
supportive and encouraging they help make shows
fun and enjoyable. I loved getting to play with Hero
in our spare time and being able to give him a good
wash after our events. I was excited to be going to such
a big horse event. I was a bit nervous because I was
competing in some one-handed events which I find a
bit trickier than other events, but it is an area where I
would like to work on with Hero. The VRHA State Show
was a lot of fun I was able to make some new friends
that I hang out with, and I can show with them. The
Photo by Ev Lagoon Photography
horsewyse.com.au HORSEWYSE | 7
FEATURE STORY
What events did you enter?
I entered in the Beginner Reiner, The Youth 13 and
under, The Green Reiner and more.
Are there many riders your age competing at
reining?
There are many riders my age that compete in reining
competitions we all love to show together and to
encourage each other, we all hang out together, watch
runs with each other, and the best part is we all have a
great time.
What are your ambitions for the future?
Some of my hopes for the future are to one day win a
buckle and to compete in the youth world cup.
What do you and your horse do for fun when
not training?
When me and Hero aren’t training, we enjoy bareback
riding around the paddocks, doing groundwork and
plaiting his mane and tail so that it can grow longer.
Anything else that you would like to mention?
I would encourage all readers of HorseWyse to look
into reining, the NRHYA and the worldwide reining
community. It’s a great sport for the whole family!
Photo by Catherine Sonsini
KATIA & SHERBIE
When did you first start riding? What made you take up reining?
I first sat on a horse when I was a baby and loved it, My family and I went on a holiday to America in 2017
once I was 4, I was old enough to go on pony rides and while there we went to Tombstone Monument
which was so much fun. I started riding at a riding Ranch which is a tourist cowboy ranch in Arizona. All
school when I was 10 and learnt heaps there! the riding there was western and after riding the best
little western horse there I fell in love with western
and decided that when I got home, I would ride
western. Once we got home, Mum found western
riding lessons with Steph Lancefield of Lancefield
Bloodstock who taught me on her lesson horse Hero
who knew reining. Steph offered Hero to us to buy,
and he was my first ever reining horse who taught me
an unmeasurable amount about horsemanship and
reining.
Tell us about your horse Sherbert Bomb?
My horse Sherbert Bomb (aka Sherbie) is 5 years
old and 15.1hh, he is the sweetest and kindest
horse I’ve ever met. He is very carefree and loves his
paddock and going for a good run when I ride him. His
favourite food is carrots and liquorice, and his best
friends are Hero and Teddy. Sherbie loves reining and
was bred to be great at it, He also loves competing in
Photo by Ev Lagoon Photography
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