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the stables

Official News from Equestrian Victoria

December 2023

Membership Matters

From the CEO

As we find ourselves on the cusp of bidding farewell to yet another busy year, it's hard to believe that we are already six months through the Equestrian Victoria calendar. Time has truly flown by, marked by unforgettable moments, achievements, and the support of our dedicated community.

As we approach the festive season, we are looking forward to the upcoming Dressage Festival in December; a spectacular event that promises to be a celebration of skill, passion, and the undeniable bond between riders and their horses.

I want to express our deepest gratitude to our members and sponsors for their support and participation in our community.

A special note of appreciation goes out to the Equestrian Victoria team. Without your hard work, dedication, and contributions Equestrian Victoria would not be able to function.

Please be advised that our office will be closed between Christmas and New Year, allowing our team to recharge and spend quality time with loved ones. We encourage you to take this time to reflect, rejuvenate, and create lasting memories with those who matter most.

In closing, we extend our warmest wishes for a joyous holiday season filled with laughter, love. Thank you for being an integral part of our equestrian family. May the coming year bring new opportunities, joy, and continued success for each and every one of you.

See you all in 2024!

Warm regards

Membership Matters

EV OFFICE HOLIDAY CLOSURE

As we approach the holiday season, we would like to let everyone know that the Equestrian Victoria office will be closed from Christmas to New Year. Operations will resume from 2 Jan 2024.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Equestrian Victoria would like to thank everyone who attended the AGM on the 15th of November. We are pleased to announce that Tim Clarke and Stuart Archibald will be returning to the board as Elected Members.

We would also like to thank Christopher Mann for stepping up to the plate as a nominee and we are grateful for your commitment to the sport and Equestrian Victoria.

2024 EQUESTRIAN VICTORIA ANNUAL AWARDS NIGHT

Award categories and criteria will be published before the end of the year on our EV Arena website.

DEI WORKING GROUP

DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION

Equestrian Victoria is proud to introduce members of the DEI Working Group, who will be working in partnership with the EV office and board to create the DEI Action Plan and advance its respective initiatives at Equestrian Victoria.

• Kaylene McCarthy
• Julia Battams
• Sally Francis (Special Olympics representative)
• Annette Hatherley (RDA Representative)

• Rochelle Haralambous
• Briget Murphy
• Shelley Ann Jepsen
• Heather Potts
  

Equestrian Victoria would like to continue to ensure we are a diverse and inclusive sporting community, and understand the importance of engaging with members to be aware of the current external perceptions and climate around DEI in Equestrian Sport.

To see the results of a survey released earlier this year, please click on the link below.

Applications Now Open!

The program has been amended and will include opportunities for those in the Top 10! The application form is now live and includes information about the program inclusions for the Top 10 finalists and future Young Ambassador.

The 2024 Program will include a leadership workshop and activity day for finalists, the Young Ambassador Training Weekend as well as more opportunities for our future Young Ambassador. This year, we will also be introducing the Para Dressage Young Ambassador category!

Entries will close mid-January. Please contact Adriana Felsztynski for any enquiries.

BOYD EXELL DRIVING CLINIC 2024

Fence sitters welcome but please register beforehand.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Non - refundable

ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

No arrivals before Tuesday 2 January and please leave by the morning of Monday 8 January

Event Spotlight

THE STABLE GROUND VICTORIAN DRESSAGE FESTIVAL

STEFFEN PETERS MASTERCLASS

9 - 10 December

Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre

Limited number of tickets left with Saturday’s session 90% sold out!

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to learn from a true legend in the world of dressage! Steffen Peters brings a wealth of expertise and insights honed through years of elite competition.

Q&A session

The event will also be hosting a Q&A session with Steffen Peters on Friday night, 8th Dec. Take your seat and get those questions ready!

PSI Dressage & Jumping

with the Stars

The 2024 PSI DJWTS Championships is a significant pathway event and the National Championship for Young Dressage and Jumping horses across Australia. It gathers some of the country's top equestrian talents for an exhilarating three days of competition.

PSI DJWTS is the only competition in Australia that is genuinely cross-discipline, drawing over 700 horses, 3,000 spectators, and considerable online viewers engaging through various event media channels.

PSI DJWTS has firmly established itself as Australia's largest multidisciplinary event.

Equestrian Victoria is seeking sponsors for this premier event that will be held from the 21 - 23 of March 2024 at Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre.

To find out how to support and be part of the action, please click on the link below for details of our sponsorship packages.

PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

OFF THE TRACK

Join The Off The Track Community and claim your horse to be eligible for Off TheTrack sponsored classes. The OTT Community is your one-stop shop as a retired racehorse owner, someone looking to purchase an off the track thoroughbred, or for fans of Victorian racehorses.

