Scone dressage rider Lisa Martin on her talented mare ‘First Famous’ is gearing up to compete against Australia’s best before taking on the world’s best.
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No stranger to the world of dressage and international competition, Martin is delighted with the progress of her seven-year-old mare, aka ‘Firegirl’.
While she may have the fiery red looks of a sassy equestrian ‘cover girl’ beneath her fine chestnut coat is a heart of gold, nerves of steel and moves to make an international dressage judge sit up and take notice.
And that’s exactly what Martin wanted when she set off to find her Olympic dream horse two years ago in Germany.
“I looked at over 200 horses and rode around 50 of them, but when I saw ‘Firegirl’ I just knew, she was the one.
“Her temperament, her movement – everything about her is special.”
And this is a sentiment not only expressed by a naturally biased Martin, but several international dressage judges and competitors.
“When we were at Equitana, Olympic dressage rider Carl Hester said she was one of the best moving young horses in the world,” Martin said.
“All the international judges we have ridden under so far have loved her.”
Martin hopes ‘Firegirl’s’ charm will translate into more high scores at the Sydney CDI (Concours de Dressage Internationale) event in May.
“The Sydney CDI is one of only four or five qualifying events for the Olympics.
“For any rider to qualify for the Olympics they must be scoring 67 per cent or greater at least three times with an O level international judge,” she said.
If last weekend’s performance is anything to go by, ‘Firegirl’ is right on track scoring 73.487 per cent to win the Prix St Georges and come second on 69.605 per cent in the Intermediate 1 at the NSW Dressage competition in Hawkesbury.
“It is so important to get O level judges out to Australia,” Martin said.
“There are only a handful in the world that can judge at Olympic and World Championship level and we will have three of them in Sydney.
“It gives riders a taste of international competition, but to be considered for the worlds or Olympics, you still must compete in Europe.”
Which is why after the Sydney CDI event is behind them, the duo will be focusing on Europe.
“It is a massive sacrifice on family and finances.
“But the mare is that good, she’s worth it.”
The trip will take 12 months of planning and includes searching for major sponsorship to help take Scone’s two talented ‘girls’ to the next level.
“My goal is to qualify for the World Championships in Canada in 2018 and then the Olympics.
“It means at least 12 months competing across Europe,” she said.
And a lot of money, but with the help of family, friends and sponsorship she is confident the pair will make it.
“It is wonderful to have the support of local sponsors.
“‘Firegirl’ and I will need all the help we can get,” she said.
If you would like to support Lisa and ‘First Famous’ on their international journey email Lisa on lisa.martin99@y7mail.com