The Scoop on Ty Zoontjens

This article is from the February 2019 Horse Deals magazine

Age: 26
Lives: Adelaide, South Australia
Occupation: Owner and rider of training stables – TZ Equestrian.

Family history with horses?
My mum used to own a horse, Nugget, in her teenage years. I was unaware of this until after I gained an interest in riding myself, so am a firm believer of the saying, ‘It runs in the blood’!

What age did you start riding?
Seven.

Tell us about your first pony.
The pony I learnt to ride on was a Palomino called Lucky. I would fall off almost every ride as she would jump out of the car tyre arena and leave me flying. The first pony I actually owned though was a black 13.2hh Caspian, named Blue Moon Thunder. My mum, who always has the best intentions, rescued Thunder who was skin and bone in a paddock amongst a heap of cows. He still cost us $1,000 and because of his condition we couldn’t trial him. We don’t believe he was broken in too well as he would buck me off daily. I would just climb back on and go for another few laps, until I was back on the ground. I loved him though and we won many awards together, particularly in show jumping. At his passing, Thunder had a trophy made in his memory, for the best ‘all-rounder’. This is where the obsession began.

Can you tell us about the broad range of disciplines you’ve competed in throughout your riding career and why you settled with dressage and showing?
I embrace most styles of riding and the methods behind them. When I was younger, I enjoyed anything that involved going fast and excelled in jump offs and novelties. I then took to eventing quite seriously and at 15 years of age, was winning at Pre-Novice against quite prestigious riders on their up and coming mounts. This was on another horse that is very special to me, Kanandah Special, who is still going strong at 30. At his retirement, we purchased a beautiful Warmblood, Kinnordy Luemel, who was supposed to take me through the grades. Unfortunately he sustained a fatal paddock injury and that was the end of that. I also had my foot in other doors, such as endurance and racing industries for a while, before ultimately discovering dressage. Dressage is the foundation of so many equestrian sports and is the discipline I am most passionate for. I have had some great horses and opportunities to experience all of the movements up to Grand Prix. Getting a good ‘feel’ is very addictive and I am continuously searching for that in every ride. I enjoy the showmanship and presentation behind showing and have been fortunate enough to have some success along the way. However my training techniques are very much dressage focused and I will most likely continue down this pathway. In saying that, I am open to competing in other disciplines as I enjoy the diversity.

You now have a successful business TZ Equestrian, how has the business evolved and changed?
TZ Equestrian, started in my backyard at sixteen. I would ride anything that was thrown my way for a bit of pocket money. A few years down the track, I was presented with an amazing opportunity to move to a property in the Adelaide Hills, owned by Michelle Hewlett, who is now considered my second mum. She encouraged me to pursue the business and it soon developed into a mostly mobile occupation, where I would travel to people’s properties around South Australia and either ride or teach, mostly with their more difficult horses. I would also take a number of horses on to compete, educate and sell from our place.

I now do this on an enlarged scale at my new property, which I own and manage, alongside a very supportive team of friends and workers. At one point, I had close to 70 horses here, however have decreased this number quite dramatically, as I realise the importance of a healthy life/work balance. As well as competing and training, I have taken a particularly interest in breeding too. I have a boutique group of quality mares that are producing some beautiful foals, most of which I will retain for breeding and future competition.

What are some of the highlights of your riding career?
A huge highlight for me, was riding through my first Grand Prix test, on Sun and Fun. It was far from perfect, however the goal was to achieve this by the time I was 25, which I succeeded. The journey along the way made it very emotional and I had a group of my closest friends and family there watching too, which made the moment even more special.
Winning Champion Gentleman Rider at Sydney Royal under Olympic Dressage Rider, Brett Parbery, was also a memorable experience. Particularly being able to achieve this on a horse I had trained since she was started under saddle. Also to share the moment with my good friends, Darren and Tonia, who own DS Tulara Fursandro and have always been great support. We also won best Novice Hack, which was quite exciting for us all, at my first Sydney Royal.

A final highlight would be riding and training the Friesian Stallion, Jurre fan’e Gaestdyk. Jurre is the first horse I have been able to train from an early stage of education and compete at FEI level, without being sold prior. Erica and John Lock, who operate Van Gelder Friesians and own Jurre, are incredibly loyal owners and I feel privileged to have the ride on such a majestic and talented horse.

How many horses do you have in work?
I am currently riding around eight a day, which is considerably less and much healthier than the fourteen I was riding at one stage.

