Welcome to the December issue of Equestrian Life magazine!

This month, we catch up with young show jumper on the rise, Izabella Stone. The 26-year-old was runner-up at the Australian Jumping Championships before claiming victory in the Grand Prix at EQUITANA last month, and now she’s eyeing off a European venture with her talented pair of greys.

We’ve recently been fortunate here in Australia to have dressage masterclasses from two of the sport’s greats: Carl Hester and Sabine Schut-Kery. Roger Fitzhardinge was ringside for both, and talks through the key learnings on offer. Another Olympian with some words of wisdom to share is Australian Scott Keach; Kerry Mack catches up with the Florida-based jumper to get his take on how to succeed in the sport.

Recently-appointed Racing Victoria Acknowledged Retrainer Murray Lamperd talks through his history — and future hopes — with off the track Thoroughbreds, while Queenslander Skye Liikanen reflects on her The Way Of The Horse win at EQUITANA and reveals her exciting plans for the Connemara filly she trained.

On the veterinary front, Dr Maxine Brain discusses umbilical issues that can arise in young foals, and with holidays on the horizon we hear about the joys of solo travel to a remote Colorado ranch,, Finally, go behind the scenes of Kevin Costner’s Oscar award winning ‘Dances with Wolves’, and learn about actor Tom Cruise’s love of horse riding.

Merry Christmas and happy reading!

Start reading our FREE December magazine here.