Each month we introduce you to a member of the EA team. It's fun, a little bit serious and maybe more interesting than you’d expect...

What does your role at EA entail?

I manage the news content on the EA website, in the form of both creating original content and also sharing community-provided stories and articles. I also manage the EA social media accounts and the curation and distribution of the monthly EA Equestrazine community newsletter.

What’s the problem you most commonly solve in your role?

In managing our social media, I am the first point of contact for many of the quick-fire questions that come through the EA Facebook page; helping where I can, and directing people onto the best person for their query if I'm unable too. I provide links between EA and the broad equestrian community of Australia, taking note of community feedback and incorporating that into the planning for future news, updates and stories. When people mention on social media what they'd like to see more of, in regards to news and updates, like 'more about our local events' or 'updates on the competitors in driving', I do my best to source more of those types of pieces, then gauge the response from the community as a whole. It's such an instantaneous feedback loop, great for communication.

If you could pick a superpower, what would you choose?

To be able to fly - because how fun would that be?

What’s your favourite horse breed and horse colour?

While I do love a pretty horse, like a Palomino or a true black, the breed is more important to me. With my favourite breed being a Thoroughbred, Palomino is not an option. So I have a very, very orange one instead, named Fanta - he suits it. I also quite like spotty horses, so I have a Sportaloosa (Appaloosa X Warmblood X TB) too, who looks very spotty indeed. 

What’s your favourite equestrian discipline?

Eventing. While I've tried various aspects of horse riding over my 30+ years of involvement, including jumping, polo, dressage and just general hacking out and pleasure riding, eventing has the strongest pull for me. Riding cross country, just me and my horse out on course together, is right up there with my top favourite life activities!

What’s the coolest thing about your job?

I love that I get to keep a finger on the pulse of what's going on in the broader equestrian community, take that information and use it to create more of what you, our horse people want. Being very horsey and having a keen interest in media and digital/online platforms, it's great I can combine the two together as my day job.

What is your equestrian background?

I grew up with horses in New Zealand, riding from the age of two years old. My first pony was a fluffy black cutie called Trumpet. I was known as 'the girl obsessed with horses' at school, and had a catalogued, alphabetised horse book collection, along with a record of how many times I'd read each book! I studied Equestrian once I left school, and ended up finding my way into both rider coaching and horse starting and training.

I worked for many years as a riding instructor in NZ, travelling to my clients to teach them on their own horses, which I thoroughly loved. Helping people make progress with their own horse, achieving their own goals, no matter the level really provides me with a sense of fulfilment. Alongside this, I started eventing in Canterbury, where I lived.

In July of 2017, I came to NSW for 'a look' at the equestrian scene - including visiting the eventing yards of the Tinney's and Bimbadeen Park (Shane Rose's place), for a look at 'how the Olympians did it'. This was with a view to learn a few things, then go back home to NZ to share my knowledge. BUT what actually happened was I loved it over here, so decided to move to Australia... Just three months later, I had moved over with my fiance, two kids AND two horses and a dog, with everything we felt important to bring packed into only nine regular suitcases; if it was important we made it fit! And now here I am, having a crack at eventing in NSW. I still have those two horses, plus two more youngsters that I am training with a view to event.

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?

Either a bird or a dolphin, but if I had to pick, probably a bird - because how cool would it be to fly (see above, re superpower). More specifically, I'd be a bird of prey, like a falcon or hawk because of their incredible eyesight and amazing inflight manoeuvrability. Just seems fun and liberating.

What is the nerdiest thing you do in your free time?

I love animals and nature and spend much time stopping to look at interesting creatures (we live in a rural area). Having moved from NZ to Australia just under two years ago means there are so many interesting things to look at that I've never seen before, like wombats, snakes, giant cicadas and various birds and lizards. The other day I saw a line of 12 fuzzy, fat, processionary caterpillars, of the Bag Moth. My son and I watched them go about their business for ages. They were amazing, I didn't know such caterpillars existed.