West Australian eventer Kenya Wilson and her horse Sandros Salute MW packed their bags and headed to Europe earlier this year. With Australian team representation in Ireland and experience at Germany’s premier horse trials under their belt, Kenya says she’s learnt more than she ever could have imagined.
“We were given an opportunity to gain some international experience, and I couldn’t say no to such an opportunity and adventure!” says 28-year-old eventer Kenya Wilson, who travelled from Perth to the northern hemisphere in April with her horse, Sandros Salute MW.
It’s no mean feat travelling a horse internationally, but with many interstate trips already under their belt it was a little less daunting. “Sandros travelled very well. I think all his trips across the Nullarbor prepared him well for the amount of travel ahead of him,” explains Kenya. “I also think his Equilume [light mask] was a big factor in his longer-term health, as he did not need to go through a coat change once reaching the northern hemisphere.”
Since arriving in Europe, Kenya and Sandros have been based with fellow Australian eventer Sammi Birch at her yard in Cirencester, UK. “I have been very lucky to be living in the house with Sammi’s wonderful family, who have been amazing and have made it feel like home away from home,” she says.
Other than heading to Hasting, New Zealand, to compete in the Oceania Challenge at Horse of the Year in March, Kenya’s European venture is her first trip abroad to compete. “To compete in Europe is incredible but includes a huge amount of travelling – probably more than in Australia! Particularly with all the paperwork, health checks and ferries, it’s not as straightforward as it sounds. There are some incredible events and so many of them; I think you really need to come over to experience it, to then have a better idea how it all runs… I have learnt so much!”
AUSTRALIAN TEAM
At the beginning of June, Kenya was on the Australian Nations Cup team at Millstreet International Horse Trials in Ireland alongside Andrew Barnett and Bill Levett. The team finished on the podium in third place.
“Millstreet was beautiful – and actually super laid-back. Whilst in the lorry (truck) area, the vibe was just like being at home, then you step into the main arena and it was so beautifully presented, which created a bigger atmosphere!
“The going cross country dried out just in the nick time for our run, as the days before it were very deep and wet. I was a little nervous for our first run over here being so big… everything previously that I had tried to go to had been rained out. But the course was amazing and Sandros and I got so much out of putting him in an arena with that sort of atmosphere again to test how our training is going.
“Additionally, it was amazing to be a part of the Australian Nations Cup team, where we placed third, and meeting Bill Levett and Chris Burton who were a great support. Sammi, our team appointed chef d’equipe, was also a huge help over the weekend!”
“Millstreet was beautiful
– and actually super
laid-back.”
LEARNING AT LUHMÜHLEN
Kenya and Sandros’ next event at Luhmühlen Horse Trials in Germany didn’t quite go to plan with a little glitch on the cross country, but overall Kenya was thrilled with how the horse performed and says she’s learned an immense amount from the experience.
“Luhmühlen has to be the most incredible event I have been to. Whilst the stabling was a similar size to Adelaide, the atmosphere in the main arena was huge. The cross country was very tough, with almost every second fence being a combination. Thankfully the track is sand so the going stayed good with all the rain. While we had a small error in the cross country, which was very costly, the rest of our course felt incredible. The show jumping was definitely the toughest I have walked, particularly with no coach to help brainstorm how the course would ride when walking such long distances and on that surface.
“I probably learnt the most in that one event than I think I could from any other, which I would like to think will prepare me well for future events of that level. There were some really big takeaways from the event, including that Sandros is still terrified in trot-ups without his bonnet, which we’re not allowed to get permission for anymore!
“I also found my cross country reins are too short; our training of getting him rideable in a big atmosphere, particularly for the show jumping, has really paid off; and then there are all the small things in between, like how often to ride him, how much feed and timing etc.”
Kenya has one more event planned, at Aston Le Walls over the 5-7 July weekend. “We will then stay until the end of the month to hopefully focus on some dressage to really make the most of the rest of my time here.
ONE IN A MILLION
“Sandros is one in a million!” says Kenya of the 14-year-old by Salutation out of Vera’s Star (Housebuster), who was bred in New Zealand as a dressage horse.
“At the time [of finding Sandros] we had recently retired my older mare, Winifred Fair, from high-level competition and put her in foal,” explains Kenya. “My other mare, Barrabadeen Aspire, was sold as a show jumper, so I was looking for another horse.
“With the help of Joanne Bridgeman, my coach Stuart Tinney and I went to look at some horses in NZ and we found Sandros; he was bred for dressage but had decided he preferred eventing and was competing 105cm level.” Sandros was purchased by Kenya, in conjunction with her stepfather Ian Campbell and mother Lynette Winteringham, who remain part owners.
“He is the funniest horse that loves jelly beans and his friends! Whilst he seems super laid-back, the majority of the time he can also become the opposite very quickly if he doesn’t have his soundproof bonnet on at events, so we have learnt a lot in regards to managing this for him.
“Each time we cross the Nullarbor with a new horse they teach us a lot; for Sandros, travelling long distances has been about managing his water and food intake, as this can be a bit of a struggle sometimes – so getting him to the destination as quick as possible is important.
“He has also taught us about wound management and how much we love and trust our vet Warwick Vale; Sandros tried to cut off his leg a few years back,” explains Kenya. “And finally, of course, Sandros has helped give me the experience of jumping around some of the most incredible courses in the world, from Western Australia, to the eastern states, the UK, Ireland and Germany. I could not have asked for a better partner in crime!” EQ
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE TO READ:
A Star Rises in the West – Equestrian Life, August 2022
