2 minute read
Meet the Mentors
The Mentoring Program
Meet our mentors
Jamie Hocking
Jamie has made a definitive mark in the world of international vaulting. He’s ranked 12th globally, is the current Australian Equestrian Vaulting Champion, and after competing for Australia in his first World Cup competition in Paris, he earned a commendable third place. In 2019, Jamie gave back to his sport as the Chef d’Equip for the Australian Junior Vaulting Team at the World Championships. He also served as a youth ambassador and panellist at the 2018 FEI Global Sports Forum in Switzerland, and is a member of Equestrian Australia’s High Performance Squad.
Jamie understands how vital a good mentor can be. When he was in his teens, he focussed on learning how to be technically good at his sport, but says that it took time and straight talking from people wiser than him to realise that technical competence and physical ability need to be backed up by mental strength.
Jamie believes that without specific values, attitudes and communication skills, you may miss opportunities in your discipline and in other aspects of life. While a mentor can’t remove the challenges that you face, they can help support you though them.
Guided by valued mentors himself, Jamie is looking forward to providing the same support to an Equestrian Mentor Program winner.
Jamie, the current Australian Vaulting Champion, competing in the 2019 Aachen CHIO Freestyle round with French Kiss.
Emma Mason
Eventer Emma Mason’s dream to represent Australia came true in 2019 when she was selected for the Australian team competing at the Oceania Championships in Taupo, New Zealand – and she hasn’t looked back. Although she’s had her share of challenges, Emma is a successful equestrian, lawyer, mother and wife, somehow managing to juggle those roles in style.
A 4* eventer with a long-held passion for horses, she competed as a Junior in Queensland, was shortlisted for the 2012 London Olympics on F1 Pharinelli, and won the 2017 Adelaide 2* with heart horse Warrego Marco Polo. She admits to being as driven as ever to one day represent Australia at an Olympics or World Championship, and to compete overseas.
Emma is another believer in the value of mentors. In the early days it was Heath Ryan, who she says, believes in throwing everything you have at your dreams and working harder than your competitors. Her time at Heath’s was tough but it gave her a good grounding. Since then, and particularly since becoming part of the Equestrian Australia High Performance program, Emma feels lucky to have input from several amazing coaches and riders. She tries to soak up as much information and advice as she can, and uses it to develop a system that works best for her and her circumstances.
