Hunter Valley Dressage Association Inc.

COLLECTIONS NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 2017

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

President’s Report………….....1 Member Profiles…………………2,3 Committee/Info………………...4 Sponsors…………………………...5

UPCOMING COMPETITIONS

22 March 24 May 26 July

20 September 1 November

PRESIDENT’S REPORT We were so fortunate to get a break in the weather, from local fires and heatwaves, so that so many of our members could come out and enjoy conditions conducive to great competition , under a kindly clouded sky, to start the 2020 season on January 17th! Well done to all of you who turned out so well on the day, many dressed in Orange in honour of our Volunteer Firefighters who have been called upon to give so much time and energy in this exceptionally testing Summer. Thanks to all who donated to our local Rural Fire Service and Drought Relief funds.

Thanks to Tereza Husakova and her ‘spottters’ who judged the “best dressed” horse-and-rider on the day to award: such a difficult decision. There were three equal winners to split the prizes donated by sponsor Empire Feeds, of Thornton: Well done Marley Yates, Lilly Berry and Sally Jones.

Many thanks also, to photographer Jody Milward for capturing some great action photos. Remember to contact Jody on the day of competition, (or before, via the Facebook page message) if you would like some photos, so that she can coordinate her schedule to fit you in!

Many thanks to chief scorer Ruth Byrne for her research into use of the Nominate Scoreboard on-line scoring system, so that she was able to have the scoresheets all set-up and ready to go in this completely new format for this first competition of the year. Not only that, but she tutored and coached Chris Sullivan, Suzie Laidler, and Renee Neal through the new score entry process to keep the flow of scores throughout the day. Thank you to Wendy Cotton, from Alexander Park Dressage Club, for working with Ruth to troubleshoot difficulties in setting up the process. Many riders were able to access the Scoreboard App on their mobile phones, to get progressive scores, very shortly after they had ridden.

We will purchase a Hub and Aerial to improve Internet access so that speed of entry and Internet access is improved as we progress with the use of Scoreboard throughout the year.

I have been asked to reminder riders that ALL horses on the ground MUST wear their Identification Numbers on BOTH sides of their bridle/saddle-cloth /halter AT ALL TIMES when on the grounds!! Almost perfect compliance was reported by the Technical Delegate back in September last year: we have started this year with a “collective memory lapse”. Only a handful of horses had two bridle numbers in ridden tests at this comp; most had no ID showing at all when in yards or tied up to trucks! Please remember this SAFETY FIRST EA Rule.

Looking forward to seeing you all at our March competition.

Regards,

Marg Warwick President Hunter Valley Dressage Association Member contributions to the HVDA Newsletter welcome! Send info to Renee Neal at reneeneal@me.com

Hunter Valley Dressage Association Inc.

COLLECTIONS NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2020

INSTAGRAM nextgenequine_official

member profile JESS SOMERFIELD

Name: Jess Somerfield Age: 27 Occupation: Coach/Trainer Favourite Discipline: Eventing & Dressage Horse(s): It’s a long list; Lakeview Albion, Loxleys Hit, Arnage Royal Exhibit, Divinity, HB Zara, Plus our other horses, broodmares & foals How long have you been riding: 25 years What made you start riding: I inherited a horse from my Mums Goddaughter when I was around 2. He was 32 and a huge Welsh Cob, I had two options - he bolted and I stayed

on, or he bolted and I fell off. That’s how I learnt to ride! How often do you ride: We ride about 11-12 each day What does your usual riding routine involve: We ride from about 6am until 12 and then continue after lunch, about 6 days a week, depending if we are competing or travelling. I do about 3 days flat, one day jumping and a day or two grids/outride Best Horse (ever) and why: I have been very lucky to own and ride some magical horses; If I had to choose; I have to say Lakeview Albion. About 4 years ago, I lost my good horse and through so many personal lows hitting at the same time, I quit horses and riding. Thanks to my good friend and my partner; they convinced me to fly up and ride this green gangly grey to help my friend advertise him. I jumped on, and I fell in love. I turned to my partner and said ‘wow there is something about this horse, I don’t know but I think I like him’ to which they both replied ‘well he is yours’. And thanks to this grubby, naughty fat horse - I found my passion again, and was back coaching and riding full time. He is about to head medium and 4* Eventing in 2020, and I just can’t imagine him not in my stable. I owe my passion to him. Greatest Achievement/Proudest Moment: I would have to say winning Sydney International 3 day event in 2019 at 3***. It was such a tough lead up, and so much was going wrong, but after a super XC round, we were in the lead - in the showjumping - we had to jump last, all the pressure was on and the crowd was silent. The commentator mentioned as we entered that if we didn’t jump clear - we lost the win. My beautiful pony gave me everything and clearing the course clear was just ceiling raising cheering - that feeling of the lap of honour with the crowd cheering, in front of all our friends and family - on my special heart horse - I don’t think anything will top that for a long long time. Horse related goals for 2020 ,and into the future: 2020 brings huge goals for me, we are hoping to head into 4* and make our way onto the Australian squads. I have insane goals of juggling both a dressage and Eventing career - but I have a fabulous team of young horses we are taking through the grades. Of course future goals - would love to ride overseas and represent Australia at the highest level, but that’s a lot of things to align. But I am also happy to just enjoy riding, competing and just being the best rider & coach I can be. Enjoying the crazy journey along the way. Do you work on your own fitness and do you keep fit any other way? Absolutely - I try to do a lot of cross training, including PT and jogging. We are very ‘riding fit’ but I always try to cross train to work on my weaknesses and be the fittest I can be on the horse Other Hobbies/Interests: I don’t understand this question? Haha horses certainly consume most of my life - but I enjoy time away at the beach, motorcross with my partner or just travelling with friends. Favourite Food/Restaurant: I would have to be very bias and say two of my places in gorgeous Denman, Gerard’s restaurant and of course my second home, Graze Cafe. life with horses equals lots of coffee Favourite Movie: Well I don’t watch many movies but i am seriously hooked on Netflix’s Lucifer - hurry up and bring out the new season!! Favourite Saying/Quote: ‘everyday you bring home a sound and happy horse is a good day’. sometimes we get consumed by a result; or a performance but we always need to remember our horses are so precious and just to enjoy each time we have with them. I have lost quite a few amazing horses in my life; and it’s the reminder to enjoy the journey and our time with them! Most admired person/people: Gillian Rolton was my idol for a long time growing up - and I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read her autobiography, and I was so lucky to meet her a few times. But to be honest; I admire so many people. Anyone who is a professional in this sport is incredible and I just enjoy learning so much from them all. Something most people don’t know about you. Leaving school I actually had a scholarship for engineering. Once upon a time I was intellectual and set for a career in women in science/engineering. But it wasn’t my burning passion, so I begin a law degree. For some reason after being asked to coach and compete so often, I deferred my degree to give full time horses a ‘crack’. Ten years later…here I am!! I always say that when I break myself; I’ll go back to uni!

