ELF: tell us about how you came to be involved as a competitive show jumping rider?CS: I have been riding as long as I can remember, I started out mustering on the family cattle station in Central Qld, went on to camp draft, pony club and then on to show jumping.
ELF: How have you turned this into a family affair?
CS: Well I met my wife Sharlene whilst showjumping and we both competed together. Now our daughter Jessie is also a keen jumping rider. It’s great that our family enjoy the same sport.
ELF: How is it managing a team of horses and riders, and how do you facilitate the logistics of school, travel and competitive riding?
CS: Sharlene manages all the entries, show and work schedule. It's like a jigsaw puzzle so at the start of the year we work out exactly where we are going and organise our work schedule at home so it all fits together. Jessie is doing Year 12 this year and we have been very lucky that her School and Teachers have been super helpful organising things such as sitting her exams early. Jessie books up some frequent flyer points throughout the year going to and from the shows back to school.
ELF: Tell us about the events you are entering at ELF?
CS: We are very excited to be bringing five horse down to ELF- two for the Mitavite Sydney Open ' Delilah', 'Guru' and 'Kartoon de Breve' in the Hawkesbury Challenge. Jessie has two horses in the Junior Classes.
ELF: What are some of the most memorable events you have attended and what makes a horse competition a good event?
CS: One of the most memorable events was competing at the New Zealand Horse of the Year Show with Dark Ages, where he was Runner Up in the $50,000 Silver Fern Stakes. If events are well organised with a well prepared jumping surface they will attract top riders but top prize money is certainly always a big drawcard.
ELF: What horses is your current team made up of?
CS: I have eight horses on my jumping team. Two are Jessie’s; Limo & Belcam Cosmic. I have three Grand Prix Horses, Delilah, Guru & Kartoon de Breve and then Copabella Tattiana, Alite andThe Jackpot.
ELF: How has the equestrian scene changed in the showjumping discipline over the last 20 years?
CS: Showjumping has really grown in popularity. There are now many imported horses in Australia, as well as some very well bred homegrown horses. The courses have become more technical with lighter equipment so horses have to be better educated, as well as being very careful to be successful.
ELF: Do you and your daughter ever compete against each other, and how is the competitive spirit between you?
CS: Yes we are often now in the same classes. And yes Jessie, would rather be in front of me in the line-up!
ELF: How does spending time on the road affect your family life?
CS: It really is just the way it is, we have been doing this as a family now for over twenty years.
ELF: Did you encourage your daughter to get into riding or was it something she wanted to do from the start?
CS: Jessie has always had a horse on the truck and always been keen to ride.
ELF: Do you ever both ride for the same owners, and do you share rides on the same horses?
CS: Yes we have ridden for the same owners and often share a horse.
ELF: How have you come to know the Hansen Family who are now involved with Equine Lifestyle Festival?
CS: We met the Hansen Family on my trip to New Zealand. They were very gracious hosts of the NZ HOY Show which they organised extremely well. Certainly one of the best events I have competed at over the years. We are really looking forward to competing at ELF in November.
