Eighteen year old Annie Simmons won the FEI Young Rider CDI-Y Individual test at the Australian National Championships on her mare Florett while also coming second in both the CDI-Y Teams test and Freestyle.
Originally from the Northern Territory, Annie grew up, “…two hours out of town on a mango farm.”
So why the horses? “It’s Mum’s fault. She used to ride. I started at Pony Club, mounted games and I did Interschools. I’m first year out of school now and I’m studying law at QUT. We moved to Queensland when I was in Year 8. I’m taking 6 months off Uni at the moment because I didn’t take a gap year and I really wanted to focus on horses for a while and get my head out of a book. It’s been a good break, but long term I need a job that will help support my sport. I always want horses to be a hobby and I want to keep my work separate, otherwise it’s too intense.”
Previously a show horse rider, Annie has been riding dressage seriously for about three years and has two horses, Florett and Rozzie Ryan’s ex Grand Prix star Bullwinkle.
“I got Florett when I was 14. She’s actually the same age as me, just a day younger. She’s been the perfect horse to learn on. Jenny Gehrke, who is one of Mum’s closest friends and has known me since I was born, found Florett for me. Jenny rang Mum one day and said she’d found the horse and she then helped me for the first two years. I train with Tor van den Berg now. Florett was Prix St Georges when I got her but I’ve started doing Inter this year on her.”
With Tor back at home, wife Mel had the job of helping Annie at his year’s Nationals. “She’s a cool customer. She doesn’t take much managing,” relayed Mel.
Annie has had some inspiration from Maree Tomkinson as well, who gave Annie a wonderful opportunity when she was nine and lent her a pony that she went to the Show Horse Nationals on. “I think Maree is where I got the dressage bug from. I went down for the Nationals and spent a week training with her. I’d sit there and watch her ride her dressage horses and I thought, ‘This is what I want to do.’ Maree still watches my tests and comments and is always really positive even though I don’t actually train with her anymore. She’s such a great mentor. Everyone at the shows is supportive and I think it’s a warmer atmosphere than maybe it used to be. People can help you with out anyone else feeling like they have had their toes stepped on.”
Annie’s family is also very supportive. “Mum is the best Mum in the world, the best groom in the world and the best horse finder in the world!” And does she ever get a sit on Florett? “She gets to ride Florett on a trail ride once a week – as long as she rides on a loose rein!”
Annie’s older sister also rides but her younger brother is involved in a more indirect way, “He loves football and quad bikes. That’s why my horses are so quiet. He and his friends will drive their quad bikes along the arena when I’m riding!”
And what does Bullwinkle have in store? “I’ve had Bullwinkle for a year and a half. I went and stayed with the Ryans for two weeks when I got him and Rozzie helped me get to know him better. However the HSC year was quite stressful so he’s not really done much. I think we’ll try and take him to Boneo and get going again.”
Annie is sponsored by Horseland.
Introducing the Saddleworld Rising Star
Australia’s only Rising Star – Young Rider award recognising excellence over all three Olympic disciplines. Each monthly winner will receive a prize from the Saddleworld Range. To be eligible, riders must be under 21 on January 1, 2016.
Winners will be selected for their performances at Young Rider Championships, and will also be considered for their performances in open events.
This month’s winner, Annie Simmons, receives a PDS Freedom Girth valued at $239.95 and will be in the draw to win her choice of a Pessoa Heritage Pro valued at $4,295.00 or PDS Carl Hester Euro Pro Saddle valued at $4,395.00.