I first met Hayley back in 1997 whilst she was in Melbourne contesting the National Rider award at the National Saddlehorse Championships.  Hayley had secured the ride on Oktavia, a beautifully marked, black warmblood mare who is owned by Catherine Shelley.   Catherine purchased the mare from me, and of course I was very interested in keeping up with her progress.  Catherine introduced Hayley to Mary Hanna who helped with some riding tuition.  I  was not able to attend the event, but I understand that Hayley's ride almost 'brought the house down' and she was sashed the National Rider of 1997.  The first WA rider to take the honour!  Her win opened many doors.

In January 2000 I approached Hayley, and asked if she would share some insights with me as part of our Rider Profile series.  Now that I know the 'full story', I can understand how the skills were developed and what is behind the focus, of one of our most talented up and coming Australian riders.

The way Hayley tells it! ... she had no option but to ride, born into a family where mum was a 'mad keen' dressage rider and dad had a string of showjumpers.  Her Grandma, Shiela Cook was a selector for the Australian Event Team and Uncle Peter (Cooke) had a string of showjumpers, he was also a selector and Chef d'Equip for the Australian Team.  Uncle Paul owns a number of successful racehorses (including the 2000 Perth Cup Winner!)

Hayley was the eldest child, and it was considered inevitable that she would ride, at aged 18 months, a pony of her own seemed like a much safer option than climbing up on to her dad's 17 hand showjumper.    Muffin was an 8.2 hh shetland, and Hayley said he was "very scruffy and quite feral".  Hayley was left to amuse herself with Muffin, in sheep yards.   To Hayley's protests, her mum said ...  when she could manoeuvre through all of the pens, she would be 'horsewoman' enough to join them (Mum & Dad riding out on the roads).  Hayley does not specifically remember her determination, but she says that family stories suggest that she was out of the sheep pens and riding with her parents, in a very short time.

Following on from Muffin, Hayley had a number of loaned and leased ponies that all had their special lesson about, staying on!   By now, Hayley almost knew as many 'tricks' as her pony companions - and knowing ponies just a little, I am sure that this experience has contributed to her wonderful foundation.

When Hayley was 4, she inherited a gold nugget, and with the proceeds her parents bought Hayley's first 'real pony'.  'Paul' was then 4 years old and had one show season 'under his belt' .  He was a sweet grey - typical Welshy - and Hayley says, " 'Paul' (more formerly known as Minstral Man), was a super experience, with him I made my debut into the show ring (at 5 years of age).   At 8, I attended my first Royal, where I won my riding class".

The same year Hayley was given another pony Filigree.  The bay 4 year old was very fine, and had gained a reputation for having an 'attitude' !.  The Hayley/Filigree relationship did not get off to a very good start - on her very first ride - he bucked her off and then tried to savage tiny Hayley as she sat on the ground. Not to be deterred, Hayley called upon her inner resolve, and some of those early 'stickability' lessons, and finally overcame his sensitivity and desire to 'unload' his riders.  Hayley mused ... "I cant say that I loved him to begin with, but our partnership was definitely built on respect, and luckily ... I still had Minstral Man to have 'fun' on".

The partnership with Filigree progressed to the point where Hayley actually considered him FUN!
She was winning One Day Events, novelties, in the show ring, and to top it off - Champion Rider at the 1990 Perth Royal Show. 

Hayley was the youngest ever rider to win this prestigious award.  Filigree was also an excellent showjumper, and with Hayley aboard, he won 3.6" rounds - not bad for a 12.2 hh pony !!! The pair also had success in dressage.  Hayley said that Filigree was a TRUE ALLROUNDER, and her father had stressed the importance of doing 'everything' which would enable Hayley to make the right decision about her equestrian direction.

The 'showie' bug had now bitten Hayley very hard, and she wanted to have a really top show pony, so Minstral Man was sold, and Command Performance was purchased from South Australia. 

He was unbroken, three years old, and still a colt.  Hayley recalls ... "Tom was stunning, he knew nothing and was a bit feral".  She had her first 'sit' on him and he was very exuberant.  There were all sorts of problems for the first 12 months as he would (and could) constantly out-smart the young Hayley, but again, calling on her 'sound' experience she says, "I got my act together, and we began to win everything in the show ring,  Horse of the Year in 1993 and 1994, Champion Pony at the Perth Royal Show, as well as a multitude of other awards and championships".

Hayley looks back on these first ponies as the foundation of her riding basics and flexible training tactics.  Minstral Man taught her friendship with horses, Filigree taught her respect, trust and partnership and Command Performance taught her tact. patience and negotiation.   (A great concept that I am sure is overlooked by many)

Hayley's equine partners, following her time with Command Performance, were numerous but the next notable influence came in 1993 - 1995 with Malibu Park Katnip, a large black pony that was very 'trainable'.  Hayley started the mare in the show ring, but found her exceptional qualities a little wasted and she became  bored with showing.  When Katnip was 5, a dressage career was commenced. In their first season, the pair had progressed to Medium level.  By now, Hayley was really hooked on 'training'.

