Interview with Sarah Joyce, Team Barastoc
Where did your passion for horses come from and how long have you been riding?
I was lucky enough to be brought up in a horse loving family. Both my parents rode horses and even met through their shared love for riding. As far back as I can remember I have always had a pony and ridden. One of my favorite memories as a kid is getting up early in the morning, dressing myself and Tiffany (sometimes this was just a pair of gumboots for her), and going out to catch our ponies and just riding in the arena all day long until Mum would drag us off to have dinner and go to bed.
How did you choose your discipline?
Watching my Dad ride has always inspired me, the control and balance he could maintain on any horse he rode gave me something to aspire to. Helping him with the jumps to set out the right distances and heights at home and then see him jump such high fences made me realise I wanted to do the same. Showjumping has always been a family activity for us, and we have been lucky enough to have such nice horses. Recently moving away from home for Uni and owning a horse that is more suited to Dressage, I have found a new love for the perfection and elegance of this discipline.
As a young rider, do you have any role models in this industry that you look up to?
I have always looked up to my Dad, as a not only a successful showjumper but an all-round talented horse man. Watching him work with seasoned showjumpers to breakers and young-stock, and the various techniques he can customize to each individual horse makes him my ideal role model.
An equestrian rider that I have also recently started to watch is Charlotte Dujardin. I find myself watching YouTube videos of her in her warm ups and aim to do the same suppleness and softness exercises with my horse, Albert.
What factors do you think have contributed to your success?
I don’t consider myself successful. I have been lucky enough to have talented horse lovers as parents. As a kid there was no pony I had that dad wouldn’t help me turn a bad ride into a smile finishing end. I just love riding and I just love spending time at shows with my family and my horses.
What have been your key achievements to date?
A huge achievement that I have been able to make doesn’t come from success in the competition ring but success in being able to manage and compete LH Albert by myself, whilst studying full time in Wagga Wagga. I pride myself on Albert’s appearance and temperament and how manageable he is when I take him to competitions. Knowing that I have achieved this through my management and hard work gives me such a good feeling!
What other accomplishments and goals do you hope to achieve in your career?
I have slowly been working with Albert moving him up the Dressage grades. Next year I am hoping to compete him in the Medium classes at the Wagga Wagga Dressage Championships. Before I started riding him I hadn’t even gone to an official Dressage competition so this is a new journey we are experiencing together.
You have mentioned that you are both away at University, you must miss your horses during the Uni year. How often do you get home to your horses?
I go to university at Charles Sturt in Wagga Wagga. I am lucky enough to have my parents support for my passion and helping me to agist LH Albert just down the road from where I live. I go and see him twice a day to feed him and change rugs. I aim to ride him at least 3 times a week to keep him fit and feeling good. Whenever I see him he always puts a smile on my face no matter how bad or stressful my day has been. I feel so grateful to have him with me wherever I go.
How much time and training you do you put in prior to an event?
Recently I had a competition down at Corner Inlet the Sunday after I had a week of exams. Ideally I would like to ride LH Albert at least 3-4 times the week prior to the event. With exams and the long trip home this didn’t happen for Corner Inlet. However, with all the hard work I put in the weeks prior to the event Albert was a true gentleman at the competition. I believe, it’s not the week prior to the event that preparation is required for a competition but anytime you ride you are training for something. Whether I am riding in the arena, practicing movements in the test or taking him for a hack around the block to be relaxed, I am always working towards something.
You must have had some great experiences riding together as a family, can you share one with us that sticks out to you?
I am so lucky to have been brought up in a family that all share a common interest. Whether we were riding at home or competing at a competition, I have always had my family around to support me. One memory I can recall is the year we made the trip to Dubbo for the Australian Showjumping Championships. I was in my final year of my first degree and Tiffany was finishing year 12. Somehow the stars aligned and neither of us had exams for those 10 days we were away. We took a truck load of horses and even stopped at the NSW State Champs on the way. That year at the Aus titles each of us were selected to be on the Victorian State teams, Tiffany in the junior team, myself in the young rider team and Dad in the senior team, definitely an accomplishment to be proud of!
What products do you use to ensure the best performance from your horses and to enhance their coat?
Feeding LH Albert is something I take very seriously. I am always ensuring he is getting the right amounts of concentrate and bulk feed and any additives he needs to enhance his performance. I alternate between mixing a half 1.2kg scoop of Barastoc Cool Command or Barastoc Calm Performer to his bulk feed each day. This makes sure he gets enough proteins in his diet without getting too frisky. Every morning, I also put a handful of Barastoc Groom in his feed which helps maintain his coat and hooves. This year I have noticed a huge change in Albert’s coat, his summer coat has come through looking so nice! The shine and texture he has without having to clip him proves that his feeding regime is working. When people ask how I get Albert looking so healthy I tell him it’s not the wash he got yesterday but the Barastoc feed he gets every day!
What would be your advice for other young riders starting out?
I always love taking the time to talk to young people about horses. I believe success comes from hard work and dedication. Yes, I was lucky enough to have parents that were keen and involved in my passion but I also had to work hard to achieve what I have. My advice is to work hard and stick with it, not every ride will feel like you are getting somewhere, but over time results will start to be noticed. Seek help when you need it and don’t be afraid to ask someone if you are unsure about something because we have all had to start at the beginning at some stage.
What is it like being part of a family so involved in horses?
It is the best feeling! Moving away to Wagga Wagga and not being able to attend the shows with my family as regularly as I used to is something I miss immensely. It’s not just because we like horses, we could have been a family interested in golf, or netball or music, it’s because as a family we spend time together. That is something I am so lucky, appreciative and grateful for.
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