Teresa walked away with not one, not two, but three awards: Dressage Volunteer of the Year, Eventing Volunteer of the Year, and Eventing Official of the Year.
“To be nominated for three was amazing,” Teresa said. “To win all three – well, you could have knocked me over with a feather!”
It was a humbling but fitting recognition for someone who has given countless weekends, late nights, and early mornings to ensure events run smoothly across Victoria and beyond.
Staying involved through volunteering
Like so many in the equestrian community, Teresa’s journey began as a horse mum. She rode a little herself – from polocrosse to hunting – but when her children took up riding, her focus shifted firmly to supporting them. When they eventually gave riding away, Teresa wasn’t ready to walk away from the sport.
“I decided to stay involved by volunteering,” she explains. “I did a steward’s course back in 2013, though at first I didn’t do much with it. I was already on the committee at the Camperdown Horse Trials, so I was always doing something.”
In 2017, when Camperdown hosted an FEI event, she was encouraged to finish her first accreditation. “They said, ‘you need to get your ticket.’ So of course, I went ahead and did it. I’ve been officiating ever since.”
When FEI level one qualifications became available online in 2024, Teresa jumped at the chance to add to her credentials. Previously, it had required a trip to Sydney or New Zealand – too difficult for someone balancing volunteer work with her role as a teacher’s aide.
“When they changed it to online, I thought, ‘Okay, I’ll do that!’ It just made it also much more accessible.”
A life on the road
For Teresa, weekends are rarely spent at home in Dixie. Her calendar is packed: Werribee, Mount Gambier, Interschool competitions, Pony Club – she’s there. On top of officiating at around seven major horse trials each year, she helps run Camperdown’s own horse trials.
“I try to be out there most weekends during the season,” she says. “Some events I’m stewarding, others I’m in the office. They’re long days, but I enjoy it.”
Her motivation is simple: helping. “It’s about making sure everything’s running smoothly, the riders have what they need, the parents understand what’s going on, and the organising committees are supported. At the end of the day, that’s what makes the sport work.”
And it’s clear the community values her presence. “I’ve had people ring me, message me on Facebook, or email me asking about the rules,” she says with a smile. “Sometimes it feels like I’m the walking rule book. But if I don’t know the answer, I’ll find it, screenshot it, and send it them. I also keep reminding riders about the FEI gear app that they can download to their phone and then have all the answers at their fingertips.”
The joys and the challenges
Being a steward and official isn’t always straightforward. From gear checks to rule enforcement, the role requires a delicate balance between authority and diplomacy.
“You do get tricky moments,” Teresa admits. “Sometimes you just have to keep calm, explain the rules, and make sure it’s fair for everyone.”
Despite the challenges, Teresa has had more than her share of lighter moments too. One that stands out is a now-famous photo from Geelong.
“I have a pigmentation problem, so I always wear sunscreen. Combine that with dust and 300 horses, and my face was pure black It was the only selfie I’ve ever taken, but it was worth it. Everyone had a good laugh.”
Another highlight was being part of the Camperdown Horse Trials contingent that travelled to the Tokyo test event ahead of the Olympics. “We were all so excited to be part of it,” she recalls. “We hoped to go back for the Games, but COVID put an end to that. Still, I never would have had that opportunity without stewarding.”
A changing sport
In over a decade of volunteering, Teresa has witnessed how much equestrian sport has evolved.
“Organising committees have moved with the times, and the riders follow,” she says. “Helmet tagging is a good example. At first there was resistance, but now everyone’s on board, and it makes life so much easier. The same with changes to body protectors – there’s always an adjustment period, but in the end it’s about safety.”
Her commitment to staying on top of the rules keeps her ahead of the game. “I always have spare helmet tags with me, just in case. It’s those little things that keep everyone safe and happy.”
The community spirit
For Teresa, one of the greatest rewards of officiating has been the friendships forged along the way.
“You’re part of a team. You share a house with the other stewards, go out for dinner, swap notes about the day. It’s a whole new group of friendships. That’s really special.”
She says it’s this sense of camaraderie, along with the opportunity to travel and learn, that makes volunteering so fulfilling. “You never quite know where it might take you. A friend of mine has officiated overseas, and I’d love to do more of that too. The opportunities are there.”
