Location   

 
Inglis InglisDigital.com Bloodstock.com.au Get Racing Stallion Parade Rural Property Insurance Horsezone.com.au

Horsezone News

Five Minutes With... Louisa Hill

Published on Thursday, February 23, 2012 in Five Minutes With Horsezone

Louisa and Bates Antonello at home in Clevedon, South Auckland

 

Louisa and Bates Antonello competing at the Olympic Qualifier in Sydney

(photo: Marya-Liisa Solterbeck) 

 

Louisa (right) with fellow Kiwi, Horsezone's Haylie Martin, at the Coprice Stand at Equitana 2011

 

Louisa and Bates Antonello competing at Equitana 2011

 

Top New Zealand dressage competitor, Louisa Hill - and her wonderfully expressive horse, Bates Antonello - was recently thrilled to be named as New Zealand's first equestrian representative for the London Olympics! 

Louisa started her riding career in Pony Club and eventing, however, in 1986 she began to specialise in dressage training. She has trained seven horses to Grand Prix level and competed five times in Australia. Her horse Rumplestiltskin qualified for the Sydney Olympics, before tragically being diagnosed with Cushings disease, resulting in him having to be put down. For the Athens Olympics, Louisa was once again chosen as New Zealand’s dressage representative, and competed on her home bred mare Gabana.

In 2011 Louisa and 10 year old Hanoverian, Bates Antonello, travelled to Australia. This was the gelding's first season at Grand Prix level, so going to Australia and being part of the team to try and qualify New Zealand a spot in the Olympics was a big ask, especially as Louisa had broken her hand in July, which meant two months of not riding prior to the trip. 

New Zealand not only managed to secure a team spot for the London Olympics, but Louisa and Bates Antonello had a fantastic campaign, finishing third in the Grand Prix, second in the Freestyle and Special at the Bates Australian Dressage Championships; winning the Grand Prix and placing second in the Freestyle at Equitana; and then travelling to Melbourne for the Saddleworld Dressage Festival, where they placed second in the Grand Prix and third in the Freestyle. Wonderful results for Louisa and Bates Antonello, who although supremely talented, is relatively inexperienced compared to the other horses competing!

Jo Johnson recently caught up with Louisa, who is now back in New Zealand and busy preparing for the Bates New Zealand Dressage Championships... 

Louisa, congratulations on your wonderful achievements in 2011 and on being named as New Zealand's first equestrian representative for the London Olympics! To reach these lofty heights in dressage - how did you first become involved with horses?
I began riding when I was about four years old. We had a pony called Trixie that I shared with my two sisters. (Louisa's early years were spent competing in pony club and eventing, as mentioned above)

When did you decide dressage was the sport for you?
When I returned from my OE, there were no eventers left at home but my parents had started breeding Hanoverians - the oldest being about four years old when I returned. I started getting more and more interested in dressage and with this horse being bred for the sport, started getting rewards. It was when this horse, called Witzstein, was about seven that I started training with Clemens Dierks and Witzstein became my first Grand Prix horse.

What do you love most about dressage?
The challenge, I guess, and the fact that you never stop learning. It is incredibly difficult but maybe that's what keeps us going? Although I frequently ask myself why I do it, I know I wouldn't do anything else!

What are some of the challenges when training dressage horses?
Learning the art of dressage is a continuing challenge and one that I don't think you can ever completely master. There is always more to learn. Trying to train your brain to make you do things it doesn't want to do, because in dressage almost every natural reaction will be wrong. The biggest challenges I've faced have been losing my special horses through illness or freak accidents. It takes a lot to get you back on board after these losses.

Top training tip you could offer aspiring dressage competitors?
Riding dressage is so difficult and sometimes very frustrating. I try to remind myself that "frustration starts where knowledge stops" to ensure I'm always thinking why a movement might not be happening the way I want it and to keep training on the horses side. This is useful to me especially when we are a long way away from the training environment in Europe, where they are always under the watchful eye of the trainer, a trainer who can often get on and iron out problems or help analyse them. 

