If you have a finger on the pulse of Aussies competing abroad, the name Thaisa Erwin is potentially a familiar one. With an extensive international career and a successful business in Erwin Equestrian, Thaisa has risen through the ranks. With Nations Cup representations and Olympic qualifications under her belt, Thaisa’s career is at an all-time high.

It’s 5pm in Virginia as Thaisa Erwin joins our Zoom call. She is warmth and eloquence personified as she tells me about her day and the seemingly early arrival of summer in the US.

Thaisa tells her story of how she has made a name for herself on the big stage from humble, non-horsey beginnings. Born in Europe alongside her brother, Thaisa spent much of her early years travelling due to her father’s work offshore. Her mother, a professional ballet dancer, loved wildlife and the outdoors and so Thaisa would often find herself outdoors walking with her.

During their time in Norway, Thaisa recalls walking past a stable on their way to and from school every day. “Horses just fascinated me. My mum went after her passion, so she gave me that same opportunity even though she knew nothing about it.” Wherever the family moved, they would always find a stable and that is how Thaisa’s journey into the equestrian world began.

Before moving back to Australia, Thaisa and her family spent time living in Moscow. It was during this time that Thaisa had her first proper introduction to show jumping. With regular lessons from a man who didn’t speak much English but was a head show jumping coach in his day, Thaisa attended her first event. “I think that was kind of eye opening for me,” she acknowledges of the time.

The Erwin family then made their way back to Australia where they settled in Armidale in New South Wales. Speaking of her early years on the Australian equestrian scene, Thaisa fondly recalls the mentors who established the foundations of her career.

Her neighbour in Armidale was a lady who rode dressage. Each month, she would host a German man from Sydney called Edgar who came to Armidale to coach. Whilst he was primarily a dressage coach, when he lived in Germany he had spent a great deal of time training show jumping with the legendary Beerbaums. During his time in Armidale, Thaisa would often have private jumping lessons from him. “He was very influential on me,” Thaisa recalls. “I would go to Sydney to his property every holiday I had and stay and train with him.”

Well known on the Australian jumping scene, Gail Hunter is credited with having a major impact on Thaisa’s early days in the sport. “Gail also came up to Armidale to teach regularly, there was a group of us that would train with her. She took me under her wing a lot, I worked with her in exchange for lessons and horses.” Reflecting with a smile, Thaisa whose admiration is profoundly clear, continues, “We still communicate today, she’s very inspirational to me.”

STUDYING & RIDING

As someone who has spent a copious amount of time huddled up in the back of a horse truck at shows cramming essays and sitting exams, I was curious to hear of Thaisa’s decision to pursue tertiary education alongside a career in horses. Many may not know that Thaisa holds a Bachelor of Environmental Engineering as well as a Bachelor of Science.

When I prompted her on the decision to pursue tertiary education, she responds: “I knew that if I wanted to have horses in my life, I would have to pay for them myself. I was lucky enough that I was really good at math and science through high school.” Speaking of the decision to pursue engineering she notes that it wasn’t her original intention. “I actually wanted to be a vet.”

After spending some time working alongside vets in the New England region, she realised that the number of hours and the pay associated with large animals potentially wasn’t what she was chasing so the decision to switch into an engineering degree was made. Having always loved the land and having seen several draughts during her time in northern New South Wales, environmental engineering appealed in that it provided Thaisa the opportunity to work on the land and away from an office.

Thaisa notes that having to do her engineering degree in Newcastle opened a lot of doors in her equestrian career. During her time there she kept her horses at Shaun France’s property. Fitting her horses in around her studies, Thaisa explains the only time she could ride was “really early in the morning or late at night” after dark, so having her horses based at a property with an indoor such as Shaun’s was incredibly beneficial.

With Heath and Rozzie Ryan and Jamie Coman also in the area at the time, Thaisa continued riding whilst pursuing her degree. With a jovial tone she notes that Jamie often got up early so they would have early morning lessons before her day of work or study began. She continued to have lessons with Jamie right up until she left Australia for Europe. During this period, Thaisa was fortunate to secure a job through her degree. Working whilst studying made it financially viable to support her horses during this time, keeping two horses going during her final years of university. As someone who has tried to juggle the delicate balance of horses and study throughout the years, I can confidently add that this is no mean feat.

