Australian dressage, show horse and hackney trainer Vince Corvi died unexpectedly on 29 November 2016 from heart failure. He was 73 years old.
Vince was extremely well known in the Australian equestrian community and highly respected across the horse industry in the disciplines of show horse, dressage and carriage driving. He was massive influence on many riders' careers.
Vince trained his horses with dressage basics and in turn, making them very successful in the show ring whether that be under saddle or in harness. He was best known for his show hackneys and was a champion in every arena throughout his career. Under Terry Cowan, Corvi's show horses were unbeatable.
He also shared his wealth of knowledge through his many clinics across Australia. Vince's close friends stated that "to see the effect that Vince had on horses the moment he held the reins was amazing, and what he could get a horse to do will never be repeated to the same affect."
Most recently Vince drove his own and Margaret Beggs Woodhurst The Count to take out the Viceroy Championship at the 2016 Royal Melbourne show.
Corvi worked with numerous Australian dressage riders, including Olympian Lyndal Oatley, who was trained by Corvi in her teenage days. "I was so very very fortunate to have Vince in my life," Lyndal wrote. "My first lesson with Vince he pushed me until I cried and came up to me, patted my leg and with his soft sweet voice said it's ok dear- it shows me you want this. From that day on we worked several times a week, mum driving with me picking me up from the bus stop with the horses, pulling my school clothes off in the front seat so I could jump out and be ready to roll. I spent time every school holidays with Vince and terry, I lived with them, cleaned the boxes, feed the horses, had my lessons, helped get the hackneys ready and watched with wide eyes at the talent and feel Vince had. He was an under utilized talent with an amazing brain and love for horses. I was so fortunate that he believed in me and gave me so much, and was instrumental in all that I have done in my career. If I needed a chat, or had a problem, even since I have been in Germany, I would ring him and he would just answer ' yes dear ' - he already knew I needed him and what was my problem . He had an uncanny knack with that.."
Australian Olympic short listed rider Kelly Layne was an assistant trainer at Corvi's for several years.
Corvi is described as a legend and a true horseman who will be greatly missed by the equestrian community. "He was an extremely gifted horseman, and true thinker and devoted his life to his horses. He had an incredible skill with double lunging and in hand work," said Oatley.
Vince leaves behind his partner Terry Cowan and his family.
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