26 February 2018 | Graham Fischer
Talented young South Australian harness industry participant Brodie Webster is excited about putting into practice knowledge he gained during a recent European study trip.
Webster said his six-week visit to Belgium, Sweden, France and Dubai had been amazing.
“It was the trip of a lifetime,” Webster said.
“I learnt so much and now am looking forward to using the information gained with horses of my own. My brother Jake and myself are on the lookout for horses to start our own stable.”
Webster is also in the final years of study to become a veterinary surgeon and appreciated the opportunity to visit and observe several of Europe’s leading veterinary clinics.
The trip came about because Webster was one of two inaugural scholarship recipients from Harness Racing South Australia. The aim of the scholarship program is to reward, retain and enhance the involvement of young people in harness racing in South Australia.
Webster, 22, is a licenced harness racing driver, and is studying veterinary science at the University of Adelaide. His aim is to complete his studies and pursue a career in harness racing as a trainer and veterinary surgeon.
His first 12 days away were spent with Dr Emanuelle Van Eerck at Brussels in Belgium.
“Dr Van Eerck specialises in cardiovascular performance in horses,” Webster said.
“She does a lot of work with equestrian horses and tries to work out why fit horses can get tired at the end of their work. She does a lot of scoping.”
He then moved to Daniel Reden in Stockholm, Sweden. Reden is the third ranked trainer in Sweden had had 75 horses in work, employing 15 people.
“Daniel has had a lot of top horses, one of which, Propulsion ran third in a feature race while I was there.”
It was then on to Pierre Vercruysse and a facility called Grosbois, in Paris, France, where about 1500 horses are trained where there is a castle, and which includes an undercover training track.
“It was an amazing facility and track staff would even prepare the training surface to suit the trainer. If you wanted a rain-affected track, then it was prepared that way.”
Webster then spent time with Dr Claire Leleu at Mayenne in France.
Dr Leleu studied the performance and resting of young horses with a focus on ultrasound and the size of hearts, along with heart rates.
Her husband was a trainer which also proved interesting.
His final placement was with Dr Jean Marie Denoix at Normandy in France who specialised in lameness and joint issues.
Dr Denoix looked a force on joints along with ways of recovery after work and racing.
Webster said he owned a great deal of thanks to Duncan McPherson and Michael Taranto from Harness Racing Victoria along with Andrew Kelly of Harness Racing Australia who had organised his placements.
“I got to visit some amazing places and I’m sure fully qualified vets would be envious of what I was able to do.
“I learnt that the Europeans place a great deal of emphasis on breeding and followed specific lines. They only have squaregaiters, but all their horses were strongly built, even the young ones.
“They work their horses hard and generally only race them once a month.
“I had the opportunity to work a few horses and was impressed by the power and strength.”
Webster said he intended to write a report on his trip for Harness Racing South Australia which he would also send to Messrs McPherson, Taranto and Kelly.
“I made a lot of great friends and contacts and can’t wait to go back, but first I want to start working on my own team here.”
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