Australian Equestrian Team Guide - 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (Hong Kong) 08 August - 24 August 2008
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Australian Equestrian
Team Guide
2008 Beijing Olympic Games
(Hong Kong)
08 August – 24 August 2008
2
Australian Team
Rider Horse Owner
Dressage
Hayley Beresford Relampago Retiro Eduardo Fischer, Hayley Beresford
Kristy Oatley Quando-Quando Rosalind & Robert Oatley
Heath Ryan Greenoaks Dundee Clyde Wunderwald
Eventing
Clayton Fredericks Ben Along Time Peta & Edwin McAuley
Lucinda Fredericks Headley Britannia C & L & P Fredericks
Sonja Johnson Ringwould Jaguar A & J Saunders, D &P Johnson
Megan Jones Irish Jester Margaret Jones
Shane Rose All Luck Angela Shacklady
Jumping
Edwina Alexander Itot du Chateau E. Alexander, J. Tops & C Van Opstal
Laurie Lever Drossel Dan Laurie Lever, Colin Gronn
Peter McMahon Kolora Genoa B & G. Lang, B & S. Wood, M & P.
Lang-McMahon
Matthew Williams Leconte 6 Yvonne & Alastair Young
Australian Team Officials
Brett Mace Section Manager
Wayne Roycroft Head Coach
Denis Goulding Head Veterinarian
Graham Potts Assistant Veterinarian
Andrew Hunt Assistant Veterinarian
Sam Lyle Assistant Eventing Coach
Rob Hanna Eventing Chef d’Equipe
Gilbert Böckmann Jumping Coach
Stephen Lamb Jumping Chef d’Equipe
Deborah MacNicol Dressage Chef d’Equipe
Narelle Stubbs Physiotherapist
Harry Boldt Personal Coach
Karin Rehbein Personal Coach
Alexander Parker Personal Coach
Grooms
Sophie Akers Kate Hort
Lisa Baker Maria Israelsson
Jess Barton Amanda Madigan
Sarah Blumson Annika Neukaeter
Karen Conk Sappho Ranson-Elliot
Natalie Hibbert Michelle Robson
Alishya Hill Holly Williams
Media Contact
John Gatfield (Media Liason Officer –Equestrian) +852 9851 5429 (HKG)
Franz Venhaus (CEO - Equestrian Federation of Australia) +852 9853 0139 (HKG)
Nicky Turner (Publicity Officer - Equestrian Federation Australia) +61 (0)404 496 182 (Sydney)
nicky_turner@efanational.com
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games
3
Hayley Beresford – Dressage
Date of Birth: 26 June 1978
Height: 1.66m
Weight: 63kg
Place of Birth: Western Australia
Residence: Rheinberg, Germany
Marital Status: Not married
Occupation: Rider and coach
Horse Details Relampago Retiro
1997 Ch Lusitano Stallion
Hayley is the fresh face of Australian Dressage, bursting onto the international scene
with a string of performances in 2008. She grew up in a “horsey” family in Australia
and has been riding since before she could walk. Hayley started studying music and
business but decided to move to Germany two years ago to train with Isabell Werth,
multiple World Champion and Olympic medallist. Hayley says Isabell has been the
greatest influence on her career so far. Hayley’s day starts with riding horses and
finishes with teaching lessons. Hayley has had a wonderful 2008 season on her
Brazilian bred stallion Relampago Retiro, and also has an exciting young mare
Rhapsodie Queen.
Hayley’s best performances include:
2008 CDI 5* Lingen (GER) GP 8th
2008 CDI 5* Lingen (GER) GP Freestyle 12th
2008 CDI 3* Wiesbaden (GER) GP Special 9th
2008 CDI 3* Wiesbaden (GER) GP 8th
2008 CDI 3* Hagen (GER) GP Freestyle 7th
2008 CDI 3* Hagen (GER) GP 9th
2008 CDI 4* Dortmund (GER) GP 14th
2008 CDI 4* Braunschweig (GER) GP Sp 7th
2008 CDI 4* Braunschweig (GER) GP 19th
Hayley has won the West Australian Young Sportsperson of the Year and the West
Australian Dressage Young Rider of the year.
