ADILTO 2

A day in the life of... Sophie Warren!

Thursday 20th March 2014

5:15am - Starting off the day with sets on the spin bike with pilates based strength exercises in the intervals. Strength and fitness is important as a professional rider to keep us fit and sound for as long as possible! www.swequestrian.com.au

6:00am – Breakfast! Packing in plenty of fruit to keep me going all day. The healthier you eat the more energetic you’ll feel. Try fruit smoothies too!

6:15am - About to step outside to start riding but not before the Guinot is applied! Even though the heat is subsiding it is still important to remember your sunscreen. The Australian sun can burn all year round. www.sophiewarren.com.au

6:30am - First ride for the day and it’s the lucky Let’s Impress – just back into work following an injury he’s on a strict rehab program so we’re off out for a hack. www.swequestrian.com.au

7:15am – Into the arena for the next ride – this time on our youngster by Northern Keil. Sadly, you cant keep them all – this young guy is on the market at a very reasonable price and will make someone a fantastic eventing prospect. www.sophiewarren.com.au/horses-for-sale.html

8am – Time to start jumping! Dance Hall Diva is pictured here having one of her first jumps of the season. A winner at Prelim eventing Diva is ready to step up this season. One of the stable favorites, Diva is a pleasure to ride – she is soft in the hand and light on the ground. I always look forward to jumping her! Unfortunately Diva is on the market (though I am secretly hoping her stable-mate sells first so she can stay on the team!) www.sophiewarren.com.au/horses-for-sale.html

8:45am – Eminence is excited about his turn in the jumping paddock! Skinnies, apexs and angles have become very prevelant in all cross-country courses these days so they are part of our training every time we jump.

9:30am – A happy partnership!

10:00am – It’s time to start teaching! www.sophiewarren.com.au/services.html

10:45 - More lessons! www.eventingcoach.com.au

11:30am – And just for a change of pace…some more teaching!!

12:15pm - Time for a quick break and some lunch before heading back out to ride a few more before afternoon lessons begin. No rest for the wicked though – while I’m inside I had better finish off my ‘ask the expert’ column for next month’s Perth Rider magazine before the deadline!

12.30pm - Back in the saddle! Tequalo is now training elementary on the flat and this week he proved his versatility being ridden by a 12 year old! I would love to keep Tequalo but unfortunately we have too many horses so he is on the market. 9 years old, 15.3 and competing pre-novice, he is for sale at a very reasonable price at $15,000. www.sophiewarren.com.au/horses-for-sale.html

1:15pm - Next horse and we’re back in the jumping arena.

2pm - Now for something completely different…I’m heading back onto the arena to ride another horse!

3:00pm – BFrom one end of the spectrum to the other – youngsters are a real joy to work with and with a systematic approach they progress quickly and stress free.

3:30pm – Fun in the stables at MPH!

3:45pm - Young Don Dorado from @Mapinduzi Performance Horses enjoying his work. Don Dorado was broken in by us here at SWE and recently scored over 79% in his ridden studbook assessment by international judge Matthias Werner.

4:45pm - Back to teaching! This horse is beginning his work on flying changes now so we’re laying the foundations with responsive stop, go, turn and indirect turn buttons and making sure both the left and right canter aids are very clear.

5:30pm - Last lesson for the day!

6:45pm - Horses are all tucked in to bed, Rex say’s it’s already nap time! I’m going in search of food (and secretly hoping a magical fairy stocked my fridge up while I was busy riding today?!!!)

A day in the life of... Sophie Warren!

Stay tuned for the next edition!