• Claim ownership of your thoroughbred
• Access Off The Track Program sponsored events, competitions and clinics
• Access Racing Victoria’s post-racing programs and network of Acknowledged Retainers
• Register as a thoroughbred’s emergency contact as part of the Full Circle Program
• Explore educational hints and tips to best support your Off The Track thoroughbred
• Enjoy the latest Off The Track news and videos

In addition to the benefits of joining the Off The Track Community, you’re also playing your part in enabling Racing Victoria to improve visibility and better understand the movement of retired racehorses.

For any queries email info@ottcommunity.com.au.

UPCOMING OTT EVENTS

Dressage

4 Feb

Berwick & District Dressage Club

Jumping

3 Feb

15 Feb

Port Phillip SJC Summer Show

GDP Showjumping Classic

Eventing

2 Dec

7 Dec

27 Jan

10 Feb

24 Feb

Tooradin HT

Camperdown HT

Gisborne HT

Geelong HT

Monington Peninsula HT

RECENT OTT EVENT RESULTS

Congratulations

COLAC Horse Trials

EvA65

EvA80

EvA95

CCN1*

Bryanna Crabbe & Exford Lad

Lucy Petersen & Inn Keeper

Lucy Peterson & Beachgoer

Jessica Cocks & Mount View Legale

AVENAL Horse Trials

EvA65

EvA80

EvA95

CCN1*

CCN2*

CCN3*

Danielle Gagliardi & Rich Business

Fiona Hawkes & Bocelli’s Legend

Gracienne Stockdale & Undercover Albert

Fleur Barling & Mr Kitch

Georgia Spangaro & Peninsula Park Joker

Molly Barry & Impulsive Ways

Discipline News

DRESSAGE

2024 HYGAIN VICTORIAN YOUTH DRESSAGE CHAMPIONSHIPS

11 - 14 January 2024

Boneo Park Equestrian Centre

Entries are now open for the 2024 Victorian Youth Dressage Championships, proudly sponsored by Hygain.

Closing date for entries: 15th December

Closing date for yard/stable/camp : 20th December

Head to the Event website for more information.

2023 Dressage Victoria Performance Medals

Dressage Victoria awards Performance Medals for any athletes who obtain the following performances in the current year. The period is from 1st December 2022 to 30th November 2023, with presentations to be made at the 2023 Victorian Dressage Festival.

In order to be eligible for an award, a combination must have achieved a minimum of three percentages in one level in Official Competitive tests between the 1st December 2022 and the 30th November 2023, and must meet or exceed the criteria laid out in the table below.

We are excited to announce that the qualifying period has now closed and the full list of winners is published on the Equestrian Victoria website.

Congratulations to all riders, owners and horses on your outstanding achievements!

Medals will be presented at the upcoming Stable Ground Victorian Dressage Festival.

Discipline News

Eventing

CHRIS BARTLE IN VICTORIA

In November, Eventing Victoria High Performance Squad riders were fortunate to have the opportunity to attend a clinic at Werribee Park with world renowned British Eventing coach Christopher Bartle.

Judging from the positive feedback from riders and spectators there were plenty of good lessons learned over the three days.

FEI EVENTING OFFICIALS COURSE AT SYDNEY CCI L

9 - 12 nOVEMBER @ SYDNEY INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

by Sue Nevett, Michelle Dembenham & Mick Pineo

Recently, several officials travelled to Sydney to attend an FEI eventing officials course. There were a total of fourteen participants from Australia, U.S.A and New Zeland. Three of whom were Victorians, Michelle Debenham T.D. Sue Nevett Judge/ G.J. and Mick Pineo C.D.

Our course directors were Kristina Klingspor (dressage) and Lars Christiansson (T.D.) from Sweden, and David O’Connor (T.D./C.D.) from the U.S.A.

These directors are hugely experienced officials at International events around the world and were able to relate their experiences and share their knowledge with us in a generous and friendly manner.

This included topics such as social licence challenges and sanctions methods with an emphasis on risk management, rider safety and horse welfare, illustrating the importance of good communication and team work that is needed between officials for a successful competition.

A thunderstorm on Thursday kept us in the classroom. Case studies, tiring horses and missing flag scenarios/videos tested our decision making!

Friday morning saw us walking the 4* C.C. course to analyse the fences, flow of track, the going, use of frangibles and the whole layout including warm up, start/finish, vet etc.

In the afternoon the three judges observed, discussed and judged many riders in the 3* and 4*tests from the tent near E.

If we thought Friday was hot, wow! Saturday was 35C and humid.. We moved around and observed the 2, 3 and 4 star riders on C.C. A fence we thought problematic wasn’t and another that surprised with several run-outs. The two water complexes had several elements with quite forgiving profiles. In groups, we took notes on start, finish/cool-down (400 bags of ice), control, spectator roping, stewards, vets and doctors. This we discussed later in the cool classroom.

