It is quickly come to the pointy end of year; the sun starts
to shine, Christmas decorations start to adorn the shelves of shops and end of
year festivities are planned. It is also a time when Victoria becomes immersed
in all things horse-related. Yes, it’s the Spring Racing Carnival and apart
from the oversized feathered hats, large consumption of champagne and men in suits;
it is also a time when the horses shine. This then leads me to my topic for
this week. I am a huge fan of the Spring Racing Carnival and love to have a bet
on the horses, and when I was much younger I used to want my own pony to ride
through the paddocks with the wind in my hair. Two things abated this dream.
First, my father refused, point blank to have horses on the property, be around
them or work with them; and second, I was overcome by sneezes and puffy eyes
when I came within feet of a horse. There goes the dream of being the next
Elizabeth Taylor in National Velvet.
Horses were a huge, if not the biggest part of my grandparents’
life. As a couple they held a well known and rather exclusive Dressage teaching
school from their property in Lara and Meredith during the 1960s and 70s.
However, as individuals they were mighty powerful in the horsing world.
Above: Erica Russell & friend on a horse, c. 1930.
My grandmother, Erica Russell grew up around horses, as did
both of her parents, Eric and Amuri. However Erica was a whole different kettle
of fish. It seems that she was comfortable on horseback from a very early age,
I’m sure there were two factors to this narrative. The first being that she
grew up on the land and it would have been a requirement that she be sturdy
riding a horse, the second would be (and there is photographic evidence of
this), she was probably put there under duress. Her brother Tom was 12 years
her senior and there are many photos of him propping her up on a horse. So it
is quite likely that she could ride before she could walk!!
From as early as the mid-1940s Erica was riding
professionally. Pounding the ground at Royal shows throughout Victoria and even
the country. Fairing more than well, and taking many top prizes and places
along the way. She featured in newspaper pictorials throughout the 1950s for
her placing in the Garryowen events, her winning the Equestrienne event and
training for the 1956 Olympics.
Left: Erica on 'Flame', Geelong Show 1948.
Below: Erica on her favourite and most successful horse, 'Brown David, Colac Show 1949.
Erica, now in her mid-80s has dementia, however she
remembers her time riding horses with great enthusiasm and in particular her
favourite horse Brown David. She may not remember much these days, but she can
tell you all about horses and could look at any rider and pick them apart (with
vigour).
Hank was also an excellent horse rider, particularly when it
came to Dressage. He competed in his native Netherlands in cross country events
and was also very successful. I don’t know if his family also had an affinity
with horses, but there are some photos which would lead any observer to the
affirmative. When he came to Australia he continued to ride, teach and work
with horses, he also wrote papers on the techniques of Dressage (which I don’t
have the slightest bit of patience or interest to read).
Left: Louis Wilkens on horseback, the Dutch East Indies, c. 1925.
As I said, horses were a huge part of their lives. And this
is why they aren’t a huge part of mine. That said, I will put a bet on the odd
race during the Spring Racing Carnival, but won’t get too close, save for
sneezing all day.
Good luck and I hope you (and I) back a winner!!
Phoebe
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