Tasmanian Nationals Dressage Team
Donation protected
Help the Tasmanian Dressage Team get to 2017 Australian Dressage Championships!
This year, for the first time in the State's recent history of the sport, Tasmania has a team of 9 horses and riders competing at the 2017 Australian Dressage Championships.
Attracting the best horses and riders from around the nation, this premier event will be held at Boneo Park Equestrian Centre on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula from 18-22 October 2017. Horses and their riders will be competing in classes from Novice level up to Grand Prix.
Why we need your help
It is a myth that people who ride horses competitively, are wealthy, particularly in Tasmania. Our Tasmanian Team is comprised of a diverse group of individuals; some are school and uni students and others hold down full-time jobs, only two of the 9 riders are professional equestrians.
Our Tasmanian Dressage Team riders and their support crew, are already working hard to raise the funds required to make the journey to Victoria to compete, but need your help to cover costs.
Known costs per rider include:
Bass Strait Crossing: $1400 minimum
Accommodation: $1700 approx (powered caravan)
Entry fees and stable hire: $1200
Team uniform (rider): $60
Team uniform (horse): $120
Meals, horse feed, veterinary costs etc vary for each individual.
About the Team
For over half the Team, this will be their first trip to the mainland to compete and for such a small population Tassie really punches above its weight. Some team members have previously represented Tasmania, and one rider is a four-time national champion and International para-equestrian representative for Australia. Each Team member is highly motivated, ambitious and keen to do their best in representing Tasmania among the best dressage horses and riders in Australia.
Like their riders, the horses (including two ponies), are also diverse in breed, size, temperament, background and all have an exceptional level of dressage skill. Some mounts have been purpose bred, others have come to the sport of Dressage via other equestrian disciplines, another was wasting away in a paddock waiting for a special person to bring out their best.
Quick numbers:
2 dressage ponies
7 dressage horses
2 Para-equestrian riders who also compete in able-bodied competition
1 International Australian representative
1 National para-equestrian future squad member
1 National future squad member
9 riders in total
3 mums
1 groom
1 coach
What is Dressage?
Dressage is a sport often described as 'gymnastics for horses'. The International Equestrian Federation defines Dressage as 'the highest expression of horse training'. It takes a considerable amount of time (usually years) of progressive training for horse and rider to achieve that special partnership that allows them to perform well in Dressage tests. The tests, consist of exacting, specific movements with varying degrees of difficulty, that demonstrate the horses' natural athletic abilities and willingness to respond to their riders' aids. Most of us have either experienced firsthand, or, are aware through the experiences of others, the challenges and joys of achieving a synergy of wills between horse and rider.
Dressage has been an Olympic sport since 1912. Participation in National competitions paves the way for future Dressage Olympians. Wouldn't it be great if a Tasmanian Dressage horse and rider team could one day compete at an Olympic Games?
If you would like to help the first ever Tasmanian Dressage Team get to the 2017 Australian Dressage Championships, please go fund us!
This year, for the first time in the State's recent history of the sport, Tasmania has a team of 9 horses and riders competing at the 2017 Australian Dressage Championships.
Attracting the best horses and riders from around the nation, this premier event will be held at Boneo Park Equestrian Centre on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula from 18-22 October 2017. Horses and their riders will be competing in classes from Novice level up to Grand Prix.
Why we need your help
It is a myth that people who ride horses competitively, are wealthy, particularly in Tasmania. Our Tasmanian Team is comprised of a diverse group of individuals; some are school and uni students and others hold down full-time jobs, only two of the 9 riders are professional equestrians.
Our Tasmanian Dressage Team riders and their support crew, are already working hard to raise the funds required to make the journey to Victoria to compete, but need your help to cover costs.
Known costs per rider include:
Bass Strait Crossing: $1400 minimum
Accommodation: $1700 approx (powered caravan)
Entry fees and stable hire: $1200
Team uniform (rider): $60
Team uniform (horse): $120
Meals, horse feed, veterinary costs etc vary for each individual.
About the Team
For over half the Team, this will be their first trip to the mainland to compete and for such a small population Tassie really punches above its weight. Some team members have previously represented Tasmania, and one rider is a four-time national champion and International para-equestrian representative for Australia. Each Team member is highly motivated, ambitious and keen to do their best in representing Tasmania among the best dressage horses and riders in Australia.
Like their riders, the horses (including two ponies), are also diverse in breed, size, temperament, background and all have an exceptional level of dressage skill. Some mounts have been purpose bred, others have come to the sport of Dressage via other equestrian disciplines, another was wasting away in a paddock waiting for a special person to bring out their best.
Quick numbers:
2 dressage ponies
7 dressage horses
2 Para-equestrian riders who also compete in able-bodied competition
1 International Australian representative
1 National para-equestrian future squad member
1 National future squad member
9 riders in total
3 mums
1 groom
1 coach
What is Dressage?
Dressage is a sport often described as 'gymnastics for horses'. The International Equestrian Federation defines Dressage as 'the highest expression of horse training'. It takes a considerable amount of time (usually years) of progressive training for horse and rider to achieve that special partnership that allows them to perform well in Dressage tests. The tests, consist of exacting, specific movements with varying degrees of difficulty, that demonstrate the horses' natural athletic abilities and willingness to respond to their riders' aids. Most of us have either experienced firsthand, or, are aware through the experiences of others, the challenges and joys of achieving a synergy of wills between horse and rider.
Dressage has been an Olympic sport since 1912. Participation in National competitions paves the way for future Dressage Olympians. Wouldn't it be great if a Tasmanian Dressage horse and rider team could one day compete at an Olympic Games?
If you would like to help the first ever Tasmanian Dressage Team get to the 2017 Australian Dressage Championships, please go fund us!
Organizer
Simone James
Organizer
Blackstone Heights TAS
