Photo 1
Our photographer, Thomas Gillis, was at Berrima Horse Trials and caught this rider coming through the water and unfortunately coming to grief at the step out of the water. The rider in question was Charlotte Mavris and although she took a fall from her horse, Remi Wyntermere (otherwise known as NIk), we are happy to report that both horse and rider were fine.
We spoke to Charlotte a few days after Berrima to ask her if she was happy for us to use the photos on the website (thankfully she said yes) and along the way discovered that Charlotte was the person who started ‘Ari de Gwaihir’ (who Stuart Tinney rode into seventh place at Adelaide CCI4* in 2009) on his eventing career.
Charlotte where are you and Nik based?
“I am from Rose Bay, Sydney but I keep and train my horse at Jade Findlay's property at Cattai.”
When did you start riding?
“I have been riding since I was four years old and I was a successful show rider until I was 15. I had won at Royals and then the Grand National with my pony 'Murrum Park Phantom' and thought it was time to try something a little more challenging and exciting. Around that time my sister has lost all interest in horses so I asked her if I could have her four year old show horse 'Ari de Gwaihir' for eventing. She said yes and the rest is really history. We started at introductory level, training under Guy Wallace with some success and then went up through the grades to 2* training with Mel Van Den Berge (nee Hughes).
Why did you stop riding Ari?
“When I became pregnant with my first child I asked Chris Burton if he would take the ride on Ari until I got back into riding and then I moved him to Stuart when I had my second and third child and didn’t have much time for riding. I have to admit I enjoyed watching Ari compete but I did feel a bit envious.”
Photo 2
You have obviously got back into eventing these days
‘I ride as a hobby but I am a competitive person so I try and take it seriously. At the moment I am a full time mother to my three children Eliza 6, Ava 4 and Harry 2. I try to ride at least three times a week and more often the week before a competition. Jade does a great job keeping Nik in training for me on the days I can’t ride and my husband, mother and mother in law make it possible for me to go to competitions as they help take care of the children.”
Tell me a little bit about Remi Wyntermere
I purchased NIk six months ago from Queensland dressage rider Tory Welch. He is a 16.3h seven year old warmblood by Wyndermere. Nik had not done much jumping when I got him but he showed a lot of talent. I thought it would be a challenge getting back into eventing with a young inexperienced horse again and I like to form a partnership through the grades.
Photo 3
What do you take away from a situation like your fall at Berrima?
“When I have a fall I like to analyse why I think it has happened and see what training I can do to improve the confidence of a young horse and myself. Falls in and around water can cause issues so I will take Nik cross country training to build his confidence. I also look at myself and realise I need to improve my core and balance. Having children, nothing really 'goes to plan' so you get very good at becoming adaptable. At the end of the day I am doing this to have fun and hopefully be competitive whilst doing it. Nik will spend a year or so at preliminary level until we gain the confidence we need in each other for the higher grades.”
Photo 4
What do you think went wrong at the Berrima water?
“Berrima was Nik's second preliminary run and he just didn't read the bank out of water very well. I personally feel there was not enough time/strides to re group after jumping the log in on a young or inexperienced horse. My horse jumped confidently over the log in but the bank came up too quickly for him."
A happy Charlotte with Nik and son Harry
