Melissa Galloway and Windermere J’Obei W.

© Roger Fitzhardinge

Melissa makes her mark

By Roger Fitzhardinge

Not so long ago, the name Melissa Galloway meant nothing to the Australian dressage community of competitors, riders, coaches and officials. Well, that didn't last long!

Everyone is talking about Melissa Galloway and her wonderful horse Windermere J’Obei W. Melissa made their presence felt in a big way when the crowds at Willinga Park’s Dressage by the Sea absolutely fell for this charismatic combination. Her humble and unpretentious outlook and the obvious connection between horse and rider won the hearts of so many at the February competition, and through the worldwide livestream they had chins a-wagging.

The pair only rode their first Grand Prix in November 2019 and Melissa, at 26, swanned through the test as if it was a walk in the park. Dressage by the Sea was her first international competition, where she rode as if she was born to do it. She rode as if she has competed at the level since she was a child… not true, however, as at the age of 19 she had only ever owned a few horses.

But Melissa has long aspired to this level. As a 12-year-old at school she remembers so well having to write down her life goals. She only had one, and in bold writing she wrote: “TO RIDE AT THE OLYMPICS”. It was posted on the wall of the classroom for all to see and is imprinted in front of her eyes every day!
 

Read the full article in the May issue of Equestrian Life magazine here.

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