YOUNG RIDER THEA HORSLEY

Living an eventful life

Nineteen-year-old eventer Thea Horsley is our October Young Rider – and deservedly so, as AMANDA MAC discovered.

Hailing from Mittagong in the NSW Southern Highlands, Thea first sat on a horse at 10 months old. With her dad holding her firmly in the saddle, she delighted in being walked around Sydney’s Centennial Park, and by the age of seven, began riding and competing seriously.

So, I wonder, are equestrian pursuits a family thing? “Mum did a little eventing in the UK when she was younger, and my older brothers used to ride when they were little, but now it’s just me,” Thea says.

Thea has a history of excellence. NSW’s 2017 Young Rider of the Year, she completed her first CCI4*-L by the end of 2018, and then set her sights on competing at 5* level.

Have goals, will travel! Thea decided to contact internationally renowned eventer Sam Griffiths, who is now based in the UK and competing there himself as well as training other riders – and fortunately he had a position available.

“I wanted to go over to the UK to experience their eventing scene. So here I am, working as a rider. I ride six days a week at least, and on average I’m riding four horses per day and I’m loving it,” she says.

Given the diversity of horses Thea rides, the wisdom imparted by Sam Lyle, her jumping coach back home in the Southern Highlands, has been of great value. “Probably the best piece of advice Sam gave me was to ride the opposite to the energy you feel from your horse, which really helps me to adjust my riding for different horses on different days,” she says. “For example, if your horse feels like he wants to run down a line in five strides, make him collect and do it in six, and vice versa. It’s a great training technique!”

Although sadly Thea had to leave one of her top horses, Fairview Rembrandt, back home in Australia, Kelecyn Supernatural, her 15-year-old Thoroughbred, made the trip with her and has settled in remarkably well.

The pair recently completed Millstream CCI4*-L in Ireland and came 12th, qualifying for 5* in the process.

“I’m so excited to have qualified,” says Thea. “I want to compete at 5* level next year and keep improving in all three phases. I love what I do, particularly the cross country phase, but I really enjoy all the phases for different reasons. Beyond that I’m not sure what my next goal will be! I feel that with horses you have to go with the flow a bit,” she explains.

With a stellar career that just keeps getting brighter, Thea is anxious to acknowledge those who have helped her along the way. “First and foremost, I’m so thankful for my parents’ support. Without them I wouldn’t have been given such an incredible opportunity to go to the UK with my horse,” she says. “I also owe a great deal to Ali Soster and

Robbie McKinnon who have been my dressage coaches since 2009, as well as Sam Lyle for all his support and top class coaching. Of course, having been based with Sam Griffiths for the last four months I’ve learnt so much - so a huge thanks to him also.”

And all of us here at HorseVibes wish Thea continued success on her exciting UK adventure.

Images courtesy of (above) Allira Fontana Photography, (left) Top Shots Photography .