Switch It Up With Kim Slocum

This article is from the July 2020 Horse Deals magazine.

There’s no rule saying that you have to stick to the same equestrian discipline for life. Versatility makes a good rider and these two riders have taken on that challenge; totally switching disciplines.

Kim Slocum • From Western Performance to Eventing

How old are you and where are you from? I’m 36 and from Canberra.

How did you first get involved with horses? I have been riding all of my life; my mum Yvonne rode and continues to share my love of horses.

What made you start your journey in the western performance arena? I started showing western performance horses when I was 13 years old; we purchase a two-year-old Appaloosa mare, KA Alpha Della (Ali), from a local breeder in our area, Marianne Martin. The initial plan for Ali was that she would become my next pony club horse. However, Marianne was involved in the western industry and suggested I try showing Ali. Marianne was also kind enough to lend me her ridden mare Amber as Ali was so young. Amber was a beautiful mare and allowed me to start learning how to ride and show western performance.

What were your greatest successes in western performance? Tough question, so many great memories come to mind. Winning the Amateur Western Pleasure Feature at the Australian Halter Showcase with Winderadeen Casanova (Cruise), this was my first big win. Selection for the very first Trans Tasman Team. Cruise and I winning the Amateur Trail Feature at Summer Sizzler. Showing Winderadeen One Hot Blaze (Humphrey) for the first time and Winning the 2 Year Old Western Pleasure at NSW State Show. Becoming an AQHA judge. I have been fortunate over the years to have some wonderful horses and great trainers in my corner.

What made you want to change disciplines? I moved my horses to a new agistment centre, the majority of the riders at the centre competed in either dressage, showjumping or eventing. After 20 years of showing western, being exposed to new disciplines motivated me to give them a try.

Why eventing? Eventing is the best of both worlds, the technical challenge of dressage with the thrill of showjumping and cross country. Nothing compares to the feeling of galloping around a cross country course; it is an adrenaline rush.

What was the process of switching disciplines? And did it involve a new horse? Well, I started competing in dressage before going eventing. I purchased my dressage mare BB Lush in 2016; Lush was a beautiful five-year-old Warmblood mare. I trained and competed in dressage for almost two years before the birth of our son Carter. Although I adored Lush, juggling motherhood and horses proved very challenging with a new baby, so I made the hard decision to sell Lush. In September 2018, I was incredibly lucky to be offered a part-time ride on Wally Munchkin, who was owned by my dear friend Daisy Murphy. Wally is an eventer, and in November, after almost 18 years, I had my first jump (over a tiny cross rail), and my journey with Wally and eventing began. Nearly two years on and I’m now the very proud owner of Wally and look forward to many more eventing adventures to come.

How did you manage to switch your gear and tack? In the beginning, I borrowed a lot of my dressage tack until I could purchase my own. Wally was on loan and came with all of his gear, I have gradually added to my tack collection over the last two years and now have a complete set.

What was your first eventing competition, and how did you go? It was National Capital Horse Trials in Canberra in March 2019. Wally and I competed in the EVA60 and came second in a field of 33.

What was the biggest challenge? Learning to jump, it takes a whole new level of fitness and technique to jump correctly. Wally is a great teacher and gives me a heap of confidence in jumping.

Where would you like to be five years from now? I would like to be competing at the 1* level, but more than anything I want to continue having fun, learning and growing with my riding.

What advice do you have for riders wanting to try something new? Talk to people who are doing the discipline you are interested in, see if you can find a way to have a go without fully committing and don’t be afraid to try something new. Also, develop a love of learning, it isn’t easy to completely change the way you have been riding but stick with it, you will improve. Western will always hold a special place in my heart, but eventing is my new passion.

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