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Hope T Beerling
This week I’m chatting with the hugely talented young Australian dressage rider Hope Beerling. Based with Catherine Haddad Stallers in the USA, Hope has already represented her country in a CDIO3* Nations Cup competition.  Read on to discover more about Hope, her horses, ambitions, and top tips for success.

Tell us about you and your horses

Hope Beerling and Vianne at the Festival of Champions. his image from the festival of champions held in Chicago where Vianne scored a 9.2 in the 5 year old division and placed reserve champion overall
Hope and Vianne at the Festival of Champions. This image was taken at the festival of champions held in Chicago where Vianne scored a 9.2 in the 5 year old division and placed reserve champion overall
  My name is Hope Beerling, I am twenty two years old and from Australia. I have been riding since I was practically born but professionally for the past 5 years. I relocated to the USA to follow my dreams and achieve some of the goals I have set.   As of right now, I don’t actually own any horses but I am hoping that will change this year. I sold my Australian PSG horse who I used to compete on when I decided I was not planning on returning to Australia. However, the barn I ride for has a bunch of extremely nice horses. So for the time being I am very happy and grateful for the opportunities I have been given.

 

How did your horses come into your life?

  My old Australian horse came into my life when I was sixteen, he was a just broken 3 year old. Together we learnt a lot and he definitely taught me how to really train a horse up the levels.   Another special horse that I have the privilege of riding and competing came into my life when I first started here at Catherine Haddad Stallers, she was a 3 year old unbroken Hanoverian Mare. The old barn manager and I broke her in here at the farm and I have been riding her since.  

 

How long have you been riding?

Hope Beerling with NorCordias Inspiration
Hope with NorCordias Inspiration. Training at home preparing for the 22 23 season in Wellington FL
  I was lucky enough to be born into horses, so I have been riding pretty much my whole life.  

 

When and where do you ride?

  I grew up in a small town on the Sunshine Coast, Cooroy, Queensland. We had a farm where I grew up riding show ponies.   Now, I am located in New Jersey and Florida. So every 6 months we go between places. In New Jersey we are based at Catherine’s farm in a beautiful town called Califon. Florida we are based in Wellington and that is where we rent a barn for the season.  

 

How did you start riding?

  I was born into a family who already rode. So, I was very lucky to have a sister who was ten years older. She definitely taught me all the basics that was needed.  

 

What are you and your horses currently working on?

Hope Beerling dressage rider
Hope working with NorCordias A Fine Time at home. Such a promising horse and showing her talent for piaffe at 7 years old.
  Right now, we are training hard for a big Wellington season in the winter. However, that doesn’t mean we stop riding. We are training our horses to a new level. So one of them is training PSG and we will compete him a few times in preparation for next season this summer. My top mare, Vianne is training for the 7 year olds. We have big plans for this mares future.  

 

 

What do you love about riding?

  I love the happiness, joy and freedom it brings me every day. Also just watching how a horse can change over the years is just so amazing. I definitely couldn’t imagine my life without it.  

 

What you would you like to be doing in the future and do you have any goals?

  The reason I moved to America was because I want to one day ride for Australia at the World Equestrian Games and/or the Olympics. I felt this was my first step in that direction.   Another dream of mine is to compete at the World Young Horse Championships on a horse I have ridden from the beginning.  

 

Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding?  

Hope Beerling with horse
Hope looking really happy with liver chestnut, NorCordias Inspiration
  Thankfully I haven’t had to deal with riding nerves.  

 

How do you deal with them?

  Thankfully I do not have competition nerves, however, my Sponsor Hippo Health make some fantastic products and they work, plus they are all natural.   They also make horse remedies too.  

 

Your Top Tip

  I would say my top tip would be to breathe! So many people hold their breath when they enter the arena, I actually used to, however, I taught myself to breathe throughout the test. Also, look up, use your corners and don’t forget shoulder fore is your friend.  

 

 

Down the Centre Line

   

Who would be your dream horse to ride?

  I would say my dream horse to ride would be Vianne. Every time I sit on her she takes my breath away and gives the most amazing feeling.

 

Who is your equestrian hero?

  I would say Isabelle Werth and Ingrid Klimke. Catherine Haddad Staller has also been such a hero and fantastic mentor to me.  

 

If you could have 5 people to dinner who would they be?

  Isabelle Werth Catherine Haddad Staller Carl Hester Lyndal Oatley Lilo Fore

Favourite colour horse?

  There is definitely something magical about a dapple grey. If not a dapple grey, definitely a black with 4 white socks.  

 

Favourite horse event?

  Well I’ve never been, but I would say just from seeing all the posts about it, definitely Aachen. It’s for sure on my bucket list. But in America, I would definitely say the Festival of Champions held in Chicago.  

 

Favourite food?

  Ohh that’s a tough one! But I would say definitely Sushi.  

 

Favourite way to relax?

  A nice hot bath with Epsom salts. I also find going on a nice hike clears your mind and is very relaxing.  

 

Favourite film?

  My favourite film, definitely would be Drive to Survive! I am OBSESSED!!  

Want More?

If you enjoyed meeting Hope  you might like to view more dressage rider chatting with interviews here    You can keep up with Hope’s progress and check out her instagram page here
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Sharon Howe

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Hi! I am Sharon Howe

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