Reflecting on how her degree has benefitted her career, Thaisa adds: “Especially now, 15 years down the road, having a degree has really helped me run a business. I’m really glad that I did it, even though I may not be working in the engineering field anymore. I feel like it’s opened a lot of avenues for me in terms of my horse business and meeting people, being able to talk to different people, being able to put contracts together. Riding is such a small part of the business equation when you have to pay for horses, so having a degree has definitely helped me and still does to this day.”

Thaisa adds that because of her education she has also tutored students for the past seven to eight years which has been a great financial help. “A lot of juniors and young riders [in America] that ride do online school, especially during covid. I had a lot of students that I would teach that were riding and I’d see them at a show. Sometimes I would be competing against them. There is a need for tutors here, they follow the show circuit!”

To anyone who is reading this in the depths of trying to navigate the precarious balancing act of horses and education, let Thaisa’s journey show you that there is light at the end of that tunnel!

Progressing her equestrian career in Australia, Thaisa reflects upon those early years. “I obviously don’t come from a horsey background and not massive financial means either, so there were a lot of Thoroughbreds when I was involved and I did a lot of eventing and jumping as well.” After competing at a couple of three-day events, Thaisa went on to purchase The Countryman as an eventer, which is actually what prompted her to switch to jumping full time. Thaisa competed The Countryman to success up to World Cup level before making the decision to take her career international with an initial stint in Europe.

BACK TO EUROPE

Having spent a great deal of time in Europe throughout her childhood, Thaisa reflects that her initial time abroad didn’t feel too foreign for her. Speaking a bit of German (a gift from her mother who spoke multiple languages) was also of assistance in those early years in Germany. Having ridden several bigger, stronger German-bred horses and been coached by Edgar back in Armidale and Sydney also helped to smooth the transition.

Basing initially with Peter Weinberg – who at the time was still married to Helena who was riding at the top level – Thaisa got to experience the heights of the elite European circuit including events such as Aachen. “I groomed a lot; I rode the young horses. Peter was very kind to me. He took me to quite a few horse shows so I could just watch, so I witnessed the German Championships on the side and in the warmup with him.”

In terms of European mentors, Thaisa had some of the best in the business. “[Peter] actually suggested that I go and meet with Eric van der Vleuten, he figured that my style of riding may suit him, so I met with Eric and started working with him.”

The van der Vleuten name is one synonymous with jumping success. “I think that is where I learnt the most, it is one of my regrets leaving there. He is such a quiet rider and at that time he was riding at the top, he was winning a lot of the World Cups at that stage throughout Europe and his son Maikel was just starting out on the international scene, coming off ponies.” The name Maikel van der Vleuten may ring a few bells. Of course, he is now known for his prolific success, including a Team Silver at the 2012 London Olympics and Individual Bronze at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

“I rode a lot of young horses at that time. I had a truck and I had young horses, and we could go to all of the local shows. That was an opportunity that I am so grateful for. I learned so much.”

Working with Eric and the young horses is something Thaisa reflects fondly upon. “Watching him do it day in and day out and then giving me an opportunity and trusting me with that opportunity was such a step up for me. With young horses there are so many steps backwards and forwards. I think one thing I learned there was how simple they kept things for the horses, even his Grand Prix horses.”

MANAGEMENT & BREEDING

It wasn’t only her riding that developed during that time at the van der Vleuten stables, Thaisa credits a wonderful groom of Eric’s that also taught her a great deal about horse care and management. “I’m glad that she had a lot of patience, looking back,” she adds with a laugh. “Coming from Australia, I think that was one big thing, learning about the management of horses. For me that was something that I didn’t know nearly enough about, so other than the riding and the groundwork, the management and day to day care was something that I learnt a lot about during that time.”

Thaisa notes that she also learnt a great deal about breeding from her time at Eric’s and also met the Hendrix family at that time. Learning about the faults and assets of breeds and bloodlines, Thaisa learnt all about different characteristics and how to tailor her training to those particularities. She still stays in contact with the Hendrix family. “We still do young horses together today. I don’t have the financial means to buy made horses, so I’ve always invested in the younger horses and developed them.”

“Being able to have an open dialog with people that you respect and trust about sending them a good round, bad rounds, bad training days and videos of ‘what do you think, how do I fix this?’ knowing that they have your back and that they trust you is really important. It gives you the ability to be patient and not always have to go in for results.”

Returning to her engineering career in Australia after her time abroad in Europe, Thaisa faced a crossroad. Her horse The Countryman had gone lame, and she was faced with the decision of what to do next. Wanting to explore the idea of a professional equestrian career, Thaisa set her sights on the United States.

