3 minute read
Young Rider: Lauren Rowe
YOUNG RIDER
Begin at the beginning
Lauren Rowe’s tried and true approach to training her horses is proving to be very successful, writes SUZY JARRATT.
Charlotte Dujardin once said: “some of the best combinations in dressage are people who’ve worked with their horses from the bottom and got to the top. They get a partnership and a connection. I want to know my horses inside out and get their trust.” These words resonate with Lauren Rowe who likes to train her horses from the very beginning. And she has had many successes along the way.
The seventeen-year-old West Australian was given her own pony when she was six. “My mum, Lisa, rode and competed, and these days is my ‘eyes on the ground’. I’m very lucky to have Mum and Dad. They take time off work driving me everywhere so I can do what I love, and ensure I always have the best gear.”
Lauren is also very thankful for her much-loved Nana, who has a wonderful meal waiting for the whole family after a big day of showing.
Since she was a little girl Lauren has competed on her family’s Welshies, and sometimes on small breeds owned by people who have considered her the ideal jockey to showcase their ponies.
She has done a lot of hacking, ranging from Pony Club gymkhanas to Grand Nationals. She also did well at eventing: “These days I occasionally ride over jumps just for a change in routine. I’ve always had green ponies and love all aspects of training but now dressage is my passion. I used to watch the top riders at horse events and wanted to do what they were doing. The whole idea of dressage is creating harmony between horse and rider and making movements together.”
Some of her recent wins have been in April’s WA Pony Dressage Showcase, where she was Champion Advanced and first in the Medium Pony. In the State Interschools she was sashed Champion Advanced and Medium Secondary Rider, and at the Busselton Dressage Series she took out Champion Advanced. “This was up against horses a well as ponies,” she says proudly.
Her major competition horse at the moment is NEP Cadillac a 14.2hh eight-year-old German Riding Pony by Cheval de Luxe. He lives with the Rowes on their 25 acres at Capel, between Bunbury and Busselton, and Lauren tries to ride him five days out of seven.
Her day begins at 5:00am: “It’s dark but I have lights and I train on a flat, grassy area as I don’t have an arena right now. I also have regular lessons from Colin Chantler. He’s incredibly supportive, quite amazing and absolutely hilarious!”
Colin has been coaching her for over seven years and will be there when she makes the transition to bigger mounts. “But at the moment I’m sticking to pony dressage,” Lauren adds.
And she does have to concentrate on her studies. “I’m doing my Certificate IV in Education as I’d like to be a primary school teacher, as well as continuing to ride.”
Lauren was recently nominated for the Channel 7 Young Achiever award. “I was one of the first WA equestrians ever to be chosen,” she says, “and I got through to the final.”
When trying to explain equestrian to friends at school, the question often asked is whether you go fast. “They didn’t understand what it’s like to love horses!” Lauren explains. “The bond you have is something I can't describe. If the horse knows you're having an off day, they can feel it. And if they're having an off day, you can feel it. Some people just don't understand so they try and force the horse. But when you have a connection and a respect for each other you achieve great things."
