Five Minutes With... Elite Showjumpers - Paula and Olivia Hamood

Paula riding her imported gelding, Air Time Z (photo: Direct Shots Photography)

Mother and daughter team, Paula and Olivia Hamood are that valued combination in the showjumping world – talented horsewomen with the ability to train horses to the highest level plus the skill to compete and win at the biggest shows.

The impressive pair have great determination to succeed, are hard working and are prepared to put in the effort required to achieve their goals.  They are down to earth and yet always aim for the stars.

Originally from South Australia the Hamood family now call picturesque Glen Haven Park, in Kilcoy, Queensland home.  Glen Haven Park is a state of the art showjumping training facility, which the Hamoods designed and built themselves.

Paula has been winning and placing on many different horses that she has trained and shown in Grand Prix and World Cup competitions since she was 17 years old.  She has won champion horse or rider at all major Royal Shows across the country and has represented Australia five times, twice in Hong Kong, twice in New Zealand and once here at home.  She was included on the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic shadow teams and has finished in the World Cup top ten, 15 out of the last 16 years.

Olivia and Bucks Bunny - on their way to winning at Sydney Royal 2009 (Photo: Ross Willis)

Olivia at only 18 years old, is also no stranger to high achievement and has been consistently winning in the showjumping arena since a very young age.  She excelled in Young Rider events and Junior Grand Prix classes across the country and has recently competed, with a very creditible performance, in her first World Cup.

In 2009 Glen Haven Park were awarded the Equestrian Training and Horse Procurement Services contract by the Singapore Government, which meant that the Hamood ladies, with their specially chosen team of elite riders and grooms, had to procure and train 38 showjumping horses and then transport them to Singapore for the Youth Olympics, which were held in August 2010.  The team at Glen Haven Park pulled off this daunting task brilliantly and the horses they provided - for young riders from around the world, who were competing at the Youth Olympics - were most impressive.

Since returning from Singapore, Paula and Olivia have once again begun to focus on training and competing with their own horses.

Jo Johnson caught up with these showjumping dynamos recently to find out more...

Paula, how old were you when you first started riding?

I was seven years old, when I finally convinced my parents to buy me a pony, 'General Custer', a buckskin, unbroken colt, from the horse sales at Pooraka, SA. This story alone is one you could write a book on!
 

Paula with her father, Brian Kennedy, who has always been incredibly supportive of her passion for horses (photo: Direct Shots Photography)

Were you always drawn to showjumping or have you been involved with other horse sports?

I first started riding with Paracombe Equestrian Club in the Adelaide Hills, where I was introduced to all disciplines. After a few years of involvement at the Equestrian Club I found my passion was for showjumping. However I have dabbled with success in the hack arena as well.

Olivia, you're well and truly following in mum's footsteps - did you always want to ride?

From as young as I can remember I have always been riding and if I wasn't riding I was cantering around the coffee table with a spoon in my mouth as a bit, jumping books. I would even get a ribbon and put it between two chairs as the entry gate!

 

Your favourite horses (now or in the past)?

Paula: Bucks Bunny is one of my favourite horses, he has been with us since he was six months old, and has won major events all over Australia with myself and now he's doing the same for Olivia. My current favourite would have to be my young imported grey gelding Air Time Z, he is only seven years old, but is showing plenty of ability and he is a lot of fun to ride.
Olivia: Torchbearer as he had so much success with mum at World Cup level, and then went on to educate me as a 12 year old junior starting out. We won the Junior at our first Brisbane Royal (or any Royal jumping) on my 12^th birthday.  Eternal Flame is currently my favourite horse outside of Bucky. I love her quirkiness and her powerful jumping ability.

Paula and her former World Cup horse, Capone, at Sydney Royal

 

Horse you'd love to own?

Paula: I really love Action Breaker and also Ninja La Silla. I saw him jump at WEG and fell in love with him.
Olivia: I would love to own Cartoon Z.  I saw him compete for Japan at WEG and also Shutterfly he is just an amazing horse.

 

What attributes do you look for in a great horse?

Paula: I look for super technique, bravery, the want to be careful, as well as honest and rideable.
Olivia: A big heart and something that loves its job.

Biggest achievement to date?
Paula: Representing Australia five times and being included on three Olympic short lists.
Olivia: Representing Australia twice.

 

Olivia and Bucks Bunny being awarded the Helen Rose Memorial Perpetual Trophy, for most successful junior of the show, at Sydney Royal 2009 (Photo: Ross Willis)

What goes through your mind as you enter the arena for a big class?

Paula: I just try to stay focused on my game plan (distances between the fences etc) and try to stay relaxed.
Olivia: I get really determined and try not to let outside influences get to me.

What do you love most about showjumping?

Paula: It is a very fair and exciting sport. It's an exhilarating feeling to jump around a course on a horse that you have educated and grown yourself. There is no better feeling when you and your horse come together as a team and win a major class.
Olivia: I think I love the fact that there is always something to be learnt and there are always bigger bench marks to aspire to.

As mentioned above the Glen Haven Park team procured and trained 38 showjumpers for the inaugural Singapore Youth Olympic Games - that's an amazing undertaking - how was that experience?

