This article has appeared previously with Equestrian Life. To see what's in our latest issue, please click here.

Hayley Beresford and Muffin.

Photo supplied.

By Chloe Chadwick

Our first equine partners are often keystones in the foundations of the horse obsessed, even more influential if horses become your life. From steady schoolmasters to woolly, unruly mounts, top Australian riders tell Equestrian Life about the ponies that began it all for them.

JESSICA MANSON

Age: 24

Home town: Swan Valley, Western Australia

About: A young eventer on the rise, Jess Manson is a true star of the future. Her more than a decade-long partnership with the grey gelding Legal Star has resulted in a series of CCI3* and CCI4* successes, including selection for the Young Rider Trans Tasman (NZ) in 2010, and culminating in a win in Adelaide in 2014, clinching the prestigious CCI4* at the Australian International Three Day Event.

Favourite current horse: Legal Star

Earliest riding memory: Taking my pony Venus to Swan View Pony Club.

First pony: My first mount was a grey pony, Venus. Venus and I are both the same age and Mum purchased her when she was just 18 months old. Mum broke her in and it wasn't much later that I started to ride her. I started pony club on her when I was around five years old in the lead-line group. I gave everything a go on Venus and she was very accommodating - most of the time! - whether it be jumping, games or hacking.

Jess Manson and Venus.

Photo supplied.

Jess manson and Legal Star.

© Jenelle Christopher

HAYLEY BERESFORD

Age: 37

Residence: Bissingen an der Teck, Germany

About: Australian dressage international Hayley Beresford has been based in Germany since 2006, where she was initially based with Isabell Werth. Representing Australia at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, she today operates her team out of her own stables and training facilities in Germany.

Favourite current horse: Currently my favourite horse from my team is Rebana W, an eight-year-old mare who I have been together with for three years. We did our first Grand Prix recently.

Earliest riding memory: Being stuck in the sheepyards on my pony Muffin and no one helping me get out. I had to work out the steering and the gas if I wanted to navigate out of the yards and into the big paddock. I must have been about three years old and was so cranky!

First Pony: My first pony's name was Muffin (a shaggy, spotty Shetland). I have been blessed to have had so many special ponies and horses in my career that have shaped me as a rider. From my first pony when I was a toddler, right through to now, Rebana, who is my 20th Grand Prix horse that I have built up. Every single horse has been special and taught me something. The standout, though, is my beloved Relampago, who took me to the Olympics and was taken from me too soon.

We caught up with Hayley in the Nov/Dec issue of Equestrian Life (out now!) to find out the latest on Rebana W. Pick up a copy to see how the Aussie star is progressing with this wonderful mare!

Hayley Beresford and Rebana W.

Photo supplied

 

SONJA JOHNSON

Age: 48

Home town: Albany, Western Australia

About: International eventer and Olympic Silver Medallist, Sonja Johnson is one of Australia’s best. A passionate and dedicated competitor, incredibly Sonja is also a farmer, passionate about the production of quality merino wool at the farms she manages in WA’s Stirling Ranges, whilst also riding at the top level.

Favourite current horses: Ben, better known as Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison, and Misty Isle Valentino, who is known at home as Fred.

Earliest riding memory: My earliest riding memory is from the Albany show. I was about three, dressed as a ballerina in the fancy dress class. Someone else was dressed as a gorilla. It scared the living daylights out of me and I left the ring in floods of tears!

First Pony: The first horse I actually owned was about 12.2hh, a bay mare called Riverside Moonbeam. Moonbeam was six years old when my Granny Hill gave her to me for my sixth birthday. She was the perfect pony for a six-year-old girl - if the goal was to put me off riding for life!

Moonbeam bit at one end, kicked at the other, and bucked in the middle! There were some redeeming features: she hacked, jumped and did novelties successfully at agricultural shows. She was also wicked at chasing cows. I clearly remember one time we were shifting bulls and one would not move for my mum and the stockwhip. Moonbeam was running loose and I clearly remember that she suddenly charged the bull, mouth open, ears back. The bull ran. Moonbeam worked it back to the cattle yards rather like a sheep dog! For all I am rude about her, she taught me a lot. She is one of those ponies that without her I would not know what I know now!

Sonja Johnson and Cactus.

Photo supplied.

Sonja Johnson and Parkiarrup Illicit Liaison.

© Jenelle Christopher