3 minute read
Young Rider: Jessica Dertell
YOUNG RIDER
On the move
Not one for letting the grass grow under her feet, Jessica Dertell has plenty of plans for the future, as SUZY JARRATT discovered.
Jessica Dertell is a widely travelled equestrian. She has competed in dozens of dressage events, ridden across scores of showgrounds, gone for long distances over Australian bush tracks and Arabian sands, and next year hopes to be riding on arenas in Europe. turned 18 in July. Her home is Future Farms about half an hour from Melbourne Airport. On 28 hectares at Bolinda, it enjoys international success in breeding, showing, dressage and endurance.
Just before COVID hit Jessica was in the UAE competing in a race for one of the Farm’s Middle Eastern clients, which she says was “awesome” – as are the top of the range facilities at Bolinda. Quite simply the complex is magnificent. “It was created by my parents,” explains Jessica. “Dad was originally from Canada, he moved to America, began working for an Arabian stud and then came to Australia where he met my mum. They were both winning trainers in halter and performance events.”
Her father runs the breeding side of the business, brother Kody does much of the breaking-in, and Jessica’s normal routine when she’s not away at events begins at 8.30am and finishes nine hours later. “I ride ten to seventeen a day, some are my horses, others belong to clients.”
There are also on-line assignments to prepare for Virtual School Victoria and, because she’s interested in make-up, study to do for a Certificate III in Beauty Services. Then there’s her partner, World Cup show jumper Conor Reed, who she likes to spend time with when he comes down from Adelaide. “All of this would be impossible to do without the great team around me,” she says.
Two of her most dedicated supporters are Brett and Samantha Thomas of Sabble Farm, another prestigious establishment in nearby Tylden. “I’ve had an amazing relationship with them in recent years. When my old schoolmaster broke down they decided I should continue my journey with their buckskin mare, Gleniph Tiramisu.”
This ten-year-old partbred Arabian has won countless Small Tour titles with Jessica, and is one of many Sabble horses she has successfully campaigned in the showring and dressage arena.
The two families recently went shopping in Europe and the Thomases purchased Cennin (Vivaldi x Donnerhall) from Dutch rider Madeleine Witte-Vrees. The 15-yearold stallion, a former Dutch team horse, arrived in Australia at the beginning of the year. Jessica has since ridden him to CDI3* Grand Prix victory in his Australian dressage debut in Brisbane. it alone is challenging and Jessica is grateful for her mother’s ‘eyes on the ground’ whenever she is aboard the handsome chestnut. “And being on the Victorian Young Rider Squad I’m able to attend protocol days given by high profile riders like Rozzie Ryan and Jenny Gehrke. Before she went overseas, Mary Hanna helped me enormously with my riding and with all the horses.”
Like Mary, who is aiming for the 2024 Olympics, Jessica is keen to have a crack at competing on Cennin in Paris. And Mary believes she is well equipped to do so. ”Her energy and enthusiasm never cease to amaze me. Apart from being a very talented rider she has a super work ethic. She’s always positive and in a good mood making her a pleasure to teach. I’ve loved watching and being part of her development as a rider and I think she definitely has what it takes to go on to the international stage. I look forward to that happening in the near future.”
