Jessie Smith
Stephen Mowbray Photography
Name: Jessie Smith
Age: 17
From: Dingo, Central QLD
Lives: Gatton, QLD
Occupation: Rider at Clem Smith Showjumping also running my own business ‘JER Stirrups Australia’
- What Age did you start riding? I had my first ride on a horse when I was about 8 weeks old! I got my first pony when I was 1.
- Who Introduced you to riding? Mum & Dad introduced me to riding, my first pony ‘Casper’ was the one that got me going then I went onto ‘Lucy’ the wonder pony (who is still teaching kids in her mid 30’s!).
- Tell us about your first horse. My first pony ‘Casper’ was a chestnut. He was about 13hh and he was kinda ancient. His canter was a lot smoother than his trot, so I could canter before i knew how to rise trot.
- How many horses do you currently have in work? I have 2 in work at the moment of my own. But I also work dad’s jumpers at home.
- Which horse is your current star? Oh this one is a tough one, but I would have to say my current star is ‘Limo’. He has a lot of personality but he is almost always bringing home ribbons!
- Do you have any future stars? My future star at the moment would be Copabella Tattiana (Tilly). Dad has been riding her for the last few years with great success and now I am lucky to be able ride her in some classes. I am hoping to be able to jump Mini Prix on her within the next few years. I have only been on her for about a month now and we are really starting to click. But always have my eye out for a cute young horse.
- What was your biggest competitive achievement? My biggest competitive achievements would have to be winning some of the countries biggest Junior Championships in the last 12 months.
- Who was the biggest influence to your riding? My biggest influence for my riding would have to be my father ‘Clem Smith’. He has always been there for me throughout my riding career.
- What do you look for in horse? I look for a horse with a big, floaty canter, with a scopey jump. Pretty much everyone’s dream horse.
- Which piece of gear can’t you leave home without? I cannot leave home without our lucky whip! Any major classes either dad or I have won we have been using it! Dad won 5 world cups using it and I have won many juniors using it!
- How do you prepare mentally for a big competition? Well usually most of the time I’m quite nervous and rescue remedy always comes and saves the day. But its always good to have dad around as he is very calm and is always confident with me that I can do it.
- How do you prepare your horse for a big competition? I start my preparation for a big competition at home, I usually jump my horses 2/3 time before a competition preferably with a flat work ride in between jumps. Then once at the show I will usually give them a light flat work ride before the class.
- Describe what is important for your warm up? I find the most important thing for my warm up is to jump a taller vertical before I go into the ring to keep them confident. Neither of my two current horses need much jumping before going into the ring.
- What do you focus on when walking the course? I mainly focus on the distances when walking a course as both my 2 horses are quite different rides, Limo has a really big stride so I have to really focus on what I’m going to do down my lines on him. Tattiana is very adjustable so I mainly ride off of my eye on her and how she is going on the day.
- What are your short and long term goals? My short term goal is to be Australian Junior Champion this year as its my last year of juniors so it would be dream end to the year. My long term goal would be able to compete at Grand Prix/ World Cup level in Australia and then one day hopefully represent the country.
- Who is your Australian based role model? My Australian based role model would be Clem Smith (Dad). I have always aspired to be as good of rider as he is. He has a great feel for a horse and is always super competitive and a good sport.
- Who is your international role model? Edwina Tops-Alexander. She was just your usual Aussie rider but has shown how truely talented she is to be able to make it to the top all over the world.
- Which is your favourite horse of all time? My favorite horse would have to be ‘Dark Ages’. Dad won his first ever world cup on him and had huge success going on to win 5 world cups in total. In his last few years of competition I was very lucky to be able to work him at home for Dad. But there is also one other horse who holds a very special place in my heart ‘Belcam Cosmic’, he is a true champion of a horse and I was very lucky to be able to own him.
- Tell us a few things we don’t know about you? I currently have a slight obsession with KitKat chocolate. I also really like working with cattle and still have my own little herd at our Cattle Property in Central Queensland.
- Who are your sponsors? My sponsors are Kingsland, Mitavite & JER Stirrups also Mum & Dad
Photo Credit: Calico Pony
Photo Credit: Robyn Smith
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