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Congratulations to EA National Award recipients
On Saturday night around 60 guests enjoyed a cocktail function for the presentation and celebration of the EA National Sport Achievement Awards for 2009. The Transport Exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum, Sydney, made for a great venue; we were nestled amongst trains, planes and automobiles as well as more appropriately a horse and carriage. The Awards celebrate both the excellent athlete achievements as well as the “behind the scenes” work done by dedicated individuals and clubs. EA hopes to expand the festivities surrounding the Awards night in coming years.
The award recipients were as follows ;
Administrator of the Year – Rose Read
This award is to recognise the outstanding dedication and achievements of volunteer administrators who have given their services to EA, Equestrian clubs or events and have received no remuneration for their services.
Rose Read is the Director of two of Australia’s most prestigious events, the Weekend of World Cups and Sydney Three-Day Event. Both of these events are World class and therefore a huge undertaking.
The Weekend of World Cups competition coordinates both Eventing and Jumping World Cup qualifiers as well as;
• Prelim, pre-novice, One, Two and Three Star Eventing involving 420 horses
• Young Horse Eventing and Jumping Classes
The Sydney Three Day Event is an essential competition on the Australian Eventing calendar, offering riders the opportunity to compete at this world class venue and former Olympic Cross-country course.
This year as the event will host a pre WEG competition for our AUS based shortlisted Eventing riders.
Rose works tirelessly throughout the year, dedicating countless hours to these events. Along with her committee she has enabled Australian Eventing to grow and prosper.
Official of the Year – Graeme Watts
This award is to recognise the dedication and performance of Equestrian Australia officials who display a high level of excellence and to reward their continuing contribution to the sport.
Graeme Watts has spent many years as a Jumping official, course designer and judge at the top level. Graeme is an FEI Level 1 Course Designer and EA Level 3 Jumping Judge.
Throughout 2009 Graeme officiated at
· Sydney Jump club
· QLD Jumping Championships
· Toowoomba Royal
· Toowoomba World Cup qualifier
· Sydney Royal
· Melbourne Royal
· Grand Prix Championships in Kuala Lumper, Malaysia
Graeme also conducted Jumping Judge and Course Designer clinics in Darwin, Alice Springs and North Queensland. Graeme has earned reputation as a talented course designer who can ensure the highest degree of rider, horse, sponsor and spectator satisfaction.
The 2009 Toowoomba World Cup enjoyed the highest entries in 15 years a testament to Graeme as course designer and as member of the organising committee.
Graeme is involved with many QLD events and takes care to design courses that develop horse and riders with confidence at every level. As an official, Graeme is known to be honest and fair to all.
Graeme has contributed significantly to the improvement of Jumping rides and horses in QLD.
Event Volunteer of the Year – Carole Lok
This award is to recognise the outstanding dedication and achievements of volunteers who have given their services to the running of Equestrian events and have not received remuneration for their services.
Carol Lok is dedicated to the development of Dressage. Carol volunteers hundreds of hours at numerous QLD events throughout the year. She is known to be enthusiastic, capable and dependable.
In 2009 Carol was a;
· A mentor to the QLD Young Rider Committee ensuring they run a successful Young Rider event
· Financial controller of the QLD Dressage Festival where she is also an irreplaceable and integral part of the organising committee
The High Performance co-ordinator for the QLD Dressage Committee, where she is required to liase with the State selectors & coach and travel as the Chef d’Equipe with the QLD State team.
· Co-ordinator of the State Squad Training camp
· A huge help managing entries, draws, scoring for the QLD State Young Horse Championships and the QLD State Championships
· Helps many clubs including Dressage QLD with their computer scoring on a regular basis
No job is too big or too difficult for Carol and she is counted on by many clubs in South East QLD.
Para Equestrian Athlete of the Year – Sharon Jarvis
This award is a NEW award for 2009 and is to recognise athletes who have had one or more exceptional performances during the year either on the National or International stage.
Sharon Jarvis Sharon was born with the riding bug and by the time she was four-years-old her parents gave up and bought her a pony so she could keep up with her older brother and sister on theirs.
Sharon rode two horses, Applewood Odorado and Centuro Donnerquest at the Inaugural National Para-Equestrian Championships in 2009. Sharon produced a masterclass performance to be both the winner and second place getter in the Freestyle and convincingly claimed the Grade III competition by taking the Championship with Applewood Odorado and Reserve Champion with Centura Donnerquest.
