Not all eventing riders who compete are professional riders; many have significant full-time jobs that make you wonder how on earth they fit everything in. But, as they say, if you want something done, ask a busy person, so we asked Kate Ingham …..
Kate and Asti Aspiration at Equestrian In The Park Photo courtesy Equestrian in the Park
Western Australia (WA) is a hotbed of active eventers, from riders to coaches, officials and event organisers and one of those is Kate Ingham who manages to balance her horse-riding commitments with a full-time job in a senior executive position in the WA State Government.
As well as having the impressive career title of the Director of Strategic Advisory Services within the Department of Finance, Kate keeps busy with various types of horse-related activities. She not only has three competition horses in work but has also been a member of the State eventing squad, Event Director for Alcoa International Horse Trials, the Rider Representative for Eventing WA as well as the Entry and Rider Operations Manager for Equestrian in the Park.
Alcoa International Horse Trials is one of WA’s largest FEI eventing competitions (CCI-S) and 2019 saw their highest number of entries, something that Kate attributes to three new classes targeted at strengthening the pathways into the sport for both rider and horse, with a specific focus on Off the Track thoroughbred horses. This event is run by a committee of riders and has been shortlisted for a major award at the Equestrian WA Annual Awards night to be held in February.
The popular Equestrian in the Park welcomes thousands of people through its gates each year at a central Perth location. Some are hard core horse enthusiasts who want to see all the action, others are looking to enjoy a relaxing day with high-class hospitality and there are those who know absolutely nothing about horses but come along to be entertained and enjoy a quality day with friends in the city parklands.
Kate and Shaun Lowry commentating at EITP Photo courtesy Vicki Photos
The event provides a platform for junior riders, professional riders, Olympians and international riders to compete on the same level, with the winner taking home a new car. In 2018 and 2019, Kate was not only the Entry and Rider Operations Manager for Equestrian in the Park (EITP), she also managed to commentate and MC the event for some of the day.
For anyone who knows Kate, giving her a microphone can be very risky, however feedback from the day was that her ‘energetic’ commentary was both ‘professional and positive’!
She even managed to squeeze in riding her own horse, which was quite a feat, as she was emailing and posting rider information on Facebook until the wee small hours on the morning of the event and had to be at the venue by 6am the same day.
Feeling the effects of lack of sleep, Kate seriously considered offering her horse to visiting rider William Fox-Pitt to ride in the main class, but the excitement of the event pulled her through and she finished second (by less than a second) in the first round and fifth overall, coming home with a variety of exciting prizes and a big smile on her face.
Kate’s contribution to and involvement in the sport has been recognised by Equestrian WA, resulting in her being shortlisted for several awards at the 2019 Annual Equestrian WA Awards
As an individual, she has been nominated for Volunteer of the Year and Special Services To Sport, as part of a team she is nominated for Club of the Year – Southern Hills Eventing (Chair of the Committee), Event of the Year – Alcoa International Horse Trials (Event Director) and as Pony Club Coach of the Year at the Pony Club WA Annual Awards
So how does Kate balance work, life and horses?
“I travel 45 minutes to start work at 7am each day and enjoy the benefits that Activity Based Working brings so I can leave the office at a reasonable time each day and then complete any necessary tasks at home, at night, after riding and feeding the horses” she explains
“I don’t do fancy overseas holidays – I use that time away from work to contribute back to the sport or to travel east to compete at some of Australia top eventing competitions, such as Sydney International Three Day Event, Melbourne International Three Day Event and Adelaide International Three Day Event”
Kate and 5th placed Asti Aspiration in the CCI4* at Alcoa International Horse Trials
Photo courtesy Silverfern Photo
Putting back into the sport is a big part of her values, along with having a backup plan (don’t just do horses), having fun and balancing everything to ensure getting the most out of life. 2020 brings a major restructure on the work front so she is looking at ways to free up her time in order to support her work team of 23 staff through this considerable change process.
But equally, on the horse front, she has some clear goals which may involve the long trip across the Nullarbor Plain once again - “Another horsey holiday!” she laughs.
Are you an ‘amateur’ eventing rider with an interesting story or career? We’d love to hear from you ….
Another job well done - Kate and Asti Aspiration at EITP Photo courtesy Waylib Photos
