| Amanda Ross |
Amanda is a well known Eventer representing Australia at the World Games in Rome in 1998 and the Sydney Olympics in 2000. Amanda is an FEI Dressage Rider, 4**** Eventer and Level II NCAS instructor, coach and educator and currently resides in the Mornington Peninsula in Victoria. Her recent results include: 2010 - 7th Melbourne CCI***, 1st Camperdown CIC*** and 1st Heytesbury CNC**.
| Catherine Louise Birmingham |
From an early age, Catherine competed in dressage, showjumping and eventing. She achieved a high standard of knowledge and training in dressage, both nationally and internationally. Whilst gaining early career experience in Australia, she received accreditation from The Australian Equine Behavior Centre.
Later, she was employed at top international studs such as Zuchthof Klatte, Stall Tegtmeyer and Stall Freese in Germany and Sugitani Riding Club in Japan. She achieved her qualification as a Pferdewirtin (Horse Business Manager) in Germany and earned an excellent reputation in the teaching and guidance of young Bereiter students up to their final examination.
Her experience includes breaking and training of young showjumpers/dressage horses of significant calibre, preparation of international horses for accreditation and sales, training of dressage riders to Grand Prix, stable management, horse husbandry and assistance in AI (artificial insemination) programs.
In 2004, Catherine returned to her home base in Australia and has since built a reputation of excellence, particularly for her rigorous application of the German Training System coupled with her exceptional communication skills. She speaks fluent German and teaches in Japanese. She has founded Equinoxe Enterprises Pty. Ltd. which gave birth to Equinoxe Equestrian and Equinoxe Essentials.
Currently, Catherine’s focus is building education for rider and horse that is focused on their potential. She is now the published author of 'Ride for Life. The Three Golden Principles for Riders'. Catherine teaches and rides daily from her property, Equinoxe Equestrian in Officer. Here she has built a team of staff from office, instructors, riders and grooms, all dedicated to giving you and your horse the best training and service possible.
| Evie Buller |
Age: 16
Comes from Darkan, Western Australia
Horses: Yalambi’s Landor and Yalambi’s Uklahoma
Major Achievements:
- 1st Victorian State Junior Championships 2010
- 1st Victorian State Young Rider Championships 2010
- Australian National Young Rider Squad 2010
- 1st South Australian State Junior Championships 2010
- 1st Western Australian State Junior Championships 2009
- 1st Swan River Under 21 Championships 2009
- 1st South Australian Young Rider Final 2009
- Australian National Young Rider Squad 2009
- 1st Western Australian Under 21 Speed Championships 2008
- 1st Western Australian State A&B Speed Championship 2008
Aims:
- To produce horses good enough to be competitive at an international level
- To compete in a WEG/Olympic Games and gain a medal
- To compete to the best of myself and my horses’ ability
| Fiona McNaught |
Fiona McNaught is the proprietor of the Boneo Park Equestrian Centre, located in Boneo on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. At 27 years old she is a previous winner of the prestigious Victorian Young Dressage Rider of the Year and member of the Australian Young Rider Squad. Before turning to dressage Fiona was a successful event rider and together with Balmoral Ice, her later FEI dressage horse, she won the Victorian Pony Club State eventing championships.
Fiona and is a member of the Victorian State A Squad and is now competing successfully at Grand Prix level. She has many placings at both State and National Championships. Fiona has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and is currently balancing the management of Boneo Park and her riding whilst also completing a Masters of Business Administration at the Melbourne Business School.
Horses:
Sachsenkonig: 16 year old Trakehner chestnut gelding by Handryk. Purchased by Fiona with the help of her coach Lone Joergensen in Germany in 2008.
Best performances
2009 Australian Dressage Championships - 6th in both the Grand Prix and the Inter 2.
2009 Pacific League World Cup Final – 10th
Ostra: 14 year old Warmblood gelding by Indoctro. Currently competing Grand Prix with Fiona in Europe
Import: 6 year old grey gelding. Imported from Germany and competing at Medium level
Visit Boneo Park
| Julia Stewart |
Julia Stewart is an up and coming young dressage rider. Residing on the picturesque Mornington Peninsula, Julia has recently commenced her new position as Events Manager at the prestigious Boneo Park Equestrian Centre.
After finishing year 12 at Korowa Anglican Girls School, in Melbourne, she completed a degree in Primary Education at Monash University, however, her love of horses was too strong, and she decided to pursue a career in the Equine Industry.
Julia has always enjoyed a lifelong association with horses due to her family’s involvement in the horse industry. Julia attended Main Ridge Pony Club where she participated in as many disciplines as possible, including eventing, showing and showjumping before focusing on dressage.
Julia was a member of the Victorian Young Rider Dressage Squad for 6 years, and a member of the Victorian ‘A’ Squad for 4 of those years.
