EQUESTRIAN VICTORIA NEWS 

February/Early March 2017 Issue

I always enjoy this time of the year with the magnificent colour changes in the leaves of the trees, though I fear this year we are in for a hot one with the weather bureau forecasting higher temperatures and less rain than usual. As horse owners, the weather plays such an important part in our lives, for both looking after our horses as well as participating in our chosen horse sport.

With participation comes the need for transport, and whether in hot or cold weather, transportation is a stressful time for both horse and owner. ​There are simple steps you can take to help your horse arrive at an event safely – I hope you will find this article helpful: how-do-horses-get-hurt-during-transport.

Barastoc

February saw the successful running of Barastoc Horse of the Year - you can read all about it in the Show Horse report below. Barastoc is one of the major events on the EV calendar, and it takes an enormous amount of effort from our staff and tireless volunteers to ensure this fantastic show runs smoothly.

A big and special "Thank you" and "Congratulations" must go to Mitch Fox, our tireless Show Horse Chair and the very hard working, dedicated committee. This was the second major event for Show Horse Co-ordinator, Bronte Wright who has done a great job stepping up to the mark. 

Of course without the generous support of Barastoc, the naming rights sponsor, and the many class sponsors, running such a professional day would not be possible. We are ever grateful for the enormous contribution they make to our sport.

DJWTS

March will bring us the Australian Young Horse Championships, aka PSI Dressage and Jumping with the Stars, on 24 - 26 March – Three action packed days culminating in the crowning of the Champion of Champions Young Dressage Pony, Young Dressage Horse & Young Jumping Horse.

This year our International guest stars will be Johannes Westendarp of Hof Westendarp. Johannes will be the guest rider and presenter of the Saddleworld Dressage Masterclass.

Presenting the Saddleworld Jumping Masterclass this year is John Cottle from New Zealand, who is respected all over the world for his knowledge and success with jumping horses. You can read more about DJWTS later in this newsletter

Until next month ...

Ingrid Green | Equestrian Victoria Chair

Victorian Dressage Clubs/Affiliates Meeting

In order to make this meeting more accessible for regional club members, the date has been changed to Saturday the 11 March at 2.30pm.  The venue remains the old Administration Building at WPNEC. 

This coincides with Dressage Young Rider Squad, so attendees are welcome to attend the Guest Speaker presentations and BBQ with the squad.  

Dressage Victoria is seeking to develop a sub-committee for all affiliates that conduct dressage events throughout the state. 

This sub-committee would focus on supporting clubs and organising committees in all areas of club business such as conducting events, promoting participation, goal setting, risk management, promoting pathways, attracting and retaining volunteers etc.

Clarification of Novice Points Dressage Rule 

Following enquiries, the Australian Dressage Committee wishes to clarify the status of Novice grading points earned prior to January 1st 2017.  2017 EA Dressage Rule 1.16 (g) states:

Points are accrued when the horse or pony gains 61% or above in official competitive competitions from Elementary level and above.

The intention of the rule change is to allow horses to gain confidence without the pressure of acquiring grading points too quickly in the formative stage of their careers.

Horses graded Novice pre 1/1/2017 cannot revert to competing officially at Preliminary, however from 1/1/2017 all newly registered horses and ponies start with a grading of Preliminary/Novice and do not earn upgrading points until competing in Elementary.

Only 3 Weeks to Go until DJWTS

With 140 dressage entries, a number of quality contenders for the new young eventing horse class and 45 exhibitors confirmed for the trade village, this year’s P.S.I. Dressage & Jumping with the Stars promises to be an exciting show.

Jumping entries are still arriving and word has it that defending champions Yirrkala Stud are returning as well. Tickets to the event can be purchased through GPAC http://gpac.org.au/event/838/dressage-jumping-with-the-stars-2017 or at the gate. A $10 General Admission ticket provides access to all outdoor events and the trade village, but there is a also a limited number of VIP tickets and Pagodas left for those who want to enjoy the indoor events in style.

The Saddleworld Masterclasses are held on Saturday (Jumping) and Sunday (Dressage) in the Indoor Arena. Jumping guest judge and rider John Cottle is returning to Werribee for the first time since 2002. John has a glittering track record, having been selected for four Olympic Games, representing New Zealand at the Los Angeles and Seoul Olympics. Add 6 Horse of the Year and 13 Grand Prix Rider of the Year titles as well as positions of national coach and Chef d’Equipe for NZ teams at many international events, including the 2014 WEG, and you know what a legend John is. Coaching and sharing his knowledge are one of his greatest passions.

Dressage guest star Johannes Westendarp is a well respected young horse specialist. As a rider, trainer and breeder he has produced countless finalists for the German Young Dressage Horse Championships or the World Breeding Dressage Championships for Young Horses and has presented multiple premium stallions and elite mares. Dressage riders from around the world visit his barn to find their next future stars. This will be Johannes first visit to Australia and we are pretty excited to hear his tips and tricks for young horse training.

Keep in the Loop

Stay up to date with the latest news, competition results, leaderboard and all other news from the Mitavite Amateur Owner Rider Group Victoria on Facebook.

Feature Event

Barastoc Horse of the Year 2017

What a year to be a Judge, official, competitor or spectator! The quality of horses and riders over three days was simply incredible. Victoria can be very proud and honoured by the team we are taking forward to the Nationals in December.

Congratulations to all of our winners and thank you to all of those who came and supported Barastoc 2017.

Thank you to our sponsors, supporters and judges. A very special thank you to our hard working dedicated volunteers who always give 110% ensuring the events success, without these people we could never produce such a prestigious show.

Mr Mitchell Fox

BREAKING NEWS

 The Equestrian Victoria Show Horse Committee will be hosting complimentary clinics on the following dates 

• Sunday 25th June 2017  
• Sunday 16th July 2017
•  Sunday 20th August 2017

More information to follow. For any questions please email brontewright@equestrianvictoria.com.au

Squad Nominations

Nominations for Hygain Junior and Young Rider Jumping State and Development Squads and the Squadettes close 20 March. Don't miss out!

Victorian Horse of the Year 2017. 

Pakenham Horse Trials

The season kicked off in fine style with Pakenham Horse Trials on February 11th & 12th . This year they ran a lower level 65cm which was a great success. The results can be found here https://eventsecretary.com.au/live/#/

1* Registration Requirements

A reminder for all 1* horses that have never been FEI registered you will now need a National Passport to compete in a CIC or CCI event. It takes time so do it early. Ring the EA National Office for more information 02 87627777. (this is a requirement for Tonimbuk in 1*). Also any horse doing its first 3* CIC or CCI will need a passport. Please get them done because we are too busy to be chasing riders who should know better.

Saddleworld MI3DE

We have a busy season coming up culminating with Saddleworld Melbourne International 3 Day Event in June.

We are still looking for sponsors for cross country jumps for this event. If you have any ideas or suggestions to help us secure jump sponsors we would love to hear from you. It is a great opportunity for companies to get exposure through social media and the general public and at only $1500 per jump which includes 2 x VIP tickets, (free entry and wined and dined in the cross country Marquee at the main water), on cross country day.

Upcoming Major Events

2017 WINI EQUINE AMATEUR SHOW

SUNDAY 19 MARCH 2017

WERRIBEE PARK NATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTRE

Following the great success of the Amateur Show of 2016, the EV Show Horse Sub-Committee will conduct this show again on Sunday 19 March, on the beautiful turf of Werribee Park's multi-purpose arena and will be sponsored by Wini Equine, producers of our popular major events merchandise.

Education and Admin

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