According to the vet the horses coped well, especially in the 4*. The doctor said he treated some overheated jump judges.

Sunday was the second trot up then the Show jump 2* walk, followed by a C.C. debrief and learnings of how the course worked for horses and riders.

We were privileged to have the C.D. Chris Ross N.Z. and Daryl Burgess T.D. N.S.W. come and tell us all from their perspective, and the rider rep. Andrew Barnett of his 4* ride. He looked pretty pleased, and in fact was the eventual winner.

An individual feedback/interview was next with our directors where they let us know how we went. We all passed… Phew! Mick Pineo gained his upgrade to level 3.

A big five days but meeting such people, exchanging ideas with a common passion for an Olympic sport makes it all worthwhile.

So we hope this article gives some “young” eventing followers inspiration to become involved. Once you start, the pathway flows from pony club or HRCAV through national events to an F.E.I. transfer. This can take you to fabulous places working with a team of wonderful people.

See you around the events… Sue N, Michelle D. and Mick P.

(and our ex- Vic. now Tas. Catherine Davies)

Discipline News

JUMPING

CONCUSSION AWARENESS & HELMET SAFETY

A reminder to all riders that your safety is of utmost importance and that concussions/head traumas can have serious repecussions. Please be aware that you should replace your helmets if you have had a fall and hit your head. You should also be riding in an approved helmet that has been tagged.

If you or someone you know has had a concussion, we suggest you check out the HeadCheck website.

2023 VICTORIAN STATE SHOWJUMPING TITLES

A successful event was run from the 17th to 19th of November. The competition was graced with amazing weather and saw over a thousand entries flow in and out of the rings.

Thank you to Northern Victorian Show Jumping Club for running the event. For highlights, please head to the NVSJC Facebook Page.

UPCOMING EVENTS

1 - 3 DEC

13 - 14 DEC

YARRA VALLEY JUMP CLUB DECEMBER SHOW

BONEO MIDWEEK SHOWJUMPING

TRANS-TASMAN: VICTORIA VS SOUTH ISLAND COMPETITION

9-10 DECEMBER @ BONEO PARK

Jumping Victoria is excited to announce the riders that have been selected to represent Victoria at the 2023 Trans-Tasman: Victoria vs South Island competition, hosted by the Jumping Squad Victoria.

Congratulations to the following riders, who are all part of the 2023 Victorian Youth Jumping Squad and have shown great results and consistency over the past year.

• Hayden Parker
• Tori Glass
• Kendall Richards
• Lyla Ferrari
• Mikayla Hogg (Reserve)

Discipline News

SHOW HORSE

UPCOMING EVENTS

EV SUMMER SHOW

13 January (Saturday) - Breed rings

14 January (Sunday) - Breed rings and EV rings

Entries will open mid-December and close in early January.

UPCOMING MEASURING DAYS

1 - 2 DEC

8 DEC

WPNEC

DRESSAGE FESTIVAL @ WPNEC

2024 MEASURING DAYS

For updates to the measuring calendar, please refer to Equestrian Australia .

Discipline News

INTERSCHOOL

2024 EQUESTRIAN VICTORIA STATE INTERSCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS

6th - 10th April 2024

Werribee Park National Equestrian Centre

EVENT DIRECTOR EOI

Expressions of Interest are now out for an Event Director for the Equestrian Victoria State Interschool Championships.

Equestrian Victoria seeks a passionate, self-motivated, and goal-oriented person to work and deliver the Interschool State Championships scheduled to be held at Werribee Park, 6th -10th April 2024.

The Interschool State Championships is a multi-discipline event that also includes evening activities for riders up to and including 18-year-olds.

Experience in equestrian events is highly desirable but not essential. A current Working with Children accredit is required for this role, and EV can assist with the application if required.

National News

EA SNIPPETS

International News

FEI SNIPPETS

BOYD EXELL DOMINATES THE FEI DRIVING WORLD CUP SERIES

Australian, Boyd Exell, has three wins under his belt in the FEI Driving World Cup series - reigning victorious in Lyon (FRA), Maastricht (NED) and most recently at the 37th Stuttgart German Masters.

Click the links below to read the full articles and watch his electrifying winning rounds.

EXELL MAKES STORMING START IN LYON

EXELL WINS IN MAASTRICHT, AS BRAUCHLE PICKS UP POINTS

BOYD TRIUMPHS IN STUTTGART

Photo: FEI/Leanjo de Koster

Equestrian Victoria acknowledges the Traditional Owners of all lands on which we do business and we pay out respects to their Elders, past, present and future.

We acknowledge the important contribution that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make in creating a strong and vibrant society.