At the CPEDI3* held in Werribee in December, the first fully integrated event held in Australia, Sharon again claimed the Grade III title against some stiff competition. She also scored a massive 76.852% in the freestyle, the highest percentage scored during the whole event.
Owner of the Year – Carolyn Lieutenant
This award is a NEW award for 2009 and is to recognise the owner of horses that have had one or more exceptional performances during the year either on the National or International stage.
Owner of the Year needs to a horse to help them to the award and NSW Horse of the Year Victory Salute is Carolyn’s very proud possession. Victory Salute (aka Sam) was bred by Carolyn as a bit of a hobby by Salute out of a mare called Esprit and is being campaigned by Brett Parbery.
After competing and training in Europe in 2008 he was non travelling reserve for the Olympics. Hoping he would have made the team and already being in Hong Kong, Carolyn thought Georgia Bruce would have a good chance of a medal on him if she were chosen for the Paralympic team. The rest is history and Sam carried Georgia, to two Bronze Medals.
Carolyn is so proud of her gentle giant (he stands at 18hh) and can hardly believe the she bred such a wonderfully generous horse, who has gone from strength to strength and is the 2009 National Grand Prix Dressage Champion and winners of the Pacific League World Cup Final which gave Brett and Victory Salute the opportunity to represent Australia at the World Cup final in 's-Hertogenbosch (NED) in March where they finished a very creditable 10th, the highest placing of an Australian combination ever!
When interviewed following his win at the Pacific League final Brett Parbery commented “I don’t feel I need to find a special trainer overseas I am happy working with Carolyn. That has been working well for us, Carolyn has been fantastic - she is an owner, sponsor and trainer in one!”
Coach of the Year – George Sanna
This award is to recognise EA NCAS-registered coaches, coaching in a paid or unpaid capacity, whose athlete(s) or teams have achieved outstanding results whilst competing at the highest level in competition at senior or junior level during the nomination period, and where the contribution of the coach is thought to be significant.
Whilst an extremely accomplished rider in his own right, having competed at two Olympic Games , 3 Jumping World Cup finals and a World Equestrian Games and still competing regularly George Sanna is now very focussed on coaching.
An NCAS level 3 coach and coach educator George has had a hand in producing some of Australia’s outstanding Jumping riders.
George has also coached a number of teams to National and international success, coaching Beijing, Singapore and Indonesian teams for Asian Games and competitions.
In 2009 George has coached the following riders to success
· Jamie Winning – Winner of the World Cup qualifier at Sydney Royal
· Julia Hargreaves - =2nd in the Grand Prix at the NZL Horse of the Year
· Emily Blinkworth – 2009 NSW and Australian Young Rider of the Year
· Monique Barrett – winner of the 2009 Australian Junior title
· Paul Athanasoff – winner of Sale World Cup qualifier
George is always approachable to riders of all levels and to riders who are not regular students. He develops excellence in the competition arena as well as position perfection, horse ride-ability and improved horsemanship.
Equestrian Event of the Year – Sydney CDI
This award is to recognise EA sanctioned events run by an EA Committee or an EA-affiliated Club or Show Society that have achieved a standard of excellence greater than that of other equestrian sporting events during the same period.
The 2009 Sydney CDI 3-Star (the longest running international dressage event in Australia) continues to be the most significant dressage event in Australia. It is the only 3-star dressage event in the country. It attracts more spectators, regular sponsors, more trade representation than any other equestrian event held in NSW.
The event showcases Australia’s premier dressage horses from the top down to the stars of the future taking part in the YH championships. The event is conducted by an Event Organising Committee of Dressage NSW Inc. This Committee (all volunteers) has worked together for many years and is highly regarded.
Horse of the Year – Vivant
This award is to recognise horses that have had one or more exceptional performances during the year either on the National or International stage.
Vivant is owned by Bev Edwards, Chris and Helen Chugg.