Her current partner is the 9 year old gelding Ashton Farm Rivoli (Rafter), by the imported Swedish Grand Prix stallion Rasputin. Rafter is her absolute dream partner, after a 3 year partnership, they have recently broken into the FEI ranks. With championships from Novice through to Advanced, we hope her success continues.
| Kate Doughty |
Kate lives on the Mornington Peninsula (VIC), where she trains full time in dressage and also enjoys training ponies for dressage and showing. Kate works at the Victorian Institute of Sport in Athlete Career & Education (ACE). She has also been a scholarship holder in equestrian at the VIS since 2007.
Kate knows no limits when it comes to adversity and achievement. Kate is a keen and committed rider. She demonstrates an energetic, bright and enthusiastic character, who is dedicated, hard working, and reliable.
Kate has never let her disability of being born without a right hand stop her in her pursuit of perfection, both on and off the horse. Kate has worked towards her goal and dream to represent Australia for the past 2 decades, and at only 27, she has achieved more than others would in a lifetime.
MAJOR SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS
2010 World Equestrian Games - Australian Team
2010 National PE Dressage Champion
2010 National Freestyle Champion
2010 PE Elite Squad
2010 attained FEI level competition
2010 Victorian Institute of Sport Scholarship holder (since 2007)
2009 National PE Dressage Champion
2009 National Freestyle Champion
2009 Medium Horse of the Year Winner
2008 Beijing Paralympics - long listed
2007 Sports Star of the Year
2006 International Freestyle winner - Belgium
2006 PE Elite Squad
2006 International competition debut - Canada, Belgium and England
| Romy Dodds |
My passion for horses started when my parents bought me a miniature pony at the age of two. He stood 78 cm tall and this meant I could saddle him myself. We played polocrosse and competed in the local gymkhanas winning a few ribbons along the way. What my mini lacked in size he made up for in attitude.
I was nearly 7 years old when I asked my mum if I could ride her horse. He was a quarter horse gelding and I won my first Junior Campdraft on him. He became my next polocrosse horse. Mum then bought two stock horse mares from QLD and one in particular, a little black mare who was ten and had years of polocrosse experience took me to the next level in my game.
In 2008, I was offered a horse from one of my friends as he (Jimmy) had shown great ability in the game and she had other horses that she was riding at the time. “Jimmy” and I clicked. We won a selection of trophies from best horse, most improved junior and best positional player, we also came runner up best no. 3 in B grade.
In 2009 I was selected to be a part of the NT Junior team and we won the 2nd division at the Junior National Championships in Albury. This is a highlight in my polocrosse career so far. I also competed in many drafts and won Juvenile drafts, even coming equal first with myself on one occasion.
I decided to give barrel racing a go as it was fast and looked like fun. It also gave me something else to compete in and Bridy my campdraft and now barrel horse loved it. I am now a member of the Top End Drum Runners barrel racing club in Darwin. I also have a stock horse mare called Voodoo who has become my main polocrosse mare and I now play A grade for the Palmerston Polocrosse club.
I am determined to make nationals polocrosse side in the future and would also love to campdraft and barrel race at the Warwick Rodeo. Having horses is a fulltime commitment and it gives me the chance to compete in different events, travel and learn from all the different people I meet.
| Rose Prosenik |
As a young girl I was very determined that I wanted to one day be able to compete for Australia at the Olympic Games and I still do. My life was horses. It wasn’t always showjumping, although like many other riders we all start somewhere. I attend Oaklands Pony Club where I was heavily into games, eventing and showjumping and also successfully competed at state level for games, eventing and showjumping numerous times. Dressage was never really up my alley although I was with the Young Rider Dressage Squad for a few years and I am now working for a Dressage Trainer. In the end my heart was in showjumping. I have currently been with the Young Rider Showjumping Squad for five years.
In 2008 my horse and I had a fall over a jump where I broke my collar bone, done my AC joint and the ligaments in my arm. A month later I re-broke it and I wasn’t able to ride or do any sport for a year. Within that time I had gone from being at the top to being at the bottom, having to start all over again with a new horse after losing my confidence has made a huge impact on my riding and also made me a better rider than I was to begin with, it has been a big experience and I am just finally getting back into it all.
My biggest achievement was winning the Pony Club Showjumping at Equitana in 2005 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. I had many bad experiences that year but staying focused was what ended with that great result and I’m sure there are more great achievements around the corner but right now I am extremely focused on the best rider I can be within myself. I now train very hard for a 17 year old after leaving school in 2009, working full time at Equinox Equestrian Centre which I love! Giving me an opportunity to excel mentally and physically throughout riding. Eventually I’d love to be able to have the opportunity to travel to Europe and train over there and carry on my career as a professional showjumper/trainer.
