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Growing up I was the youngest of three children in a not particularly horsey family.
Luckily for me I have the kind of parents who encourage me in whatever it is that I want to do. Fast forward and now I’m pretty sure my sister would tell you she is the non horsey child of a horsey family.
My mum (aka Super Groom) has been vital in helping me get my business off the ground, particularly helping me when I couldn’t afford a groom. My Dad (aka Safety Sam) is one of those guys who loves to know more, is extremely diplomatic, likes to play by the rules and can retain vast amounts of information and recall it at the drop of a hat. These qualities, coupled with an inability to stand still between my rides at events, made him a perfect candidate for the job of Technical Delegate. I’m extremely jealous that he has managed to TD at an overseas event before I have managed to ride at one.
I live with my parents on their property in Macclesfield, Victoria which, luckily for me, has all the facilities I need to train my horses and also run an agistment, training and coaching business called GlenOwen Equestrian.
My riding really took off when I got a horse called ESB Irish Justice. I had already had an old schoolmaster that took me to grade 1 PCAV and EA Pre Novice and Justice was my first young horse. I rode him for ten years and he is the horse that has made my riding career so far. Apart from winning the Junior One Star at Melbourne Three Day Event and being selected on many Victorian and National Squads, a real highlight was being selected on the 2009 Young Rider Trans Tasman squad and being able to compete for my country.
Another highlight was placing 5th at Lakes and Craters CCI3* 2010 and thus gaining a qualification to compete at 4* level although sadly at that point it was time for Justice to become the schoolmaster for another rider.
I now have two lovely horses ready to take the eventing scene by storm; Serious Business and ESB Golden Zone. I’m hoping to have several emerging stars in the future with some young horses that mum and I have bred.
As it is ‘an eventful life’, spare time is rare. I enjoy filling it with catching up with friends that I don’t get to see on the horsey scene and also my horsey friends when we have no dirt under our nails and have brushed our hair (it’s amazing how a good wash can often be mistaken as a new colour job).
I also love to snowboard in the winter although I can be a bit of a nanna because I’m terrified of getting injured and not being able to ride.
I no longer define riding success only in terms of Olympic glory (although that is the dream), but in terms of the smiles on my pupils’ faces, the people who have supported me and who have allowed me to support them, the willingness of my horses and the fact that every week I’m still counting down the days to the next competition.