Do you have a favourite that you are currently competing?
Funnily enough, the three horses mentioned in the highlights are my current favourite competition horses; Sun and Fun is very special on a personal level as I imported him from Germany and he carried me through my first Grand Prix test. Sunni is a very affection stallion and is continuously teaching me.

DS Tulara Fursandro is my favourite mare. Aside from our success together at many major events around Australia, we have developed a very strong partnership. Shaye is a team player and never lets me down. She knows that when we are in the arena, it is time to shine!

Jurre Fan e’ Gaestdyk is a quiet favourite in the stables. He is a beautiful looking horse and has the most charming character. Never do I have a ride where I feel Jurre hasn’t given me 110%. People often joke that Jurre could get away with murder and I would still see no wrong in him.

Who has had the biggest influence on your riding career?
I have many influences in my riding career; Most importantly is my mother, Angelique. She has always supported my equestrian journey, in many different ways.

My second mum, Michelle, avidly follows my journey and gave me courage to pursue my passion with horses as an occupation.

Heather Currie would be considered a big influence, as she has inspired and motivated me over the years as a coach and mentor and drives me to achieve more as a rider.

Of course on an impersonal level, every rider has their idols and there are too many for me to mention them all, ranging from the obvious Carl and Charlotte duo, Anky, Gillian, Isabel and the list continues on to people I hadn’t previously heard of, yet have influenced me through a simple YouTube video.
In the past year you’ve ridden horses from world-class imports to off the track Thoroughbreds and Standardbreds, how has sitting on such a range of horses changed your riding? I have learned how to adapt my skills to suit every horse’s individual personality. Each horse is slightly different in the way they react to pressure and the length of time it takes for them to process information, so it is important to be able to feel them understand, so I can adjust the pressure accordingly and achieve the best result.

Share a typical day in your life.
7am - 8am: Sometime between then, I will wake up, prepare for the day ahead and complete anything that needs to be done on the laptop.
8am: Feed Horses, create a list of jobs that can be seen or need to be completed.
9-2pm: Ride or teach.
2pm: Nap or read.
3pm - 7.30pm: Ride, teach or catch up on things around the property.
7.30pm: Feed and rug horses.
8pm: Dinner and reflection time with my best friend and partner (Alexa and Allan).
9pm: Try and reply to work messages/emails, entertainment.
10.30ish: Sleep Zzz.

What are two qualities that you look for in a horse?
The most important quality I look for in a horse is their trainability. You can have a horse with the best bloodlines in the world or movement to die for, however if they do not want to cooperate when you ride, it is not so enjoyable. Of course, no horse is perfect and you can work on his or her weaknesses, however I find a willingness to work is imperative for an ongoing partnership. It is what creates the unity we are all searching for when we ride.

The second quality I look for is their looks. I know you probably shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, however I like a nice bodied horse, with a clean gullet, well defined face and big eyes. I will rarely consider a horse to purchase unless I find them attractive at first glance.

Mares or geldings?
Mares.

Horses provide plenty of highs and lows, how do you manage the lows?
I have learnt to control negative reactions by seeing the bigger picture. Positive horse interactions and retail therapy help too!

What is the best part about a career with horses?
The emotional and physical connection shared with a creature that doesn’t speak your own language.

What would your career choice be if you weren’t working with horses?
Veterinarian.

What is the first thing you have to pack to take away to a competition?
My phone – It can do almost anything and I keep in touch with the girls at home to make sure everything is running smoothly.

If you could give advice to an 18 year old Ty, what would you say?
Understand the character and principles you want to live by and abide by them. Listen to understand. The minds of many people can achieve much more than one mind. Read more.

What do you like to do outside of horses?
Go to the beach, travel and enjoy the finer things in life.

What are your long-term goals?
• To own a successful breeding facility and dressage stables, that I will develop from scratch.
• Compete in dressage at an international level.
• Complete a Veterinary Science course and practice on my own horses.
• Have twin girls through IVF.
• To be happy in whichever other pathway I decide to follow along the way.

What’s on your bucket list?
I am quite impulsive and tick most bucket list items off as they come into mind, especially the adrenaline-rushing activities such as bungee jumping, skydiving, etc.
In saying that, I would just like to keep travelling the world, experience different cultures and create my bucket list along the way.

3 things we don’t know about you?
1. Although my last name is Dutch, I’m also half Egyptian.
2. Before riding horses, I was a gymnast.
3. I am part way through Commerce, Human Resource Management and Law Degrees, however deferred to continue working with horses.

Sponsors: Champion Tails – Kerry Champion, Horseland have always been great supporters, and Olympic Horse Trailers SA – Candice Loughhead.

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