A call for the next generation
While she’s proud of her own achievements, Teresa is quick to point out a pressing issue for the sport: the need for new volunteers and officials.
“We need more people,” she says firmly. “Most of us are the wrong side of 60, and there just aren’t enough younger ones coming through. Without volunteers and officials, we won’t have a sport in a few years. It’s as simple as that.”
She encourages anyone with an interest to get involved. “Yes, you might have to give up a little of your own riding, but the benefits are huge. You learn, you meet people, you make lifelong friends, and you help keep the sport alive.”
Recognition well deserved
For now, Teresa is still adjusting to the idea of her triple award win. At home, she has found the perfect spot for her trophies.
“I’ve dusted off the old DVD cabinet to put them on,” she says. “I couldn’t move all the kids’ trophies, but I thought three awards deserved their own space.”
It’s a humble display for a woman who has given so much. Behind every rider, every event, and every smooth-running weekend of competition are people like Teresa – volunteers and officials whose passion keeps the sport ticking over.
This year, the Equestrian Victoria Awards shone a light on that contribution. And in Teresa’s case, it was a light that revealed not just the dedication, but a remarkable story of service, community, and joy in giving back.
As she says with a smile: “You never know where it might lead you.”
Equestrian Victoria award winners:
Performance Awards
Dressage Pony of the Year: Freemans Lodge Global ridden by Toni Webb
Dressage OTT Horse of the Year: St Andrews (raced as St Andrews) ridden by Sienna Wright
Jumping Horse of the Year: Devos GP ridden by Brook Dobbin
Jumping OTT Horse of the Year: Notre Amour ridden by Jen Duffy
Eventing Horse of the Year: Santoro ridden by Sam Jeffree
Eventing OTT Horse of the Year: Caught in the Breeze (raced as Raisins) ridden by Chloe Brooks
Show Horse of the Year: Regalia
OTT Show Horse of the Year: Regalia
Show Hunter of the Year: Global PPS
OTT Show Hunter of the Year: Westminster II
Grand Prix Dressage Athlete of the Year: Mary Hanna and Ivanhoe I
FEI Dressage Athlete of the Year: Dallas Mills and Redwood Desire
AOR Dressage Athlete of the Year: Natalie Waters and Freemans Lodge Daiya
Young Dressage Rider of the Year: Jessica Dertell and Kilimanjaro
Para Equestrian Athlete of the Year: Maddison Cooke and Byalee Magic II
Jumping Rider of the Year: Phillip Lever
Young Jumping Rider of the Year: Jack Barker
Show Horse Rider of the Year: Jessica Dertell
Young Show Horse Rider of the Year: Jessica Sharp and Ruby Rose Eurell
Eventing Rider of the Year: Samuel Jeffree
Young Eventing Rider of the Year: La’moza Velisha
FEI Carriage Driver of the Year: Janelle Marshall
Recognition Awards
Show Horse Volunteer of the Year: Fiona McIntyre
Jumping Volunteer of the Year: James Harvey
Dressage Volunteer of the Year: Teresa Matthews
Eventing Volunteer of the Year: Teresa Matthews
Contribution to Interschool: Lindsey Constable
Dressage Coach of the Year: Jason Dins
Eventing Coach of the Year: Nina Clarke
Jumping Coach of the Year: Mark Griffiths
Eventing Official of the Year: Teresa Matthews
Jumping Official of the Year: Trish Joyce
Dressage Official of the Year: Jan Smith
Show Horse Official of the Year: Dean Matthews
Eventing Impact to the Sport: David Permezel
Dressage Impact to the Sport: Fiona Selby
Jumping Impact to Sport: Bruce Harding
Para Dressage Impact to Sport: Rebecca Webber
Show Horse Impact to Sport: Mark Jacobi
Dressage Affiliate of the Year: Victorian Dressage Club
Jumping Affiliate of the Year: Northern Victoria Show Jumping Club
Eventing Affiliate of the Year: Friends of Ballarat Eventing Association
For the Love of the Horse: Finley Hiscock