Hayley says that she is not superstitious, however, before a competition she always
prepares her own horse and goes in “Hayley” world to focus before she competes.
Hayley says the best advice that she ever received is “The sun will come up
tomorrow!”
Hayley’s advice for aspiring riders….“You have to go through the ups and downs and
believe in yourself or go home!”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games
4
Kristy Oatley – Dressage
Date of Birth: 18 July 1978
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 56kg
Place of Birth: Sydney
Residence: Germany
Marital status: Married to Polish Soccer star
Piotr Staczek
Occupation: Student / Rider
Horses Details: Quando-Quando:
1995 Stallion by Quattro B
Photo courtesy of Julie Wilson
Kristy Oatley has been a pillar of the Australia Dressage Team for the past ten years.
Kristy competed at the Sydney Olympic Games where she finished 9th individually.
Kristy then represented Australia at the World Equestrian Games in 2006 where she
finished 15th, the highest placed Australian rider.
Kristy grew up in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales, an area famous for its
vineyards, but also the home of many Australian equestrians including Kristy’s Team
member Heath Ryan and his wife Rozzie (Dressage Team reserve). Kristy has been
living in Germany since age 12 years and now lives with her husband Piotr Staczek
and their two children, Rosie and Oskar.
Kristy trains with renowned German rider and trainer Karin Rehbein who she says is
her most admired sportsperson.
Kristy’s performances include:
2008 CDI 4* Braunschweig (GER) GP Freestyle 1st
2008 CDI 4* Braunschweig (GER) GP 5th
2007 CDI 3* Bremen (GER) GP Freestyle 2nd
2007 CDI 4* Aachen (GER) GP 4th
2007 CDI4* Lingen (GER) GP 2nd
2007 CDI4* Lingen (GER) GP Freestyle 2nd
2007 CDI 4* Wiesbaden (GER) GP Freestyle 1st
2007 CDI 4* Wiesbaden (GER) GP 3rd
Kristy’s Grandfather Bob Oatley is owner of the famous maxi yacht Wild Oats, three
time winner of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race (2005, 2006, 2007). Kristy says
Bob is the most influential person in her riding career.
Kristy always wears her lucky stockpin and her horses always have an uneven number
of plaits at competitions.
Kristy’s advice to aspiring riders is “Keep working, you cannot learn enough.”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games
5
Heath Ryan – Dressage
Date of Birth: 02 July 1958
Height: 1.82m
Weight: 74kg
Place of Birth: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Residence: Lochinvar, NSW, Australia
Marital Status: Married to Dressage rider Rozzie Ryan
Occupation: Rider / coach and horse stud director
Horse Details: Greenoaks Dundee:
1995 Ch Gelding by Duntroon
Heath is one of Australia’s best known riders, not only does Heath compete a string
of top level Dressage horses he also competes at 4-star level Eventing. Heath has
three times been Australian Eventing Rider of the Year. Heath was Assistant Coach
for the Australian Eventing Team in Athens Olympic Games in 2004.
Heath and his wife Rozzie (who is the Dressage Team reserve) run a training and
breeding centre at Lochinvar in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Heath is the
brother of Australian Eventing 3-time Gold medallist Matt Ryan.
Heath is the coach of many of Australia’s young Eventing and Dressage riders.
