PHILLIP SMITH MEMORIAL TROPHY 2023

WINNER – ASHLEE TAYLOR

International Research has long suggested a link between riders who originate from an equestrian background and elite rider success and perseverance. This popular Long Term Rider Development Model suggests that young riders who are exposed to excellent role models in terms of expertise, knowledge and conduct and have access to professional facilities are the most likely to succeed. Therefore, individuals from families who can provide appropriate, consistent, and regular supervision, mentoring and coaching would be in the optimal position to achieve ‘elite’ level success. This year’s Philip Smith Memorial (PSM) Trophy Winner may be the perfect fulfilment of this theory!

Ashlee Taylor is the daughter of celebrated Protea Show Jumpers Barry (who was also born into an equestrian family) and Lorette Taylor, who own and run Farnham Stables, a high-performance showjumping yard in Chartwell, Johannesburg. We had the opportunity to catch up with Ash after her PSM win at the Toyota Easter Festival:

HQ: How did your preparation for the PSM go?

Ashlee: Preparation went well with the help of Whitney Deverneuil and Georgina Roberts. The main focuses in preparation for the PSM were my dressage/flatwork test and practising the gymnastic: one-handed with no stirrups. We worked very hard, especially over the last two weeks before the show started trying to nail down my dressage test and get each movement correct. I also had the opportunity to practice my flatwork test and the gymnastic on four unseen horses under competition circumstances before the event.

HQ: How was the draw?

Ashlee: The draw was probably the least stressful part of the whole experience. I wasn’t worried about the draw because I felt that no matter what number I was, it wouldn’t have changed or affected anything, and I could still see how each horse went with their own riders. I drew number four, which was nice for the flatwork part, as I watched everyone on their own horses before I rode my horse and saw how their horses went. The jumping was then in reverse order, so I was first in, which I didn’t mind because I was less nervous about the jumping, and I had already ridden the horses in the flatwork.

HQ: How was Day One, the flatwork?

Ashlee: The flatwork was probably the harder part for me compared to jumping. I’m a showjumper and had probably only done one dressage test before, which was when I was still in ponies! It was also very different because the dressage arenas are much smaller than jumping ones. The tests were very long and quite tiring because I had to focus on every movement and try and watch the horses to see how they went. The hard parts of the tests for me were the walk-to-canter, the 10m circles and the counter canters, so I mainly focused on getting these correct. I think the different-sized circles in both walk and trot and some with one hand and no stirrups didn’t go quite as I planned on all the horses because I don’t think I got the sizes quite right. But I think my leg yields and counter canters went well on all the horses.

HQ: How were you feeling after Day One?

Ashlee: I felt unsure about where I was lying after Day One, but I was very happy with how it all went. I felt that I had ridden all the tests as well as I could have under a lot of pressure and in a very different situation from what I’m used to.

HQ: How was Day Two, the showjumping phase?

Ashlee: I felt more confident about the jumping part because that is more my thing and something I feel more confident in. It was exciting and a little overwhelming doing the jumping part in the Bob Charter because it is such a big arena, and there are lots of spooky things in it that horses might look at. It was also weird not having any guidance in the warmup and not having a coach to speak to because I usually have my dad to give me pointers in a jumping course. The hardest part of the course was probably the gymnastic with no stirrups and one hand, but it was a quick element in the course, and I felt that all the horses and myself were good through it. Watching all the riders go on their own horses was more nerve-wracking but also useful compared to the dressage because I could see the horses’ weaknesses and strengths and I knew where I had to ride a little harder.

HQ: Which was your favourite horse to ride on the flatwork day?

Ashlee: I really enjoyed riding Capital Conlanc (Jenna Eager’s ride) on the flat as he was so beautifully schooled and did all the movements so easily.

HQ: And your favourite horse to ride on the jumping day, and why?

Ashlee: Callaho Luigi Vella (Erin O’Dwyer’s ride)! He was so game and ready to do anything in the ring.

HQ: Was there a horse that you were more nervous to ride?

Ashlee: Each horse had their own quirks, so I was cautious and nervous for each one because it could go any way in the ring.

HQ: Did you have any tricks up your sleeve for how to handle each horse and the competition in general?

Ashlee: I noticed one of the horses had quite a short stride, so I added a stride into the triple combination to not jump big into it. Another horse looked a bit sticky to some jumps, so I had to make very sure I had a good distance and was very positive to the jumps. I also didn’t use all my jumps in the warmup because the horses were quite tired, and I wanted to save the jumps for inside the ring.

HQ: So, now that the PSM has been ticked off your bucket list, what are your plans/goals for the year and the longer term?

Ashlee: My most important plan for this year will be to get through Matric! Besides that, I would like to get my baby, Callaho Lariboo, into the 1.35m and to get more stabilised in the 1.40m with Hope Van Orshof. Longer-term plans would be to hopefully jump in the 1.50s and a World Cup. Oh, and, of course, the Derby!

HQ: Last one, after surviving Matric, what are your plans?

Ashlee: My absolute passion is horses, but I’ve been told by my parents that I’m not allowed just to ride and that I need to get a degree. So next year I will be studying. I’d like to do an architectural degree and later a business degree, but, of course, I will still be riding.

HQ: Wise parents! Congratulations Ash; we look forward to seeing your name on many more trophies in the future!

WE ALSO ASKED LORETTE AND BARRY HOW THEY FELT ABOUT THEIR DAUGHTER WINNING THE PSM…

Lorette: It was the most nervewracking experience for me. I hardly slept before the flatwork day, as I was so nervous for her. I desperately wanted her to succeed, but at the same time, as a parent, you must always be prepared to deal with disappointment. The jumping day was less stressful as that is her strength, and we had complete confidence in that phase. I am still crying when people congratulate me two weeks later! I am so proud.

Barry: It feels better than winning a World Cup! Ash came to me probably four years ago and told me that she would really love to win the Philip Smith as it is such a unique and special event. I told her she would really have to work hard and learn to ride properly because you must in order to win this event, and she definitely did put the work in. I am so proud, and it is even more special that she did it on Govett Triggol’s Callaho Lariboo, who she has produced herself from a fouryear-old.