Partnered with his rider Chris Chugg, Vivant collected honours at several events including:
· 1st – Australian National Jumping Championships, 2009 (making it 3 years in a row)
· 1st – In 7 out of 10 World Cup Qualifiers, 2009
· NSW Jumping Horse of the Year, 2009
· Travelled to Europe for World Cup Final in 2010 based on 2009 results
Young Athlete of the Year – Megan Bryant
This award is a NEW award for 2009 and is to recognise the achievements of up and coming Young Equestrian athletes, aged 14-21, who have demonstrated significant talent, dedication & commitment to the Sport.
Megan Bryant is a very successful young rider in both Dressage and Eventing; she is winning at Prix St George level Dressage and 1-star level Eventing.
Megan was named as the NSW Eventing Junior rider of the Year in 2009. She is also a member of the NSWIS Emerging Talent Squad for Dressage.
Domestic Athlete of the Year – Chris Chugg
This award is to recognise athletes who have had one or more exceptional performances during the year on the National stage.
Chris Chugg is one of Australia’s elite jumping riders. Some of his achievements include:
• National Champion twice
• Twice represented Australia at the FEI World Cup Final
• Member of Winning Nations Cup team in Europe
• Winner and placegetter in European Grand Prix and World Cup events
• Winner of 30 World Cup qualifiers with 11 different horses.
• Three time winner of the Australian World Cup league.
• He is currently on the National Elite list with Vivant.
Overseas Athlete of the Year – Boyd Exell
This award is to recognise an athlete who has had one or more exceptional performances during the year either on the National or International stage.
Boyd Exell is based in Leicester, England, where he has become the world’s top four-in-hand Carriage Driver.
Born in Bega, Australia, Boyd has been involved in equestrian sport since he was 8 years old. At 16, Boyd won the Australian pairs championship. Aged 21 he left Australia for Britain to improve his carriage driving talent - with remarkable success.
In 2009 Boyd won the FEI World Cup Driving finals held in Gothenburg, Sweden (which he again won in 2010).
Among his many achievements Boyd was 2nd in the FEI Pairs Top Driver Award in 2001 and 2nd in the Four-in-hand Top Driver Award in 2003, 2007 & 2009.
He is a six-time winner of the British National Championship:
• Single horse 2000
• Four-in-hand in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008 & 2009.
In 2003 and 2009 he won the prestigious CAIO at Aachen (GER) and in 2004, 2006 & 2008 (and again in 2010) the International Driving Grand Prix at Royal Windsor (GBR).
Club of the Year – Figtree Pocket Equestrian Club
This award is to recognise EA-affiliated clubs that have achieved a high standard of performance in governance, member development and event management.
Fig Tree Pocket Equestrian Club runs 3 ODE’s a year catering to approximately 160 to 180 competitors each time, plus 2 Dressage Days and there is a strong level of commitment by the current committee and of the members of Fig Tree Pocket Equestrian Club to operate as a team with tasks completed as required and with a minimum of fuss.
In 2009, Fig Tree Pocket Equestrian Club conducted the final construction for an Amenities block, Canteen renovations, a large undercover area, two covered yards in the hospital paddock, 18 new additional timber horse holding yards.
EA Special Services–Fran Cleland, Geoff McGuire, Lesley Sullivan, Diana Winwood
This award is to recognise individuals or organisations that have contributed over a number of years. This award may be given to persons who have worked over a longer periodor contributed through a number of extraordinary single efforts, for the horse, its breeding, its “keeping”, for Equestrian sport or generally in the horse industry.
Fran Cleland
Fran has been a long time contributor to Equestrian Australia, particularly in her home state of Victoria. Fran’s service and dedication to Show Horse and to Equestrian journalism have been substantial spanning the past 30 years.
In this time Fran assisted the introduction of Newcomer Championships, Show Hunter Championships and Owner/Rider championships which have now been adopted by many shows across Australia.
Fran, a previous Ringmaster of the Barastoc Horse of the Year show for 10 years, worked to create the Working Hunter classes at Barastoc which this year attracted over 150 entries. Also at Barastoc Fran introduced the Young Rider Showmanship competition for all round riders from 14 – 18 yrs. From this 12 young riders have gone on to ride in Trans Tasman competitions.
Fran has judged at multiple Royal shows as well as Horse of the Year shows in WA, NSW Tasmania, the Northern Territory as well as many large shows all across Australia and New Zealand.
Fran worked to create the Equestrian Victoria Young Rider of the Year awards where young riders in each discipline gain recognition for their hard work and achievement.
