Young Rider - Georgia Dalley

This article is from the April 2020 Horse Deals magazine.

Age: 18
Lives: Hunter Valley, NSW

Education/occupation: I’m currently studying Year 12 with my end goal to become a qualified cosmetic nurse. When I am not studying I work part-time as well as managing my current show team.

Family history with horses? My entire family have had a long association with horses going back through the generations, with Mum and Dad competing in multiple disciplines including showing at Royal level. Dad also over the years has worked as a breaker and trainer, which has allowed him to pass his valuable knowledge onto me.

What age did you start riding? Being brought up in such a heavily horse oriented family, I was introduced to the world of horses at a very early age, meaning I was riding by the age of two.

Tell us about your first pony. I had many ponies over the first few years, however my first pony that taught me to ride off the lead was Sanlirra Just William. William was a 12.2hh Riding Pony who was a past National Pony winner before I moved on to him after my sister Brittannie. He had many successful years in the show ring as he was a beautiful moving pony which later helped me to learn how to ride big moving horses successfully. I was cantering solo by the time I was three years old and I rode independently at a clinic when I was four.

How did the showing bug begin? I was taken along to shows as soon as I was born, so it only became natural for me to want to compete alongside my sister.

What was your first competition? My first show was at our local show. I was two years old and I decided on the day that I wanted to compete in the tiny tots class with all the other kids. I ended up riding my sister’s pony Malibu Park Gumnut in a pink t-shirt and purple jodhpurs.

At the EA Nationals last year, you took out the Reserve Champion Rider 15 and under 18 years. Talk us through that feeling as you entered the arena and what you were thinking throughout your workout? At Nationals I was a little nervous before my rider class as I put a lot of pressure on myself to be successful and ride well. It has always been my dream to ride France there, so I was very excited to get the chance to ride him. I get on well with him so I knew that I could trust him. I did find it put more pressure on me to go first for the workouts, so I concentrated on keeping France listening to me before entering the arena and also staying calm.

What went through your mind when you were called forward for Reserve Champion Rider? My aim coming into Nationals was to place in the top three, so I was happy with the result I received, as it is hard enough to qualify to get there. To place Runner-Up was both very exciting and satisfying to know that all my hard work over the year had paid off, and to have one of my best friends place third made the experience all that more extra special.

What are some of the highlights of your success? Even though I don’t enjoy rider classes as much and I don’t train specifically for them, I have had a lot of success. I won my first rider class at five years old at Canberra Royal, and since then I have had multiple wins at Royals, HOTY and Nationals. One of my most memorable wins was Supreme Rider at the 2018 Canberra Royal followed by Champion Senior Rider at the 2018 Sydney Royal. I have also ridden many ponies and galloways to gain Champions at Nationals, Grand Nationals, Royals and HOTY Titles. I have also represented Australia in England for the RPSB Society.

At the big competitions, how do you control the emotions of nerves, excitement and focus? I get into my own little bubble before workouts, so usually I do not get nervous. I stay calm and collected, and I usually have friends around me so I try to relax and enjoy the moment.

How many horses do you have in work at the moment? I currently have six horses in work. I have a few newcomers that I am hoping to have ready to compete later this year.

At the time of this interview you are preparing for Grand Nationals. How is it all going? I only have two horses competing at Grand Nationals this year. I ride them five times a week rotating between arena work and relaxation rides along the farm lanes so that they do not get sick of the constant arena work. I assess their weight and adjust their feed accordingly as well as taking them out to a few agricultural shows to maintain peak performance and fitness before all the big shows.

The most recent addition to your show team is the gorgeous Armani. How did she come into your life and what are your future plans together? My mum had mentioned to Matt Snell that we were looking for a Warmblood, and a few weeks later he messaged Mum about the ad her owner Miranda had put up. I was away working at Sydney Royal at the time when Mum had messaged me about her. As Armani was a newcomer last year, this will be her first show season competing at Southern Cross, Grand Nationals and Sydney Royal. I also plan on competing with her in dressage competitions later this year.

Which horse holds a special place in your heart and what have they taught you as a rider? I have been fortunate enough to have been given the opportunity to compete on some amazing horses. There are two horses that stand out for me with the first being Rathowen Quantum who I started riding at eight years of age. At the time he was a very big ride for me due to his movement. Quantum and I had a lot of success together, he carried me to my first Royal Show Rider Championship and we also went on, amongst other wins, to claim a Grand National title. Quantum taught me to always stay alert and think ahead, as he used to think that the boogie-man was hiding in every corner of SIEC arena. But my all-time favourite horse is France. From the first moment I saw him at Grand Nationals with Ali (Berwick) on him, I fell in love. Then when Lani (Richards) purchased him she asked me to ride him in the child’s classes and it made my dream come true. Since then I have been lucky enough to get to know him a lot more and he is the most amazing horse, as well as being a gentle giant.

How do you juggle study and horses? I am very lucky to be able to complete my schooling online, so it is a lot more convenient for me to be able to juggle school, work and horses as well as being able to take my laptop with me when I am away competing so that I do not miss any of my assignments.

Do you have a current favourite? I have two favourites. The first of course is France, however my shetland Otway View Fernando (Benny) is a very close second.

Share a typical day in your life. It depends on the day as I work part-time as well as having school work to complete, which I can fit in around other things during the day. If I am not working, a typical day would include getting up to feed the horses, clean stables and then I work with the horses after lunch so that I can fit my schoolwork in during the day and at night. I also like spending time in Sydney with friends shopping, riding and going out to lunch.

Who’s your idol? I have always admired Alanna Richards, Ali Berwick and Vicki Lawrie.

Who is your coach and what are their best words of advice for you? I have never had a full-time coach, apart from my dad Warren. He has always been there for me to help put me into the ring before my classes, as he is good at staying calm and working through any last-minute problems that may arise. I have attended clinics and some lessons with other instructors, as well as having Lani to assist me at some of the big shows. Best words of advice: Keep riding and don’t give up, if it doesn’t go well re-evaluate what the problem is and work to rectify it.

How do you manage the highs and lows of the sport? I surround myself with positive people who genuinely care and want you to succeed. The sport does have it lows which I have learnt about, however I try to block out the negativity and focus more on the positive side of the sport and enjoy it with my friends, family and my horses.

What are your future plans? To have a small team of quality horses, as well as being able to help instruct and guide the younger generation to achieve their dreams. I would also like to have a professional career away from the showing industry so that I can enjoy and experience what else life has to offer.

What do you like to do outside of horses? I enjoy spending my time playing touch football, shopping, going out with my friends to have lunch and doing all the girly things.

What is your advice for young up and coming riders? Stay true to yourself. Never let success go to your head. Love and enjoy your horse. Don’t listen to the negatives and focus on the positives. Be willing to ask and learn, and always try to be a better rider than you were yesterday. Never give up as success will come.

Can’t live without? My phone.

3 things we don’t know about Georgia Dalley?
1. I’m a very reserved person until you get to know me.
2. I did competitive cheerleading when I was younger.
3. I broke every record at little athletics.

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