A stylish rider caught our eye at the Melbourne International 3 Day Event and we were pleased to find, when we looked at the draw, that it was the lovely French rider Anne le Guevel. We had met Anne several times in her previous job as Head Groom for Will Enzinger and were immediately enraptured by this charming girl and her French accent. We thought we would find out a little bit more about Anne who went to great lengths (literally, from France to Melbourne) to work with horses for a while and despite only taking up eventing in 2011, completed the Melbourne 3 Day Event CCI 1* in 17th place this year
Anne and In Your Dreams at Melbourne International 3 Day Event 2013
Where were you born/grew up?
I was born in Amiens but lived all my childhood in Nantes (France).
When did you start riding?
There are no horsey people in my family but as far as I can remember I always wanted to ride. My Mum probably thought it would pass as I tried other things so she encouraged me to try ballet dancing, ice-skating and gymnastics. Every new term I would ask to do some horse riding, so eventually she gave in and I started riding at 12. All we could afford was one hour per week at the riding school but I was over the moon with that.
How did you come to eventing?
I was always fascinated by eventing as it seemed to me to be the ultimate test for an equestrian rider. Show jumping is more popular France, probably because we don’t have as much space as in Australia and most riding school don’t have a proper XC course. I had never evented as such before I started working for Will, although I had done some “XC” a few times at the riding school.
Have you always worked with horses?
Although I always wanted to work with horses, my family did not encourage me to do so. It is a very elitist sport in France and to make a career out of it without having a foot in the door already is near impossible. In the French school system we have to choose elective subjects quite early and I didn’t dare to make the decision work with horses. Instead my subject choices took me to horticulture and plant science. All through my studies I was still riding 1 hour per week at the riding school. When I arrived in Australia, I could not find any plant related jobs in Canberra so I took a position as an administrative assistant at the Alliance Francaise, a language and cultural centre. While working there, I leased a horse with which I did some trail riding and a bit of endurance.
For my birthday in 2010, my boyfriend got us some tickets to Equitana in Melbourne. It was during Equitana that I decided I would give a shot to that old dream of mine and try to work with horses so I would not have any regret and live my life thinking of how it could have been if I had done it. I applied for quite a few groom positions but nobody would give me a go because of my lack of experience. I gave my resignation letter at the Alliance Francaise and went back to France to do some volunteer work in a show jumping stable. I did that for 5 weeks while continuing to apply to positions advertised in Australia. Finally Will Enzinger was happy to give me an interview the following week so I packed my bags, got a plane ticket and went back to Canberra. On my interview day, I flew from Canberra to Melbourne, took the skybus to city, took the train to Belgrave, took the bus to Avonsleigh and from there walk 4km to Wilky Park. I just wanted the job so bad! After my interview, which went well, when I told Will how I got here and that I needed to go back to Canberra I think he was so impressed by my dedication that he decided to give me the job. The following week, in March 2011, I started my job as a groom for Will.
Anne with one of her Wilky Park charges, Ruban Son at the Exhibition Eventing, Royal Melbourne Show 2012
How did you come to be working in Australia?
I met my boyfriend in New Zealand during a final internship for my studies. When it was time for me to go back to France we decided to try and stay together. He was already committed to do PhD at the ANU in Canberra and I was about to start looking for a job so I was easier for me to follow him rather than the other way around. So I arrived in Canberra in September 2007.
Tell us a little about your horse/s
I have never own a horse. Not long after I started with Will, Sally Morrison was looking for someone to take on Dreamy, her ex 3 star horse. Will thought it would be a good idea for me to start with an experienced horse to show me the ropes. His competition name is “In Your Dreams”. He is a 16.2 h, 22 yo thoroughbred, his sire is Cardinal (NZ) and his dame is Castille Lady. I did my first and only intro with him at the mid-week in 2011 and I finished 17th in the CCI 1 start at Melbourne 3DE this year. I am so thankful to Sally for having given me the opportunity to ride such a great schoolmaster. He is a bit quirky but a gentlemen and I love him dearly.
What are plans for the future in work and riding?
I just finished working for Will as I don’t think that I will make a career out of eventing and I cannot be a groom forever. It has been an amazing experience. I’ve learned so much and met so many great people. I am now looking for a job in line with my previous experiences that will hopefully allow me to keep riding and competing.
Dreamy recovered well from Melbourne so we will do one more season together, maybe more if he feels like it. Afterwards I will be looking for a new teammate to event with and aim to go as far as we can.
What do you think about the World Equestrian Games being held in Normandy in 2014? Are you planning to go?
I am very excited about the games being held in Normandy in 2014! Normandy is the most horsey region in France and lots of great events in all disciplines are often held there. I am sure it will be fantastic and live up to all the expectations for the athletes and the spectators. There will be an amazing crowd!
I am definitely hoping to go if I can get the time off! If so I will probably get involved as I know the organisers are looking for volunteers, especially bilingual horsey people…so I would fit the bill just fine! That would be a great opportunity to get close to the action and meet some of the competitors.
