Many are obviously discussing what I have said in a previous article regarding Edwina Alexander and Rod Brown achieving selection for the World Games and my opinions on the sending of a team and today we received another Letter to the Editor from Victoria - Ed

Dear Jan,

Your article about selection for the World Equestrian Games will bring much discussion. I know how passionate you are about showjumping and I only wish that we'd had a sponsor like you when we had our team!

Annie White's letter is also very true in some respects. It is better to have tried than not to have tried at all.

However, Australia is at present at a crossroads. Thirty four years ago when Art took Tongala to the UK and later on during many visits to Europe and the USA, he always said that "our riders are naturals, the best in the World, all we needed were 4 horses of equal ability and then have a competition". Strangely enough, some of the riders he spoke about then were up and coming riders Rod Brown, George Sanna, Vicki Roycroft, Coleen Brook, Gavin Chester, Chris Chugg and David Dobson. Hard to believe that they are all still there and winning a large majority of the events!

Between then and now, most of our talented horses have been sold to fund "living"! Many warmblood stallions were brought out here (most the wrong type or line, they, of course, would not sell their 'good' ones) and were covering thoroughbred mares. This was the only way the majority of breeders could afford to do it. Today we can import the best! We can bring in the 'good' mares, the best semen and with some owners starting up studs with jumping blood lines and backing our riders it will not be long until we reach the top. Some of these relatively inexperienced imports will be up there with the best for the next Olympics in China - it's just a little too soon for the World Equestrian Games.

So why not put the money towards helping to base few riders in Europe giving them the international exposure to bigger courses. Prior to the Montreal Olympics the Australian team toured the USA major shows for months. Each week the horses improved, until they were winning major events. When they reached Montreal, the course was the biggest ever jumped. We have it on a DVD. Mr. Dennis (Art's former ride) ridden by Guy Creighton came 5th. A remarkable performance, and owners David and Elizabeth Boyle attributed this success to the experience they gained jumping against the best.

So just be patient. At last we have many young horses who should make the grade, with a little help. Our riders are becoming more interested in ground work, owners are prepared to keep the talented horses in Australia and our riders are naturally talented. OUR WORLD IS OUR OYSTER!


Kerry Uytendaal.