Fran represented Victoria on the EFA Federal Council’s first Show Horse Committee and assisted in the creation of the first Australian National Show Horse Championships.
Fran also served as the Publicity Officer for Equestrian Victoria for 5 years.
In 2009 Fran helped to run the 12th Australian Masters Games Equestrian Section and the 2010 Equestrian Victoria Masters Games.
Outside of Equestrian Australia Fran is an accomplished journalist, with 20 years writing for Rural Press Victoria as well as a former editor of ‘Hoofs and Horns’ magazine.
Fran worked on a horse segment for the ABC Country wide program that ran for 2 years, co-authored “Horse Sense” with Peter Huntington, a text book which has been reprinted 3 times and is used in TAFE courses around Australia.
Fran currently writes a horse column for the Weekly Times newspaper.
Geoff McGuire
Geoff has been a volunteer for Equestrian Australia affiliated sport for over 40 years. As a pillar in WA EVENTING Geoff has been an;
· FEI Technical Delegate 1994-2006
· International course Designer 1993-2002
· National Course designer from 1975
· Designed and/or built courses to FEI 3* level and One Day Event courses of all levels at many venues throughout Western Australia
· National Steward and then National Technical Delegate from the instigation of the position in WA until 2009
· National Eventing selector for 4 years
· Delegate to National Eventing Committee for 10 years
· State selector for over 25 years
· WA State Eventing Committee member 1995-2008, Chair from 1994-2002
· Founding member and past Chair of the Great Southern Eventing Club
Geoff’s efforts are not limited to Eventing. He was also FEI show jumping Judge from 1993-2008, a National Judge & Course Designer and a member of the ring Event Committee at Perth Royal show for more than 30 years.
Geoff has contributed considerably to the raising of the standard of courses across WA, the training of officials and riders. Geoff has been a considerable influence on many riders including Sonja Johnson with her development through junior ranks to Olympic level competition.
Living 200kms from the Equestrian centre Geoff has travelled many, many miles at his own expense and his many hours spent as a course designer and builder were always voluntary. His tireless efforts assisted many clubs to be able to afford to conduct events and meet EA standards.
Geoff’s contributions have gained recognition from other areas ofthe community.
In 2006 he was awarded an Order of Australia medal for Equestrian and Community service
In 2000 a Australian Sports medal and also Katanning Volunteer Hall of Fame and Life member of Katanning Equestrian Club.
Lesley Sullivan
Lesley Sullivan has played an integral role in the Equestrian world for many years, both in the capacity of a volunteer and as a paid professional.
Leslie’s commitment to Equestrian has included being....
· a committee member of the Northern Territory RAS from 1971-89
· President and Publicity officer of Darwin Dressage Club
· President of the NT Show Horse Association
· Instrumental in forming the NT Equestrian Australia branch
· NT delegate to the Australian Dressage Committee for 8 years
· The chair of the Australian Dressage Committee 2007-09
· And is currently the Chair of Queensland Judges Sub Committee
Lesley has volunteered in numerous roles including being Section Manager for the Youth Olympic Festival in 2005. Lesley has been the Technical Delegate at many major events such as the Brenda Wittman Classic, the Dressage Festival, as well as State and National Championships
In 2000 Lesley was awarded the Australian Sports Medal
As a dedicated member of Dressage QLD and Equestrian AUS, Lesley has had a long term vision to improve the sport of Dressage by running forums, seminars, workshops and competitions across the State.
Lesley has conducted forums in QLD in 2008, 2009 and will again in 2010, she has conducted and organised judges seminars and workshops including the Christoph Hess clinic in 2008.
In 2009 Lesley implemented the Judges Mentors Workshop and the Guanaba Judges Workshop.
In addition Lesley is a ‘A level’ Judge who meets commitments across the country on a regular basis.
Lesley is a tireless worker from club level through to National Championships and Equestrian Australia is grateful for her contribution.
Diana Winwood (posthumous)
It is with great sadness that we present Diana with this EA Special Services award posthumously. Diana had been involved in the Equestrian world all her life.
In recent years her focussed moved from Dressage to Vaulting and during this time the Kingfisher Vaulters achieved fabulous results in local, State, National and international competitions.
Diana was a giver who never stopped helping others. She worked with love and dedication to help a handicapped student achieve and develop physically beyond all expectations.
