A Girl and Her Stallion

Olivia Dalton recently returned to New Zealand from what was to be a very exciting time away in Australia, particularly for a thirteen year old show jump rider, who in her mother’s words ‘is not overly established as yet’. 

The New Zealand FEI Children’s Gold Tour Class trial was held last January, when Olivia was simply not ready to be jumping the heights of 1.20.  But she had another shot at trialing when her highly regarded show jump coach, Vaughn Jefferis (NZ) suggested she go to Camden, and trial there for a chance to make the finals in Mexico.  Bling Du Rouet, a 16hh Warmblood Sportaloosa Stallion, previously owned and ridden by James Arkins, was the catalyst for going.  Vaughn had suggested ‘Bling’ may be a suitable mount for Olivia to ride in the Australian trials. 

For Olivia’s mother, Nicki Dalton, the idea of a hulking great 16hh stallion being an ideal ride for her slightly built daughter, seemed like what could potentially be the greatest equestrian mismatch of all time.  However, acting on the advice of Vaughn, whom she trusts implicitly, and under the guidance of Jacque McKinley, National coach for Pony Club NZ, who has for many years been an integral part of Olivia’s riding, the trip was made.  Prior to the big day, Bling was met and ridden by Olivia, and she instantly loved him.   When Nicki and Jacque saw the combination for the first time, they were in shock.  “She looked so great on him,” Jacque said.  “Bling has the nicest, kindest temperament.  And while he’s tall, he’s very short coupled, so Livy does not look ridiculously small on him. “

Olivia competed on Bling at three shows in Australia, the first one being the Riders Series Show in Sydney, where together they won the Junior at 1.10.  The second show was The Australian Show Jumping Championship at Werribee, Melbourne, where they placed in the Junior.   At the completion of this event, David Green (Lucinda Green’s ex-husband) tracked Olivia down to tell her that the highlight of his show had been watching her and Bling compete.  Just the sight of them had made his day, he said.  If ever there was praise and commendation not to be sneezed at this was surely it.

The third show was the FEI Children's Classic Competition (Gold Tour) in Camden, Sydney.  It was here that they came 4th in Round 2, and they won Round 4, putting them in 4th place overall.  On the first day of this competition, Olivia and Jacque, planned for a clear jump off, rather than a fast one, but there was an unfortunate rail.  Jacque reports that Olivia showed one of her greatest strengths as an inexperienced rider, at this very moment of taking a rail, by immediately going into plan b.   “She is always thinking ahead,” Jacque said.  “And she doesn’t focus on the problem behind her.  She got on with the solution and went fast to try and make up for the lost points.”

While Olivia missed out on a chance to compete in the finals of this International competition, she most certainly gained from this experience in more ways than one, and the meeting of Bling must be the highlight.  The pair will compete again once more at the Showcase of Show jumping at the Sydney Polo Grounds this weekend, 17th and 18th October 15.  “It was an opportunity too great to miss,” Nicki said.  “We were persuaded to go back by the Australians, who have been simply marvellous, as they say this show is absolutely the one to not miss.  And it is of course the last opportunity, Olivia will have to compete here on Bling.”

Then the plan is that this gorgeous stallion will travel to New Zealand later this year and not before semen is collected from him in Australia - the orders having gone up markedly since Bling and Oliva have been seen competing.   The plan is that when Bling arrives in New Zealand, semen will continue to be collected from him and this will be his last service.  Given that Olivia and Nicki, will be the sole handlers of, Bling, he will be gelded and hopefully fully recovered from this surgery in time to compete at HOY in NZ March 2016.

In the meantime, Olivia stepped up to her first Grand Prix show jumping event here in NZ, just last weekend riding her two ponies, Hopeful Illusion and Just Nuts.

It was a normal beginning for Olivia’s riding career, starting out on a lead-rein pony at Clevedon Pony Club.  But when this naughty pony began to double barrel people and other four legged acquaintances, Jacque was called in to sort it out and she has been coaching Olivia ever since.  Jacque is extremely complimentary of her protégée’s riding ability. “She has an amazing attitude, beautiful manners and is a very calm, considerate rider.”  When I looked at a photo and commented on Olivia’s perfect jumping position, Jacque quickly replied, “Well she has certainly been drilled.”

Jacque is impressed by Olivia’s genuine compassion for her horses and ponies, and in particular, Olivia is the first to say it’s her fault if something goes other than to plan.  “Olivia will never blame anything or anyone other than herself.  Riding Bling, is definitely going to fast track her journey onto horses, as sometimes it can be difficult to adjust from ponies.” 

When asked what Jacque’s take on this situation is (and it does seem quite a frequent occurrence whereby very successful pony riders never seem to be as starry again on horses) Jacque replied, “Ponies are self-preserving.  They look after you more than horses might.  And a pony has the ability to chip in if necessary.  Ponies are usually quicker thinking and sharper.”

Olivia is still young to be competing at the levels she is, and both Nicki and Jacque, continue to remind themselves that she is a child first and foremost and therefore she is encouraged to be just that, a child who loves her friends, just being with them and her prized four legged friends.  “Just recently Olivia attended a young rider camp where the girls were out at night jumping rounds of show jumps themselves,” Nicki said.  “And it’s these moments that remind everyone just how young she is.”

In wrapping up our interview, Jacque concluded, “Olivia’s calm personality and her empathy towards the horses is actually amazing.  The carrot ritual is just as important to Oliva as riding.”  Then Jacque hesitated before adding, “She is just a really gorgeous kid.  So polite and composed for her age.  She has the scope to have a future in the sport if this is what she wants.  And she has the support.  Her parents will back her all the way.”