Karen Spice - Coach of the Month January 2025

As the 2025 year gets underway, Equestrian Australia is delighted to acknowledge Western Australian coach Karen Spice for her service to equestrian sport. The EA Coach of the Month award pays tribute to the knowledge and dedication of coaches who have made a significant contribution and been nominated by their peers. 

This month we showcase Karen’s coaching journey and she goes back to the beginning. “Growing up in Perth, my father owned and operated the Wyandra Equestrian Centre, a large and successful riding school and agistment facility that catered for all disciplines. Prior to the establishment of a State Equestrian Centre, Wyandra hosted many national and international clinics for riders, instructors and coaches.  As horses were the mainstay of our family business, I grew up with a hands-on understanding of the equestrian industry and embraced the importance effective coaching, horse management and fostering talent in the young up-and-coming riders who came through the grades at Wyandra.” 

“I have ridden for most of my life and in the early days it was mainly on the naughty ponies and un-ridable horses that came through the riding school. My main passion was jumping - the higher the better - and as a consequence of having more bravery than style, I spent a lot of time on the ground or flying through the air with no grace at all. Looking back, I value the lessons of my early days as they taught me balance, stickability and never-say-never!” 

Equestrian Australia asked Karen if there were any special equine partners that she would like to acknowledge and she said, “I rode school horses and other people’s horses throughout my childhood and never had a horse of my own. When I was 14 my father gave me a little part Arab yearling, he was my first very own horse and I named him Ptolomey (nickname Sox). This was a milestone moment as I went on to learn a great deal through the process of backing him and the early days of training. We had some wonderful times together as the partnership and trust grew.” 

“Wow, what a journey, I recall having a lesson and my instructor saying that I would never make a Dressage horse out of Ptolomey and I wouldn’t cut it as a rider. I thought to myself, what could be so damn hard about riding stupid circles? I was always up for a challenge so I put my mind to it and with my little part Arab, won our first National competition in 1979. I was then told I would never get him to Medium, but I was hooked and determined to prove them wrong. As Ptolomey’s education progressed, we competed at state level, national level and also represented Australia at the Haig Cup (open to PSG horses by invitation only) when it was held at the Perth Velodrome. Ptolomey reached Inter 11 Dressage but retired due to ongoing soundness issues. He lived out his days with me and was eventually put down at the ripe age of 39.”

EA asked Karen if she had a favourite equestrian discipline, she said. “The sense of achievement that came from the many successes with Ptolomey gave me a passion for Dressage and seeing great partnerships between horse and rider inspired me to try and achieve a higher level of communication and trust with my horse. However, I also love the thrill of eventing, so naming my outright favourite is difficult.”

Karen spoke of how childhood experiences have “dovetailed” into a coaching career, and she explained. “By the time I finished school in 1976 I had lot of experience as a riding instructor and started full time work at the equestrian centre. At this time, the opportunity to formalise my training and obtain qualifications was not available in Australia.  In 1980 I went to England to study for my BHS teaching qualifications as I could see the benefit of systematic and structured training and these concepts have gone on to change many aspects of equestrian sport for Australian enthusiasts. I look back with pride at how far we have come.”

We asked Karen if there has been any people, coaches or mentors who have influenced and inspired her, she answered. “I have been very lucky to have trained under some of the best coaches in the world, but my most special mentor and friend is FEI rider and gifted coach, Nadine Merewether.  Nadine or “Niddy” as she is known to most, has been an amazing influence with her broad base of knowledge and experience. She trained in the UK and holds BHS certificates, is an EA NCAS Level 3 Coach and has been an EA Coach Educator. Nadine is respected throughout Australia for her inspiring achievements as a Grand Prix Dressage rider with outstanding performances on the Holsteiner stallion Barrabadeen Troubador.” 

EA asked Karen to share her view of equestrian coaching as a career, she enthused. “Growing up and helping people to ride and manage their horse more effectively has cemented the importance of coaching and this has been a part of me for a long time. I guess the hard work and commitment required could have squashed the ambition to be a coach for some, but for me it confirmed that I love coaching and love seeing people learn and sharing their joy as they improve with their horses, no matter what discipline they follow. I like teaching all ages from very young kids to competition riders, or adults who just want to go for safe, fun bush rides.”

“For riders aiming to make coaching their profession, I commend you and assure you of a rewarding and satisfying career. To be a good coach you must keep riding, keep learning and always listen to, and be open to, different opinions. Know your subject inside out. Helping people and helping horses has given me great pleasure and has much to offer equestrian enthusiasts.  The EA coaching system is progressive and supportive, from this community lifelong friendships and networks are formed.” 

Thanks to EA and my professional affiliates, receiving this award is a thrill.”