Roycroft Stables

16/03/2025

Great article, many thanks Jo Jennings!

VICKI ROYCROFT | A legend of Australian Jumping, Vicki Roycroft has never shied away from big decisions. Now, the three-time Olympian is closing one chapter and opening another as she reflects on the sale of her beloved property— a place that has shaped her life, career, and countless riders along the way.

In an exclusive interview, Vicki shares her thoughts on this emotional milestone and what the future holds.

🔗 Read the full story:
👉 www.australianjumping.com.au/news/vicki-roycroft-looking-back-and-moving-forward

12/03/2025

📢 AHBF March Newsletter is Here! 📢

The latest AHBF Newsletter is out, packed with updates on:
✅ Our ongoing advocacy for breeders
✅ The AHBF Industry Survey – Have your say!
✅ Celebrating the success of the Stallion Raffle
✅ Funding efforts for the breeding sector
✅ The future of equestrian management with equiprove

Plus, we send our thoughts to all those affected by Cyclone Alfred in Queensland. 💙

📖 Read the full newsletter here: https://ahbf.org.au/news/

📸 Carribean Blue (Contendro I / Diarado / Chacco-Blue) bred by Clarke Johnstone - Nz Warmblood Association Inc Foal Championships 2025

Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6V5CV99

03/03/2025

Beezie Madden: The Ultimate Female Show Jumper of All Time
Beezie Madden, originally named Elizabeth Madden and born on November 20, 1963, is celebrated as one of the most accomplished and motivating female athletes in the realm of equestrian sports. Throughout her remarkable career, Madden has transformed show jumping with her unmatched talent, reliability, and fierce determination.
Her equestrian journey began at a young age, growing up on a farm in Wisconsin where she started riding at just three years old. This early exposure ignited her passion for horses, and by her teenage years, she was already competing at elite levels, setting the stage for a legendary career.

Madden's list of achievements is extensive. She has earned four Olympic medals, including two golds as part of the U.S. team in 2004 (Athens) and 2008 (Beijing), along with two individual bronzes. Her collaboration with the iconic horse Authentic catapulted her to international stardom, leading to significant accolades such as an individual silver and team gold at the 2006 World Equestrian Games.

As a trailblazer for women in equestrian sports, Madden was the first woman to earn over $1 million in prize money and the first American to achieve the No. 1 ranking in the Longines FEI World Cup standings. She also triumphed in the prestigious FEI World Cup Jumping Final in both 2013 and 2018, solidifying her status as one of the sport's legends.

Beyond her competitive success, Beezie Madden's impact goes far beyond the arena. Renowned for her strong work ethic, composure under pressure, and exceptional horsemanship, she has inspired countless riders around the globe. Her achievements demonstrate that with dedication, resilience, and passion, women can break through barriers in sports.

Madden remains a role model today, skillfully balancing her competitive pursuits with mentoring aspiring equestrians. Her legacy extends beyond her medals, leaving a lasting influence on the world of show jumping. Beezie Madden's journey is a testament to inspiration, showcasing that with determination and elegance, anything is possible.

10/01/2025

Vicki Roycroft is winding down and selling up. And has married a man named Neil. All of this she is determined to do before she dies – again. The first time was at the Sydney Royal Show last year.

29/12/2024

20/11/2024

When there is contact, the control with the hands can be precise.

Riding on “Contact” — by Vladimir Littauer

The contact between the rider’s hands and the horse’s is not established by the hand being moved to the rear. Just the reverse should take place; that is, the horse, moving forward with sufficient impulse stretches his neck and, due to the rider keeping a correct length of reins, the horse’s mouth feels the rider’s hands. Instead of the rider’s hands pulling back on the mouth, it is the mouth which gently pulls the rider’s hands forward. If the horse lacks natural impulse the rider’s legs must create it—this is the general rule.

Riding on contact can also be called “riding on the bit;” the latter expression means that the horse accepts the bit and moves forward boldly as if there were nothing in his mouth. I personally reserve the expression “on the bit” for a more energetic form of riding on contact, but this is a detail. The important thing is that the horse must accept the bit with the neck and head stretched forward.

When riding “on contact” the rider must follow with his hands and arms (through the air), the balancing gestures of his horse’s neck and head. It is obvious that when holding the reins by the buckle one doesn’t have to worry about these gestures, for the neck has enough room to move at will. But if after the contact is established the rider’s hands remain fixed then the horse will continually jerk himself against immobile hands. I don’t have to talk about jumping—everyone knows that in one way or another the horse’s neck then must be given freedom to act; but it is surprising how many riders neglect this point at a walk and particularly the gallop.
— Schooling Your Horse. Pg.17

Vladimir Littauer trained me practically my entire junior career, and continued to advise me for many years. A riding master and remarkable horseman, he was incredibly influential to my career and education. Follow the Forward Riding System and continue the lessons on equestriancoach.com. Specifically, you can learn more on this topic with my lesson “Developing Good Hands”:
https://equestriancoach.com/courses/developing-good-hands/
-Bernie Traurig