This article first appeared in the August 2022 digital edition of Equestrian Life. To see what's in the current issue, click here. 

Nicole Kidman in Baz Luhrmann's 'Australia' riding Anne Liberewitz's Berkeley Castle, aka 'Lord Brian'.

© Photo 12 / Alamy Stock Photo

Nicole Kidman's other great talent

By Equestrian Life

Nicole Kidman’s career began with a collected trot then went into a canter before hitting the really big time at a gallop. And why not? She is not only an award-winning A-list actress, she’s an exceptional equestrienne too!

“If I had not been an actress or a ballet dancer then there is a good chance I would have found a career working with horses,” Nicole Kidman says. “I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up. I liked animals and I still love going to the zoo. I loved just about all animals and birds but especially ponies, donkeys and horses; I always thought they were so lovely and probably good fun.

“I was so smitten with all animals that I was thrilled to play a sheep in a school play! I was five at the time, it was Christmas time and I learned my lines very easily – I had to bleat! I think I must have bleated very well because that was probably the start of my acting career. I don’t think I would have had much of a career as a sheep, but pretending to be a sheep was much more like Hollywood.

“It wasn’t one of those ‘star is born’ moments. I found other interests which also captivated me. It was exciting when I discovered ballet and I thought that was what I wanted to do. It was so beautiful. I loved it but then I got into mime and then into drama, so I found myself getting more and more on the path of acting. I worked hard at it and used to be involved with the Philip Street Theatre [in Sydney] where I learned so much and could try things….”

Click here to read the full article FREE in the August 2022 issue of Equestrian Life magazine.

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