Bits: Vicki back in saddle, new endurance life member and a scholarship
LEGENDARY Australian equestrienne Vicky Roycroft has been back in the saddle for the first time after a very serious health scare during the Sydney Royal Easter Show a few months ago.
The 69-year-old, three-time Olympian posted a photo saying “Back where I belong (a bit ahead of schedule) 10 weeks later. And the first horse I ride? A Thoroughbred of course!”.
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LONG-TIME endurance volunteer Sandy Little has been awarded Honourary Life Membership of the Australian Endurance Riders Association for his lifelong contributions to the sport.
Sandy, who is a Victorian representative and a familiar face behind the scenes at events, was presented with his award at this year’s Tom Quility Gold Cup at Imbil in Queensland.
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WHAT fantastic results for our Australian Equestrian Team at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin. All athletes coming home with at least two medals. More details here.
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SUELLEN Deane was appointed to the position of Patron of the Society at the 2023 annual general meeting of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society of Australia.
She follows Lady Coles, Lady Creswick, Bill Bull and Joan McKinlay into the role. Suellen has held many positions with the Society from its beginnings in 1969. For her services, she was presented with an Honorary Life Membership of the society in 1989 and was president in 2004.
Suellen and her husband Anthony have been life members of the Welsh Pony and Cob Society (UK) since 1969 and in 2013 Suellen was elected to the Roll of Honorary Vice Presidents of the parent society in “recognition of conspicuous services rendered to the Society and to the Welsh Breeds”. She was presented with her award at the Royal Welsh Show in Wales in 2013.
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MACKENZIE Walch’s mount Eliva Corduroy has been named as Tasmanian Eventing Horse of the Year. Major achievements include firsts at the Northern Tasmanian Evening Club event and state championships at two-star level, fifth at Ballarat Horse Trials, fourth at Naracoorte, fifth at Albury (three-star) and a seventh at Melbourne 3DE this season.
Mackenzie (Kenny) was one of the Tasmanian team to be placed third behind Victoria and NSW at Werribee this month.
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WITH the Olympic selection process beginning, the High Performance and Recognition Squads for Para-Equestrian have been reviewed and updated. More information here.
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FOR those of you who like to stay up late and subscribe to the overseas streaming services, you are up for a couple of late nights this week watching the individual representatives for the CDI4* competition at CHIO Aachen, Germany from tonight (June 28) to July 1. Riding for Australia are Lyndal Oatley on Elvive and William Matthew and Mysterious Star.
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THERE is not much time left to apply for the Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship and Mentoring Program for this year.
Applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 21 as of December 31 and be participants in any sport recognised by either Sport Australia, Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and/or Paralympics Australia (PA).
To be eligible they must have competed at an international junior level or national senior level in their chosen sport and be a member of the Australian junior or senior squad/team in their chosen sport (where applicable).
This is a great opportunity for our future stars, with applications – which must be completed by the individual applying – closing next week on July 5 at 11.59pm. Selectors are looking for examples of compassion, hardship and athletic drive. More information here.
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