Eventing Queensland Senior Elite Squad and National Talent Search Squad Clinic with Wayne Roycroft
Kevin McNab
I caught up with Wayne Roycroft, Head Coach of the Australian eventing team and Chairman of the World Eventing Committee, conducting a clinic at Kevin McNab's majestic property, Kelecyn Equestrian Centre, located at the foot of Mt. Tamborine in Queensland. This was the second day of the clinic where the focus was on showjumping.
Wayne is still on a high having just returned from a very successful campaign at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, where UK-based Clayton Fredericks snared an individual silver medal the Aussie team scored a bronze, and the Burghley Horse Trials (UK) where six Aussies took out the top nine placings - a truly incredible feat!
I asked Wayne what his game plan was in order to keep in medal contention at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, "We need to work on our cross-country skills," Wayne said. "I wasn't too happy with our cross-country results in Aachen even though it was a strange course. But overall I was really pleased and proud of the team. There was a lot of camaraderie, they worked really hard and it was a great team effort," he added.
Wayne sees the neccessity of Aussie riders having to go overseas to gain top level competition experience, but hopes that they will return home to help the young and up and coming riders that are based here, and also carry on the hard work to improve the system that was put in place in 1986.
He is obviously very keen to generate interest in the sport and to identify horse and rider combinations who may be competing at lower levels but aspire to go on to greater glory. "We (Australia) are successful in eventing because we have talented, dedicated people. Heath Ryan and myself initiated the Australian Talent Search Squad (ATSS) because we wanted to create interest and get more people introduced to the National Squad," he said.
In October last year some 250 horse and rider combations tried out for the ATSS of which 15 were selected. They were not chosen on performance but rather on potential. The aim of the Squad is to provide on-going training, develop their skills and provide advice and support for a competition program and this two-day clinic served to assess how the Qld members were progressing, along with fine-tuning the Qld Senior Squad.
First off the bat to ride today was Natalie Siiankoski, Qld 'A' Squad member with the 3* K.S. Archie, but today was riding her horse 'Whiskey', a 6-year old dapple grey Thoroughbred. Nat's intention was to get Wayne's opinion of the horse as he hasn't had many outings and was very 'green'.
Sharing the lesson was Sarah Fitton, who had just had baby Joseph nine weeks ago and was riding her ATSS horse, 7-year old chestnut Carisbrooke Sirocco. Sarah has been having lessons with Wayne since 1992 and had great success with her 4* horse, Carisbrooke Lady. She's hoping to take her next eventing star up the grades and to the Olympics. Sarah is involved in the co-ordination of the Eventing Qld Junior Squad, as well as the ATSS and is a mine of information (Sarah, thank you so much for all your help on the day!). I must also apologise to Sarah owing to a photographic glitch, I don't have any 'action' shots of her and her lovely horse, Carisbrooke Sirocco.
From left: Sarah with baby Joseph and Natalie
Next to ride was our host and Elite Squad member, Kevin McNabb on his and his uncle's 6-year old TB, Kelecyn Quidditch. Kevin recently easily won the CNC* Div. 1 at the Goulburn ODE on Belcam Caesar. Kevin has only been at his Kelecyn property for 3 years and has done an amazing job setting up the facilities. His uncle built the spectacular cross-country course and Kevin has big plans which includes putting down a 90m x 50m show jumping arena as well as expanding the x-c course.
Above: Kevin on Kelecyn Quidditch and below on Galera by Gymnastic Star
Jonathan Paget (pictured below), also a member of the Qld Eventing Squad has been based at Kevin's property for three years and today rode two horses, the first one being Kelecyn Stiff Drinks, a 2* liver chestnut TB. Twenty-two year old Jonathan is fairly new to the sport and Wayne gave him special attention to help Jonathan develop 'feel' and improve his riding position.
Elite Squad member, 18-year old Emma Dougall is also based at Kelecyn Equestrian Centre. Wayne commented on Emma's soft riding style and correct position and the two horses she rode went very kindly. She is hoping to get selected on the Australian Young Rider Squad's trip to New Zealand at the end of the year and lists Stuart Tinney as her hero for his riding style and competition preparation.
Throughout the day Wayne explained the importance of a correct riding position for flatwork and showjumping in relation to the angle of the hip, knee and ankle; basically the stirrups shouldn't be too short. The horse must be responsive to the leg and the horse must be forward and yielding. He also said that if the horse is on the bit, he should be carrying the rider, himself and the bit and be thinking forward. He also mentioned his categorical dislike for gadgets, particularly draw reins and said that they make the horse 'dead' in the mouth and thereby losing all ability of 'feel'.
I didn't get a chance to talk to the other riders but did manage to get a few photos.
Sandy Spencer
Tiffany Colledge
Laurie Schodel
