From Dressage Queensland to international dressage

Young Aussie rider Hope Beerling’s journey to the Nations Cup at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival...

Adele Severs

Published 24 Mar 2021

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Hope Beerling with her team member Sally Lofting. © Hope Beerling

By Equestrian Life/Ellie Jolley

From the moment they first sit on a horse, every young rider has at one time dreamed of representing Australian in an overseas competition.

For Hope Beerling, a young dressage rider from Queensland, this dream became a reality when she rode for the Australian team at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival last week.

The event featured a CDIO3* Nations Cup competition, attracting four national teams from Australia, Germany, USA, and Canada.

The Australian team made up of Hope Beerling, Kelly Layne, and Sally Lofting finished in fourth place.

The Australian team for the CDIO3 Nations Cup at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 2021 was made up by Kelly Layne, Hope Beerling, and Sally Lofti

The Australian team for the CDIO3* Nations Cup at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival 2021 was made up by Kelly Layne and Samhitas, Hope Beerling and Alpha HM, and Sally Lofting and Quilan CF. © Hope Beerling

For Hope, this was the first time she had represented Australia at a Nations Cup.

“Riding at the 2021 Nations Cup was such an amazing experience and one I’ll hold in my memory forever,” Hope said.

From Dressage Queensland to international dressage, Hope Beerling has finally made her dream a reality. © Hope Beerling

The Aussie girls delivered some fantastic tests, however, nothing could stop the seasoned German team from coming away with the win with many of their scores averaging more than 70% over the week.

“You are competing against the best horses in the country,” said Hope. “The competition ran extremely well even under the current circumstances of COVID-19 and the level of competition was extremely high.”

Young dressage rider Hope Beerling has represented Australian for the first time in a Nations Cup in Wellington. © Hope Beerling

“I am proud to be an Australian and I hope to continue to represent Australia throughout my time in the USA,” said Hope. “I also would like to thank my trainer, Catherine Haddad Staller, [Alpha HM’s owner] Melissa Gelatt, and Equestrian Australia for this fantastic opportunity.”