In 1994 Hayley and her family leased a top WA Prix St. George horse, Top Pocket from Joanne Warren.  I actually met Joanne and Top Pocket in Melbourne in the late 80's when she worked for Mary (Hanna) & Gert Donvig.   Top Pocket is a beautifully marked, very kind horse that always appeared to 'try his best'.  Hayley says ... "This horse was unreal,  on him, I got the most fantastic feeling ...  it was unbelievable". 

The next horse to make an impact on Hayley, is still a part of today - the pretty and very talented liver chestnut mare, Hot Gossip.   Hayley purchased 'DEMI' as a three year old, and her early training was directed towards a show career, and she was very successful.  When the mare was old enough to take the demands of dressage training, Hayley changed the routine and focussed on that discipline - the years of hard work for Hayley and Demi - culminating in their first start at Prix St. George in early 2000.

On the journey to FEI,  Hayley and Hot Gossip have notched up some wonderful achievements - The State Young Rider Squad, The Young Dressage Horse of the Year (In Hot Gossip's first season) Elementary Champion at the State Championships, and Runner-up Medium Champion at the State Championships. In 1999 Hot Gossip was the Medium/Advanced Freestyle champion at the Westcoast Championships.  It was on Demi (Hot Gossip) that Hayley qualified for her National Saddle Horse Championships - Champion Rider award,  by winning the WA Rider of the Year Award. 

Hayley went on to win the 1997 Rider of the Year Award at the National Saddlehorse Championships which were held at Werribee Park.   It was a 'grand affair'  and strongly contested by the best riders in Australia.  The win was 'formal acknowledgment' and the benchmark by which all show riders and enthusiasts could 'measure' her talent.  She was the first WA rider to win this award.

For Hayley this event opened many doors, including the invitation to become a working pupil with Mary Hanna.  Hayley had some big decisions to make ... would she move to Victoria and further her dressage riding or stay back in Perth to finish her Uni degree?

She made the decision to move to Victoria - considering that opportunities must be seized, and that she could complete her studies through correspondence. In early January 1998 Demi (Hot Gossip) and Hayley packed up, and headed for Macedon.  She recalls her year at Mary's being full of learning experiences - the industry...and a number of super horses to 'sit on'.   Demi improved enormously, and the pair were selected on to the Victorian Young Rider Squad and National Young Rider Squad.

Hayley recalls that she was enjoying herself, working hard - and her Uni studies were progressing well - but, something was missing!   She realised that she was missing her daily routine with young horses.  From an early age Hayley had been fascinated with breaking in youngsters and bringing them through the levels. 

When Hayley met Jim and Emmie Schmul from Heatherton Park, they talked about mutual experiences, daily activities and 'the meaning of life' ... and Hayley realised that this is where she would be better suited.  So once again, She and Demi packed their bags (not so far, this time!) and moved across Melbourne to Jim & Emmie's beautiful property in Clyde, on the outskirts of Berwick.

Hayley says "Jim and Emmie are wonderful, and I have learnt a lot with them, and feel sure that I will continue to learn lots more.   It is such a thrill to have Demi competing at Prix St. George.

Hayley said, "I purchased a very special young horse from Jim and Emmie - Heatherton Park Galactic - we have had some fantastic times together - the most notable being - The Young Dressage Horse Competition in December 1999.  This very prestigious event was judged by Michael Klimke,  and my ride on Galactic earned me the Bates Award for the Best Rider over the two days of competition.   I am looking forward to to achieving great things with Galactic as he progresses and becomes the horse I know he will be". Picture right is Hayley being congratulated by Michael Klimke (pic. courtesy Dolly Van Zaane)

"I am loving my work with Heatherton Park, I am able to follow my heart and work with the babies, and guide them through their early days to make lovely riding horses for their new owners.  I have my own Galactic at Elementary/Medium level, and of course Demi at Prix St. George".

As well as her horses Hayley enjoys many other sports - athletics, basketball, netball and gymnastics.  She gets her 'feel' from her love of music - and plays keyboard, flute and saxophone.  In 1995-96, Hayley was a member of the Australian Youth Wind Orchestra and very much enjoyed her years of performing.  In fact, at one stage Hayley was quite serious about music, but had to make the difficult decision - horses or music - as so many of the practice times and events clashed.  Now, she just loves to get her flute out as a way to relax.   She hopes to ride a freestyle - to music that she has written. Hayley has demonstrated her skill at combining music and dressage with her win at the 1999 Westcoast Championships as the Elementary/Medium Freestyle Champion, and she hope that the future will see her further develop this popular area of modern dressage.

Like most other ambitious young riders, Hayley dreams of being successful at an international level,  she ponders ... " It would be fantastic to compete at Grand Prix on a horse that I trained myself"

For the next few years Hayley is looking forward to working with Jim & Emmie and learning all she can,  with this knowledge she hopes to earn an opportunity to travel overseas and perhaps participate in the German Young Horse Championships and other top class competitions. She said that she really appreciates everything that Jim & Emmie are doing for her, especially the lovely young horses that have helped to improve her as a rider and as a person.