Five Minutes With... Laura Wallace

Sugoi - Adelaide CCI**** 2011

Samara - Whitford A Grade 1998 - she was 21 and Laura was 12

Tried 'N' True - NZ YR Team 2006

Sugoi - Kihikihi CIC-WC*** 2011

Sugoi - Kihikihi CIC-WC*** 2011

Charlton Ultra - currently listed for sale on Horsezone

Tried 'N' True - representing NZ  - Young Rider Trans Tasman 2006

Crown Prosecutor - currently listed for sale on Horsezone

Tried 'N' True - NZ 3 Day Event Championships 2006

25 year old New Zealand eventer Laura Wallace has been based in Australia since late 2007, however, another move is now on the cards for this ambitious and dedicated rider!

From the family farm in the Southern Highlands, Laura trains and competes a team of horses from introductory to 3/4* level as well assisting in the running of a boutique cattle breeding business. With the New Zealand High Performance program shifting to the UK in the run up to London 2012 and Normandie 2014, Laura is making the move to England in April, via New Zealand, where she will start her top horse, Sugoi, in the World Cup Qualifier at Kihikihi. 

With big things on the horizon for this talented young eventer, Jo Johnson caught up with Laura to find out more...

 

How did you first become involved with horses?

I was first put on a horse at two years old – my parents did a lot of bushwalking at the time and I became too big to carry but was too small to walk. They used to hire a horse from one of the South Island (NZ) Stations and lead the horse with me on board. I took my first riding lessons in Wellington at age five and conned Mum and Dad into buying me my first pony at age nine.

 

Have you participated in other horse sports besides eventing?

I used to do a lot of dressage in the NZ off season, and showjump through the summer months. Now I occasionally dabble in showing when I’m not eventing.

 

What do you love most about eventing?

I love the versatility of eventing - the fact you have to be good at three phases to get a winning result.

 

Is there a horse sport you'd love to try?

Carriage driving - after watching Australian Boyd Exell. I think it’d be a great test of all round ability in both the driver and the horse (We agree, Laura! Read Five Minutes With... Boyd Exell)

 

What makes a great event horse?

Elegance, athleticism and a trainable brain.

 

What's the most important trait a rider needs to be a success at eventing?

I think to succeed at eventing you must be patient and tenacious. You have to face challenges head on but always be willing to take a step back if required throughout your training.

 

What are some of the biggest challenges you face with training eventers?

Keeping eventers sound in the latter part of their career is always a challenge, there is a tenuous balance between starting at enough events to keep them focused and on the job without running their legs off and breaking them down. The ability to combine the two and have a happy horse is really an art form.

 

Horse you would love to own?

Opposition Buzz – ridden by Nicola Wilson. He is the scopiest and boldest cross country horse you could ever wish to sit on. Watching him jump the first four fences at Kentucky (WEG) on video was simply amazing.

 

Who are your mentors?

I have been exceptionally fortunate throughout my career to have had some great mentors. Nicoli Fife – the youngest eventer to start at a WEG; she was 18 when she represented NZ at Kentucky 1978. Nic has been a constant mentor since I was 16. Mary Darby – I was fortunate to ride a horse for Mary some years ago and she has continued to help me with horses and life advice since. Sue Hearn – my dressage coach - never fails to inspire me to do a better test every weekend. Shane Rose – a generally allround amazing eventer who has helped me whenever I’ve needed it and always reminded me to keep kicking!

 

What would you consider is your biggest achievement so far?

Representing NZ as a Young Rider in 2006 was a great achievement and completing my first CCI*** on Sugoi in 2011 was also a good milestone.

 

Do you have a favourite horse?

I am lucky enough to have three favourite horses in my life.

Samara : my second pony who took me to A Grade pony club level in NZ when she was 21! She taught me how to ride to a fence properly and would never fail to remind me when I got it wrong.

Tried ‘N’ True : my first 3* horse and the first horse to get me selected onto an NZ team. He was unorthodox but a great partner.

Sugoi: my current top horse who has jumped me around some really big tracks, taught me how to ride a 'hot' horse on the flat and has the oddest personality that always make me laugh.

 

You currently have some great horses on the market - tell us a little about those and why you've decided to part with them?

Charlton Ultra – bought from Nicoli Fife as a five year old. I saw her when she was about two weeks old and fell in love with her. She really is the sweetest natured individual you will ever come across and as safe as they come, she will jump anything you point her at AND is pretty. What a package! She would suit anyone, she is so biddable and forgiving in nature.

Crown Prosecutor – my super successful racehorse turned eventer, who struggles to get a time fault at any event. I harassed his former owner, Katherine Strelein, until she sold him to me in December 2010 because I just loved the style and type of him. He would suit someone ambitious because I think he has the ability to go all the way.

Sleeping Tiger – my for sale/not for sale five year old. I wouldn’t be in the least bit upset if he didn’t sell because I just love him. The best moving Thoroughbred I’ve ever had the privilege of sitting on, he finds the flatwork so easy.

Huckleberry – I’ve just sold Jeffrey to the Honey Family in WA so I hope they have a lot of fun with him. He is a little cross country gun.

All of them are only for sale to fund the horses that are going to the UK – otherwise I’d be more than happy to keep the lot!

 

Relocating to the UK is very exciting! Where will you be based and what are your plans for life in the Northern Hemisphere? 

I am initially going to be based with a fellow Kiwi eventer, Karyn Shuter, and then see where I end up from there. I am definitely taking Sugoi with me and then am looking to take a young horse, or two, as his back up. I unfortunately lost my lovely 2* horse – Hands Down X – recently, which was a blow as he was my hope for WEG 2014 and I was looking forward to seriously campaigning him in Europe. Sugoi is going to have his UK debut at Chatsworth CIC-WC*** and then head to Luhmuhlen CCI**** in Germany at the end of June. All things going well I am aiming him for a start at Burghley CCI**** in September.

 

What are you most looking forward to about living in the UK?

I am looking forward to being surrounded by more fantastic riders and learning from them. It will also be great to be able to go to an event nearly every or any day of the week.

 

What are you going to miss about Australia and are there any Aussie items you'll be taking with you?

I will miss all the Australian eventers who have been such a great bunch to compete with over the last four years. I probably will take an entire box of Champion Pepi tail spray to remind me of Australia every time I plait a tail!

 

Long term goals for the future?

In ten years I’d like to have completed every 4* in the Northern Hemisphere in the top 10 as well as 2014 WEG and the 2016 Olympics in Rio!

 

Training tip for up and coming eventers?

In the words of my father, Glenn – “straight, kick, then pick up your stick” – how to jump a cross country fence in seven words!

 

What item in your tack box can't you live without?

I cannot live without my extensive collection of studs. I buy them in bulk whenever I am in NZ and stash them all through my truck. Big, small, pointy, square, blunt – you name it, I probably have it.

 

How do you relax?

When I manage to wangle spare time I really like to read anything not related to horses. Preferably by a pool with a glass of wine!

 

Thanks so much for your time Laura and all the best for the UK move.

This isn't the last we'll hear of Laura - she'll soon be posting regular Blogs on Horsezone so we can hear all about her European adventures!

Quick Links

• View all Laura's horses currently listed for sale on Horsezone.