Carolyn Lieutenant, who received an Order Of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2012 for her service to Equestrian Sports -- particularly in the field of Para-Equestrian -- is still contributing to the sport of Dressage. Carolyn has been involved in the sport for over 40 years and at one stage was one of Australia's elite riders. She also owned Victory Salute who with Brett Parbery onboard came 7th in the 2010 World Equestrian Games
in the Grand Prix Kur - a best performance by an Australian Dressage combination at the time.
At the 2013 CDI Sydney Carolyn will have one of her horses, Waitano (Teddy), competing with Southern Highlands rider, Mark Kiddle. "After I moved to Bowral," says Carolyn, "I began to help Mark Kiddle with his horses and realised that he was a very competent experienced rider and trainer and I enjoyed watching him get the best out of all sorts of horses. I thought that this was a man who would appreciate a nice competitive horse so we set about finding a horse we both liked."
Waitano, who was owned by another great supporter of the sport, the Dowsett Family, and ridden by Jayden Brown, was tried by Mark in Queensland last October. The rest is history. Teddy and Mark have already formed a good partnership, winning at Small Tour level. Carolyn says he's quite a character "His life revolves around food and he is a fairly laid back character. We always remark that even when he is not going so well he still is beautiful to watch!"
Mark and his partner Malcolm MacRae live in the Southern Highlands of NSW and run M & M Performance horses. They have a number of horses in work, including an imported Lusitano Stallion owned by Katherine Howard Olsen, who is ready to go out FEI. Like most riders, Mark has ridden for most of his life and dabbled in most disciplines. It was in his mid twenties that Mark started to focus on dressage. "I have always loved dressage. Years ago, when I was training for Show Jumping with Art Utendale (another great Australian horseman), he made sure I realised the importance of dressage no matter what discipline I chose. I always remember that, I guess it stuck with me."
It's not every day that riders get offered to ride an FEI horse by someone like Carolyn Lieutenant. So, how did this come about? "We had been training with Carolyn for quite a while," Mark told me, "And luckily for me she liked the way I rode and offered to buy me a horse. I still pinch myself everyday, I can't believe it."
To date, Mark has had a few outings with Waitano and the results have been impressive. Recently, Carolyn, offered Mark's partner, Malcolm, to ride Waitano in the Senior Rider Class at the Grand National Championships. Malcolm too was excited about the horse. "He went like a Super Star, I ended up winning Champion!"
I asked Mark what was the best thing about his riding? (always a hard question). "I have always been told the best thing about my riding is I am very patient with good feel. Carolyn would say I need to work more on keeping my head up." Mark says with a laugh. "I find lateral work, piaffe and passage come naturally to me but like all equestrian sports, things can always be worked on and improved."
To date, Mark has competed at small tour and trained all Grand Prix movements. Until Teddy (Waitano) arrived he had not ridden an FEI test for about 16 years.
The Sydney CDI is only a month away so I'm sure Mark is feeling the pressure. "I'm really looking forward to the CDI but I also know it will be a big learning curve. We've entered in the Prix St Georges, Inter 1 and Inter 1 Freestyle. I'm sure that will be enough for my first Sydney CDI."
Text by Scott Pollock
Related Links
Field of Play Focus at the 2013 CDI Sydney
FEI Judges Refresher Course at 2013 CDI Sydney
2013 CDI Sydney to Hold Dressage Education Workshop