AMERICAN JOB OFFER

With so many Aussies currently campaigning in the United States, I asked Thaisa what the initial appeal was, after she had spent time in Europe which she enjoyed so thoroughly.  “It was just before Christmas, so it was really cold in Europe. I got a job offer in the US and I didn’t want to go to a European winter. I had never been to the US before; however my dad is American and I had a US passport so it was easier in terms of getting a Visa and living there legally.”

When asked to compare the European and American equestrian worlds, Thaisa says, “For hundreds of years, Europe has a business of breeding, developing and producing horses and it is done on a much financially lower scale than [the US]. I love going there, it is a refresher of the grounds up, how you do things. Shows there are a lot shorter.”

In the US she compares, “There’s equitation and hunters, so there is a massive market for horses that don’t make it to Grand Prix level or even 1.40m level, they have a job here. There are so many divisions for so many different levels of riders. I think that’s why it creates such a large business model. As a trainer, you can go and base somewhere for a few weeks or even in Wellington [Florida] for a few months.”

Interestingly, she notes that there are not nearly as many young horses competing in America as there are in Europe. “It is really expensive to [compete young horses] here, entry fees at horse shows here are very expensive.” She weighs in that although the prizemoney is good, the financial equation of training and developing young horses in America is rarely returned unless they turn out to be superstars.

Luckily for Thaisa, the area of Virginia in which Erwin Equestrian is based is a rural area with more local shows that makes it a slightly more affordable exercise – a trait that I learnt during this interview is unique to this part of the US.

MOTHERHOOD & CAREER

As the interview progresses and we spend more time together, Thaisa’s passions for her horses, business, and family shines through. I probed on how she manages to balance these three passions that all require so much of her focus and dedication. “I became a mum a little later in life. I was 37 when I had my daughter. I’d waited because I had other things I was focusing on. I became a single mum when she was 17 months old, which I think actually forced me into my road now. I had to be a mum, I had to run a business and I had to pay the bills, so it really streamlined it!

“Time management is so important, and knowing where to draw boundaries. My clients know that I am a mum before and after work hours and on Sundays when we’re not competing, I am a mum.”

In terms of running a business and being a professional rider, Thaisa contends that it has enhanced her ability to focus on each task at hand. With less time available, her plans for each ride and horse are entirely focused. She adds, “It’s forced me to be a much better person, and it also brought out a strength in me that I didn’t know existed before.”

Almost as if she knew the conversation had turned in her direction, Thaisa’s daughter bounds into the background of the Zoom call. Thaisa continues, “She brings so much balance to my life. You have a crappy round and you’re feeling really down, and you get home and she’s like ‘Mum, look what I made!’ (As she holds up a drawing her daughter had done earlier to the camera for me to see), you’re like, ‘yeah, my eight faults or whatever really isn’t so bad’.”

“I have the most amazing group of people and it really does take a village to raise a kid. I’m really lucky that I have that village now in my life.”

The conversation turns to Thaisa’s current rides. In an Olympic year, Thaisa’s focus is firmly set on putting her best foot forward in front of the selectors and with three superstars and Nations Cup representations in the mix, she is certainly one for consideration. “All three of my horses are owned by Michael and Wendy Smith and I am so grateful that they have decided to be owners and supporters of me.”

Thaisa launches in with the tale of how she secured the ride on Vanturo, the 2012 bay gelding with whom she has shared a great deal of success. “Vanturo was previously ridden by a friend of mine who used to live here in Virginia. I’d been watching him compete him in some two-star competitions, I actually saw him break his leg on him,” she adds. “I approached him and asked him if he would sell him to me. He said, ‘If you get along with him then let’s do it’.” Vanturo and Thaisa clicked. “He’s been a wonderful horse for two years. He did the Nations Cup last year for Australia in Wellington and then had a really good European tour last summer. He’s very fast and careful, he just comes out fighting every day.”

HIGH STAR HERO & HIALITA B

We then turn to discuss High Star Hero, one of the two rides with which Thaisa has achieved her MER qualification for the Paris Olympics. Sourced by a close mentor’s son who is based in France, Thaisa reflects on their journey thus far. “He had done one or two 1.45m classes. He is a big powerhouse of a horse. Endless scope and endless ability. He’s quite sensitive on the inside and a bit slow going on the outside,” she says with a smile. “Even though he has the ability, he is not so sure of himself. Bringing the good out in him has taken some time. He was wonderful last summer; I am really excited about what’s coming up!”