Heath trains with Harry Boldt, five-time Olympic German Team Coach and Wayne
Roycroft and his recent performances include:
2008 CDI 3* Sydney (AUS) GP Freestyle 1st
2008 CDI 3* Sydney (AUS) GP 1st
2007 CDI-W Toowoomba (AUS) GP 1st
2007 CDI-W Toowoomba (AUS) GP Freestyle 1st
2007 CDI 3* Sydney (AUS) GP 1st
2007 CDI 3* Sydney (AUS) GP 2nd
2007 CDI 3* Sydney (AUS) GP Freestyle1st
2007 CDI-W Melbourne (AUS) GP 1st
Heath says that what is remarkable to him in this sport are the incredible highs and
lows – often so close together. He recalls 1996 Rolex CCI 4* (USA) where he fell off
and felt absolutely useless then less than a week later he competed at the Sydney
CDI where he won everything and felt great. Heath hopes his most memorable
moment is still to come.
Heath likes to retreat into himself one hour before a big competition, and he says
when he is winning he has no superstitions, however when he is not winning he finds
all sorts of reasons that could be causing it!
Heath believes that you have to have a vision and stick to it. You must believe in yourself.
Heath’s advice for aspiring riders, “Never forget your dream. Dreams are the most
important thing that you ever have.”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games
6
Clayton Fredericks – Eventing
Date of Birth: 17 November 1967
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 80kg
Place of birth Moora, WA
Residence: Rosegarth, UK
Marital Status: Married to Eventing Team rider Lucinda Fredericks
Occupation: Full time Rider and Trainer
Education: Wesley College, TAFE- Building and Construction
Horse Details: Ben Along Time : 1995 Bay Irish Sport Horse
Gelding by Cavalier Royale
Born in Western Australia Clayton now lives in England with wife and fellow Eventing
Team Member, Lucinda Fredericks and their three-year-old daughter Ellie.
This is the second time that an Australian husband and wife have competed on the
same Olympic Team, the first was Wayne and Vicki Roycroft in 1984.
The past few years have been very successful for Clayton and Ben, in 2005 Clayton
won the FEI World Cup Final, in 2006 he finished with a silver medal at the World
Equestrian Games and won Saumur CCI 3* (FRA), in 2007 Clayton won the 2007
Rolex Kentucky CCI 4* (USA).
Clayton’s other performances include:
2008 Barbury Castle (GBR) CIC 3* 3rd
2008 Chatsworth (GBR) CIC 3* 1st
2007 Deauville (FRA) CIC 3* 2nd
2007 Burghley (GBR) CCI 4* 6th
2007 Luhmühlen (GER) CCI 4* 5th
2006 Pau (FRA) CCI 3* 5th
2006 Saumur (FRA) CCI 3* 1st
2006 Saumur (FRA) CCI 3* 4th
2006 Chatsworth (GBR) CIC 3*-W 1st
2006 Burnham Market (GBR) CIC 3*-W 3rd
Clayton’s coach is Jane Breden and when possible Harry Boldt and Wayne Roycroft.
Clayton says he is not superstitious. He likes to meditate before a big competition.
Clayton says his most embarrassing moment was when three-year-old Ellie called
out to him in the Dressage “Shorten your reins, Daddy!”
When Clayton is not riding he enjoys singing in his band.
Clayton says “Despite living in the UK for 14 years, I still miss Australia and I am
proud to be Australian.”
His advice for aspiring riders is “Never ever give up, believe in yourself!”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games
7
Lucinda Fredericks – Eventing
Date of Birth: 28 September 1965
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 62kg
Place of Birth: Zomba, Malawi.
Residence: Rosegarth, UK
Marital Status: Married to Eventing Team rider Clayton
Occupation: Full Time Rider and Trainer
Education: St Mary’s Convent, Wiltshire UK
Horse Details: Headley Britannia: 1993 Ch Mare by Jumbo
Photo courtesy of Jan Milne
Lucinda was born in Malawi, Africa but spent much of her childhood in Germany.
Married to Eventing Team member Clayton, “Team Fredericks” is now one of the
most successful Eventing yards in the world.
Lucinda’s diminutive mare, Headley Britannia was originally at the yard as the ride of
working pupil Emma Robson, "Little Brit" as she is known, came to be ridden by
Lucinda when Emma embarked on a new career. At just 15.2hh, few senior riders
would consider her, but few juniors could ride her so Lucinda continued to develop
her career.
