I have known Denise since the early days of living in the Hawkesbury, so it is an absolute pleasure to have her answer Amylie’s questions about her horse story so far…
Can you please tell the viewers about yourself and your horsey background?
I grew up in western Qld (St George) on a cattle and cotton property with 3 brothers and a sister. Riding horses was almost a necessity – whenever it rained, riding the horses to the bus stop was the only way we could get there! Mustering paddocks and working the cattle in the yards was part of the norm for the entire family, running the horses up the cattle ramp and on to the truck to get to Pony Club Rally every third Sunday was part of the norm, and bringing in the dairy cow before and after school every day to be milked was also part of the norm. Horses was just how we did everything and got places. Dad didn’t like motorbikes so it was horses! It is not until you are much older that you understand how privileged that simple upbringing was. It was a “just get on with it and get on” upbringing that has stayed with me for life. I went to Uni, became a psychologist, used this degree somewhat in the corporate world for around 15 years and then chose to become a professional Dressage rider and trainer around 10 years ago when Chanelle and I moved to Sydney. Horses were with me that entire time and boy did they do some miles now that I think of it! I am now in a very privileged position of being able to lease a beautiful equestrian property owned by the Weinert Family in Glenorie, Sydney. My partner Chanelle works in the city and I get to play in the sandpit every day, just on the other side of the garden fence. So very lucky.
This year with the world’s pandemic, how have you been keeping motivated?
You have to pay the bills, so it’s bloody important to stay motivated whether you like it or not!!! And if I couldn’t have stayed motivated, then don’t expect others to stay motivated, and then you may as well just pack everything up, sell everything and roll out the swag under the stars somewhere. That has literally been my attitude as there is no other option. I choose to do this sport, I am not forced to ride or be a professional rider. I am in a very privileged position and owning and riding horses for amazing clients and owners is what my father would call “a first world problem” so don’t bloody complain! Sure, business could have, and still could be swallowed up during coronavirus – what’s my answer if that happens? Get a bloody job and keep surviving!
5 facts about your favourite horse on the property?
Oh boy…. this is a funny question as one of my most loyal owners and friend, Liza Carver, constantly teases me with asking who my favourite horse is of hers (she has 3 beautiful horses under my training), and I never given her a straight up answer!! So guess what – I don’t do favourites!!!! I love them all. However 5 facts about my own GP horse Virtuel?
1. My parents bred him.
2. We all call him Forest Gump around the stables – for obvious reasons.
3. His voice is not manly at all, it is a high pitched voice that resembles Fran from The Nanny! Pathetic really…
4. His real stable name is “Russell…. the love muscle” he loves his girls – his all time favourite was Callum Park Freya.
5. And yep this is the horse that planted me on the telegraph pole in front of many riders and judges at Clarendon and broke me in a few places… do I still love him? Sure do!!! He will be with me forever.
Denise, Russell the Love Muscle and Chanelle after their first GP.
You’re a big supporter of Tafe NSW and Animal Courses that they offer. What made you start supporting the Tafe Industry?
Karlie Triffitt was someone I got to know and help occasionally when I moved to Sydney, and she became the Equine Training Manager at Tafe NSW in the meantime. I quickly realised through our own conversations that her courses were what I was after for my staff, so I badgered poor Karlie and our friendship with a thousand questions until we had my staff enrolled! It has been the best in so many ways. I believe in education, but mostly the staff have been able to show something for all of their bloody hard, long hours and it has also meant a stepping stone into furthering their own careers – which I always encourage.
Denise, apart from being an FEI rider, you’re also a coach. Why did you getting into coaching?
Oh boy, it’s just what I have always done. I grew up being told to help wherever and whoever I could – even as a kid. Dad was the Chief Instructor at Pony Club back in my day, and that meant that myself, and my siblings were the helperers for all!! Zip your mouth, be pleasant and helpful, and if someone is struggling and not understanding, then you have to stay with them, and teach them until they actually do understand, and can show you themselves that they understand. That task may have been as simple as tying the grass reins on properly so they wouldn’t come undone for the poor non/horsey mother with the horse crazy child, or actually teaching the flat work session because the pony club coach for that day was sick…. so I started young I guess, and it has simply been a natural progression.
Now that it’s Spring and competitions are slowly coming back, what are some of the routines or exercises you’ve been doing with your team of horses?
Actually what I have started doing is sticking to my normal routine from Monday – Friday, and then making myself ride through a test on the weekend – it has been a great mental check on whether I really am on track or completely off track!! It has been very enlightening can we say!!
Now, most of our viewers own or ride horses. What are some good exercises you would recommend doing with horses?
Oh I actually find that hard to answer, as I am not a big fan of exercises performed for the wrong reason or performed incorrectly. Every horse is different and every horse is different on different days! If I say you need to be doing work moving your horse around and away from your inside leg (like leg yield, shoulder in), and yet you are struggling to have your horse in front of both legs, in to both reins, with a supple contact – then holy heck, don’t be moving ur horse sideways!! So I guess my philosophy of training is a few things:
1. The training scale is Queen.
2. You have to be able to do a “Prelim/Nov” test in feel for a 80% every day, on every horse, despite their level of training, before you think you can do anything else on that day.
3. Correct miles and great routine count for horses and their riders. Keep at it until you and your horse get it!
4. Be fair in every aspect… this sometimes means you got it really wrong as a rider, and you need to re-think and re-assess, and other times you need to commit more and be firmer in your convictions – stop faltering.
5. Dressage is a life long journey – don’t ever think you are going to know it all. when you are at peace with this idea, then you will start to understand your horse and will enjoy the journey despite the ups and downs.
What’s one of the products that you use, that you would recommend?
Oh definitely my Antares Dressage Saddles!!!! I would crawl in to a hole and curl up in the fetal position without my Antares Dressage Saddles – like in all honesty!
Are you a dog or a cat person, and why?
Bahahahaha! Dogs ….. bloody cats – they never take instructions well.
What advice would you give to people getting into the horse world?
Go for it – With your eyes WIDE open!! It will teach you so much. You will learn life lessons that no other sport can actually give you. You will carry these life lessons in to whatever you do. You will respect and empathise with those who are having hard times. You will embrace and celebrate success like you never have before. You will learn the real meaning of resilience. You will be challenged, like a Boss at work has never challenged you before. You will be a team player even though our sport, equestrian, is ultimately just about you and your horse. You will have life long friendships that are full of honesty and support. Bloody go for it!
Feature Image courtesy of Julie Wilson of Horse Deals, of Regalo De Susaeta owned by Liza Carver, and Article Image courtesy of Denise Rogan.
– Guest Blogger Amylie May Hines.