STICKING TO THE sandbox

They always say everything happens for a reason. So while it was heartbreaking to miss the season on her gorgeous mare, Leo Donna, due to injury, it meant the Brina was given the ride on the fabulous Grand Prix schoolmaster Parkridge Disco SW, who has given her a dream season.

While Brina grew up in rural Clevedon, it wasn’t until she was nine that she started riding. She came from an unhorsey family, but a family friend at the time had horses. After a few visits, she began begging her parents at every opportunity to let her ride. Her first pony was a Kaimanawa called Barley, who spent a lot of time throwing around her weight. However, Brina and Barley learnt plenty together along the way and came out the other side all the better for it.

“Looking back, Barley was definitely not the most suitable first pony at all! She had been out of work for a while and had a couple of quirks that weren’t great for a beginner. When I got her, I couldn’t even canter her on a 20m circle without her trying to buck me off. She did teach me how to ride, though, or more like how to stay on,” Brina laughs. “We did lots of Pony Club competitions, and in the end, I could do anything with her, so although it was tricky at the start, I’m grateful we persevered with her as she became worth her weight in gold.

“Before I got into horses, my family, for the most part, wasn’t horsey, but that has quickly changed! I have three younger brothers, none of whom ride, but they have all given it a go at one point – all three are much more into football and motorbikes. My parents are now super into horses, though, and a few years after I began riding, my mum even decided to learn too and had a horse of her own for a while. She no longer rides but comes to the farm most days and

helps me with my horses. She and Dad come with me to many of the shows throughout the season, and I am grateful that my whole family is so supportive.”

When Brina first started riding, she did a little bit of everything, competing in Pony Club events, ODEs and ribbon days. She had always enjoyed the dressage and flatwork side of riding; however, the catalyst for moving to dressage full-time came when she was 16, and her pony was lame.

“My pony at the time was injured, and I was riding a friend’s show jumper a few times a week. Even though I always preferred dressage, this solidified that I didn’t want to jump. So we decided it was time to look for a first hack - something that would help me get into dressage more competitively. From there, we purchased Lily (Plutonium Lady) from Chelsea Cunningham. Lily was bred by Irene Asplin and had interesting breeding for a dressage horse; she’s a Saddlebred cross by Denmarks Platinum Playboy and out of Lady Leprechaun (Twig Moss). Lily was an invaluable schoolmaster who was absolutely worth her weight in gold; she successfully took me from knowing nothing to being very competitive and winning national titles. Together, Lily and I went from Elementary to Advanced before we sold her so she could go and teach someone else the tricks.”

In 2021, Brina graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in management and marketing. She is currently working on a livery farm in Clevedon five days a week, looking after the horses, as well as coaching and schooling. Before working on the farm, she spent a short time at the Van Olst stables in the Netherlands, home to World Champion Lottie Fry.

“I was lucky enough to spend some time at Van Olst, but in the end decided to come home where I could focus on my horses. I had intended to stay longer, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out. You have to do the hard yards, and it’s a huge learning curve, but I am glad I went. If you imagine what everyone tells you it’s like, double that and times it by 10, that’s what it’s really like! I was fortunate to have a sit on some top horses, though, including Dark Legend and Don Joe.”

Brina currently has three horses on her team; the fabulous Parkridge Disco SW, a chestnut gelding by Dancier and out of Parkridge Welcome (Wolkentanz) bred by Carol Eivers; Leo Donna, a bay mare by Don Quattro and out of Leo Merry Dance (Leo Godonov) bred by Julia Fraser and finally Fine Sir SW, a chestnut

I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO SPEND SOME TIME AT VAN

OLST, BUT IN THE END DECIDED TO COME HOME gelding by Fugato and out of Siriana SW (Donnerhall) bred by Sheena Ross.

WHERE I COULD FOCUS ON MY HORSES.

I TRAIN WITH SHEENA AT LEAST ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK, AND I OWE HER SO MUCH OF MY SUCCESS . SHE HAS BEEN THERE SINCE DAY ONE, AND WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP.

“Danny (Parkridge Disco SW) is 15 and is owned by Sheena Ross. He competed to Grand Prix level with Sheena but unfortunately retired due to injury. When my Donna (Leo Donna) managed to injure herself at the beginning of the season, Sheena said Danny had been looking really good and sound in the paddock, and I was welcome to try and bring him back into work and see what happened. He has been back in work since the end of September 2022 and has been feeling great! He’s a hot potato but in a good way; he’s never naughty, he just has a lot of energy - he is like a little energizer bunny,” she laughs. “We took it slowly bringing him back in, and I’m cautious about what I do with him, but we had a really exciting start to our competition career this season, and I am so grateful to be able to ride him.”

“Donna is 13, and I’ve had her for almost four years. I bought her from Alicia Zeludko, who had competed with her at Small Tour level. We have stepped up to Medium Tour together; however, we have had a couple of quiet seasons due to injury, COVID-19 and me being at Van Olst. She is so easy to have around and is such an old soul; she has won everybody over at the yard and knows she is everybody’s favourite.

“I have had Sunny (Fine Sir SW) since he was three months old; he’s now four and has been under saddle for about a year. He is sharp and sensitive, but he learns quickly and is sensible and easy to have around. He’s the biggest of all my horses, and I feel tiny when I’m riding him, but he gives a really good feeling, and I am very excited about him for the future!”

Since she began her dressage journey, Brina has been incredibly lucky to have the support of Sheena Ross. Not only has she been Brina’s coach, but Sheena has also been instrumental in the horses Brina has had the opportunity to ride. With Sheena’s support at the 2023 Bates Nationals, Brina and Danny were Reserve in the Medium Tour Championship and the Pro-AM Silver Tour Champions.

“I train with Sheena at least once or twice a week, and I owe her so much of my success. She has been there since day one, and we have a great relationship. She is a great coach and has been a fantastic mentor in all aspects of horses, from dealing with setbacks to always thinking one step ahead. I also train with Andrea Raves monthly when she comes to Auckland, and I love my lessons with her. Whenever overseas instructors visit, I like to try to have lessons with them, too, if I can, as it’s always great to get a new set of eyes every now and then.

“My success at Nationals with Danny was such a crazy time; I’d only been riding him six months, but we had gotten to know each other, and we work together really well. It’s always exciting to win something with him because I know it makes Sheena super proud, and we can share in the success. And, of course, my awesome sponsors, Oro Equestrian and 4CYTE, always share in our success too.”

Intending to have Danny at Grand Prix, Donna at Small Tour and Sunny out to his first competitions next season, the future looks incredibly exciting for Brina. In the distant future, she would also like to head back overseas; however, what this will look like is still undetermined.

“It will be my first season at Grand Prix, so that is super exciting, and I’m grateful to continue to have the ride on him. Donna has recovered well from her injury and is feeling great, so having her back as part of the team will be wonderful. Eventually, I would like to head back overseas, whether that be another working position somewhere in Europe or the UK setting myself up with my horses there or on a smaller scale, such as just going over to compete in Australia; I’m not sure. This sport has constant highs and lows, though, and it can be so easy to dwell on things when they aren’t going well. It’s important to remember that everyone has their ups and downs and that even though it seems it’s going so well for everyone else, your time will come too!” C

WE TOOK IT SLOWLY BRINGING HIM BACK IN, AND I’M CAUTIOUS ABOUT WHAT I DO WITH HIM, BUT WE HAD A REALLY EXCITING START

TO OUR COMPETITION CAREER THIS SEASON, AND I AM SO GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO RIDE HIM.

BLOOMINGDALE

ESCANTO PS

NZ Agents for IHB. View stallion list: stoneyleafarm.co.nz