It was a huge undertaking that took full dedication for that 12 months from all of us here at Glen Haven Park. Our own competition horses did have to take a back seat whilst we were training the 38 horses. We had a full time staff of 14 people, consisting of five grooms, four riders, course designer, office manager, nanny, farm manager and farrier. It was a relief to land 38 horses safe and sound in Singapore after the 12 months of training. We had to take everything from 38 saddles, bridles, girths, hay, grain, waterbuckets, wheel barrows etc with us!! Everything we did for this team of 38 horses was always on a large scale given the number of horses we had - we would go to a show and have no less than 20 horses there! You can watch the full journey on our website: www.glenhavenparkaust.com.au. The great news is the first ever Youth Olympic Games was an overwhelming success, which far exceeded the expectations of all concerned and Glen Haven Park was given international recognition for its efforts as the official training farm.

 

Paula and Olivia (centre) and members of the Glen Haven Park Team in Singapore with local volunteers

You've recently started the innovative online magazine 'Go Jump' - tell us a bit about that?

Go Jump Magazine is a new monthly online showjumping-dedicated magazine covering Australian and New Zealand horses and competitors right around the world. The aim of the magazine is to lift the profile of our sport and give showjumping more exposure. So far we have had great support and feedback. Each month we have state show reports, veterinary, nutrition and farrier articles, as well as Volunteer of the Month, Young Guns (our young riders), Global Champions Tour and a Dressage for Showjumping segment and much, much more. You can check it out online at www.gojumpmagazine.com

 

Paula (middle) and Olivia (right) with Corinne Bracken from Great Britain, who was chef d'Equipe for the European team in Singapore

You're both renowned for getting horses going really well on the flat and over fences - have you got any for sale at the moment?

Yes we do have quite a few horses for sale at the moment. You can view these horses either at Horsezone, on the Glen Haven website or at Go Jump Magazine.

Paula, Queensland has some big jumping shows coming up, including the Glen Haven Park Grand Prix show - what can competitors and spectators look forward to at that show?

Yes, we have the World Cup circuit coming up, Olivia will be campaigning her Nero GHP, he has had just the one world cup start so far with a very creditable clear jumping round with 1 time fault. I was very proud of Olivia's performance in her debut World Cup event.

Our Grand Prix Show will be held in Kilcoy on 27 - 28 August and will host the Barastoc Young Horse Finals, The Ian and Di McCauley Grand Prix, Garrards Mini Prix along with two other arenas. Arena two goes up to 1.20m with junior classes and CRT Woodford Country Store is sponsoring the third ring, which will be dedicated to our Pony Club fraternity. Winners of all the Grand Prix classes and the two Barastoc finals, will be presented with rugs and garlands. We are grateful to all sponsors of the show, including Horsezone who are sponsoring the Open 90cm class and providing prizes for other events. It should be a great weekend of showjumping with trade stalls and a sponsors marquee.  (See links below for program and entry forms)

Goals for the future?

Paula: I am still searching for that 'Special' horse to one day take overseas and vie for a position on a WEG or Olympic Team!
Olivia: I have a special mare 'Eternal Flame' that I believe has potential, my aim is to campaign her here for the next year or so and then take her to Europe. Ultimately I would love to see her make a WEG or Olympic team with me.

 

Team event medallists at the Singapore Youth Olympic Games

What would you be doing if you weren't showjumping?

Paula: With four kids I am sure I would not be looking for things to do! Although I really don't know what I would otherwise be doing, as showjumping and horses have always been a large part of most of my life.
Olivia: I was quite a good long distance runner so could have possibly pursued a career in the athletics area, otherwise dad and I have always had a passion for aviation. Would have been cool to have become a pilot. You never know!

Any tips for aspiring showjumpers?

Paula: Hard work and dedication, and always look to improve your riding - try to find someone that you respect and trust to help you with your training.
Olivia: Be determined, never give up and work hard at achieving your goals!

In your rare spare time - how do you relax?

Paula: I like to watch movies.  I seem to be watching very regularly movies like 'Ice Age', 'Tangled' and 'Madagascar', with my two youngest children making the movie choices lately! I also enjoy a nice drop of red wine.
Olivia: I like to search the net for all the latest equestrian wear and horses for sale in Europe and I also like to catch a few Z's!

Big dog or little dog?

Paula: We have had Great Danes, Boxers, Blue Heelers, Poodles and Pugs, so I suppose I qualify as a lover of all dogs big and small.
Olivia: Both, I have a poodle named George and I also love Great Danes.

Winter or summer?
Paula: I love the summer months for hanging out by the pool with the family and the winters in Queensland are to die for, especially when riding is our business.
Olivia: I like both for different reasons, skiing and water sports in summer and riding in winter.

Favourite food?
Paula: I love beautiful fillet steak, seafood and fresh salads. I think I love food in general!
Olivia: I love most foods especially salads and nice steak, I also have a real sweet tooth!

Shout out to your supporters?
We would like to thank our sponsors Barastoc and KER for keeping our horses looking and feeling fantastic and One Black Horse NZ for their beautiful clothing and saddlery, also a big thank you to our family - without the support of these people it wouldn't be the same!

Quick Links

• Glen Haven Park website
• Go Jump Online Magazine
• Glen Haven Park horses for sale on Horsezone
• Glen Haven Park Grand Prix Show Program
• Glen Haven Park Grand Prix Show Entry Form