Interview

I NEVER feel like I am in the limelight

Georgia Tame talks success, Team Breen, hard work and determination ...

Young gun Georgia Tame has been around horses her whole life. With a family already involved in the sport, it may seem that stepping into her mother's dressage boots was the natural thing to do. However, it's not a case of 'it' being handed down with a sprinkling of magic dust that makes a showjumper great; it's those vital ingredients that we call hard work, dedication and determination that are key to success, as Georgia goes on to explain here.

Interview by Abby Dickinson, Journalist Everything Horse Image credits: Helen Cruden

Hi Georgia, you’ve seen amazing success on the showjumping circuit at such a young age. Can you tell us a bit about how your career began? What was the moment you decided professional showjumping was the route for you?

I’ve been around horses my whole life. My mother is a dressage rider, and my father is a farrier, so I decided at a young age that this is the only thing for me. I devoted all of my time to horses and trying to learn as much as I could.

When I was 14, I spent a summer at Charlotte Platt’s (international showjumper) with my horses. After that, I knew only a few hours a day with horses wouldn’t be enough for me, so I left school and focused on horses all day, every day! From then on, it was hard and tiring, but everything has definitely been worth it. I really don’t think I’d be in the position I am today if I had done it differently.

I moved to Shane (Breen) when I was 17 and haven’t looked back since!

With lockdown restrictions in place, how has it affected your training and competition life?

Luckily, I’m based with Shane, so my training wasn’t affected. I actually got more!!!

We missed a few shows between March and June, but as soon as they started to get going again, we were full steam ahead.

You joined Team Breen at just 17 years of age. How did it feel being catapulted into the professional limelight as a teenager and being given the opportunity to become part of a world-class team?

It’s strange as I’m always surrounded by such amazing athletes. I never feel like I am in the limelight!

I didn’t expect to achieve the results I have so quickly in my career. I’m very grateful to the team I have around me, especially Shane Breen and the team at Breen Equestrian, for giving me the opportunity to ride such talented horses. I feel incredibly lucky to have had opportunities I have had at such a young age, getting the chance to ride some world-class horses that I otherwise may not have.

In our sport, there’s always so much to learn, and I feel like you’re never too young or too old for that!

Georgia Tame

“In our sport, there’s always so much to learn, and I feel like you’re never too young or too old for that!”

As a Team Breen member, what are some of the biggest and toughest lessons you have learnt on the job?

Nothing about horses is easy. You can make a plan one day, but that doesn’t mean that the next day it will work!

As such a big team, we always have so many horses going off to different shows, often in different countries. You have to learn to go with the flow. Fortunately for me, being part of such a big team means you are normally all learning together so there is always support there.

I learned early on that if you want to achieve your dreams you have to work hard!

To prepare, we don’t jump big at home, just some exercises and a small course to keep the horses confident, relaxed, and working on rideability.

We start everyday by mucking out before we ride all day and finish up in the evening. They can be long days, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! Alongside Team Breen, you have also joined forces with Team Z7 which brings you some fantastic rides, alongside results! Can you tell us a bit more about your favourite rides and who your showjumping stars of the future may be. Z7 Cash Up was the horse that changed a lot for me. I did my first Young Rider Nations Cup, YR Europeans, Senior Nations Cups, and 5* GP’s with him.

“To prepare, we don’t jump big at home, we focus on some exercises and a small course to keep the horses confident and relaxed, while Z7 Ascot has been stepping up working on rideability.” and is proving to be a great horse - jumping double clear, as well as one clear at the two senior Nations Cups of 2021, so far. Z7 Dubai Castlefield is definitely one to look out for! He is a 6-year-old by Darco and has to be one of the most talented horses I’ve seen!

Images: Georgia Tame and Can Ya Makan. Credit Helen Cruden Georgia Tame and Can Ya Dance. Credit Helen Cruden

You regularly compete for Great Britain, most recently jet-setting across Europe for multiple FEI Nations Cups. How do you prepare for big shows like these?

To prepare, we don’t jump big at home, we focus on some exercises and a small course to keep the horses confident, relaxed, while working on rideability.

You also need to get really good at napping on planes and in the back of horseboxes, when you get the chance! What is your all-time favourite location to compete at? Is there anywhere you would like to compete in the future?

I love competing at Olympia and Hickstead, but I would love to compete at Aachen one day!

With such a jet-set lifestyle, how do you achieve a work-life balance?

My work has become my life, but I guess that’s what happens when you love what you do. We’re a close-knit team at Breen Equestrian, so quite often I’m jetting around with my friends! I’m lucky that my family lives very local to our base at Hickstead, so I get to see them when I am back, and they always try to get out to the shows that they can to support me!

What are your goals for the next 12 months?

My main aim now is to continue getting consistent results and compete in some more Nations Cups.

My aim for the future is to compete at Senior Championship.

Finally, can you give our readers three tips to take with them into their show jumping training and competitions?

• Every horse is different, you need to be able to adapt to each horse to get the best results. You need them to be confident and trust you.

• Keep your horse in as much of a routine, day-to-day, as you can. Once you find a routine that works for your horse, stick to it so they stay as relaxed and happy as possible.

• Know your course – make sure you know every stride and every turn that you want to make before you go in the ring. •

Skin Here we take a look at a selection of products that help keep the horse’s skin protected this summer. PROTECTION

For Horses

SUNBLOCK POWDER

SUNBLOCK CREAM

Lillidale Sunblock Powder 4 Animals

Lillidale Sunblock Powder is a natural mineral powder designed for horses and other animals to block UVA and UVB rays. Once applied, the sunblock lasts a minimum of 24 hours. How to use: Apply using the sponge provided to area's that need it the most. The formula acts as a non-irritant sunblock that can't be easily rubbed off. Suitable for use on areas already damaged by the sun. Size: 35g or 90g RRP £11.45

Lincoln Sun Bloc

A protective, soothing sun block cream developed to safeguard delicate, exposed areas of the horse's skin that are at a high risk of sunburn. Provides maximum protection using naturally occurring Zinc Oxide, a proven UV filter, plus two additional UV filters to reflect and absorb UVA & UVB rays. Water resistant, with added Aloe Vera to calm and aid recovery whilst the inclusion of Lanolin conditions and moisturises. Easy to apply, the cream’s pink colouring acts as a marker for reapplication. Suitable for the protection of muzzles, scars and areas of photosensitive skin. Size: 200g RRP £11.45

Buzz-Off Deluxe Fly Mask

The Buzz-Off Deluxe Fly Mask is a lightweight mask which offers super protection against insects and the sun. Reinforced darts help keep the mesh fabric away from the horse’s eyes. This mask is available without ears making it suitable for horses who dislike having their ears covered. Sizes: sizes XXXS – XL RRP for the Bucas Fly Masks ranges from £17- £38. Visit www.zebraproducts.co.uk

Shires Highlander Plus Waterproof Combo Neck Fly Rug - Blue/Grey

The Highlander Plus Waterproof Combo Neck Fly Rug offers a wide rang of benefits and is suitable for use in the spring and summer. The outer 600 denier with ShireTex advanced fabric technology gives the rug added strength to help protect from rips and tears. UV protection, with an upper that is waterproof and breathable.

CHECK LIST > Belly bar > Shoulder gussets > Large tail flap > Integrated neck with Velcro > UV protection up to 90% > Fillet string > Integrated leg strap loops

Sizes: 5’ - 6’9” Priced around £81.00 Visit Equus.co.uk