Five Minutes with... Bennet Conn

Ben at home with Astute

Gold Coast-based dressage rider Bennet Conn is making a comeback on the Australian dressage scene after a hiatus of sorts from the competition arena.

A popular clinician in Australia and New Zealand, Bennet has trained top young riders including John Thompson, Katy Tobin and Georgia Worth alongside Grand Prix riders such as Sheridan Ashwood, Penny Castle and Jessica Greelish. Sheridan has been making massive inroads on the Grand Prix scene recently on her imported stallion Prestige VDL, Penny  stole the show at the CDI last year with Gymstar One and Jessica  is now based with Andreas Helgstrand in Germany.

Renowned for his great eye for quality, Bennet has been involved with the purchase of many horses including imports Amoucheur, National Grand Prix champion HP Frolich, HP Finnagin, South Australian Grand Prix Champion Billionaire, internationally successful at PSG level Pandor for Haydee Wells, Legend of Loxley, I Like It, Parador, Royston Rockstar, Donnerrubin, Julie Brougham’s Vom Feinsten and Lancaster for Penny Castle.

 

Haylie Martin caught up with Bennet to find out more!

Burning questions…

Firstly… how did you get into dressage and who has had the biggest influence on your career?

My family is horsey so I grew up riding. Dressage is such a multi-faceted sport and its complexity as well as  the magnificence of Grand Prix horses captured my imagination.

I ventured to Germany when I was 15 and spent time at the PSI Stables. I learned a lot about in hand work with Dr Kuch Kuch.

Since then I have spent stints with Klaus Martin Rath, Hubertus Schmidt, Heiner Schiergen, and Isabell Werth - giving me a solid basis for my training philosophies with Leonie Brammal probably having the biggest influence on my riding.

In the future I’d like to spend time with someone like Sjef Janssen, he’s trained more elite international Grand Prix horses than anyone else and is a perfectionist.

Were you always going to be a full time rider?

No, I originally studied law and was admitted to the bar in Queensland before deciding to continue to make horses my profession.

What do you look for in a young horse?

Electricity and elasticity.

What do you think are the current challenges facing dressage in Australia?

As a nation I think we need to become more aware of the systems and techniques used by the best Europeans. Other than the training aspects, we’re challenged by the standard of the surfaces we’re competing on. In my opinion the likes of Boneo Park, SIEC and the new Queensland State Equestrian Centre are leading the way in offering venues with safe footing and facilities for horses and riders.

In addition to the property on the Gold Coast, you run a breeding operation in Warwick, tell us a bit about that…

My mother Mary has been a great support and sponsor to me over the years. She purchased her family farm in Warwick six years ago and is based there now. We currently have 14 broodmares and 15 foals and youngsters out there.

We selected our mares on pedigree and the quality of previous foals they’ve had. Bloodlines that are represented include Flemmingh, Contango, Rhodium, Carbine, Falkland, Monopol, Perpignon, Royston Rockstar, Don Frederico, Aachimedes and Donnerhall. Our aim is simply to produce international quality dressage horses for the Australian market.

Training tip

Riders need to understand that dressage is a holistic sport and the horse’s attitude is reflected by the extent of its suppleness.

Learn from as many people as possible. I usually try and get to Europe a couple of times, at least, a year to keep my eye in. These trips are usually combined with sourcing horses for clients.

Penny Castle, Ben, Jessica Greelish and John Thompson in Germany

You are involved in many facets of the industry as an agent, breeder, rider and coach, what gives you the most pleasure?

I love the riding and coaching. I get a massive amount of joy from seeing horses I’ve bred or sold along the way develop all the way through to Grand Prix. That and seeing my students succeed, whatever their goals, gives me the biggest buzz.

Tracy Smith and I imported the young Westphalian stallion Royston Rockstar as a two year old from Germany and we are now currently breaking in his babies. It’s an incredibly rewarding process and I’m so happy with them. So far they typically have a really easy, soft temperament and are really balanced with the same swing as their sire.

Any advice to people wanting to get into breeding?

I wish there was less breeding going on for commercial purposes. People need to take a step back and be less impressed by marketing and more impressed with progeny’s suitability for the international sport.

Plans for the future?

We’re heading off to the Sydney CDI in a couple of weeks with Jaybee Apprentice in the Grand Prix CDN. Truth be known, he’s my favourite in the stable - he has so much personality and tries so hard all of the time. He is by Aachimedes and is co-owned by a great friend of mine Pippy Foster. We’re also taking the Greelish family’s imported stallion I Like It (Iberio), for the five year old class and John Thompson and Annette Burmeister’s Astute (Anamour), for the PSG.

I’m also looking forward to hitting the Small Tour scene this year with my imported - big friendly giant - Levinski (Lord Lancer).

Quick fire questions…

Ben and Gertie as a puppy

Big dog or little dog?

I have a little miniature sausage dog called Gertie.

Horse you’d love to own?

I’d love to own Andreas Helgstrand’s Uno Donna Unique.

Favourite horse retail brands

I am the biggest fan of Animo for riding (available from The Riders Shoppe). I have a range of saddles including a Sommer Spezial Saddle, an Albion and a Schultheis.

Latest music and the latest app you’ve downloaded on your iPod?

Lana Del Rey’s debut album and the Clip My Horse app.

Favourite Movie

Into the Wild

Red or white!

I will generally be found with a glass of good New Zealand Pinot in hand.

Outside of riding, what else gets you pumping?

Snowboarding and drumming are my favourite pastimes.

Quick Links

• BC Dressage horses for sale on Horsezone
• Royston Rockstar’s stallion profile

 

Jaybee Apprentice training at home
I Like It - Jeanette & Jessica Greelish's imported Hanoverian stallion
Affectionately know as the black labrador - Levinski at home learning piaffe
Imported stallion, Royston Rockstar