Riding Disciplines
Virtus, Para & Open Dressage
Coach(es)
Jess Somerfield, Mary Longden (Head Coach For Virtus Global Games) With thanks to Heath & Rozzie Ryan, Ruth Schneeberger, Mark Dowling, Ruth Schneeberger & Rachel Short
Horses
Valerius Whisperen (Boxer)
Retired Horses: Toolbag (Toolie), Belstone Valentino (Radar), Don Cruzero (Max)
Breed(s)Warmbloods (Boxer, Radar & Max) & Thoroughbreds (Toolie, Redoubts Choice/Strawberry Girl)
Name the most influential person in your riding career and why:
Heath and Rozzie Ryan - Great coaches who set me up with the most important basics, and great friends.
Jess Somerfield - For her coaching ability, encouragement and ongoing support
Describe your riding history:
Started at Maitland Pony Club aged 7 years. Heath and Rozzie Ryan were Andrew's private coaches.
Attended NSW Equestrian Centre as a student.
Based with Mark Dowling prior to Para Equestrian National Championships.
Special highlight(s) in your riding career:
Double Gold Medalist for the Australian Para Dressage Equestrian Team for the Virtus Global Games in Vichy, France 2023 and recognised as the most successful Australian Dressage Team to compete overseas.
Competing in England at Hartpury at the RDA British National Dressage Championships.
Competed at an International FEI Para Equestrian Competition at Werribee.
What are your ambitions?
To attend as many competitions as possible in Open competition.
To attend all FEI competitions for Virtus and Para to assist in my world rankings.
Special care and management considerations of your horse(s):
Radar, now retired, has Cushing’s, and is medicated with Pergolide Mesylate & needed a diet to maintain a healthy weight, and support his disease. Max, also retired, has a shattered meniscus, & as an 18.2hh needed a diet to support & maintain his condition.
Toolbag is a retired racehorse, who was spelled for 10 months. We are aiming for maximum weight gain, but rideability in these early stages of his future dressage career.
Which Pryde's feeds do you use and why do you like them?
EasiSport as it is perfect for horses who can’t tolerate grain.
EasiResult because it gives us easy results & it is perfect for fussy horses who refuse to eat
whilst travelling, or at competitions.
EasiResponse is economical to feed, & we often mix with the EasiResult.
Mare Cubes, not only for mares, but retired horses or resting horses, who are out in paddocks & still need to be fed, as the pellet is large & easy for the horse to pick up.
Pryde’s oil is excellent to encourage weight gain & a little energy.
ReBuild is brilliant. Fed in conjunction with exercise, in creating a good topline.
EasiLyte as Boxer is a heavy sweater, and it aids in his balance.
How will Pryde's Sponsorship make a difference to you?
Financially, to help with competition entries.
The support of a resource for advice for best results for a healthy and competitive horse.
