DEEP in concentration and moving as one with her Connemara/Thoroughbred-cross horse, Feldale Mouse, Isabel English makes equestrian sport look easy.
But the hundreds of people watching Isabel intently as she moves gracefully through the show-jumping course at the Australian International Three Day Event in Adelaide know she is drawing on skilful ability.
She is judging distance, summoning strength, exercising artistic flow and is prepared to handle any situation. With constant signals passing between horse and rider, Isabel is expertly using every part of her body and mind to work in tempo with Mouse.
Committed to riding and with a determined nature, the 19-year-old from Biddaddaba in south-east Queensland is making her mark on the international scene in the world of equestrian sport.
Last November, having turned 18, Isabel was eligible to enter Australia’s premier equestrian event.
This is the only four-star (Olympic standard) event held in the southern hemisphere and one of only six held across the world. Placing an impressive 12th in her first four-star Three Day Event is Isabel’s proudest achievement to date.
Considered the triathlon of equestrian sport, eventing has three competition phases for an overall score, and requires the rider to use the same horse in all three phases.
Combining dressage, cross-country and a dramatic jumping finale, eventing is the ultimate test of equestrian skill.
Isabel was taught to ride by her parents Nick and Sarah, both skilled equestrian competitors, and is now trained by well-known instructor Tony Manca, who is experienced across all three disciplines that make up the eventing story.
Nick says Isabel’s success stems from her hard work, fierce determination and a disciplined approach to training with Tony guiding her.
“At 18 years old, at the Three Day Event last year, she was technically still a junior, yet competed at four-star level,” Nick said.
“She has a great feel for horses, is a sympathetic rider forming a good relationship with her horses, particularly with sensitive horses, and is a technically sound rider.”
Isabel competes most weekends and travels to events with her parents, sister Elizma and Tony.
“I began to do well in 2010 on a horse Elizma had taken to a two-star and I just got hooked from there,” she said.
Isabel rides six to seven hours a day at her family property Cildara Stud, and competes on weekends.
“There is a lot training and travelling involved. We mostly compete in the two and three-star classes in NSW, and go as far down as Tamworth, Camden and Sydney.
“It’s a family affair for the four of us. It’s a team effort to get the show on the road – but we all love it.
“We take a truck with up to seven horses, and often Mum brings a pony and she competes as well.
“I usually ride five or six horses during a one-day event, and if they are big competitions, I’ll ride about three.”
Isabel plans to take two horses to this year’s Three Day Event in Adelaide in November, and will begin preparations soon.
“We usually travel in a large convoy with other Queensland competitors – we’re a very social group.”
After completing year 12 in 2012, Isabel took a year off to work with horses full time.
This year, with nine horses in work, she attends Griffith University two days a week, where she is studying commerce.
Her days are filled with working horses, feeding them morning and night, and leading up to major events, the work intensifies.
“The horses are walked out for an hour every day, worked on a flat for 40 minutes and galloped every fifth day – so there’s a lot to do.”