Diana taught students and their parents skills , not limited to Vaulting but all aspects of true horsemanship and husbandry.
In 2007 Diana was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor. Throught the very difficult times she continued to teach the people around her how to continue her passion witht eh Kingfisher Vaulters.
In September 2009 Diana went to see her students compete at the 2009 State Championships, although by this time she had lost most of her speech and mobility. Diana parked her wheelchair near the arena and cheered support. At this event her students achieved their best results placing 1st in more than one event.
Diana trained her students up to the final weeks before her death in October 2009. Diana will be sadly missed.
Order of Merit– Geoff Sinclair and Franz Venhaus
This award is the highest level of honour awarded by Equestrian Australia. The Order of Merit is to be awarded for an outstanding contribution to the Federation and to Equestrian sport, either at the National or International level.
Geoff Sinclair
Geoff Sinclair has served Equestrian Australia in a multitude of ways. Most recently as our Chairman from November 2006 to November 2008.
Geoff’s contribution to Equestrian Sport stretches back over many years. He has been a member of EA for over 30 years and in that time he has been;
· the Director of the Melbourne International Three-Day Event,
· Cross Country Course Controller at Adelaide and Melbourne 3 day events for many years
· assistant TD at Sydney Three Day Event 2002 and 2003
· an FEI Official, steward and Technical Delegate<, /div>
· an EA Level 3 Technical Delegate
· the Cross-Country Course Controller at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games,
· An official at both WEG 2002 in Jerez, Spain and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens
· Chef de Mission for the 2006 World Equestrian Games
· Past President and 20 year committee member Wandin Horse Trials
· a director of the Equestrian Federation of Australia
All the while fitting in with his demanding role as a director of the Horseland / Weatherbeeta organisation. We thank Geoff for his outsanding contribution to Equestrian Sport
Franz Venhaus
During his tenure Franz Venhaus has lead the most significant changes and progression in the operation of Equestrian Australia in over 50 years.
Franz has been a dedicated to Equestrian Australia for many more years than his eight as CEO. Coming to Australia from Germany in 1970 Franz has been part of our Equestrian scene since the early 1980s. Together with his wife Toni, he has "created" the Sydney CDI, one of Australia’s most prestigious and important Dressage events, and directed the world’s first combined League Finals for the World Cups of Dressage and Jumping.
During his early ‘EFA’ days, Franz also served as Treasurer on the Dressage NSW Committee, was delegate to the National Dressage Committee, became Treasurer of the NSW Branch. Franz was instrumental to the improved functioning of the State branch in many varied ways.
Franz officially joined the staff of our National Office in 2001, filling the breach by becoming our temporary CEO camped out in our then Adelaide Head Quarters.
At the time it was intended that Franz’s would be a temporary appointment only, that was not to be and the EA Board was quick to see in Franz a dedication to the task and much needed experience, administrative skills and sporting professionalism and Franz came on board on a permanent basis.
EA has not faltered since with Franz leading us ever onwards and upwards, including taking the national office to its present Sydney home.
Some of the key benefits introduced while Franz was CEO include getting EA into shape financially, establishing a national database, introducing an interactive web with integrated Branch and club web sites, overseeing the introduction of a new and progressive governance regime and associated constitution, the NCAS and National Education Programs and placing our rider and coaches' insurance arrangements on sound and commercial footing through a very testing insurance crisis and strengthening our ties with the FEI.
Franz was the Equestrian Competition Manager at the Olympic Games in 2000 playing a major role in the success of the Equestrian events during the Games.
In Franz’s time EA has developed as a truly elite professional sporting organisation. We are not only recognised as a leader by the various equine industry bodies in Australia, but we are now recognised as such by Government.
Franz has overseen the strengthening of our relationship with the Australian Sports Commission and the Australian Olympic Committee. During his time as CEO our High Performance funding from Federal Government was tripled and a full time HP department was established resulting in better coaching, squads and performances at Olympic and World Equestrian Games across all disciplines.
Through his efforts we were elected into full membership of Animal Health Australia (AHA). That we are the only recreational horse body to be admitted to membership of AHA speaks volumes for the work done by Franz.
All of the above and much more done by a man that has devoted his whole self to the role often working long hours, 7 days a week, all the while with his unusual and appreciated sense of humor!
Thank you, Franz, from all EA members
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