In this issue
Freemans Lodge Global has been exceptional from the get-go. Rider and owner Toni Webb says she’s never sat on a pony like him, while her daughter describes him as “luxury”. Now with a prestigious dressage title to his name, ‘Little G’ is not only exciting for the future – he’s a testament to the world-class quality being produced by Australian dressage pony breeders.
The equestrian facility for Brisbane 2032 has been announced... Toowoomba, you beauty! Toowoomba is going to become the “Queensland Equestrian Centre of Excellence”. For me, for all of us horse riders, Toowoomba will be the centre of the Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics in 2032. Congratulations, Toowoomba!
Australian Olympian Kelly Layne was born into a horsey Queensland family, but she has taken her love of dressage to an international level, anchoring herself in the horse heaven of Wellington, Florida, where she is has now joined Team USA.
When Ben Duncan began building fences in the revered vineyards of southwest WA back in 1993, little did he know that experience would ultimately lead to running one of Australia’s most sought-after equine fencing suppliers.
One of Australia's most accomplished and decorated FEI dressage riders, Michelle Baker has enjoyed a very successful 2024 and is looking forward to a big year ahead. With her equine team of three well on the way to Grand Prix, she explains that good nutrition, a kind and empathetic relationship with your horse, and a focus on improving yourself are all key to success.
With the 2024/25 National Pony Racing Series in full swing, riders are relishing the opportunity to hone their skills on the track. However, it’s not about satisfying a need for speed: the series places emphasis on a harmonious partnership between jockey and steed, while also showcasing the equine career opportunities available to young horse lovers.
Alex Vodermair and her dressage star Exact caught everyone’s attention at Dressage & Jumping with the Stars this year. The six-year-old gelding was a stand-out in winning the coveted Young Dressage Horse Champion of Champions title – and Alex is now excited to return to Germany and see where their dressage journey takes them.
JB Evolution has been the horse of a lifetime for the Mooney family. ‘Blue’, as he is known around the stables, has had an incredible career to date, initially with James and now with daughter Molly in the saddle. Just recently, Blue added the 2025 JNSW Young Rider Indoor Championship to his impressive string of accolades. We caught up with the Mooney family to learn more about their much-loved and widely admired Blue.
After an exciting three days of competition at the 2025 PSI Dressage & Jumping with the Stars, our four jumping champions gathered in the arena for one final test. As three-time Olympian and World Equestrian Games representative Chris Burton mounted up and fellow judges Chris Chugg and Julia Hargreaves took to the centre of the arena, the crowd watched on as each of the winners were put through their paces to decide the 2025 Jumping Champion of Champions.
Tasmania's State Dressage Championships are always a special time, not only for the manifestation of community spirit and exhibition of riding, but also for the special glow that only a Tassie autumn can deliver.
Horses being flight-or-fight animals are always prone to injury and as such are commonly affected with limb wounds. These limb wounds can occasionally penetrate to the bone and result in the formation of a sequestrum – a little piece of dead bone.
In the previous issue of Equestrian Life, I looked at riding the shoulder-in as part of my ongoing series on training lateral work. Here we look at another movement that’s introduced at Elementary level — travers.
A 1960s Western starring Marlon Brando and a modern flick centred around a little mining town in New Mexico not only share the same name – in both cases, the horses are the stars.