Since that time Lucinda and Little Brit have been champions at Blenheim CCI 3*
(2005), Burghley CCI 4* (2006) and Badminton CCI 4* (2007).
Their other performances include:
2008 Barbury Castle (GBR) CIC 3* 1st
2008 Chatsworth (GBR) CIC 3* 4th
2007 Fontainebleau (FRA) CIC 3*-W 2nd
2006 Luhmühlen (GER) CCI 4* 3rd
2005 Boekelo (NED) CCI 3* 5th
Headley Britannia has produced two foals (carried by surrogate mares) by the show
jumping stallion, Jaguar Mail who is also competing at the 2008 Olympic Games in
the French Team.
Lucinda trains with Jane Bredin for Dressage and Bina Ford for Jumping. Lucinda
says she likes to be well-prepared before a competition and to visualise each phase.
Lucinda says that her two most memorable moments in her career so far are winning
the prestigious Badminton CCI 4* in 2007 and winning the “Hickstead Eventers
Grand Prix” and driving around the arena on the back of the Ford Ranger pick-up that
she had won with Ellie (who was 18 months old) and Clayton. A proud 10 minutes!
Lucinda’s advice to aspiring riders….“Work hard, play sensibly and enjoy!”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games
8
Sonja Johnson – Eventing
Date of Birth: 14 December 1967
Height: 167cm
Weight: 61kg
Birthplace: Albany Western Australia
Residence: Palmdale, Western Australia
Marital Status Not married
Occupation: Farmer
Horse Details: Ringwould Jaguar: 1991 Australian
Photo by Derek O’Leary Stock Horse Gelding, by Jensens Man
Sonja Johnson is a farmer from Western Australia. Sonja regularly travels with her
horses up to 3900 km one way (a trip that takes around 45 hours) to compete in
Sydney. Sonja says that her pre-competition routine is “Driving for miles!”
Sonja was mustering cattle on horseback before her fourth birthday (not on a lead
rein). Riding was a necessity on the property as in the early days much of the land
was not cleared and the stock work was done on horseback.
Sonja’s horse, Ringwould Jaguar is an Australian Stock Horse. The Australian Stock
Horse originated when the first fleet arrived in Australia and is a mixture of the
Arabian and Barb blood (the Barb, developed on the Barbary Coast of North Africa,
was a desert horse with great hardiness and stamina). Eventually more horses were
imported, these were of English Thoroughbred, Spanish stock, Arabs, Timor and
Welsh Mountain Ponies. All horses sent to the Colony needed strength and stamina
- not only to survive the long sea journey, but also to work in the foreign, untamed
environment that had become their home. Further crossing with Thoroughbred
stallions resulted in the modern day Australian Stock Horse which is tough, fast and
agile with a wonderful temperament.
Jag was bred to chase cattle, but was terrified of them and fortunately showed more
aptitude for jumping.
Sonja and Jag were members of our bronze medal-winning World Equestrian Games
in 2006.
Their other performances include:
2008 Sydney (AUS) CCI 3* 1st
2008 Melbourne (AUS) CCI 3* 4th
2007 Taupo (NZL) CCI 3* 1st
2006 Melbourne (AUS) CCI 3* 1st
2005 Adelaide (AUS) CCI 4* 2nd
Sonja trains with Wayne Roycroft, Harry Boldt, Sam Lyle, her Mother, Uwe Spenlen,
Gilbert Böckmann and Heather Larwood.
Sonja’s advice for aspiring riders is…..“Andrew Hoy once taught me that luck is spelt
W.O.R.K.”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games
9
Megan Jones – Eventing
Date of Birth 6 November 1976
Height: 1.70m
Weight 60kg
Place of Birth: South Australia
Residence: Hahndorf, South Australia
Marital Status: De facto
Occupation: Coach and rider
Horse Details: Irish Jester
1993 15.3hh Grey Gelding by Irish Enough
As a child Megan saw the Eventing at the World Championships held at Gawler,
South Australia she knew what she wanted to do. That dream has now become
reality and Megan spends her days coaching, riding, competing and running the
family stud farm situated on 100 rolling acres in Hahndorf, South Australia. Over the
years the farm has built a good reputation for breeding and producing exceptional
Event horses, namely Irish Sport Horses.
