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Young Rider: Isobel Guinness
YOUNG RIDER
Adventures in the USA
From a horse obsessed youngster to one of Australia’s most promising young show jumpers, Isobel Guinness’ future looks bright, writes SUZY JARRATT.
For two years she was made to ride in jeans. “They’d rub me raw but my family wanted to see that I was genuinely committed before investing in expensive jodhpurs!” So Isobel Guinness showed them that she was serious about horses. Each weekend she rode at her family’s farm in Scone NSW and began having lessons with Sue Bettington in nearby Gundy. Later she participated in Interschools competitions and began successfully eventing as a young teenager. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Tallara and Dave Cameron’s guidance. I started riding with Tal back in the eventing days when I was 14; and my number one supporter is my mother, Holly, who loves my horses as much as I do.” She was the leading young show jumper at the 2019 Melbourne Royal; was a placegetter in the 2020 Chatham Park Classic and in the 1.40m class in the YRC Show series. One of the highlights before going overseas was being part of the winning Coolmore Peachester Team in the 2021 Australian Jumping Teams League (AJTL is run on similar lines to the renowned Global Champions League).
On that team was Laura Sloey, also from Sydney and now in Ocala, Florida with Isobel. The two girls, and Goulburn show jumper Sam Watson, live in an over-55s community. “And there’s a golf course outside my window,” says Isobel, excitedly. “I used to play a lot of golf with my father, Jonathan. I’ve been doing Sports Business at university and when I go home for a month to do my internship it will be with the PGA.”
Joining her in Ocala is 16-year-old Copabella Verdi, formerly owned and ridden by Tal, who arrived at the end of 2021. “He’s by Copabella Visage. Tal used to event and show jump him and
he’s done six-bars. He’s an extraordinary horse.” And Isobel’s 10-year-old Cassandro B, purchased in 2020, flew into Florida a few months ago.
An average day for Isobel begins at 6.15am, when she rides, helps around the stable block and exercises a couple of horses at a professional yard. Nearby is the World Equestrian Centre. “It’s incredible, I’ve never seen anything like it,” she says. “Massive industrial fans in the stable blocks, air conditioning everywhere and magnificent arenas. It’s the largest equestrian complex in the States. I did a couple of events there and had goosebumps riding into the arena. I had four fences down in my first Grand Prix but I still couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. It was phenomenal!”
She is also pleased that there are so many other Australians around Ocala. ”They’re all so friendly and helpful. South Australian Olympian Scott Keach has been over here for years. He hasn’t lost his accent,” she says delightedly, “and he wears board shorts and flipflops when he’s teaching.” Isobel is learning all the time and feels that Verdi is improving with each week. ‘You want to be better because everyone around you is better. The entry fees are expensive but the prize money is very substantial.”
Her mentor, David Cameron, a former Australian champion who’s been in Florida for a couple of years, is pleased with her dedication. “Her riding is definitely improving,” says David, “because it’s consistent. At twenty-four she was at the perfect age to come to Ocala.”
Isobel is athletic by nature and when she isn’t riding, enjoys either running or going to the gym. And because takeaway food in the US is far from healthy, she, along with the other Aussie athletes, tends to cook at home. For Isobel, healthy living and a good mindset are essential. “Learning from your mistakes is important, but don’t hold on to them,” she says, “you have to let them go.”
