Like many young horse mad girls Rebel Morrow had a dream that she would represent her country one day at the Olympics. In 2004 that dream came true and Rebel, together with the very talented Oaklea Groover, were part of the Australian Eventing team that went to the Athens Olympics. They finished in 11th place and now, some years later, Rebel is back and well on the way to a journey that might just see her enjoying another Olympic experience.
Rebel and Hillgrove Enviable leave the arena at Adelaide
The horse she is pinning her hopes on is Hillgrove Enviable, who she recently rode into 14th place in the HSBC Adelaide CCI4* and that performance, along with other good results this year, recently earned Hillgrove Enviable (Enny) the title of ‘Carisbrooke Lady Mare of the Year’ at Eventing Queensland 2013 awards night.
Over the last fence and that's a clear round in their first CCI4*
What makes the story even better is that Enny is out of the same dam as Oaklea Groover, which is a somewhat emotional attachment that helps drive Rebel towards her Olympic ambition.
“She’s certainly not an easy horse,” Rebel admitted at Adelaide. “She is very different to Groover who was so laid back and took everything in his stride. Enny on the other hand has carted me all over the place here … she just get’s quite nervous with the atmosphere. But she has a super jump and that’s what keeps me going with her.”
Listen to what Rebel had to say in this short interview we did with her just after she had finished her dressage test at Adelaide.
Thanks to their Adelaide performance Rebel and Enny are now qualified for the Olympics and will no doubt be working hard next year to control the nerves on dressage day.
“Having the World Games two years before the Olympics gives me a chance to refocus and keep the blood rushing … we need regular high class events to have something to strive towards.”
Hillgrove Enviable at Sunday's trot up - it doesnt look like she was too tired after cross country day!