Megan trains with Jamie Coman for Jumping (2005 - present) and Harry Boldt for
Dressage (2006 - present) as well as Eventing Team Coach Wayne Roycroft.
Twice Megan has won the Anna Savage award for Best and Fairest Australian Event
Rider.
Megan bred Jester and their partnership has been successful from the beginning.
Megan is a winner of the Adelaide CCI 4* (2005) and was unlucky not to win the
event in 2002. Megan thought there was a problem with Jester on the steeplechase
and stopped to check his legs. Jester was fine and they continued and would have
won the event without those time faults.
Megan was a member of the World Equestrian Games Team in 2006, winning a
bronze medal. Megan and Jester have a long list of list of accomplishments which
include:
2008 Melbourne (AUS) CCI 3* 1st
2008 Sydney (AUS) CCI 3* 2nd
2007 Lakes and Craters (AUS) CCI 3* 1st
2006 Melbourne (AUS) CCI3* 3rd
2005 Melbourne (AUS) CCI 3* 1st
As part of her pre-competition routine Megan says that in the week leading up to the
event she only ride the horses that she is taking to the competition so that she can
totally focus on them and give herself a little more rest. Megan is superstitious and
will never use new gear at competitions.
When she is not riding Megan enjoys riding her mountain bike with her partner Steve.
Megan’s most admired sportsperson is Mark Todd, and her advice for aspiring riders
is…”Always make sure you’re enjoying what you’re doing, if your smiling then you’re
already winning!”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games10
Shane Rose – Eventing
Date of Birth: 24 April 1973
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 78kg
Place of Birth: Sydney
Residence: Werombi, Sydney
Marital Status: De facto
Occupation: Horse rider/breaker
Horse Details: All Luck: (Lucky) 1994 Bay TB Gelding
Shane, along with all the members of the 2008 Eventing Team, is making his
Olympic debut. Shane has twice been was close to Olympic selection in when he
was short-listed in 1996 and 2004.
Shane owns and operates a horse property south-west of Sydney with his partner
fellow Eventing rider Niki Chapman, breaking and training race horses and eventers.
Shane has overcome some serious set-backs during his career. In 2005 Shane was
kicked in the face by a race horse and required facial reconstruction. Shane spent
one week in a coma and was in intensive care for two weeks. Just over two months
later Shane won a CNC 3* on Lucky. Shane is also survivor of thyroid cancer.
Coached by Australian legend and Head Coach, Wayne Roycroft, Shane has
enjoyed a successful career. The highlight so far was winning the jewel of southern
hemisphere Eventing Adelaide CCI 4* in 2004 riding Beauford Miss Dior.
Shane and Lucky were members of the bronze medal winning World Equestrian
Games Team in 2006. In that same year Shane and Lucky finished third at the
prestigious Burghley CCI 4* and also won the FEI World Cup Qualifier in Warwick,
Queensland.
More recently, Shane and Lucky placed second at the Melbourne CCI3* in June
2008.
Shane is a three-time winner of the Anna Savage Medal for the Best and Fairest
Australian Eventing rider.
A lover of all sports, Shane is a keen golf player and an avid rugby supporter and
admits that his childhood dream was to play for the Wallabies.
Shane lives by the motto of “Be better tomorrow than I was today,” and believes that
his horses are the most influential factor in his career.
Shane is superstitious and tries not to walk on cracks in the pavement.
