Forward ...

I met Hayley Beresford when she took part in the National Show Horse, Rider Championships back in 1996, when she was just 18 years old. Residing in Perth WA, it was not feasible for Hayley to transport a horse all the way across the Nullarbor for a riding class and somehow she heard that my friend Catherine Shelley from the Melton Equestrian Centre, owned a very special show/dressage mare called Oktavia ... and Hayley hoped that she might be able to ride Oktavia at the Championships. This beautiful black/brown mare had it all, size, movement, elegance and the obligatory 4 white stockings to really demand the judges' attention! As I had started this horse's early training, I always took a 'family' sort of interest in her career. Hayley and Oktavia wowed and dazzled and I heard reports from 'all over' about the breathtaking final extended trot that really stole the show, Hayley received the Champions' sash and made her mark girl with a big future as a professional rider and trainer of elite dressage horses.

Following on from meeting Catherine Shelley, Hayley was introduced to Mary Hanna and it was agreed that Hayley would move to Victoria and set about breaking in to the 'big league' of the sport in Australia. She felt that being based on the Eastern side of Australia would give her introductions and opportunities that were likely to open doors. Hayley spent all of 1997 at Statene Park in Macedon. The move proved to be an astute assessment as Hayley quickly became noticed as a gutsy and capable rider and these qualities did not escape the notice of Jim & Emmie Schmul of Heatherton Park - then based in Clyde, near Berwick.

Hayley spent two years with the Schmuls and was involved in breaking in, schooling and competing the various horses for sale. This gave her the chance to get to know the sensitive but extremely talented gelding, HP Galactic by Grannus ll A magnificent 17+ hand black with 4 white sox, Galactic commanded attention and when he concentrated and remained confident his work, he could not be faulted. However, in his early career the horse was not always 100% focused on his rider or the job at hand and he could spook and lose it. He was a horse that needed a special rider and Jim Schmul assessed that Hayley had what it would take to see the horse reach his potential, so a deal was struck and Hayley was now Galactic's proud owner.

Galactic became a rising star on the Victorian Dressage scene and established Hayley as a thinking, patient and very talented rider. As a judge, I can recall being very impressed with the way that Hayley kept her cool and ensured that her sometimes reactionary horse remained 'with her' - they made a very impressive picture of power and elegance.

In 1999 Hayley had worked to qualify Galactic for a start at Dressage with the Stars. Michael Klimke - son of the legendary Reiner, was the guest riding judge and assessed the performances of all of the horse and rider combinations. Hayley's skill and management of her horse at this big event and a 'huge atmosphere' was noted by the experienced judge and he awarded Hayley the prize for the 'best ride' at the event. She won a beautiful Bates Saddle.

Hayley went back to WA and began her own business and has since made the move to Europe where she is based with Isabell Werth .

I am delighted that Hayley has agreed to bring us regular news from Europe in 2008. With more Australian riders going over to gain experience or buy a horse - the world has become a smaller place and we are now keen to receive news from the Mecca of dressage. I am sure that we will all look forward to reading Hayley's news and thank her most sincerely for taking the time to share her experiences with us.

From this point she tells her story. Berni Saunders

My Background

When I look at where it all started I guess there was little doubt that my future was mapped to see me eventually riding as a professional. My father, Phillip Beresford was a very successful showjumping rider in Western Australia, my mother, Jane Cooke, a successful dressage and show rider, my grandmother, Sheila Cooke, was a founder to the three day event in Australia and selector for the Australian Team for many years, My uncles, Peter Cooke, was the Chef deEquipe and is current selector for the Australian Show Jumping Team, and Paul Cooke, is a very successful race horse owner. I must not forget my aunt, Fiona Holdman, for she is a successful show horse owner and rider and operates a race horse agistment centre - she is an owner and manager extraordinaire!!! Gees, I hope that I have not forgotten anyone! The input of my family has been inspirational and I thank them all for their most valuable contribution. Hayley pictured above. (Pic Berni Saunders)

As a kid I was blessed with a knowledgeable ‘horsey home’ and this environment gave me the chance to do everything. I can remember one Royal Show when I was about 10 years old, I won Champion Rider and had to race over to the pony club showjumping and later that evening winning a heap of the novelty events and over the next few days participating successfully in the show pony classes. My parents always insisted that I start with young ponies, so there were many lessons for me along the way. We could not afford to buy educated and experienced horses, but I was fortunate that my parents both had a good eye for a horse so with the right work we could achieve good results. We were always a great team, mum, dad and I and we had success in eventing, showing, showjumping, novelties and dressage. Ironically I was not interested in dressage until later…. when I became fascinated with the systematic training and addicted to training on to higher levels when the sport becomes so interesting and rewarding.

I am sure that my early life and upbringing that have lead to my passion of working with horses and helping each of them to reach their true potential - whatever that is! I like to start with a youngster or with a horse that others have found lacking and see what I can do. There is usually a way to get through to them and if you work on their attitude first, the rest will often follow.

After finishing my studies I decided to head east to further my training. I took with me the horse I was riding at this time, Hot Gossip. 'Demi' was her stable name and she stood 14.3hh, I started her career as a show horse and she went on to enjoy great success. We then moved on to dressage and won our share against the bigger horses that dominate the sport. I had a season of young rider competition at medium level under my belt and I was keen to find some inspiration about what I should do next.

