Behind the Bridle: Kylie Schooley

Veterinarian, cattle producer, horsewoman and Eventing mum Kylie Schooley is no stranger to getting work done for the Toowoomba Jump Club. In the first of our member stories, we meet the woman behind much of the club's growth over the last five years.

Kylie comes from horse people. Her mother was an exceptional showjumper and a very good horsewoman, part of the squad in the lead-up to the 1956 Olympic Games. Her grandmother, Olive Nunn, was also a big name in Queensland equestrian sport, and her aunt, Mary Seefried, is a well-known name in the sport in Queensland today. Kylie grew up on the family's cattle property with horses all around her.

"I grew up with horses. That background led me to love horses," she said. 

Even though I didn't do a lot of equestrian sport myself apart from polocrosse, because I went away studying, I always had horses and was a confident rider.”

She built a career as a veterinarian before she and her husband took over the family grazing business. When her children came along, she wanted them riding too. Her daughter started out on thoroughbreds at Interschool, and one very good thoroughbred took the family into eventing. Today her daughter is an elite eventer, and Kylie has spent years beside her at events all over Australia.

Those years also showed her what it takes for country families to stay in the sport. There are kids at boarding school, horses to float down, and long drives just to get to training.

“I really understand what it's like if you have children at boarding school in Toowoomba and you have to put horses on the float and take them down. All those things are such challenges for rural people,” she said.

Toowoomba Jump Club became the family's local club around 2014, while her daughter was competing at Interschool. About five or six years ago, when the president was ready to step down and the committee was looking for new faces, Kylie and a few friends put their hands up.

For Kylie, her passion for the sport has always been with Eventing. Toowoomba is one of only four venues in Queensland with a three-star eventing course, and she saw what it could become. 

"I really wanted to support the development of the eventing course. We've done a tremendous amount of development of the cross-country course in the last five years. We've built, I think, more than 150 jumps, including a new water jump, which is the biggest thing that's happened,” she said. 

Still to this day, the water jump remains the project she is proudest of.

"When I began, we had trouble getting 120 [Eventing entries], now we get over 200," Kylie said. 

As Event Director for Eventing, Kylie draws on everything she has seen following her daughter around the country. 

"I want all the riders to go away saying that's just such a well-run event, it's a good, fun place to be, and I think we've definitely achieved that. We get a lot of amazingly good feedback now."

Her own country upbringing shapes the Club too. One of her biggest kicks is seeing riders come in for clinics from Roma, Miles and Chinchilla. 

"I know what it's like to live outside the main centres, over the range. I like providing for the more isolated community,” she said. 

As President, she is proudest of the people around her. The volunteers are what continue to keep the sport and club alive. 

"We began with so few, and now we have a pretty vibrant committee. The volunteer hours are tremendous. Even though it costs a lot as a sport, entries in no way pays for what's done,” she said. 

Now Kylie is planning her next step. She hopes to stand down as president this year, while staying on the management committee and continuing to run the Eventing. 

“The role of the president is to appreciate everyone for what they’re good at, to welcome all comers and manage any conflicts smartly. Members and especially committee members need to feel safe within the group. If someone wants to be involved, they'll be welcomed with open arms.”

Asked about her legacy, she points to the water jump and the sign beside it thanking everyone who made it happen. The rest, she says, is day-to-day running. 

"I feel very happy to stand down as president knowing I am leaving the club in a better financial position and even more importantly , a vibrant, cohesive spiritual position. The club is ready and poised for someone else to be the main influence for the next chapter.”

For Kylie, the hours on the road and behind the scenes have never been about personal reward. They’re about giving the next generation of riders somewhere great to compete.

Kylie is one of thousands of volunteers who keep equestrian sport running across Australia, from setting courses and judging to running committees and driving hours to be there. Behind every event and club is someone like her, and we want to hear about them. Tell us about someone from your club here.