Featured Queensland Coach - Trudy DougaIl

We love to showcase the talent and diversity that exists amongst our coaches in all disciplines. We thank this group for their important work guiding new riders from early days right through to honing the skills of elite riders, some of whom will aim to be selected to represent their country one day.

This month we salute the achievements of Trudy DougaIl who lives in Prenzlau, Queensland. Trudy is an EA Level 2 General Coach and Coach Educator. She has been a secondary teacher for 36 years and holds a TAE (Trainer and Assessor) accreditation. Having been an accredited EA coach since 1989, Trudy not only brings her passion for horses and equestrian sport to her job, her knowledge base has been broadened by working with Neurodivergent riders and a quest to find ways of communicating more effectively and breaking down the specific skills and presenting learning modules that are fit for purpose and achieve results. 

Trudy said, “I currently coach at the Allora Equestrian Group and I really love it. The riders are wonderful and the group really focuses on the grass-roots participants and having FUN. Everyone loves their horse and values the time they get to spend with them. I also enjoy going up to RM’s (Williams) Equestrian Centre on the Downs, it is beautiful country that compliments an interest in horses.”

“From a young age, I was horse mad and rode at the local riding school as often as mum and dad could afford it. As the youngest of four, money was not always available for those little extra things. However, when I was eleven, my parents found a way to make their horse-mad daughter’s dreams come true and purchased a dapple-grey Australian Pony for me.  His name was Blue Boy and we attended the local Pony Club and shared many wonderful adventures.”

“My family lived in suburbia on a relatively new housing estate. There were a number of acreage properties that offered agistment and for many years I rode my bike every morning and afternoon to care for my pony. I became pretty good at juggling feed buckets on the bike, but balance failures did result in spilt feed.  My dad saw the cost/savings benefits afforded by keeping feed at the agistment property and built a feed/tack shed for me, I was very grateful for his hard work and support, it was a real game changer.”

EA asked Trudy to tell members about the special horses in her life.  She said with a smile in her voice. “I consider myself lucky to have had some wonderful horses, it was not always easy as the horses I owned were either off the track or green broken. However, for this story and beyond my first pony, I mention three special favourites that have made a significant impact on my equestrian career.

"When I was 16, my mum bought me a 3-YO first-cross Andalusian gelding by the name of Montenegro. The journey with a young horse represents a long and winding road, but I persevered and, my goodness, Monty became the most amazing and imposing horse, standing 17 hands when he matured. Montenegro put his trust in me and was very brave, we did everything and even competed in side-saddle classes. I Evented him to Intermediate level (WOW, how the levels have changed) and he was very competitive in Dressage, competing up to Advanced.”

“I currently have a Warmblood/Thoroughbred cross called My Locky. Because I bred him, he will always have a very special place in my heart. Following his breaking in and early education with me, My Locky was handed over to my 16 YO daughter Brooke. Right from the beginning they formed a great partnership and progressed through the grades, winning at 3-Star level in Australia, jumping Grand Prix and competing at Advanced level Dressage.”

“Brooke is now 23 and campaigning My Locky overseas, competing at CCI 3-Star and aiming to move up to 4-Star classes next year. We all agree that My Locky is truly, a one-in-a-million horse and even though it was hard letting go of him, Brooke’s success at international competitions shows that they belong together. I could not have asked for a better outcome for my daughter and our special home-bred horse.”

“I also give an honourable mention to a beautiful OTT thoroughbred who my daughter calls, “Mum’s very expensive pet”.  Some horses are just good for the soul and he is one of those. His re-education has been a long but rewarding road and as I did not set out with any high aspirations or expectations, the positives have come as a pleasant surprise and reflect so many of the lessons I have learned over the years. This horse is very special to me and I enjoy being in his presence.” 

“Horses teach people so much, discipline, resilience, compassion and empathy. However, I do remember one particular moment that almost made me “throw in the towel”. Four days out from the Queensland 3DE, back when the event was held at the Kooralbyn resort, my horse strained a tendon and was out.  I was only 22 years old and working in my first year as a teacher. I had to make many sacrifices to prepare for this competition and all of my training was done in the early morning before I went to school.  It was a tough time as I had moved out of home and was renting a property so I could have my horses with me. With the weight of disappointment on my shoulders, I sat in the stables and found myself questioning what I was doing?  My lovely Monty turned his head to me, nuzzled my hair and let out a big sigh.  It was at that moment that I realised I did this sport, not because of the competition, it is the incredible relationship we riders have with these magnificent animals that gave me perspective and drove me to continue.  From that point I took on a whole new philosophy and approach to my training.  Competing became just a part of it, not the be-all and end-all!”

