Article in March "Horse Deals" reports that World Cup Dressage competitor Brett Parbery rode well-trained, noted Saddlebred-Freisian cross from Carlyle Stud, "Shepherd's Hill Michael".
"World Champion Australian Equestrian brings art of Carriage Driving to Bungendore - 11th Mar 2011
Fresh from his 2010 victory in the World Four in Hand Championships at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games, Kentucky, USA, and the World Cup Indoor Driving Championships, Geneva, Boyd Exell was a welcome visitor to the Bungendore district to instruct at a February Carriage Driving Workshop.
The venue was local carriage driving mecca, Doug and Dot Willcoxson's beautiful property, Witwood, Mulloon, which is especially set up for carriage driving events and has a large dressage arena and colourful, permanent cross country event obstacles.
Internationally accredited dressage instructor, Brett Parbery, was also on hand to demonstrate the relevance of dressage training under saddle to enhance the horses' suppleness, balance, obedience and general performance when driven.
A large crowd of participants enjoyed Brett's demonstration of ridden dressage, up to high school level, on his Australian Warmblood horse, Good as Gold. He then rode Shepherds Hill Michael, a Saddlebred/Friesian cross gelding for Elizabeth Lawrence after her ridden dressage lesson. Elizabeth and Shepherds Hill Michael then participated in a driven dressage lesson during which Boyd and Brett analysed any problems and generally improve performance of horse and driver.
Jodie McKeone brought her beautiful team of four matched grey Andalusion cross horses from Victoria and Boyd drove the horses on both days, concentrating on balance, timing obedience, lightness and "setting up for success" with harness and gear adjustments. He used "horseless" simulations to show his method for successful timing and negotiation of obstacles during the cones and marathon sections of three phase driving competition.
Boyd was only 16 when he won the Australian pairs championship. He was a member of the Australian team at World Singles Championships in Ebbs 1998 and has been six times British National Champion, first with a single horse and five times with a four in hand. Amongst other awards he won the International Driving Grand Prix at Royal Windsor in England.
Born in Bega, south east NSW, and involved in equestrian sports since he was eight years old, Boyd is now a professional carriage driver and instructor based in Leicestershire, England. The local area was privileged to have him bring his carriage driving skills to the district on his way to South Australia and Victoria to conduct coaching workshops prior to returning to England.
Participants were totally inspired and enthused by the information and knowledge shared by Boyd and Brett over the two-day workshop and will now be able to transfer that knowledge into their next competition.
Boyd emphasised that it is often necessary to lose an event before you can learn to be a winner !
Linda Mace Wade - Goulburn"
