Looking after my head in more ways than one thanks to a new sponsor
Personally November has been a big month for me. It’s the first time in a while that I’ve missed going down to the Australian International 3DE. Basically, I had to make a decision, and a decision that was best for my horse and for me as an athlete in the long term. There are two reasons for this.
Number one, my 4* mare Enny (Hillgrove Enviable) didn’t feel 100% right. It’s only the slightest thing, a twinge in her muscles but when you’re competing at that level you don’t want any doubt in your mind that things could come a cropper. Adelaide is no intro course! And so when your horse tells you something’s not quite right, you have to listen.
Secondly, while I’m sure Enny could get around the 4* course again, she doesn’t have to prove that to me. I trust her talent as a cross country horse. The truth is that the next time I ride at Adelaide, I want to make my mark. I want to go down and win it. That means making some major sacrifices. Dedicating yourself to be an athlete means giving your sport your all, your focus and your attention. It comes at a cost, to your social life, to your family and loved ones.
Like most professional riders, I have to pay my way in this sport. And this year I’ve been focusing on building and growing my business. While this is essential, it’s taken some of my attention away from my riding. I need to spend time over the next 12 months prioritising my riding. Returning to regular lessons with Ron Patterson (dressage) and Stuart Tinney (showjumping & cross country).
So what have I been doing to grow my business over the past 12 months? I’ve been working with Zebramez Media on a number of aspects; building up my cliental, formalising agreements, learning the ropes of social media and blogging, creating a new website, and working to attract sponsors.
On course at Noosa
We set up a regional teaching tour, which I’ve loved… and still love. I enjoy visiting various regional areas and watching these riders in action. Giving them pointers to improve their riding and their relationship with their horse, meeting the “behind the scenes” work-horses who dedicate themselves to building courses for their area, and attracting high level coaches to inspire the young and amateur riders. It’s taken me from Noosa to Newcastle, Albury to Yepoon. I’m particularly excited about the work that’s taken place on courses like Burpengary, Tambourine and Noosa, (just to name a few), and am looking forward to more fun clinics in 2015.
We’ve taken up a publicity opportunities, appearing on Totally Wild and in local media, including The Courier Mail, and the Warwick Daily News. Eventing is still a marginal sport in Australia, and I grasp any opportunity to promote it to the wider public.
And we’ve also been assembling my sponsorship team for the next two years, who’ll work with me on my bid for Rio. So a special thanks to those who’ve been there supporting me; Manly Road Vet Hospital, Tuff Rock Australia and Equissage, and welcome to the new players who have come on board; Aitken’s Saddlery, Rebel Wines and OzShotz Photography.
So while I was disappointed to miss Adelaide, it’s all part of my journey as an athlete for now. Over the Christmas break I’ll be working on some ways to re-focus myself as a rider and to work out a path on how to achieve my goals.
Happy riding,
Rebel
I love doing these clinics!
