Emily and Keniski at the Melbourne 3 Day Event 2009 Story & Pictures Berni Saunders The Queen's Birthday weekend is a focal point in the preparation of Eventing horses in Australia and every second year the results weigh heavily in terms of deciding the Australian team for WEG or the Olympic Games. Only the riders really understand the delicate balance of many aspects of their everyday training and management of the horses that will allow them to finish all three phases in tip top shape ... and placing or winning is the absolute icing on the cake. Emily Anker rode her grey ex-racehorse Keniski who was trained by Chris Biggins who also trained the famous grey, Super Impose. Keniski had 30 starts and was a moderately successful racehorse. Emily has owned him for 7 years and reaching 3 Star level has presented challenges and tested her overall horsemanship ... but she is pleased that the years of careful systematic training and good horse husbandry are now paying dividends. I spoke to Emily Anker after her dressage test and she said "I was pretty happy with his test, he can be a little difficult when he is fit and ready for the cross country phase at these big events. Now that I have found how to manage and feed him correctly, we can work on putting more expression into our dressage and this should put us into a good position going into the next two days of competition!" I asked Emily if she had any special strategies for her horse and she said, "Feed has been a big factor to getting his best. He was very hot and difficult when I first started with him, I have found that Prydes EasiResult is the perfect feed as it gives him all the energy he needs but in a way that keeps him cool and concentrating...he looks fantastic and his coat is very good!" I had to agree that for a grey (they seldom shine) he looks very healthy with gleam which gave him a silver sheen. Emily did not make an appearance on Balmoral Cavalier as he is in the UK following their participation at Badminton earlier this year. Balmoral Cavalier was not able to take part in the final showjumping phase of this event as he was not quite right after cross country day. He is now stabled at the Lincoln Equestrian Centre with Tony and Becky Simmons. Emily said, "I am really missing him this weekend as we have has some super rides at this event!" Emily's husband and business partner Will Enzinger, had an active role at this event, but not as a rider. He trains the Victorian Junior Eventing Squad. Will was very pleased with his team and said that the weekend was a great success with three Victorians in the top 6 Junior placings. Will and Emily work closely with the Equine Nutritionist from Prydes Feeds, Susannah Gazia and Will is pictured with Susannah at the event (right) Prydes Feedsafe Certificate Prydes Nutritionist can custom make diets to meet the specific needs of your horse - For more information on Prydes Feed click here |