Is there a sport you'd like to try?
The sports that appeal to me generally are ones that are nice to watch like gymnastics and I think dressage is similar to this but with horses. I would never have been petite, or agile enough to do this though. I love watching top tennis.

What horse would you love to own?
My own - Bates Antonello! I am very lucky to have such a good horse and I just hope I can learn to ride him better to realise his full potential.

Favourite horses that you've owned?
Rumplestiltskin, Amoroso and Bates Antonello.

Proudest achievement to date in your horse life?
I guess even though the preparation for Athens Olympics was spoilt with one injury after another to my mare Gabana, coming out of the arena after doing a respectable test, under the circumstances and having represented my country at the Olympics, was one of the most special achievements.

Tell us more about the wonderful Bates Antonello?
Bates Antonello (AJ) was bred by my sister Anna. He is by Anamour out of her lovely Winnebago mare, Flair, that she competed to advanced level. I had always loved Flair, so when Anna offered me the ugly four year old to ride - when she was going to live overseas - I wanted to see what was there. By the time he was five, and training with Andreas Mueller from Germany, we started to see more and more talent. As a young four year old, he always had an incredible natural suppleness and as the training increased, his willingness to work and athleticism developed. He has a natural hotness but a mind that wants to listen to the rider.

Following your wonderful Australian campaign in 2011 - how did you reward AJ for being such a good boy?
He got to come home in time for Christmas, to his own stable - with no frightening Cockatoos or Kookaburras - and could chill out for a couple of weeks. He had lost quite a bit of condition after his travels. He had also banged his poll quite badly somehow in the stable in Melbourne, so I couldn't put a bridle on him for three weeks. My lovely sponsors, Bates, sent me flowers and in the bouquet were carrots for AJ. So lovely!

The Bates NZ Dressage Championships are fast approaching - what do you enjoy most about this competition?
It's a very prestigious competition, especially at the higher levels. A good competition for exposing the horses to more atmosphere and also being judged by overseas judges is great.

August is not very far away! What are your plans for leading up to the Olympics?
After the Bates Nationals, I'll stay down there for Horse of the Year which means being away for three weeks. It is more travelling and competition experience for both of us. My trainer, Andreas Mueller, will come over from Germany to help me (and some of his other pupils) for four days before the competition starts at the Nationals and during the competition at Horse of the Year. This will be a great training opportunity, as I've never had Andreas watch me compete (except on video) or help with the preparation and warm up. After I return, I have 10 days before flying to the UK and then we'll travel by road to Andreas's in Munich, for more training and competition leading up to London.

Most looking forward to about the Olympics?
Being back in London and the exciting atmosphere of being a part of such a special event - but I do get a bit nervous just thinking about riding there!

If you have a spare moment, how do you relax?
Reading, watching dvds, catching up with friends and gardening.

What three things would you take on a deserted island (essentials are supplied)?
My animals, my family and my friends.

Do you like big dogs or little dogs or are you a cat person?
Not really a cat person, as I don't like them getting the birds, I love small dogs. I have my faithful friend Brie, who is a fox terrier and was given to me by friends as a puppy 13 years ago, when I was sick . Apart from my pony Kamella who I was given for my sixth birthday, Brie is the best present I've ever been given!

Your favourite food and drink?
Pinot Gris and all seafood except mussels.

What do you love about New Zealand?
It's green! I would prefer to live somewhere with a higher rainfall so you have the green. Great beaches (although never seem to have time to visit them) and easy going lifestyle. Although there are many beautiful places in the world, I don't think I could live anywhere except New Zealand.

A group of Lou's friends have started a fundraising initiative for her Olympic Campaign, click here for more information.

Thank you so much for your time Louisa! We wish you and Bates Antonello all the best for the Bates New Zealand Dressage Championships and for your Olympic preparation!


Comments

hayliemartin wrote:
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Am a massive fan of Lou!
You must be logged in to place comments
 


News Search

Categories