Virtus Games 6th Edition – Australia’s Winning Team and their supporters … all in it together

By Berni Saunders

The Virtus Global Games is the world’s largest elite sports event for athletes with an intellectual impairment, and brings together participants from around the world to take part in a variety of sporting activities with equestrian classes appearing for the first time at the sixth edition of this fixture in 2023.

Australian Equestrian Team members were Andrew Driffield, Sarah Sherwood and Sui Watts.  All three team members have been training for many years with the aim of representing their country at international level.  In 2023, their dream came true.

Plans to take part in France stalled when the reality of a major shortfall in the funding required to take three riders and the support crew to the other side of the globe was realised.  Families and friends of the riders were disheartened when the enormity of the fund-raising task hit home.  Andrew Driffield’s mum Libby called Heath Ryan to ask for advice on how to go about raising the money needed for this project.  Heath has a well-earned reputation as a super fund-raiser and marketing guru and he told Libby that without putting in place a “professional” money raising strategy, the team would not have the means to leave Australia.

Heath said, “The funding target of almost $80,000 meant it was time to call on friends and suppliers to equestrians and ask for donations.  Berni, these intellectually impaired riders do it tough and their family’s make real sacrifices in order to have horses in their lives.  So, I got to work to make it happen!  Our sport is inclusive and these riders are all members of EA and highlight the fact that equestrian is an inclusive sport with equal rights to all participants.”

Heath headed up the exhaustive fundraising drive assisted by champion FEI U25 rider Mary Nitschke who is based at Ryans Horses and devoted many hours of her own time to this project.  The pair put in super-human efforts to bring together 80+ friends of the sport who pledged the funding necessary to get the team to Vichy, France and home again. Heath said, “everyone we approached came on-board, the support was amazing.”

A special mention was made regarding the time and support given generously by Nominate where all of the information was collated and disseminated.  “Without Nominate the administration task would have been too difficult to manage.” Heath said.  

I asked Heath how he got involved in the fundraising effort and he said, “I was moved to help as Andrew Driffield worked for me at Lochinvar 25 years ago, he was part of the team alongside Boyd Martin and Kevin McNab who have each gone on to enjoy success at the highest level of equestrian sport.  Andrew was a popular and respected team member who frequently referred to his ambition to win a gold medal someday.  His drive and enthusiasm were infectious, so I jumped at the opportunity to help him realise his goal.  As I got to know more about Andrew’s team mates, I became driven to ensure that we raised enough money to make the Virtus Games happen for the entire team.

Mary Nitschke did most of the administration and reported that that the donations went beyond expectations and evidenced the passion and commitment so many enthusiasts have for the sport.  “It was an uplifting win/win experience to be involved, Berni.” Mary enthused. 

In order to provide comment from a financial supporter, I made contact with Tim Hessel from Equestrian Services to ask about his company’s generous donation and he said, “in our business as specialist suppliers of all-weather arenas and equestrian surfaces, my wife Sona, myself and our kids are closely involved with Australian horse owners and riders and recognise that without sponsorship by commercial entities, competitions would not happen.  I regularly talk to horse people about the steps involved in the construction of a reliable and safe arena for training in equestrian sport, with safety and soundness of the horse is a major consideration. We are proud to be involved in Health’s fund-raising drive and put it out there that we supply world class surfaces and the arenas at Ryans Horses in NSW came from Equestrian Services." 

A full list of the individuals and businesses who “dug deep” to provide the $80,000+ that was needed to get Australia’s Virtus Games team and their support crews to Vichy, France and back home is included below.

The Australian contingent is very grateful for French generosity in lending horses for the event. Sui and Sarah rode a delightful chestnut mare named Bonni and Andrew partnered with the imposing 18hh Volpino.  The fact that the Aussie team did so well on borrowed horses makes their achievement very significant as competitors from France and Spain took part on their own horses.  The Australians performed brilliantly and each team member was well prepared and rode with skill and determination. 
The outstanding scores made our riders the talk of the event and it was Team Gold for Australia, Individual Gold for Andrew and Sui, and an individual silver medal to Sarah.

Full credit to the families and support crews of the Aussies and acknowledgement for a job well done goes to the officials - Chef d'Équipe Jennifer-Ann Carroll, Head Coach Mary Longden, Assistant Coach Sally Francis and Athlete Support Rachael Frechette.   

Thanks is extended to the entire Australian equestrian community for their well wishes and support and sincere gratitude to the businesses and individuals who gave generously in order to ensure that the Australian team got to France.  The Virtus Global Games received more publicity than many home-based events and the success has raised awareness of Australia’s special needs riders.

Equestrian Australia has featured this story in recognition that without “Friends of Equestrian”, support and funding for all equestrian sport is limited and our most promising combinations would not be able to participate in important events like the Virtus Global Games.  EA is proud of the team’s achievements and salutes Andrew, Sui and Sarah as ambassadors who represent everyone who makes horses a part of their life, whether in sport, personal development, or companionship.  
For all of us, the horse is the hero. 

Please think of the commercial entities listed below when you are buying for your horse or as part of your personal equestrian spend:

Bates Saddles
Ryans Horses
David Shoobridge
Byalee Stables
Pine Park
Gidgee Eye Wear
Prydes Easifeed
Sue Hearn
Jenny Carroll
Renate du Plessis
Vireena Peacock
Jess Somerfield
Dapple EQ
Melinda Parbery
Belinda Flynn
Haynes Equine Transport
Unique Date Night at Silver Lane
Anita Barton
Claire Nitschke
Kelato
Sweney Productions
Brittany Grovenor
Proactive Animal Health
Joseph Lyddy
Darryl Burgess
Benchmark Feeds
Michelle Frey
Sue Walker
Saddler's Creek Wines
The McCormick family
Woodglen International Performance Horses
AELEC
Team Ecologi
Sally Evans
Australian Continental Equestrian Group
Saddleworld
Ranvet
The Float Centre
Performance Riders by Brett Parbery
Fortissimo Freestyles
Dark Horse
Annabel Johnston (Handwoven by Belle)
Hart and Hunter Vineyard (Kate Gordon)
Annie and Rowan Rodgers
Malcom Kerridge
Sally and Robert Molines
Walgrove Equestrian
Sevan Apartments Forster,
Anthony Family and friends
The Vintage Golf Club
Stomp! Meredith and Michael McManus
Binet Family Wines
Blueberry Hill Vineyard
Wandin Estate Windery
jac & jones (Pokolbin)|
Charteris Wine
Tony Harris
Diana Beggs
Golden Green Equestrian
Horseland
Cheryl O'Brien
EQ Saddlery
Sobel's Winery
Castlereagh feeds
Heatherington Heights Performance Horses
MTB Equine Products
Living Horse Tails
Still Point Equine Therapies
RB Sellars
Peter Rocca Arena Grooming
Animal Therapeautics
Shane Rose
Chris Chugg
Chaballo
Martin Collins
TBV Equestrian
Victoria Laughton
Matt Ryan
SupaStuds
Scone Outdoors
Roger Fitzhardinge
Julianne Tetlow
Sharon Jarvis
Equestrian Services
Horse Deals
Peter Haynes
EQ Life
Rozzie Ryan