By Amy Strapp

 

“Life is either a daring adventure, or it is nothing.” - Helen Keller

 

Towards the end of last year I made some big changes to my life - positive, exciting and risky changes. 

 

While the job I had riding in Belgium was fantastic and I loved my horses there, I needed to make plans for my future/career and decided to start my own stable here in Europe, taking on new owners and clients. I am excited to say it is time for me to settle down and make a base for myself over here! 

 

I have been travelling Europe (and also some time in South America) for almost five years, I have had the opportunity to ride and train for/with some of the world’s most amazing trainers and stables and have learnt so much. I want to continue this journey of learning and am now simply taking a different approach, one that I am hoping will give me the chance to become more established in Europe and allow me to keep some better rides for big classes, as well as doing some teaching again.

 

I now look forward mostly to developing horses through the grades for my owners and clients, in a thoughtful and classical way, to produce better long term results at a high level with those horses.

 

I am 26 and will be living in Europe for the foreseeable future, as long as I want to live for the horses and the sport and this is where I feel I need to be. I am not in a situation where I have capital to do this, however I am lucky enough to have great connections here. 

 

“As soon as anyone starts telling you to be realistic, cross that person off your invitation list”  - John Elliot

 

The first thing I had to decide is where to base, which is extremely important, not only for the quality of riders I want to be surrounded by but also for the care of my horses and owners! So this is the first step and topic for this blog.

 

Most of my connections right now are in Belgium, however fellow Australian rider Amy Graham has been establishing herself over the past years in Normandy, France, with an outstanding property her family have bought, Haras du Ry. I visited her stable a few months ago as a friend and was extremely impressed not only with the facilities but the general atmosphere of the stable. There are a few specific benefits I saw in basing at Haras du Ry.

 

The first is the facilities; a lot of the stables in Europe are very aesthetically appealing and this stable offers my business more. After the fact that it is a beautiful facility, Normandy is an incredibly beautiful area and it also offers space! Big, green fields, space to take the horses out on trails and allow them to be happy, healthy horses! Happy, fresh horses that enjoy their job will always perform at a higher level. 

 

The location is central to some of the biggest shows in France and still an easy commute to Belgium and other areas, so again a great place for getting out and campaigning top level horses.

 

Secondly the atmosphere and teamwork within the stable; creating a positive mindset as a rider is such a huge first step to success. If you are always around judgmental or difficult people it can be challenging to stay positive and clear as a trainer. I like the atmosphere in this stable, it is easy going and everyone is enjoying what they are doing. I have a great amount of respect for Amy, not just as a friend, but also as a rider and competitor so will really enjoy working alongside her! 

 

I see Haras du Ry as a place where anyone who is looking to experience European equestrian life and base somewhere supportive when they first arrive can feel comfortable and confident to come. It can also suit ambitious owners wanting their horses cared for at a high level and campaigned by Australian riders. Haras du Ry gives me the opportunity to offer these services and with other world class riders. Therefore it seems a very versatile and friendly base for me to start developing a business and clientele.  

 

I have put a lot of thought into where I will be asking sponsors and owners to go into business with me and where I should base for the best results in my career. I have decided that this is where it should be at Haras du Ry in Normandy, France and that the time for doing this will be now!

 

I discussed all of my plans and hopes with the Grahams and with my boss at the time, Jos Heynickx. Both were very supportive of my plans, Jos has decided to continue working with me, sending two of his exciting young horses I was working with in Belgium down here to France for me to continue with, which I am extremely happy about! 

 

The Grahams have opened their home to me and welcomed me warmly. I spend half my day riding, training and campaigning some of Amy Grahams lovely horses, and the other half with my own clients and owners horses. I will now start to build that business, offering myself for lessons and clinics worldwide but also finding more owners who want to give their horses the best chance and opportunity to succeed in the sport, with thoughtful, classical riding and great care. I believe in this future and will look for others who want the same as I am working toward achieving in the sport so we can continue the journey together. 

 

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” - Peter Drucker