Madison and Major James in the CCI2* at Adelaide last year
At seventeen years of age, Madison Simpson is the youngest competitor in the HSBC Adelaide CCI4* at this year’s Australian International 3 Day Event and she may very well be one of the youngest 4* riders ever.
In 2012 Madison and Major James (or Yogi as he is known at home) competed in the CCI 2* in Adelaide finishing 18th out of a field of nearly 60 competitors. An excellent cross country round, clear and under time, brought the pair up from 24th after the dressage to 10th going into the show jumping phase but unfortunately 24 jumping penalties on the final day dropped them down a few placings.
“Sometimes it just clicks for us in the show jumping and we go really well” says Madison “But sometimes it doesn’t! He can get a bit excited when there is a lot of atmosphere and crowds to distract him but we’re working on it”
On the other hand Madison is really looking forward to the 4* cross country next week.
“When the adrenalin kicks in and Yogi just goes, it’s a fantastic feeling. I can’t wait to ride around the 4* course” says the 17 year old from Brisbane, Queensland.
Photo courtesy of Nominate.com.au
FEI rules state that riders must be 18 years of age to compete in a 4* and, luckily, Madison turns 18 on December 20th. A University student studying Criminology and Criminal Justice, she is just finishing her first year exams so will be flying to Adelaide on Tuesday while her parents do the long haul driving Yogi from Queensland to Adelaide, leaving on Sunday.
“I’m pretty excited” says Madison “A bit nervous but I have lots of confidence in Yogi”
Madison and Yogi have a great bond, having come through the ranks together from Introductory level up to their first 4*. During 2013 they have had some confidence boosting success, including winning the CNC 3* at Warwick in August and second in the CCI2* at the Queensland International 3 Day Event (Madison adds “We were second to Stuart Tinney” which indeed makes it a very good second placing). She admits she was very lucky to find the now 15 year old thoroughbred she bought in 2008.
“I was taking lessons with Kevin McNab at Kelecyn Equestrian Centre and his partner Emma Dougall was riding Yogi for a client. Kevin gave me a couple of lessons on him and I ended up buying him – since then we’ve just kept improving together”
“He’s a really sweet horse who tries so hard and is completely honest. He’s lovely around people but not so keen on other horses – he likes his own space” laughs Madison
While Kevin was overseas Madison continued to take jumping lessons with Charlotte Price at Kelecyn (Charlotte will also be riding at Adelaide in the 4* on Kinnordy Gambia and in the 2* on Dustman) and has dressage lessons with Julie Peterson-Smith. Now that Kevin is home, he has been helping Madison prepare for her first 4*and, like Kevin, Madison hopes one day to compete internationally.
“Once I’ve finished my degree and have something to fall back on I’d like to have a go at competing overseas for a while” she says
However she isn’t getting carried away with riding at 4* at the Australian International 3 Day Event “This year it’s just for fun and for the experience at this level” she says firmly and no doubt Yogi would agree.
Watch Madison and Yogi ride the cross country at Equestriad below
