Upcoming 2023 Australian Youth Dressage Championships - with Mary Nitschke

Author: Berni Saunders.

As we count down to the three days of competition in early July (7th-9th), the proverb "It takes a village to raise a child" rings true of what goes into the participation of all of the Young Riders entered in the full schedule of age restricted classes.

In the case of the reigning Australian FEI U25 Champion Mary Nitschke, her equestrian journey has taken her outside her “village” in the Adelaide Hills, to her NSW base with Heath and Rozzie Ryan and the support network that is behind her rise to the top of Australian Under 25 Grand Prix ranks.

Mary said, “I am so excited about being part of this important event as it is my last year of eligibility for U25 classes and I hope to go out with a pleasing score. I will be competing with my young Grand Prix horse, Astronomical. This will be his first time competing in the Under 25 division and I am excited to have the opportunity to compete him at this level in my last year. I very grateful for the lessons I have learned from being part of competitions run under international rules and am so pleased that EA has asked me to acknowledge the importance of this event and the support that my family, coaches and friends have given me. I could not have competed without my parents, they have always guided me in the right direction and helped me to stay safe and make good choices.”

 “I was born in Victoria but there was not much opportunity for horses in the early days as we lived in the city.  Our family moved to SA and I got serious when I was about 10 years old. My parents are horse lovers, dad’s family had a thoroughbred stud and mum did some English riding as a youngster.  The stud was involved with racehorses and had a large breeding program. Mum was involved with stock horses which led to my partnership with the Australian Stock horse Quaid. He was a great all-rounder and we did everything together. My sister Claire and I spent many happy years with friends at the Mt Lofty Pony Club and moved on to the Onkaparinga Pony Club and then eventually when we got a bit older we moved onto Jupiter Creek Pony Club.  While I have followed my passion for Dressage, Claire is involved in Eventing with Equestrian SA and aspires to qualify for the Young Rider Nationals.”

“My early mentor was Megan Jones, she supported and advised me, not only for lessons, she was my go-to for many school projects about horses and provided the motivation and direction that makes owning horses worthwhile and rewarding.”

“I have been with Heath and Rozzie permanently for the past 2½ years. This was not necessarily by design as I  got caught up with border closures during COVID and was unable to return to SA.  I stayed in a motel for 6 weeks and then took a rental before deciding to stay on with the Ryans. I cannot thank them enough for the opportunities that have come about from being part of Ryans Horses.”

Above: The Ryans Horses team out on young horses at Alexander Park earlier this year.

“My Grand Prix horse Utopian Cardinal was trained to Grand Prix by Heath. He was bred by Anthony and Julie Thornhill and is by Regardez Moi, out of Wynella Lantana, by Lanthan. Heath enjoyed great success with Cardinal and in 2016  they were the Australian Grand Prix Champions.”

Above: Heath Ryan partnering Utopian Cardinal at Boneo Park in Victoria.  (Photo: Berni Saunders)

“I have loved working with Cardinal and recognise that Heath’s understanding of him has been of great benefit in my Grand Prix journey. Together we have achieved many milestones and we are the reigning Australian Under 25 Grand Prix Champions. In 2022 we won both the Willinga Park and Sydney CDI U25 events and Intermediate 2 at the Brisbane CDI, along with the CDI U25 Championship at the Australian Dressage Championships at Boneo Park.”

“Thank you for asking me about my ambitions and plans Berni.  I have to say, I think big and my sights are set on Brisbane 2032. I realise that there will be a lots of hard work, good luck and the continued support of my family, coaches and the professionals that I rely on to keep the horses healthy and performing at their best. I have learned from the Ryans that nothing positive happens without good management and an obsessive attention to detail.”

“In terms of the future, I have some lovely young horses coming along and if everything goes to plan I will fulfill my ambition to represent Australia at the Brisbane Olympics on my very special and talented youngster named Theo. I am yet to come up with a competition name for him as he is still only a baby!  Theo is by Total Hope who is by the legendary Totilas. Total Hope is out of Isabell Werth’s superstar mare, Weihegold who carries the bloodlines of Don Schufro and Sandro Hit. Theo is out a Negro mare. Negro being the sire of the Olympic Gold Medallist, Valegro.”

“At home in South Australia, we have two Regardez Moi Mares, a number of Totilas young stock and look forward to welcoming 5 foals later in the year with bloodlines including Sir Donnerhall, Totilas and the reigning World Dressage Champion, Glamourdale. Of course, getting them all to riding age will involve the help of our trusted professionals and advisors … so the cycle of success is ongoing.”

I asked Mary Nitschke what she would like to see from “the sport” and she said, “I believe that the Young Rider competitions are really important in order to foster talent for the future. Young Riders come from all over Australia to take part in these events for their chosen discipline and I see the ambition and drive of other Young Riders who train with Heath and Rozzie in order to follow their dreams.” 

Above - Mary is always grateful for the support she recieves including that from 'Super Groom Jonny'

“I would like to thank Dressage NSW for hosting the 2023 Australian Youth Dressage Championships and acknowledge the Event Director Bruce McVey and his team for their hard work in staging this important competition. It is great that EA is helping to promote the event, this gets back to the fact that dressage is a sport that requires team work and cooperation and like many, I am looking forward to the first day of competition.” 

“The Ryans Horses clan are taking part as a group and hope to see familiar, friendly faces and some new ones too - Bring it on!"

Below: Where it all began!