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Behind the Scenes
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BEHIND THE SCENES Rob & Sally Essex
ROB AND SALLY ESSEX ARE DRIVING FORCES BEHIND THE RUNNING OF MANY EVENTS AROUND THE AUCKLAND REGION - THEY TURN UP, NEVER GIVE UP AND ARE GENERALLY IRREPLACEABLE. PHOTOS Eye Witness Photography
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WHAT ORGANISATIONS ARE YOU INVOLVED WITH AND HELP OUT WITH?
R: I am on the Springbush committee and New Zealand Pony Club Association Technical and Rules committee. S: ESNZ Para Dressage, Auckland Manakau Dressage Group, NZPCA, and Eventing NZ.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN VOLUNTEERING?
R: Since 1980, when Sally and I started helping out with the Waiuku Endurance Riding Club. I helped to make and measure the courses and was also involved on the weight scales and vet checks. Since then I have been involved with the Bombay Pony Club committee, have been Tuakau Pony Club President and Franklin Thames Valley Chairman, and I am an ESNZ Steward. S: I have been involved for the last 36 years, starting with endurance in 1980!
HOW DID YOU BOTH GET INTO THE EQUESTRIAN WORLD?
R: I met Sally, married Sally and had two horses less than two weeks later! I mucked around with the horses, but being a Pony Club dad was what got me right into it. S: As a rider in my 20’s I competed in eventing, dressage (for fun) and endurance. Then I was a Pony Club mother at Tuakau and Bombay Pony Clubs, and was also Franklin District Commissioner and Secretary for Franklin Thames Valley for six years.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUNDS:
R: I didn’t have a horse background until I met Sally! As an Australian I love the surf, as did my dad; though I consider myself to be an ANZAC as my mum is a Kiwi. After Sally and I married, the door to horses opened and it has been all go ever since! S: I am also from a non-horsey family. I first got on a horse when I was 12 in Somerset, UK. I never had my own horse until two weeks after I married Rob in 1976. I was the eldest of six children so horses never really fitted into our family life.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE COMPETITION?
R: Springbush of course! It is a world-class event, run by a fantastic crew. S: As a volunteer I love Taupo Three Day, as a rider it would be Horse of the Year.
CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER NICOLA’S RIDING CAREER?
R: Nicola started Pony Club when she was eight years old and competed in all disciplines. Her passion was always eventing but her career was cut short just as she reached Intermediate with a nice team of promising young horses. S: She, like me, developed aggressive rheumatoid arthritis. It took nine years to find a drug to make her comfortable enough to ride. Both of us are graded Level III para dressage riders and Nicola is the riders’ rep for us.
WHO ARE YOUR CURRENT TEAM OF HORSES?
S: I compete on Cider Rose, a nine-year-old thoroughbred x Clydesdale mare. My other horse Ngamatea Times Two is 28 now and we retired him two years ago!
TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT THEM AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM:
S: Thomas (Ngamatea Times Two) eased me back into competition after 25 years of health problems. He is just a lovely old boy with a bit of a naughty streak. Cider Rose is a lovely kind mare who always tries hard and we have just completed our second season, although last year was cut short as I had ankle surgery and couldn’t ride for a while!
HOW MANY SHOWS DO YOU TEND TO GO TO IN A SEASON?
R: About 15-20 NZPCA and ESNZ events a season for Horse Trials, and about 10 dressage shows. S: Nicola and I compete at about 20 shows a season and I manage the start box for eventing at about seven shows.
WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHTS?
R: Being awarded the ESNZ Volunteer of the Year award! After 10 years of service, Springbush winning Best Event was very humbling. S: Bringing home Para Grade III Reserve Champion at Bay of Plenty Dressage Champs two years in a row.
HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO HAVE PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE BEHIND THE SCENES RUNNING OF SHOWS?
R: Really important - the event won’t run itself! S: It’s vital! Shows do not run themselves and I always say dollar notes don’t put up jumps! In this world people think that money is the answer when really what is needed is enthusiasm and shared knowledge.
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT HAPPENING, EVOLUTION OR TREND IN EQUESTRIAN SPORT NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AT THE MOMENT?
R: Not enough people helping at events is a challenge. People need to stand up and take responsibility for their sport. S: A lack of volunteers seems to be a trend at the moment. Those out there doing it mainly tend to be of the older generation and they help out here, there and everywhere. It is a worry - where will we find replacements?
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE CHANGED IN THE SPORT?
R: Bring back long format three-day events!
WHAT DO YOU THINK IS DONE WELL IN THE SPORT AT THE MOMENT?
R: There is more and way better publicity! S: Eventing does well recognising its volunteer officials.
HOW DO YOU JUGGLE FAMILY LIFE WITH YOUR EQUESTRIAN LIFE?
R: Love. S: I am lucky that Rob has always been very supportive, especially when the children were young. He would come home from work and I would just about have the car running, ready to go and ride for a couple of hours! The kids always came to events, no matter how early the start was.
WHAT DO YOU DO OUTSIDE OF HORSES?
R: Sleep! I love the beach, fishing and snow with family and friends. S: I work 20 hours a week as an occupational therapy assistant for Counties Manukau DHB at Pukekohe Hospital.
DO YOU GET NERVOUS BEFORE THE EVENT?
S: Yes, I’m normally worried about forgetting my tests, although that has improved in the last four years!
HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR NERVES AND KEEP FOCUSED?
S: I keep busy and once I am on my horse I am usually good, I just focus on getting out there and doing my best. At least I am having a go! C
