|
HOT
PROFILE THIS MONTH - DECEMBER 2004
This
month we profile Canterbury based rider Victoria Wall, who has competed,
travelled and worked in a large variety of horse related fields. We find
out about her current horses,
learn some riding hints, and discover what riding Advanced level dressage
is actually like!
SHNZ: How
did you first become inolved with horses?
Vic:
I was the first
person in our immediate family to be interested in riding. I was so determined
to ride and pestered mum and dad so much that when I was 8 years old they
relented and bought me Misty (the standard grey 12 hh mare) who was awfully
good to me ..more than I could say about my second pony Celmisia (welsh
of course) who bucked me off daily! I think I got the passion off my aunt
Rose who still rides also.
You
are competing in dressage now, has it always been your favourite discipline?
It is now! I was mad on 3 Day eventing at one stage but that doesn't thrill
me now like it used to. I have always enjoyed dressage. I had a dressage
horse whilst I was eventing called Henry Hudson but I only dabbled as
I devoted most of my energies to horse trails. Dressage is exacting and
gives you a different kind of thrill. The training is a challenge and
to be honest I prefer the type of horse bred for dressage. I love the
power, strength, natural roundness, cadence and carriage. It is much more
fun to train a horse who doesn't find it hard, because they are bred for
it I am a bit of an all or nothing kind of person, I can't do things half
heartedly. I am very passionate about what I do.
Riding
Advanced level is obviously quite mentally demanding, how do you prepare
for your competitions?
Well this has been a big learning curve for me recently. Learning the
tests has been the easy part! My current horse is huge (18 hh) and even
in collected canter covers a lot of ground so you only have to be a stride
late in preparing and you have effectively sailed past your marker!! I
have found with him, especially, you have to be very focused ...no congratualting
yourself over a good movement! Or cursing over a not so good one for that
matter! There is not the time! I think though that you have to keep it
low key otherwise you put more pressure on yourself. To really know your
test gives you confidence to focus on the horse. You also have to be confident
you have prepared to the best of your ability at this stage of your training,
and not pressure or hassle the horse in the warm up. Each horse needs
a slightly different approach in their warm up to optimise performance
and you need to find out what is best for each horse.
Tell
us about your current horses.
I only have one at the moment (although I may be taking on the ride of
another shortly) and that is Scherzo a Trakehner/TB cross that grew alarmingly
to 18 hh. He is owned by Soo Wells who took him from a baby to his current
level of Prix St George but has given the ride to me (lucky me!) We have
been together for 5 months. He 13 years old and is wonderfully kind. Has
incredible natural rythym in all paces and is very athletic for his size.
What
qualities do you look for in a dressage prospect? Temperament
and trainability first and foremost but you can get some awfully sweet
donkeys, even though they might try really hard they probably aren't going
to wear the silver fern! They absolutely must be uphill with a good neck
and very athletic as that is in essence what they are ... equine athletes.
They also must be well balanced, come off the ground naturally and use
themselves well behind. I am not adverse to a bit of knee action as long
as they cover the ground (it never did Bonfire any harm!) I don't get
stuck on pretty heads, and show pony looks etc although thats a bonus!
I
understand you also instruct, offer equine laser treatment and are an
agent for Technyflex, tell us about those.
I really enjoy teaching actually. Every student is an individual and they
each need different kinds of encouragement. They all learn at a different
pace and find different things easy or difficult. I enjoy meeting people
and enjoy helping people to believe in themselves, and inspire and motivate
them. I aim to give them a better understanding of the subject and skills
to make them more effective riders. I like to think my enthusiasm is infectious
for some and not just annoying!!
My interest in laser therapy started about 7 years ago when I had a horse
who had severe muscle problems. Laser really helped him and it was so
effective I decided to get my own as I was having it done so regularly.
It is a fabulous tool for treating everything from muscle soreness and
fatigue to wounds and joint/ligament/tendon problems. In fact it I also
use an infra red heat scanning device to pin point exactly the areas to
treat but it is also very effective in diagnosing problems that you arn't
sure of like reduced performance or discomfort in an area. it is also
great to check your horse out before a big competition. I have human clients
as well as dogs cats and horses! It is side effect free and is completely
safe.
My involvement in Technyflex is only recent actually. It is a joint supplement
as well as being a rich source of Omega 3's and 6's and also has an anti-inflamatory
effect due to the presence of ETA's. I was always a bit of a fan of a
global leader in this field (not allowed to say who!) but stumbled over
this NZ made product, by accident really, as a horse came to me who was
on it. I compared the horses performance on both products and there was
no contest. It completely out performed this 'global leader'! I had never
heard of Technyflex and discovered that it was not easily available in
NZ as the company had concentrated efforts overseas. I was so impressed
I approached them to sell and distribute it here in NZ. The best bit is
that is is a quarter of the price of most joint supplements. They make
a canine one too (my Jack Russell thinks its marvelous!!).
What
are some of the most common problems you come across with your students?
Thats dead easy! The top 3 problems would be :-
No. 1 - very few riders know the significance of or can carry a quality
elastic connection with the horse down the rein at all times. An elastic
contact is paramount.
No. 2 -Very few riders (especially at the lower levels) understand the
significance of lateral influence from the rider and in turn the lateral
balance of the horse.
No. 3 - A riders lack of confidence getting in the way of their learning
and performance.
Share
with us one of your most memorable moments in your riding career!
Goodness .... up there would have to be every time I galloped over the
finish line of a 3 *** track! I think the other best ones are coming!
Any
future plans or goals?
Olympic games / World Champs ......... need a smart pony!
How
can people contact you if they wish to know more?
Phone: 03 347 4208 or mobile: 027 2827944
Thanks
Vic!
----------------------
Click
here to close this window and return to SportHorsesNewZealand.com
website
|