Shane’s advice for aspiring riders is “Don’t swallow and breathe at the same time!”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games11
Edwina Alexander – Jumping
Date of Birth 29-March 1974
Height: 164cm
Weight: 50kg
Place of Birth: Sydney
Residence: Everywhere!! Holland/Monaco
Education: Bachelor of Physical Education
Marital Status: Not married
Occupation: Rider
Horse Details: Itot du Chateau :15.2hh 1996 Ch Geld
by Le Tot De Semilly
Born and educated in Sydney, New South Wales Edwina developed a love of riding
at 8-years-old. After training in Australia she ventured to Europe and she decided to
stay.
Edwina now lives in Holland with her partner (and coach) Jan Tops and campaigns
horses all over the world.
Edwina was placed fourth at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen 2006, becoming
the first Australian to make the individual final at a WEG.
Edwina and her diminutive mount Itot du Chateau have only been together since the
beginning of 2008, but immediately were a force to be reckoned with. This year the
pair were second at the Global Champions Tour GP CSI 5* Cannes (FRA) and third
at the CSI 4* GP Arezzo Tour (ITA) and third again at Weisbaden CSI 4* GP (GER).
This year Edwina’s other performances have included:
2008 CSI 5* GP Zurich (SUI) 1st
2008 CSI 4* Classic GP Antwerp (BEL) 1st
2008 CSI 3* GP Grobendonk (BEL) 2nd
2008 CSI 4* GP (Vigo, Spain) 5th.
Edwina is a trained fitness instructor and when she has the time she enjoys running
and swimming as well as playing the piano and shopping.
Before a competition Edwina says that she doesn’t eat too much and tries to focus on
her plan. She tries to be sure her horse is feeling good and had good training in the
class before. Edwina also tries to wake herself up before the class because she
yawns a lot before she goes into the ring and is sometimes too relaxed. Edwina says
that she loves pressure.
Edwina credits Jan and her parents as the most influential people in her riding
career.
Edwina’s advice to aspiring riders is…“From every bad experience you should
always try to learn and see it as a good experience for the next time then hopefully it
won’t happen again.”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games12
Laurie Lever – Jumping
Date of Birth: 12 October 1947
Height: 1.65m
Weight: 72kg
Place of Birth: Manchester England
Residence: Somerville, Victoria 3912
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Trainer
Horse Details: Drossel Dan: 1998 Grey Hanoverian Geld
by Drosselklang II
Laurie, an Olympic debutant, at sixty years of age is the oldest athlete on the 2008
Olympic Team – but he is quick to point out that he does not feel old and that
experience comes with age. Laurie says he wishes he knew at 20 what he knows
now.
Laurie first started riding aged 10 to occupy his time after school. His first coach was
Bert Harrison.
Laurie and Annie have four sons, two of whom are jumping riders. Dave is based in
Australia and Phil currently lives and trains in Germany at Gilbert Böckmann’s
stables. Eldest son Stewart is married and works with computers in Australia and the
youngest son James is a basketball player.
In 2006 Laurie won the CSI-W in Sydney and the CSI-W in Sale, Victoria. He
finished 2nd at the CSI-W in Wodonga, 6th in the CSI-W in Werribee and 7th at the
CSI-W in Shepparton.
In the lead-up to the Games, Laurie won the 2007 CSI-W in Toowoomba and second
at the CSI-W in Sydney. This year Laurie finished 16th at the CSI 3* in Pforzheim
(GER), 6th at the CSI 3* in Arezzo (ITA) and 9th at the CSI 5* OG Qualifier in Hagen
(GER).
Laurie is a professional jumping competitor and trainer. He has been competing at
the top echelon of Jumping for many years. Laurie and his wife Annie run an
equestrian training and event centre on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula.
Laurie's hobbies include designing and building equestrian facilities and course
building
Laurie has trained competitive riders and teams of riders in Australia, Malaysia and
Oman and United Kingdom.
