The scoop on Kyra O'Brien

Age?
Young at Heart - 48

Lives?
Millers Forest, NSW.

Occupation?
Biosecurity Officer.

Family history with horses?
Horses were a large part of my family’s life. When I was very young, Mum (Joan Lawrence), and my Grandfather (Harold Willard), both played polocrosse for Maitland. I can only just remember going to the carnivals. They gave the polocrosse away and concentrated more on campdrafting. It was great, we would pack up on a Friday afternoon or Saturday morning. Dad (Kevin Lawrence), was always in charge of packing and driving the truck - load up the horses and off we would go. Mum would compete in the Ladies but they always had a programme for Riding Classes, Hacks and ASH classes. Mum would compete in these classes also. I loved to go in my Riding and Hack classes - you just rode the horse that you drafted. We would also go to the local ag shows. I have always had an appreciation of all horse disciplines and the training involved.

Congratulations on winning the ‘RM Williams’ Abbey Open Challenge at the recent ASH Nationals. That is a huge achievement in such a male dominated sport and you beat Gerald, how did that go down and what does this win mean to you?
Gerald took it pretty well I think - like me, I think he was a little shocked. He does remind me that he did beat me in the draft by a point, he got a 91 and I got a 90, but I keep reminding him that I did pick his beast and I did win when it counts. This win for me was just fantastic. I still get goosebumps and still can hear Jim Callinan (the announcer) calling out my breastplate number. I only started competing on Resette 12 months ago and have only been drafting him, this was my first Challenge on him. Gerald won the Challenge on him in 2011.

I put a photo of the night on the fridge (just to remind Gerald) of the final placings. It is very special, my brother Warwick Lawrence in 4th place, Gerald in 3rd and my Godson Wyatt Young in 2nd - and then me in 1st - very special and something I will always treasure.

Is there rivalry between you and Gerald in the drafting arena?
Our rivalry is not only confined to the drafting arena. We have been up against one another numerous times in various disciplines. I think for me it makes me more determined.

Do you and Gerald offer advice to each other?
Yes, we do all the time, but I must say it is normally me asking him what I should do with this horse. He normally asks me what clothes he should wear.

You have had fantastic success on your stallions this year, what do you enjoy about competing these two horses?
I guess what makes riding these two horses so special is that we bred them both. Vedette has a lot of Thoroughbred in him and I find him so quick getting to his cattle. Vedette holds a special place in the heart of Gerald’s Dad, Clem O’Brien, and that also makes riding him very special.
Resette is so quick and light. I am far from mastering him but I look forward to the years ahead. He is very cheeky and loves to play with his cattle.
For stallions I am lucky they are very well mannered and disciplined. Gerald is away a lot so I will travel them together on the float with no dramas. I also do a lot of the stud work with them, serving and collections, with no dramas.

*What are some of the highlights of your riding career? *
Winning the first ASH hack class to be held at Sydney Royal on a mare called Ivanhoe Folli. Back then the ASH Hack was open height and open sex. There were over 70 in the class. I remember riding down the ramp into the arena and the horses just kept coming. I have also won and placed in Open Galloway classes at Sydney and Canberra Royals with Folli. And won the ASHLA class at Sydney Royal four times, plus won Working ASH and Hack classes at Sydney.

Winning Supreme Ridden ASH at Canberra Royal on five ocassions, once with Folli - three times with Marshdale Romona bred and owned by Mum and then with O’Briens Flauntette. And the ASHLA class a number of times. I have won the ASHLA Working and Hack Championships at the ASH Nationals.

Performing the lunchtime entertainment at the equestrian with our horses at the Sydney Olympics was a huge thrill. I was runner-up 2016 ABCRA Campdraft Lady Rider following a run-off for the title. Of course winning the Open Challenge at the ASH Nationals.

Being invited to compete in the World Championship Campdraft at the 2017 Sydney Royal Easter Show. And another huge highlight for me has been watching my children, Miranda and Tom have success also in various disciplines.

Who has had the biggest influence on your riding career?
When I was younger it was my parents Kevin and Joan Lawrence and my Grandfather Harold Willard. I was extremely lucky to always have good safe horses to ride. When I met Gerald I learnt a whole lot of new training exercises. He definitely took me to another level.

Share a typical day in your life?
My days vary significantly depending on whether Gerald is away or at home. I work full-time, so if Gerald is away, I will do the morning chores with the horses before heading to work. When he is at home, unless we have a lot of horses in, Gerald will handle it. I normally get home around 5pm and start work again. Riding/feeding/rugging etc. We have our own horse breaking and training business, so everyday is different - some days I might be lead ponying for Gerald or just finishing up the cleaning duties. If it is breeding season, I might be teasing and serving mares. We plan our competitions around Gerald’s work programme, so the number of horses that I need to work for competition is always different. If you plan on coming to home for dinner it is never served early - so don’t worry if you are late.

Favourite training exercise?
I have a few exercises that I like to do. I must say though sometimes I just load them up and take them away somewhere different - just getting them away from home and doing something different is sometimes the best.

What keeps you motivated?
I am not sure, it is just this is what I love doing. Not only the competing but the friendships that I have made over the years are very special.

What special qualities does a horse need to make it to the top in campdrafting?
Everyone has different ideas and I am only going to speak for myself on this one. For me the horse needs to be light in the hand, has speed that is easily controlled and has the temperament and personality that is a pleasure to have on the truck.

What is the first thing you have to pack to take away to a competition?
Vedette. His place on the truck is always first on regardless of what other horses we are taking.

Best advice you have been given?
Do your training at home, not at the event.

I had it drummed into me as a kid when drafting, get out and around your cattle, don’t run up the back of them. At the end of the day no matter where you ended up, that you were happy with how you and your horse went.

What do you like to do outside of horses?
I really enjoy going out for dinner or even breakfast, not that it happens very often, but when it does it is really nice. I also like to garden (but I must say at the moment my little garden is a bit of a mess). One day though I would like to extend it.

What are your long term goals?
To continue competing and enjoying our horses.

3 things we don’t know about Kyra O’Brien?
1. Loves mowing the lawn
2. Hates doing the ironing
3. Loves a glass of wine and cooking

Sponsors?
TuffRock keeps our horses going.
My Mum makes all my shirts that I compete in.

Story from Horse Deals Magazine May 2017

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