YOUNG RIDER SOPHIA REDENBACH

YOUNG RIDER

Best Hoof Forward

DANNII CUNNANE catches up with Sophia Redenbach, a Young Show Rider from Orange in New South Wales.

Although she is young, Sophia has been in the show horse scene for quite a while and is successful in both hacking and dressage with her two beautiful horses, Daydream Believer and Jermyn Street.

“I’ve just turned 18 and I’ve been around horses my whole life,” explains Sophia. “I started competing at pony club and local competitions and shows. We moved to Orange when I was 12 and from then on I started competing at the royal shows and state interschool competitions. As I’ve got older I’ve become much more invested in training my horses through the levels and I’ve found that I really enjoy it, but it was my mum who gave me the foundation to ride the way I do and passed on a lot of her knowledge to me.”

Sophia has had a lot of success but is very graceful to her two horses. “Over the last four years I’ve been lucky enough to be riding two horses who have really made me the rider I am today,” explains Sophia.

“Daydream believer is a 16.2hh grey Warmblood gelding. I’ve owned him for nearly four years and truly believe that he is my once-in-a-lifetime horse. I owe everything to him, I would not be the rider I am today without him.”

Sophia has owned her second horse, Jermyn Street, a black 17hh gelding by Jive Magic for two years. “To be honest this horse has thrown challenges at me, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s really a special horse to own,” she says. “My third horse is Rotsbury – he’s the smallest of the herd. He’s a 16.1 hand high brown gelding by Rotspon. He is training Intermediate 1 and competing Prix St George. I’ve only owned him for five months and we’re still getting to know each other but he’s a lovely horse.”

One of Sophia’s favourite memories was winning the Novice 16.16.2hh Show Hunter Hack and the Child’s Hunter Hack over 15hh at the Sydney Royal, riding Daydream Believer. “We also received a third place in the Open Large Show Hunter Hack at the 2017 Horse of The Year,” she says. Most recently we won my fist ever Novice Lady Rider 17-21 years at the 2018 Sydney Royal and competed in the 2018 Equestrian Australia Australasian Show Horse Championships. Being selected for the NSW Young Rider Squad with Jermyn Street was also amazing. We won the Champion Large Show Hunter Hack at the Show Horse Council Horse of The Year as well as winning the 17-21 rider at the ‘Bare Equestrian’ Pacific Coast Hack Championships.”

While Sophia has had a number of successes, she’s not slowing down any day soon. “My long term ambition is to train my own horse to Grand Prix level one day and go overseas and compete,”

‘ ‘ It was my mum who gave me the foundation to ride the way I do and passed on a lot of her knowledge to me 60 HORSEVIBES MAGAZINE - MARCH 2019

A

A: Sophia on her 17hh Warmblood, Jermyn Street.

B: Sophia on her 16.2hh Warmblood, Daydream Believer.

she says. “I would also love to win champion lady rider at Sydney Royal too, but my main goal is to be the best rider I can be.” To be successful and have three horses in work takes a great amount of teamwork, and Sophia isn’t shy about thanking those who support her. “None of my success would be possible without all the support I’ve had from my parents and my sister,” she says. Courtney Larard and Matthew Birch have also been beyond amazing. I’m forever grateful – they’re like family to me.”

Sophia works tremendously hard for her outstanding results, and all of us at HorseVibes wish her every success for 2019. B