Laurie says that all the top riders have had an influence on his riding career and his
advice to aspiring riders is to “Work hard and be meticulous and learn from good
people!”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games13
Peter McMahon- Jumping
Date of Birth: 16 October 1981
Height: 1.80m
Weight: 78kg
Place of Birth: Parkes, NSW
Residence: Waterford QLD
Marital Status: Married
Occupation: Horse Trainer
Horse Detail:s Kolora Genoa; 1994 Grey Hanoverian
Mare by Graf Landau
Peter started riding at 5-years-old on his family farm in New South Wales. He
practiced his skill while mustering sheep on the farm. Peter realised he enjoyed
jumping at age 10 and began to compete in the Pony Club Events.
Peter's involvement in the sport grew. He moved from competing in the Pony Club to
the Agricultural Shows. He first represented Australia at the 2003 Trans-Tasman in
New Zealand.
Peter now lives with his wife (and coach) Michelle Lang-McMahon and their children
in Queensland. Peter and Michelle operate Kolora Stud, breeding and training
quality performance horses. Peter is a qualified plant mechanic, a skilled horse
breaker / pre-trainer and highly experienced farrier. He breaks and pre-trains for the
race industry.
At the 2006 World Equestrian Games, Peter finished 16th in the Team event. In the
same year, he finished 9th at the CSI 3* in Balve and 23rd at the CSI 2* in Wisbecq.
In Australia he came second at the CSI-W in Sydney and the CSI-W League Final
Sydney.
In the lead-up to the 2008 Olympic Games Peter’s performances have included:
2007 CSI-W Sydney (AUS) 6th
2008 CSI 3* Pforzheim (GER) 18th
2008 CSI 2* Moorsele (BEL) 31st
2008 CSI-W Sydney (AUS) 3rd
Peter says that the most influential person on his riding career has been
Markus Ehning from Germany.
When Peter is not riding he loves to play golf and surf.
Peter’s advice for aspiring riders is …“Set goals and stick to them.”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games14
Matthew Williams - Jumping
Date of Birth: 9 May 1985
Height: 1.78m
Weight: 72kg
Birthplace: Noblepark, Victoria.
Residence: Currently Belgium
Marital Status: Not married
Occupation: Rider
Horse Details: Leconte 6: 1996 Dark Bay Gelding.
Sire Lasino. Sire of Dam Contender
First-time Olympian Matt began riding horses at three years of age, growing up in
rural Victoria, all the family rode horses. Matt’s early influence was his father Paul,
who was a successful show jump rider.
In 2003 Matt won the Australian Junior Jumping Championship and was named
Horseland Young Rider of the Year. The following year he was named National
Jumping Young Rider of the Year.
In 2004 Matt moved to England and rode with Duncan Inglis for three years. He
moved to Henk Nooren’s stables in Belgium in 2007 and has been training there
since.
In 2007 Matt came second at the Dresden CSI 3* GP in Germany. He finished 6th at
the La Coruna CSI 5* GP in Spain and 3rd in the GP at Gijion in Spain.
This year Matt’s performances have included:
2008 CSI 5* GP Barcelona (ESP) 7th
2008 CSI 3* GP Hachenburg (GER) 5th
2008 CSI 3* GP Gijon (ESP) 3rd
2008 CSI 5* GP Gijon (ESP) 10th
2008 CSI 4* GP Geesteren (NED) 9th
Matt rides a 1996 Dark Bay Gelding, named Leconte 6, a Holstein bred in Germany.
Leconte 6 is owned by Yvonne and Alistair Young of Tonimbuk, Australia.
Matt currently credits Henk with being the most influential person in his career but still
trains with his father as much as he can.
Matt has little time for hobbies at the moment but he enjoys listening to Pete Murray
and Josh Pyke and says his favourite movie is “Blood Diamond”.
The best advice that he ever received was “Not to dwell on the past, always look to
the future.”
Matt’s advice to aspiring riders is “Believe in yourself.”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games15
Rozzie Ryan – Dressage (Reserve)
Date of Birth: 10 April 1956
Height: 1.65m
Weight: 60kg
Place of Birth: Colchester, England
Residence: Lochinvar NSW
Marital Status: Married to Heath Ryan (Dressage Team member)
Occupation: Professional rider and coach
Horse Details Donna Carerra
1994 Black Hanoverian mare by Donnerhall
English-born Rozzie fell in love with horses at a young age. Both her mother and
brother rode and Rozzie confesses to stealing her brother’s pony.