Trudy added, “Good horses are just part of the road to success, we also need the guidance and mentoring of good people with sound knowledge and hands-on experience.  I am fortunate to have had instructors like Sandra Pearson-Adams, Guy Creighton and Jocelyn Park, all of whom have been instrumental in my development as a rider and coach.  I owe Sandra a lot, her exercises and adherence to the training scale are firmly planted into my thinking and a tangible part of my lessons and training programs.”  

“Building on my experience as a rider was the next step in my coaching development.  Pony Club taught me so much and with a lot of hard work and dedication, I achieved my PC A Certificate in Horsemanship and Riding. I went on to complete my instructor certificates, achieving a Level 3 Instructors’ Certificate and I was a member of the Queensland State Chief Instructors’ Panel. Moving into the EA Levels was a natural progression, the crossover in each syllabus has been positive, and has enabled me to easily adapt and customise lessons.  

Recently, I have opened up to some new concepts that have been introduced to me by Anna Marciniak from The Netherlands. I visited Anna last year when I was overseas and found the work she is doing, mind blowing.  Anna’s OneHorseLife programs (and no, it does not mean you can only have one horse!) have really made me think outside-the-box.  It is a whole new way of looking at things and how horses can consciously let go of tension in their bodies and allow the rider to gain optimal performance. I am still ‘wet behind the ears’ with this program, however, I love what I am learning and can see huge changes in all of my horses - especially my ‘sassy’ and very opinionated, two-year-old red head!”

“I now see myself as an educator; I have always been an educator and I guess that is where my passion lies.  I love our sport and want to see it continue to grow and develop with a special focus on equine wellness and wellbeing.  I love helping to develop horses, coaches and riders.  Stepping into the role as an Official has also been rewarding and just another step in a never-ending journey.” 

Trudy reflected on the challenges she has had to overcome in order to be an effective coach and she said (after consideration). “I have had to learn to believe in myself and realise that doing what is right is not always doing what is easy. I have never been one for shortcuts and prefer to take my horses and riders slowly.  It is never easy to stand up for what you believe and when you follow a road that is not necessarily traditional and challenges past practices, it is hard!  I have learnt to trust my instincts.”  

EA asked Trudy if there was any advice she could give riders who are thinking of becoming an equestrian Coach?  She said without hesitation, ”Never stop learning, whenever you get a chance to go and sit on the sidelines, take it and watch, listen and learn how other coaches coach - you will NEVER know it ALL!  Be open to new ways of doing things as no rider or horse is the same and you will need lots of tools in your toolbox to help them as individuals.  There are no shortcuts, just watch, listen and learn.  You will not be able to please everyone, students will come and go and some will come back, others won’t.  That is okay, it is long and hard, but very rewarding. Always keep horse welfare paramount. Coaching is a fantastic job and it always feels more like fun than work. Anyone with a love of horses and desire to help people, should look to becoming an equestrian coach.”

As EA’s discussion with Trudy came to an end, we asked her what advice she would give to competitors or organisers that would/could enhance equestrian sport and ensure all participants a happy and rewarding experience.  She enthused, “That is a great question and I would urge everyone to be courteous, kind and put horses first.  For competitors, know the rules.  It is your responsibility not your parents not the judge, not the organiser. it is yours.  Thank the officials and organisers, they are doing it for you. Be sure to help when you can, as this makes all the difference.”

For organisers, Trudy said. “On behalf of riders, owners, coaches and spectators we all say thank you.  Everyone in the sport must keep in mind that this is a little word that means a lot. Being an organiser or official is a thankless task and without them, there would be no sport. The hours put in are endless and we need to remember these people are volunteers.”

As our discussion came to an end, Trudy thanked EA for the honour of the opportunity to share her story.  She hopes that she has helped members to understand the roles and responsibilities of  coaches as well as conveying the enormous satisfaction she has enjoyed in the sport, both as a rider and equestrian coach.