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Emily Stirling
Profile
Who supported you the early days?
I’m very lucky that I had access to Jess Pateman, or Barton as she was then, and I started having lessons with her. Then I started going to shows with her and something just clicked – I knew that was what I wanted to do. I love jumping around a course, and show jumping is a great sport that you can do so much with; there are so many opportunities that can come out of it, here in Australia and also in Europe and America where the sport is so big.
What are some of the memories you look back on and smile about?
My biggest competition achievement to date would be in 2017, when I was invited to Europe to compete in a borrowed horse competition amongst another countries. I competed at “Haras De Jardy,” just outside of Paris, and although I might have not won the class, being a 17 year old over there with no family, to jump a clean round on a different horse, in a different country would have to be one of my proudest achievements to date.
Another special achievement would most definitely be becoming the 2019 Young Rider of The Year. 2019 was a very tough year for myself with my young rider horse “Tulara Diarakato,” having colic surgery at the Aquis Champions Tour, along with my second horse sustaining a tendon injury and some hard family news. After being in the top 3 in 2018, I was very motivated to win the title in 2019. Despite some large setbacks, I was still going to give it 100% even without having an experienced horse to complete the riding sessions on. I took my $500 off the track thoroughbred to the training weekend, and tried my absolute best. Winning the title, proved to myself that hard work really does pay off, with or without a top horse, put your mind to it and you can achieve anything!
How did you get started in the industry and who inspired you?
My grandfather Geoff took me to a carnival one time – I must have been about four, and he sat me on a pony – and it all went from there! I started lessons and then when I was eight he bought me my first pony. He thought it might just be a phase – I’ve always said I don’t really think he knew what he was getting himself into! From Pony Club beginnings, I developed an interest in show jumping and started jumping competitively at the age of 12 and haven’t looked back.
What Barastoc feeds are you currently using?
My young horses and breeding stock are fed on Breed N Grow, which is doing them wonders. My competitive horses thrive on Complete Performer and Groom. Our stable retiree’s and low-maintenance horses are fed Calm Performer.
What do you look back on and wish you could have done differently – and what advice do you have for other riders?
By far, riding is very much a mentally challenging sport. With horses, the saying “hero to zero in a day” is 100% true and I think personally I have realised this over and over again. I have faced many tough challenges so far and I am sure have many to come, however one thing that these challenges have taught me is to not forget why we do what we do – for the love of the horse!
None of this would be possible without our four legged friends, always be grateful when they survive the colic surgery when they take us through the start and finish flags safely and when they jump their hearts out for us. Sometimes we get so caught up in winning, or so disappointed when things don’t go our way, but we have to simplify our mindset – no matter what, we love our horses and tomorrow is a new day. If we can have that mind set 90% of the time, we can bounce back quicker and find the inspiration we need to make that bounce back even better.
What are some approaches to troubleshooting some common training and horse problems within your chosen Equine Discipline?
Throughout our riding careers, every single rider will find something that works for them and their horse and something that doesn’t. When I get given advice, I always give new things a try. You never try, you never know? Always be grateful for any advice you can get! Then I ask myself, "does this work for my horse and is it a benefit to what I am trying to achieve"? From there we can make a judgement on whether to take this advice on board or perhaps keep it noted but not necessarily use it. Always remember tomorrow is a new day with a different purpose and new lessons to be learnt. Without the hard days, I wouldn’t be as strong as I am now. This sport is teaching me so much, and so many values along the way, I can’t wait to keep learning.
Read a full interview with Emily here: https://www.barastochorse.com.au/article/young-emily-sets-a-stirling-example