Coach of the Month - July 2024

Julia Weir is a proud South Australian and became an accredited EFA (Equestrian Federation of Australia, now Equestrian Australia) Level One General Coach in 1997.  Further studies led to her becoming an Equestrian Australia (EA) Level 2 Dressage Specialist Coach around 2002, she also qualified as a Skill Specific Training Assessor and a couple of years later as a Coach Educator. For over 16 years, Julia has been an active member of the South Australia (SA) Dressage Committee acting as the Clubs Representative and periodically as the Vice Chair and Rider’s Representative. 

Equestrian Australia spoke with Julia and asked about her life with horses, her professional involvement in equestrian sport and the coaching activities that have led to this award.

Julia explained “I have been a horse lover all of my life and as an EA Coach I teach with a commitment to building a strong relationship between the horse and rider.  I mainly coach dressage riders and have students working at all levels from beginners to FEI, covering all ages from children to more senior riders in their seventies. I also coach pleasure riders, show jumpers, eventers and show horse riders. I have even trained handlers and riders for the Victor Harbour Tram Clydesdales.”

Julia grew up in Adelaide, South Australia and said “my family wasn’t heavily involved with horses but from an early age I was obsessed and started riding when I was five. I have ridden regularly all of my life and began my career mounted on Shetland ponies, progressing to larger ponies before going on to Thoroughbreds and then Warmbloods.” 

“I have devoted considerable time furthering my education and now have an excellent understanding of equine biomechanics and the theory of equine learning.  Decades as a coach has allowed me to use this experience and to help and encourage nervous riders. My personal involvement and training of numerous horses from breaking in to competing successfully at FEI, has allowed me to gain a great deal of knowledge regarding the correct and progressive training methods for young horses that will lead to sustainable development right through each of the levels and I have worked hard to develop excellent ringcraft and test riding skills.  Horse management and welfare are a big part of our sport and I have a very good understanding of best practice procedures and a good eye for issues that may be preventing horses from training and competing at their best” said Julia.

“Dressage is my main interest and I really enjoy the technical side of training horses and improving their athletic ability. Developing the horse’s strength and understanding through progressive, systematic training and seeing the changes is really rewarding. I apply a wholistic approach to training horses ensuring they have proper dentistry, shoeing, saddle fit, chiropractic, nutrition and then correct training to give them the best opportunity to perform at their peak.”

EA asked Julia if she had any coaches or mentors who helped shape her career, she responded with “I spent considerable time training with Sandra Pearson-Adams. Sandra is a Fellow of the British Horse Society, EA Level 3 General Coach and Coach Educator. She taught me a great deal about rider position and allowing horses to move correctly and develop their athleticism and confidence.”

Julia also made mention of another significant influence and said “Ron Paterson, EA Level 3 General Coach and Coach Educator was influential in my rider and coach training, I learned a great deal from his particular attention to detail.”

Julia currently trains with Thomas Muehlenbeck, EA Level 3 Dressage Coach and has done so for many years. Julia commented that “Thomas has been very helpful with all of my horses and his approach complements the training I did with Sandra and Ron.”  

“Sandra Pearson-Adams was the one who inspired me to become a Coach and was very supportive and encouraging. I did much of my Level One General coach training with Sandra and this relationship has shown the benefit of having a trusted instructor/coach/mentor to guide equestrians, whether they are involved as a hobby or aspire to making horses a career.”

“I was fortunate to be able to attend an “A” level judges training update that was held over three days in Warendorf Germany. I watched some of Germany’s top Dressage riders presenting horses from Novice level to Grand Prix and being assessed by the best judges in the world. Judges discussed the marks and how they related to the training scale and then looked at the theory behind the various movements.  Over the span of many trips to Europe, I have attended various competitions including World Equestrian Games, European Dressage Championships, Bundeschampionates, general competitions and Stallion parades.  The opportunity to visit breeding barns and top training facilities has helped me to understand the depth of Equestrian sport in Europe and how every part makes for the highest level of professionalism, horse care and the development of riders.

Equestrian Australia asked Julia about the special horses in her life, she said “the ponies and Thoroughbreds that I started on played a big part in my journey as a rider. In more recent times I met the impressive Stallion His Highness during a trip to Germany and I was so impressed that I bought a filly foal. Unfortunately, the sale did not go ahead so I decided to purchase semen and breed a His Highness foal here in Australia. A filly, Hiraani, was the result and it was very gratifying to have bred, trained and successfully competed her up to FEI Medium Tour level and be preparing her for Grand Prix. Hiraani had a beautiful nature and tried very hard for me, we had a close connection. I lost her a few years ago but she will always have a place in my heart.” 

“I also must mention Rashada another horse that I bred and competed to FEI level.  She was a very successful competition horse and is still fit and sound at 25 years of age. Rashada was a tricky and hot chestnut mare, but through systematic work following the principles I know as a coach, we developed a great bond and she became a very reliable and lovely competition horse, I won the South Australian FEI Horse and Rider of the Year on her, along with many other Championships.

“I am currently working with a very special 18hh young horse, Jazdan Daydream (Donte) who I bought as a foal. He is the funniest character and just likes to hang around with me, put his nose into everything and see what I am doing! Donte is currently competing at Medium level with very good scores, he is about to start Advanced. In 2023, Jazdan Daydream and I won the South Australian EA Open Horse and Rider of The Year,  I was so proud as this was his first year of competition.”

“When combining the experiences with my own horses and working as a coach, life does not get much better. I teach at my indoor arena at Highland Valley and also regularly visit Mt Gambier in the south east of SA to coach at clinics where I have a lovely group of students.”

Julia was asked if she could have one wish granted, what would it be? She answered with “it would be to have more hours in the day. I never seem to have spare time but I guess this is part of the package.  If I could give my students who are Dressage competitors one piece of advice, it is to learn their tests well in advance of the competition as this will enable them to focus on the quality of the movements and ringcraft to get the best possible outcome.”

Julia’s advice to students wishing to have a career with horses is “I urge them to take every opportunity to learn as much as possible in their chosen discipline with the aim of becoming a really proficient rider. Coaching skills come from watching as many lessons as possible and working with a Coach Educator to learn how to coach. It’s so important to sit, watch and learn, as not enough prospective coaches take the time to do this. While young and gaining experience, students should aim to get a good education, as this will lead to a good job that will help to pay for their equestrian learning experiences.  Money spent on lessons is an investment in the future, the more lessons and educational events students can attend, the more knowledgeable they will be as they embark on their own career as a coach.” 

“Working with horses and horse people has enabled me to successfully mix business with pleasure and I thank everyone who has helped me along the way for making it possible for me to be nominated as Equestrian Australia’s Coach of the Month.”

“I would also like to thank EA for this recognition, along with the support and friendship of other coaches that has developed by being part of this nation-wide coaching community."