Over the following few years I worked for Mary Hanna at Macedon and at with Jim and Emmie Schmul of Heatherton Park near Berwick. During this time I trained Hot Gossip to reach a good standard of work in the small tour (Prix St Georges) and was proud to have been selected as a member of the Victorian Young Rider Squad and soon after, we made it onto the Australian Young Riders Squad. I gained a great deal of experience from riding many different horses - some of them were unlike any that I had ridden before and I had the opportunity to compete at various levels and in International Young Rider competitions.

At Heatherton Park I met Galactic. The decision was made to buy the horse and together we formed a great partnership. He was not an easy character initially, being greatly affected by the loss of one eye (an accident when he was young) but he learned to trust me and together we learnt a lot and made the transition from the junior ranks up to the senior classes. I found Galactic to be very trainable and beautiful horse, the early success I had with him at Dressage With the Stars (pictured right - Pic Berni Saunders) when I was just 21 launched my career and helped me to develop a reputation for riding young and sometimes difficult horses and achieving very good results with them.

In the year that proceeded the ‘1999 Dressage with the Stars’, I started my own business and was overwhelmed with the interest for me to take horses for training. I subscribed to the philosophy that I should take all the work I could manage (while it was there) because it might come to a stop at some stage! This concern was never realised and the next few years did not slow down at all. Along the way I campaigned some great horses and enjoyed learning from these experiences.

Michael Klimke awarded me the 'Riders Prize' at DWTS 1999 and I won a Bates Saddle. We are pictured right sharing a glass of bubbly to celebrate. (Pic Berni Saunders)

In 2003-2005 my health forced me to slow down and I moved back home to be close to my family who were my strength and helped me to deal with ... and overcome breast cancer. This was a big realisation period in my life, a very big learning curve! I realized how important family and friends are and how precious life is. When I was working hard and building my future, I became so ambitious that often I forgot to have fun (this is my weakness). Throughout my treatment I continued to ride, not quite so many, but I gained a new appreciation for my horses and really started to love them as my friends. This was a special and personal relationship that did not take anything away from my family and friends, but I think the horses were my saving grace at this low time in my life and I am very grateful that they gave me the motivation and drive which enabled me to remain positive.

Meeting Isabell Werth

I met Isabell for the first time in 2000 when Galactic and I participated in her Melbourne Masterclass at Dressage With The Stars. We crossed paths when she came to Perth at the end of 2005. Galactic was now an established and successful small tour horse and although he had recently been sold, we took part in her clinic. Isabell was great, a real person, with a fresh and passionate approach to her riding and training. We immediately got along and some weeks later I received an email from her inviting me to look at a horse in her stable and to train with her for a few weeks. Right - Isabell Werth is pictured with the Gold Medal winning German Team at WEG, Aachen 2006. (Pic Berni Saunders)

Of course I took up the offer. I was always keen to see the Euro scene but I guess I never believed in doing it for myself. So many Aussies are swallowed up there and I didn’t want to be one of them. What harm would a little look around do?

In the first days that I was at Isabell’s stables I was amazed by the quality of the horses and by the welcoming hospitality of both Isabell and her family. I rode some super amazing horses that are just built to dance and was awestruck but what these horses could do. I loved to watch Isabell train, like an artist and loved the way that her horses love her. You can walk into her stables and every horse looks happy.

I got to know Isabell quite well over the next weeks and watched her train and compete. I saw a whole new world opening up and as much as I thought I it would be cool to be a part of it, I didn’t in my wildest dreams believe I was capable of such riding so it came as a huge surprise when Isabell offered me a position. Initially I declined but decided to travel backwards and forwards to keep up my training. I my next trip to Isabell’s, just three weeks later, I realized that to make it work I really needed to stay on. Isabell and I made plans and on Isabell's assurance that I was good enough I decided to take the plunge. Right - Isabell Werth and Satchmo perform brilliantly to win the Grand Prix Special competition at the WEG, Aachen 2006. (Pic Berni Saunders)

Me schooling the GP stallion Relampago do Retiro
This wonderful picture was taken by Australian Caroline Coleby

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Hayley will follow this report with more under the headings..

THE TRANSITION BETWEEN AUST AND GERMANY

WORKING IN GERMANY

TRAINING WITH ISABELL

MY HORSES IN GERMANY

COMPETITIONS IN GERMANY

BREEDING SHOWS

So keep a watch out for these stories

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Munich Indoors 20077
November 29 to December 2nd, 2007

a couple of paragraphs from a recent report
By Cyberhorse's Guest Columnist Uwe Schwanz

Of great interest was an Australian rider, Hayley Beresford, who stems from Perth and rides for the yard of Isabell Werth. She came 7th in the Grand Prix Special. "Isabell is more than my trainer," said Beresford, "she is also a friend, a confidante, and someone I can rely on 100 per cent. In my time of riding and training with her, I have made enormous progress."

No kidding! With her excellent seat and fine aids, the Werth influence is clearly visible.

Beresford competed on Relampago do Retiro, with horse and rider only recently both having made it to the Grand Prix stage, and although they were still somewhat lacking routine for some of the lessons, this appears to be nothing that cannot be fixed with increased experience. However, the talent is there, for sure, and it is easy to see why Werth had offered to Beresford to ride for her after meeting the young Australian talent during a dressage clinic in her hometown Perth in Western Australia. In the Grand Prix, Beresford placed 10th, but still achieved a considerable 63.708%.

For Uwe Schwanz' full report on the Munich Indoor Competition follow link

Hayley Beresford Media Release