Jess & Lakeview Albion

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member PROFILE

member profile ASHLEIGH MORTON

Name: Ashleigh Morton Age: 20 Family: Mum, Dad and a Brother Occupation: Full time groom for Emma Bishop + part time bartender at the Farmer’s Hotel Favourite Discipline: Dressage, of course! Horse(s): Chapplehurst Macaulay is my current competition horses and I also have two exciting young ones Ruby and Ripley who are in the very early stages of training! How long have you been riding: 7 years! What made you start riding: I may have binge watched McLeod’s Daughters.. definitely was my inspiration to start! How often do you ride: 6-7 days a week What does your usual riding routine involve: A no pressure warm up for 15 minutes and then a solid 30 minutes of suppling exercises, getting to horse to engage the hind and come forward with the leg to the bit! Best Horse (ever) and why: Mr Macaulay is definitely my best and most favourite horse so far! He is a giant, standing at 17.2hh but always looks after me and improves with every ride, definitely a horse that loves to please. I was grooming for Graham Chapple and he was my favourite horse in the barn, Graham said to me when I started “if there is one horse here that you’d like to ride when you’re ready who would it be? “ my response was something along the lines of these horses are way too good for me to sit on! But in my head I was thinking about Macaulay! So it was very surreal when I ended up buying him 2 years later! Greatest Achievement/Proudest Moment: My greatest achievement and proudest moment was definitely when I got to sit on Macaulay for the first time! I had worked so hard developing my position and how I rode to be able to progress onto him from my little thoroughbred, it was definitely a very rewarding feeling and I haven’t looked back since! Horse related goals for 2020, and into the future: My 2020 goals are to have a fun competitive year and hopefully move up a grade or two! Do you work on your own fitness and do you keep fit any other way? Not particularly, I work as a groom so do a lot of walking and am quite active but I don’t go to the gym Other Hobbies/Interests: I love photography and editing videos! Favourite Food/Restaurant: Definitely sushi or Thai food! Favourite Movie: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Favourite Saying/Quote: “Success begins where your comfort zone ends” Most admired person/people: I definitely admire all the full time riders and trainers! Definitely something I would love to be able to do!

Ashleigh & Chapplehurst Macaulay

3 INSTAGRAM romani.equestrian

FACEBOOK Darkmoor Da Vinci

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COMMITTEE 2020 HONORARY PATRON Lois Howe PRESIDENT Margaret Warwick VICE PRESIDENT Joyce Laidler

TREASURER / PUBLIC OFFICER Chris Sullivan GROUNDS COMMITTEE Chris Sullivan

SECRETARY Ruth Byrne

NEWSLETTER EDITOR Renee Neal

EVENT SECRETARY Joyce Laidler & Suzanne Laidler

PENCILLER COORDINATOR Di Stanley HVDA PHOTOGRPAHER Jody M Photography JUDGES SECRETARY / JUDGES FOLDER Kerry Sullivan / Tereza Husakova JUNIOR/YOUTH COORDINATORS Tereza Husakova MINUTES SECRETARY Belinda Wall

MEMBERSHIP Joyce Laidler

PRIZES & TROPHIES / POINTSCORE Renee Neal FACEBOOK/PUBLICITY Jody Millward, Renee Neal, Tereza Husakova CHIEF STEWARD / SAFETY OFFICER Outsourced ARENA MAINTENANCE SPONSORSHIP WEBSITE COORDINATORS Joyce Laidler, Suzanne Laidler

GENERAL COMMITTEE Shaun France

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22 March 2020

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