An Eventing Team built off the track
26 June, 2015
Off The Track
O
OFF THE TRACK
Sophie Warren grew up surrounded by horses and with the support of her parents, sponsors and owners, has developed a strong reputation in the Australian equestrian industry. An Australian Representative and currently competing Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) level in Dressage and Three Star Eventing, Sophie is known for her focus, professionalism and talent and has quickly come to the forefront of equestrian sport both in WA and nationally.
Sophie has always had a strong affinity with the Thoroughbred horse and has built much of her career riding horses off the track. Growing out of ponies, Sophie was given the opportunity to compete on an advanced eventer, Speak Easy. An off the track Thoroughbred himself, Speak Easy (formerly Flobar) was bred by Lindsay Park Stud in South Australia. Owned by Cheryl Campbell (now a sponsor of Sophie’s through her business Horseland Midland), Speak Easy made the perfect schoolmaster, teaching Sophie about eventing as a 12 and 13 year old. “He really taught me the ropes and it was riding him that gave me the confidence to train my next few horses straight off the track.” says Sophie.
The first horse Sophie had the opportunity to produce herself was a 7-year-old racehorse by Crested Wave. Trained by Bruce Kay in Bindoon, Netpune Lad had a sizeable country racing career winning $32,000 from 64 starts. Straight off the track he was sensible and kind and was the perfect introduction to re-training the off the track Thoroughbred. “He taught me to be sensitive but clear with my training and work methodically to create reliable responses from light aids – this seemed to produce a calm horse and is now the backbone of my training philosophy”. Neptune Lad went on to prove himself as a tough competitor winning in eventing up to Pre-Novice level before going on to show two other juniors the ropes as a schoolmaster.
Since then, Sophie’s team has boasted a number of fantastic Thoroughbreds, from dressage horses to eventers. Her training approach has been honed thanks to the sensitivity and trainability of the Thoroughbred horse. They have developed Sophie into a tactful and talented trainer, “my training philosophy is simple – it must be based on the scientific principles of learning. Evidence based training takes the guess work out of working with horses, it privileges the welfare of the horse and improves rider safety.” says Sophie, who’s current eventing team is entirely off the track Thoroughbreds.
Three star horse Let’s Impress (formerly Abnoo’s Sequel), is by Sequalo who himself has produced a number of great racehorses, several of which have gone on to produce good results as performance horses at the end of their racing careers. Let’s Impress himself had a uninspiring racing record with 14 starts for just over $5000 prize-money but has done nothing but shine as a performance horse. He represented Australia in 2009, has won countless events at one, two and three star level and went to the Australian International 4 star event in 2010. Let’s Impress was awarded Equestrian WA (EWA) Horse of the Year in 2009 following an incredible season of wins and placings across the nation.
Noticing Sequalo’s ability to produce great performance horses, Sophie sourced another off the track gelding by Sequalo to train as an event horse. Tequalo (formerly Fantastic Kid) had 5 starts but was unsuccessful until his career change where he won his first few eventing starts and was sold last season at Eventing Australia 105 level (EvA105).
Sophie’s two star horse, Eminence (formerly Kelly Hills), is by Bite the Bullet and had 10 starts before embarking on his eventing career where he has been successful through the grades. He has been consistent at two star level eventing and up to 135cm showjumping.
Sophie’s young hopeful, Dance Hall Diva, was bred by Yarradale Stud in Gidgegannup and had three unsuccessful starts on the track before her career change toward eventing. A beautiful type, Sophie says Diva gave her a good feeling from the very beginning. Dance Hall Diva is by Citidancer and has progressed through the levels with success, winning almost all of her starts over the last two seasons. Dance Hall Diva won the Master Series Leaderboard (run by Equestrian WA) in 2013 and in 2014 stepped up to EvA105 winning her first start. She is one to watch for the future.
Sophie says that even with the depth of performance horse breeding in Australia, she will always look to the track first for her young performance horse prospects. The Thoroughbred, with its combination of speed, stamina and athleticism, is the ideal horse for the sport of eventing.
For more information on Sophie, any of her horses or retraining assistance go to www.sophiewarren.com.au