Riding Disciplines
Dressage
Coach(es)
I try to get as much help as I can for that eye on the ground. Currently Andrea Raves, Baerbel Forster-Heinrich, Caroline Twomey when in New Zealand.
Horses
Rossellini
Breed(s)
Hanoverian
Name the Most Influential Person in your riding career and why:
That's a hard one - So many people are inspiring, but Matthew Dowsley had a huge impact when I was lucky enough to be based there at his home and work daily with him and watch him ride and the training on the horses their progress. It lifted me to another level and gear! Jumping-wise Lucinda Prior-Palmer was my idol - so talented, a great rider, Writer and Coach.
Descride your riding history:
My grandfather put me on the back of a point-to-pointer as a 3 year old at the races one day and I got the bug. As a 5 year old me and my friend Irene Murphy would walk 3km to the beach at the weekends and lead pony-rides all day in exchange for a free ride if we were lucky when the ponies weren't busy. Got my first pony as an 11 year old and progressed through pony club to Showjumping (A & B Grade), eventing advanced level and showhunter and more recently Dressage. Did a lot of breaking in and reschooling in my early days and particularly enjoy coaching.
Special highlight(s) in your riding career:
All those 'special moments' in training. Being selected for New Zealand team for World Dressage Challenge (finishing second). Watching my students as they progress and achieve.
What are your ambitions?
Train my horse to Grand Prix in the correct way and compete successfully at that level.
Have you trained or coached any riders who have had success?
Get immense satisfation from spotting and developing talent. I enjoy training people who want to learn whatever level they are at. At various stages of their careers this includes Clarke Johnston, Christen Hayde, Janine Hervel, Jackie Hughson, Joe Waldron, Hollie Swain, Alex Clarke plus have coached the Otago Southland PCHT Championships team for the last 8 years (won National Championships 2012, second in 2005 & 2013).
Special care and management considerations of your horse(s):
Keeping my horses in the best possible health and condition, and happy in themselves and their training.
Which Pryde's feeds do you use and why do you like them?
EasiPerformance - during summer to give energy without weight, EasiRide, and when I need more condition - EasiResponse and EasiResult. She loves them all. also use Polished for hoof maintenance.
