Sylvia Mclachlan will be competing this weekend at the 2019 Australian Dressage Championships at SIEC
© Roger Fitzhardinge
By Roger Fitzhardinge
Sylvia Mclachlan is one very special and fabulous character, who is a competitive lady of the sport. She is funny, sharp, witty, elegant and a wonderful horsewoman, who is not at all embarrassed to tell you she was born in 1950. She may perhaps be the oldest competitor at the show, but she is certainly the person to go to if you want a good laugh, or a great story on any subject, as she sure will be captivating.
Sylvia is a very special person and is continuing to have a ball with her amazing life, and above all with her riding. Look out as she makes her way through the elementary class, as she’s coming though! One thing is for sure, beware of the saying you can’t put an old, experienced and wise head on young shoulders, as this gives Sylvia the upper hand! (so long as she can remember the test!) She has a wonderful imported horse Florino 48, who is by Franciskus x Florestan who is currently in the elementary class.
Sylvia was born in Dunkeld, in beautiful country at the foot of the Grampians in Victoria. She had two sisters and a brother, and a father who was always involved with horses. Sylvia remembers, or remembers being told that she was on a lead rein riding around the cattle with her father for hours, from when she was just three years old! She was a member of the Western Districts Pony Club and won countless competitions in eventing and other disciplines, with her fearless and determined personality.
On finishing school she married Angus, who was a first class cricketer in Great Britain, and at the same time was studying at University there. A talented sportsman indeed! Angus came back to Australia and took over the fabulous property at Mt. Pleasant in the Adelaide Hills as a pastoralist.
Rosebank was amazing to say the least. Great paddocks and a merino stud, with an indoor arena and a magnificent two-story homestead, with great gardens. Sylvia, being the ultimate gardener, had a veggie patch, which was surrounded by vast, open spaces. You could tell that the property had a historical story to it, from the fantastic gardens to the great dinner parties.
Sylvia and Gus have four sons. Hamish who is a sports commentator of great note; Gillon who is the CEO of AFL; Banjo who is a barrister; and then there is Will, who is the youngest and the one who is now looking after the Rosebank property. Gus started playing polo from Sylvia’s brothers’ involvement in the sport, with the property soon becoming renowned for its polo factor.
The whole family played polo, and with mares from Sylvia’s father, Sylvia started a polo pony breeding programme and managed to take on some of the taller ones, producing some amazing horses that were very successful in dressage. Not to forget, that the others were great polo ponies and as of this day, Gillon and Hamish play top goal polo, and have also played internationally. Sylvia loves the game and is always keen and interested in all of her sons’ pursuits, and the swag of grandchildren that frequent “Brickmakers”, her new property. Sylvia and her family tow around the property and the indoor arena with her sons heckling everyone from side to side. It’s quite the family and truly sensational to say the least!
Sylvia also showed hacks after her first son was born, as she felt is was easier. The best one was “Cob And Co”, a black gelding that was raced by the Cobcroft family. Sylvia was second in the Garyowen and won the Esquire Turnout class at Melbourne Royal Show. Sylvia with her unmistakable slender-fit stature of elegance on a horse, was Champion lady rider at many east coast royal shows, and continued on to judge at every royal show in Australia. Sylvia took a shine to dressage, and took Cob And Co to FEI, and took to the arena like duck to water. Along the way, Sylvia trained and organised international clinics with the likes of Christopher Bartle, Malcolm Barns and the Aussie equestrian icon Vince Corvi – just to mention but a few!
Times have changed, and Sylvia has since moved to the fabulous 400 acre property near the Cape Otway ranges, in Victoria. “Brickmakers” is a property that Sylvia has redeveloped from a run down property. Her sons told her she was crazy for even considering redeveloping it, but now think that it’s amazing.
Sylvia is seen at all the right places and can charm the best of them. Her stories of life in the equestrian pursuits are historical and hysterical. She has recently bitten the bullet in dressage, and imported two fantastic horses, in Valencia B and Florino 48, who is a wonderfully put together bay gelding that she will be competing with at the Australian Dressage Championships, this weekend. Sylvia is also a treasured member of the high performance squad of Victoria.
Sylvia is modest and down to earth but be warned, she means business and is not up at the nationals from Victoria for fun! Be sure to go check her out, you won’t want to miss her! She is the tallest and fittest female, and with legs thin and elegant as a thoroughbred, that go up to her armpits. Immaculately dressed and with a wry smile that is humble and determined.
Sylvia is simply an inspiration to everyone, and proof that the sport of dressage is not only for the young. Go check her out, you will be blown away! Sylvia does it all, and loves to get good help from the best around her and has had many FEI horses that she has produced from Prelim, all the way up.
Sylvia is no newcomer to the Australian Dressage Nationals. She has Avignon, Mayfly and Cartie, to name a few to the FEI ranks. With a new hip and recently recovering from yet another fall, and several broken ribs, her family keeps her absolutely on her toes, and she is definitely no quitter.
Keep your eyes out for Sylvia this weekend at SIEC. You will be inspired to step up your game, and have a go! Sylvia is certainly not one of those prissy little things; she is the real dinky-di deal!
We wish her the best of luck, and don’t worry – she will stand out and be happy and modest with whatever her placing is.
Click here for more information about the Australian Dressage Championships
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