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Gostelow Equestrian Team
Sophia Gostelow
How did you get started in the industry and who inspired you?
I started with jumping many years ago at Oxenford Pony Club QLD, under the guidance of Col Meagher. Then moving to NSW, I had many super years of coaching from Collen Brook, who I have always looked up to and admired.
Who supported you the early days?
Both my parents love horses and assisted me greatly in my youth. They are still involved now with their grandchildren and are great supporters of the whole family in the sport. They are hands on and Dad nearly 80 loves to brush and polish our horses. He is a firm believer in good grooming to make a connection between you and your horse. In the early days of working fulltime with horses, I ran a successful riding school in Matcham which paid for my show jumping horses and competition. I had a wonderful group of ponies that taught many children to ride. The business outgrew Matcham, so we created Somersby Equestrian Park again a full time Equestrian Centre, where my husband Martin joined me coaching and training.
What do you look back on and wish you could have done differently – and what advice do you have for other riders?
I wished I had started breeding more young horses for our girls Alexandra and Olivia as they are very keen in the sport. We now have some lovely young horses, but they cannot be rushed and need time to grow in the paddock. I think it is important to forward plan, to have enough horses in your team so they can have a break, and this will ensure their longevity in the sport and soundness. I don’t think everyone needs to breed, but horses need to be fresh and enjoy their work.
What are some approaches to troubleshooting some common training and horse problems within your chosen Equine Discipline?
I think with any training issue in show jumping it is good to firstly rule out a soundness, diet, or health issue in the horse, then try to understand the why or the mechanics. Sometimes we use an app called coaches eye to slow video down and look at what the horse and rider are doing stride by stride.
We use many pole exercises and gymnastics to keep horses confident, balanced, and strong in the top line. We never over face a rider or horse, and often take horses up a height and then the next show bring them back down. Maintaining the confidence of the horse is as importance and their riders, this is our goal as a coach.
What Barastoc feeds are you currently using?
We use Breed and Grow, I love this for not just our breeding horses and growing horses, but it works well on our competition horses too. We also use Supreme for top line and muscle development.
Olivia Gostelow
How did you get started in the industry and who inspired you?
Well, to be completely honest I was basically born into the industry, by having national riders and coaches, Sophia and Martin Gostelow as parents, I was on a Shetland pony before I could walk. My inspiration always varied between my parents successes and wanting to be like them when I’m older but I also think a person who is inspiring others should be hardworking and work for their success.
Who supported you the early days?
My entire family have always been supportive of any decision I make whether that is in the equestrian field or not. But now I am lucky enough to also be supported by a team of wonderful sponsors including Barastoc, EMCEE apparel and Brighton saddlery.
Who do you look up to in the equestrian world and why? I look up to a lot of riders that I believe are genuinely nice hardworking people and can still win a jump off by 3 seconds, these include Jen wood, Madi sinderberry, Gabi Chugg and of course my parents.
What are some of the memories you look back on and smile about?
When I first got Ballycastle Tully, she will always be my heart horse. She took me from jumping 70cm to juniors at 12years of age. In my eyes she is still simply the best. Another big achievement for me would be going clear at the JNSW summer show Super Junior Final on La Luna Cucinelli, we had one time fault but I was beyond proud of us as it was only our 5th show together due to the 2020 season.
What do you look back on and wish you could have done differently – and what advice do you have for other riders?
Don’t rush into jumping a certain height at a certain age, trust yourself and your horses 100% before moving up the heights. And as dad say’s “its not the height , it’s the how”
What Barastoc feeds are you currently using?
We are currently feeding our competition horses barastoc dippers of “breed and grow” and Barastoc “supreme” this enhances the top line to build muscle, with chaff twice a day as well as lucerne hay.
Alexandra Gostelow
How did you get started in the industry and who inspired you?
I was fortunate to be born into a family of show jumpers, therefore my parents were my initial inspiration into the horse industry as it was what I woke up to everyday.
Who supported you in the early days?
Again definitely mum and dad and quite frankly my entire family, but particularly my grandparents.
Who do you look up to in the equestrian world and why?
I believe this question can often be quite vaguely answered, it’s something many interviews include however we tend to only hear of the rider which other riders look up to because of there winnings. Australian riders at the top of the sport such as Edwina Tops Alexander, Chris & Gabby Chugg, Olivia & Paula Hammond, Jamie Priestley and internationally Kent Farrington as well as few others I look up to for ability, dedication, mindset and competitiveness. Younger riders such as Jess Rice Ward, Amelia Douglass and French young rider Eden Leprevost I have always looked up to as they compete at the same level with older riders mentioned before and still manage to preform with style, accuracy and the urge to win.
What are some memories you look back on and smile about?
Definitely opening envelopes to Sydney Royal acceptances I remember both very clearly! One time my mum bought the letter to me whilst I was mid mustering with dad and the other was just from the mailbox which I collected directly after the mail lady came. Memories from shows, I definitely will never forget jumping a clear round in my first super juniors at summer classic 2018, particularly the second round which was a speed class I rode all my distance perfectly and didn’t stop smiling that day! More highlights would have to be the last few shows of 2020, Waratah, SSJC EOY and Summer Show. I didn’t come home with any major wins and there were definitely parts of classes I was not happy with but looking back I could not be happier with the direction my horses and myself are going into 2021.
What do you look back on and wish you could have done differently and what advice do you have for other riders?
Looking back on my 15 years of riding there’s not really a lot I would change, because every single ride has shaped me. I would however tell myself to keep it simple and toughen up now and again. Equestrian is no doubt as much of a mental challenge as is physical, and unless you feel ‘bulletproof’ I will assure you if you over face your self you will weaken your confidence. Something my dad, being my coach alongside my mum, has installed in my head since riding ponies is that “it’s not the height, it’s the how” and it’s true.
Tips and Tricks for showjumping:
Do you think your fresh horse wants to be a bronc today? Once you enter your arena walk for a little (if you can) then trot using a figure of 8 pattern, ask your horse to be connected but do not ‘jam’ them up. Vary the size of the two circles, where you cross between the circles, and when your ready the speed (Include extensions!)Varying the shape and pace of the circle keeps your horse occupied and focused they won’t be able to predict exactly where you want to go next whilst using enough repetition to also dull down the opportunity to spook at new objects.
What Barastoc feed do you currently use?
Currently my horses are only fed 1kg of BREED AND GROW with 1 dipper of chaff morning and night as they in light work. In 2020 competition season they were fed 2kg BREED AND GROW, 1kg PREPARE and chaff, my horses were shiny and energetic. This year I’m switching PREPARE to Barastoc’s new feed SUPREME. This is because SUPREME is known to build top line, slowly release energy, and promotes gut health, my horses also love it so will be perfect for any picky eaters.