On her second qualified ride Hialita B, Thaisa tells us the story of how her partnership has developed with the impressive mare. “Hialita B I found through my long-term partners, the Hendrix family. I’m lucky, I stable at their stables when I am in Europe, and he just said, ‘I think this might be a really good match for you’. She’s very, very difficult, especially on the ground, but we get along very, very well. She has an incredible amount of fight in her.”

Speaking of their early challenges together, Thaisa notes that she has always been a tricky horse to put muscle and condition on. “She’s a very stressful horse,” she adds with a nod and a smile. Whilst she may not be the most straight forward, Thaisa’s admiration for the mare is evident. “She is just incredible. I don’t think I have ever sat on a horse with so much ability and so much fire to want to do it. I’m really excited about her.”

Speaking of the two horses, Hialita B and High Star Hero, which she has recently flown to Europe to compete in some Nations Cups and put her hat in the ring for Olympic selection, she says, “I really feel like these two deserve to be doing all these big things. I’m just really grateful for these opportunities. It’s already a dream come true. This is just the icing on the cake to be able to go and do this for a living.”

The conversation inevitably turns to Paris. With only a couple of months until the first horses canter into the arena, things are full steam ahead with candidates vying for selection.

‘PARIS IS A GOAL, BUT…’

“Paris is a goal, but I also feel like I am living my goals already. I feel like anything from now on forwards is, like I said, icing, but something I am not at all taking for granted. I’m leaving my business to go to Europe. I am leaving my kid to go to Europe. I am really striving. It’s important for me to do well there. My goal is to keep building the partnership with these horses, to keep building them to be better, to keep building myself to be better. Just past Paris is [the 2026 FEI World Championships in] Aachen and then LA [Olympics in 2028] and Brisbane [Olympics in 2032] and I want to keep doing Nations Cups and producing horses, so it’s definitely a growth thing for me.”

Speaking on the pressures of riding at the highest level, Thaisa’s articulate professionalism is evident. “I think I have an ability at the time to really zone in on the class and try to be at one with the horse and what the horse needs, what we as a combination need for that class. I have a lucky necklace and a lucky ring that I tend to wear. I move away from my phone before competition and walking the course. I tend to be a person that gets energy from quiet times.”

In preparation for their European campaign, Thaisa ran me through High Star Hero and Hialita B’s training schedule. “They’re in work six days a week. We have a treadmill that goes on a ramp that they go on three times a week. They normally do flat work, hill trot sets, and a big gallop session once a week. I feel like horses have to be really quite fit these days to do two rounds back-to-back.” They also jump twice a week, once focused on gymnastic exercises and the other on course specific lines.

Thaisa’s approach to training is intensely focused. She provides the example of a recent plank that Hialita had down in a Nations Cup. “She had a plank down twice and then the next week in the five-star Grand Prix [at CSIO5* Rome] she had that plank down. So, we bought a plank, coloured it the same and jumped it. I normally work on things that I feel like we could have done better in the ring.”

With rider strength and fitness becoming a much more prominent discussion in contemporary sport, I asked Thaisa about her own training regime in the lead up to big events such as the Nations Cups.

“I work out with my owner. She is a personal trainer and has a gym. I’m lucky enough that she keeps an eye on my form and my strength, so I normally use her gym three times a week. I also go to barre classes. I go to a 6am class, which I love because I’m back home to do school drop off and go to work. I do stay very active. I stretch every day. I think as riders, our backs and hips get sore, so that’s something that I am really aware of and I work on, so I can stay really even as a person, so I can be even in the saddle.”

With two Nations Cup events now under their belts in Europe, resulting in a team ninth at CSIO3* Peelbergen in Kronenberg, the Netherlands with High Star Hero and another team ninth at the CSIO5* Piazza di Siena in Rome, Italy with Hialita B, both of Thaisa’s rides look fit and strong heading into what is set to be a busy few months.

As our discussion begins to wrap up, I am taken with Thaisa’s generosity of both her words and time. Her passion for the sport, her family and business are infectious and her determination and drive to succeed is evident even through the screen of our Zoom call. I ask if she has any departing wisdom to conclude our call to which she so eloquently responds:

“Surround yourself with people who you aspire to and who support you in whatever it is; they may not always be able to support you financially, but they can support you as a person. That is really important. For people to support you long term, you have to show them that you’re willing to put in the hard yards and have a lot of integrity whilst you do it. Opportunities come to those who really put their foot forward, you create your own opportunities. Find a way to create them.”

“I definitely wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for people helping me out. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Put yourself out there and don’t be afraid of being told no.” EQ

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