Equestrian Profile – Alice Hurley ©

The next addition to Living Equine’s Equestrian Profiles, is Ambitious Irish Dressage Rider, Alice Hurley.

EQUESTRIAN QUICK TEN
1) What made you fall in love with horses?
My mother has had horses most of her life. She had a pretty palomino welsh pony called ‘Spring’ when I was born, which I would get regularly plonked on before I could walk.

2) How long have you been riding for?
Since as long as I can remember!

3) Have you done any Tertiary Education in horses?
 Yes, I have a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Science from the University of the West of England (UWE).

4) Have you broken any horses in yourself?
I can’t take sole credit as it’s always a team effort, but I have been the first ‘bum in the saddle’ for a variety of horses and ponies.

5) What are your greatest Equine Achievements?
I have been lucky enough to experience many highlights so far (but hopefully many more to come!). Some of my fondest moments have been during International competitions including Italy, France, Belgium, Holland, Ireland and Spain – not just because of the results but because of the journey, the people and the experience as a whole.
I took part in some really fun competitions in Spain, from competing at the Barcelona Spring Tour CDI4* to gaining a Bronze medal at the Spanish Horse World Dressage Championships in Seville (SICAB). The Spanish really know how to party!!
Another little proud moment was getting through to the Inter 1 Kür at my first Senior Small Tour CDI for Ireland on the only Spanish horse competing, who I had produced from a 3-year-old, and then jumping 8 places and into the prizegiving for 8th place! Another highlight was in Winter 2018, I was added to the Irish Olympic Pathway Squads.

6) What has been your deepest Equine low?
 Life with horses is forever challenging. I suppose I should consider myself lucky that I have never had to deal with any real serious injuries or heartbreak, but in terms of competition, two crashing lows really stand out. The first was having to not just retire, but also dismount and lead my fire-breathing dragon of a chestnut mare out of the arena at none other than a British Dressage National Championship (Medium level). After performing an impressive rodeo for a full 20m circle, she slammed the breaks on and refused to move other than waving her front feet in the air. She had gone out and gained a 70% at her first Advanced Medium the week before and, true to form, played the chestnut-mare card right when it mattered the most. I was entirely humiliated, angry and upset. After persevering for 7 years, it wasn’t until that moment that it occurred to me that maybe this horse wasn’t for me, haha. We learn the hard way!!
The second was back at SICAB again, this time for the Small Tour classes. There’s a fair bit of pressure when you’ve spent a year to qualify and a week of travelling to get to just one competition. PSG was a safe, steady round leaving me in 6th place standing me in good stead for the Inter 1 Kür . I knew my horse had a load more in the tank and my last run through of the Freestyle back in England had me on a 73% so I was feeling pretty pumped for the test. Unfortunately, my usual reliable mount threw a curveball and became so hot and tense in what was a pretty electric atmosphere and the entire test was riddled with expensive mistakes. I was completely devastated. All I wanted was to do my best. But horses are horses, they’re not machines. These things happen and no one died so life goes on!

7) What jobs have you been able to work with horses so far?
Despite the fact that I was completely convinced I would never do a degree in Equine let alone work with horses, every fulltime job I have ever had has been as a rider/groom. After realising studying Geography in London and giving up the ride on my Young Rider horse might have been a mistake, I went to work for the renowned Woodlander Stud before reapplying to university a year later. During summers at Uni I worked for another Warmblood Dressage Stud called Ruxton Horses. Upon finishing my degree, I went to work as a rider/groom for what started out as an Equine Therapy centre, and ended up nearly 9 years later as the Head Rider and Yard Manager of what had become a thriving Dressage Stables and Stud. During which time I had the pleasure of producing and competing numerous horses from backing to International FEI level.

8) What are your current Equine ambitions?
I gave up a lot in England to embark on a new journey here. I had wanted to work abroad for a long time, and it was a now or never type of scenario. I weighed up several options in different countries, but Sutton Farm Equestrian Centre and Australia appealed to me, and I could see there could be something really special here. I know it’s going to take a lot of hard work, dedication and patience to earn my stripes over here but I’m always game for a challenge! Ultimately, like every dressage rider in the world, International Grand Prix is the aim. After that…who knows, maybe that illusive Olympic status!

9) What is your favourite movie?
Favourite movie, or movies…hands down, Lord of the Rings!

10) Favourite accessory?
Neck strap!! There is definitely a misconception that if you’re wearing a neck strap you’re inexperienced or afraid. Anyone who’s worked professionally with (young) performance horses, regardless of discipline, will know what a horse can be capable of….a lot worse than what most have experienced. Not only that but horses in general, no matter the age or disposition, can be entirely unpredictable. It doesn’t matter how good a rider you are, it not only provides safety if things start to go ‘airborne’, but it also gives the rider the confidence and security to be able to ride through it and deal with the problem, rather than the horse learning he can get away with something.
I will nearly always sit on an unfamiliar or young horse with a neck strap, because people don’t always give you the full story and my life and my confidence in my riding is far more important than what people think of me.

Living Equine thanks Alice very much for taking the time to be profiled, and wish her all the best with her future equine endeavours!