Yesterday, Tarnia Kittel and I played hookey from training horses, and instead attended the Equestrian Qld Conference in Brisbane. It was a great day, and we both learned a lot from some very interestin people.

The day started off with Sonja Johnson (Beijing Olympic Silver Medallist with the Australian Eventing Team) telling us all about her journey from small child mustering steers to the Olympic arena. Sonja was a fabulous speaker, and had the entire audience in stitches with her vivid and moving stories. We also all got to hold her Silver Medal (it's quite heavy, you know!).

Then we were given an overview of the "True Sport Lives Here" program from the Department of Sport and Recreation. This was another interesting topic that spans all sporting areas.

After a delicious morning tea, the attendees were split into three groups: Tarni joined the Riders group, I joined the Officials group, and there was also a Clubs group. Each group was then treated to a special program of speakers designed just for them.... a great concept, and very easily and well organised. Tarni learned about Sports Psychology and how to deal with the Media, while I was very interested in a FEI Stewards session, followed by a more in-depth examination of the True Sports program. After lunch we both attended a great Feeding for Energy seminar by Liz Owens, and then Tarni attended a Body Conditioning for Riders lecture, while I went to a Swabbing workshop with Dr Warwick Vale.

There were several other lectures throughout the day, but we just couldn't fit them all in! The last session of the day was an Open Forum with Equestrian Australia and EQ committee members about the future of equestrian sports in Queensland.... again, a very interesting and informative session that provided lots of information and answered lots of questions.

Endurance riding was well represented at this Conference, however I feel that more endurance riders/trainers/club members/officials should make the effort to support this event next year. Glenda and Derek Armitage, Linda Meredith, Ken Moir and Barb Timms were all there, and Tarni and I were proud to be part of this wonderful group of people.

This conference was organised by Equestrian Queensland, and was open to all comers. Although it was widely advertised, and certainly sent to every EFA member, there were not as many attendees as they had expected. It was certainly the best value for money event that I have attended in a long time.

Well done, EQ!