Being brought up on a farm where my parents trained horses, it was inevitable that at some point in my future it was bound to have horses in it.  From a young age I learnt to ride horses on our family farm.  However at nine years old my parents finally gave in and let me join pony club, and this is where is all began. 

I started out on ponies attending ribbon days, rallies and show jumping competitions.  Throughout my pony club years I represented Auckland in show jumping, eventing and dressage, gaining invaluable experience and knowledge and also having a tonne of fun. I also got my A and H certificate to top it off.  In 2010 I was awarded a NZPCA achievers award, which also acknowledged my college sport success in basketball, netball and athletics. 

The next year I got to do something that had been a huge goal of mine. I got to wear the Silver Fern.  I was selected for the New Zealand Interpacific team.  Our team came second overall and I was presented with a trophy for being the highest placed kiwi rider.   But aside from that, it was a time that I will never forget and feel very lucky that I have gained some life long friends from the experience as well as representing my country.   

Now that I had done pretty much all there was to do in the Pony Club circuit, I had found my new passion in eventing.  My parents couldn’t afford a schoolmaster for me to learn the ropes on, so we did the next best thing.  We bought a 16.2hh chestnut thoroughbred who was an ex steeplechaser.  Needless to say the road was long, but through perseverance and having a coach that believed in both mine and the horses ability we moved up through the grades to be pointed out of Novice horse trials in 4 shows which was helped by winning 3 novices in a row. We then moved up to intermediate where we placed in our first start, and then onto two star.  

During the winter I decided to pack my bags and go to Europe for the first time.  I managed to land myself in Piggy French’s eventing yard, who is a top British rider, again gaining invaluable experience. 

Ready for a new challenge I purchased a young horse to produce.  We had a rocky start not too long after I got him, which landed me out of action for a while.  I lost a lot of confidence and started to hate jumping.  However once again an instructor came to my rescue and installed the world of confidence in me, which I am so grateful for.  It also made me realise the importance of h having someone to mentor you and guide you the right way.  It was a great feeling to be back on track working towards and achieving goals I had set out for myself. 

I am now in a point in my life where horses have taken a bit of a back seat while I am adjusting to my new career as a primary school teacher.  I have always loved teaching kids how to ride at pony club rallies, and decided that it was probably a good path for me to go down.  For me nothing beats the look on a kids face when they have achieved something, and I am just glad it is my turn to be the one who can help others.