Married to Australian Dressage Team member Heath Ryan, Rozzie now lives in
Lochinvar, New South Wales. Together they operate the NSW Equestrian Centre.
“The Centre” is a hub of activity producing top level horses and riders in Eventing and
Dressage and breeding some of Australia’s best performance horses.
Rozzie studied nursing before she became a full time rider and coach. Also a
talented artist Rozzie says she has little time for drawing these days.
Twice the Australian Grand Prix Champion, Rozzie represented Australia in 1990 at
the World Equestrian Games in Stockholm, and she also went to the World Cup Final
in 's-Hertogenbosch (NED), but disaster struck when her horse stepped on a nail
during the test and the injury forced her to withdraw from the competition. Rozzie
revisited 's-Hertogenbosch this year, again representing Australia at the World Cup
finals, this time finishing in 15th place.
When in Europe Rozzie trains with Dutch rider Tineke Bartels and five-time coach of
the German Dressage Team Harry Boldt.
Rozzie’s recent performances include:
2008 CDI 3* Wiesbaden (GER) GP 9th
2008 CDI 3* Wiesbaden (GER) GP 13th
2008 CDI 3* Hagen (GER) GP Freestyle 3rd
2008 CDI 3* Hagen (GER) GP 7th
2008 CDI-W Final 's-Hertogenbosch (NED) GP 15th.
Before a competition Rozzie says she tries hard to never be late. When asked if she
had any embarrassing moments in her career Rozzie replied “If you get embarrassed
easily you should think twice about becoming a dressage rider. It is often a
humiliating experience!”
Known as a cool and collected competitor Rozzie’s advice for aspiring riders is ...
“You must not practise anything hundreds of times, you must practise it thousands of
times.”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games16
Chris Chugg – Jumping (Reserve)
Date of Birth: 07 October 1960
Height: 1.84m
Weight: 80kg
Place of Birth: Sydney, Australia
Residence: Glossodia, Australia
Marital Status: Married to Helen with one son
Nicholas
Occupation: Rider and Coach and Stud
Manager
Horse Details Vivant: A 1998 Bay Stallion by
Fuego du Prelet
Chris Chugg lives with his wife Helen one hour west of Sydney at Glossodia, in the
Hawkesbury Valley. An area that is populated with some of Australia’s leading
equestrians. Together Chris and Helen operate a training and breeding centre.
Chris grew up with horses (his mother is still a breeder of top performance horses in
Australia) and he left school early to pursue his riding career.
Chris has been Australian Jumping Champion three times, including in 2007 (the
championships were held in 2008 due to the Australian Equine Influenza outbreak in
2007) riding Vivant. Chris has won the pacific league of the World Cup three times.
Chris trains with Team Coach Gilbert Böckmann but credits Helen with being his full
time coach. Chris feels that US legend George Morris has also had a large influence
on his career.
Chris has been at the highest level of Jumping in Australia for many years and has
had a successful career. However he laughs about one performance that he would
rather forget - falling off at Hickstead in front of the Royal Box!
In 1991 Chris rode at the World Cup Final in Gothenburg and in 1995 Chris
represented Australia at the Nations Cup Final in Helsinki. With a smile he says he
hopes his best performance is yet to come!
Some of Chris’s recent performances include:
2008 CSI 3* GP Spangenberg (GER) 4th
2008 CSI 3* GP Aach (GER) 4th
2007 CSI 3* GP Hastings (NZL) 3rd
2007 CSI-W Dapto (AUS) 1st
The advice Chris would give to aspiring riders is….” Work hard and be prepared to
do your apprenticeship.”
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic Games17
Map of Australia
Australian Equestrian Team Guide 2008 Olympic GamesYou can also read
