Everything Horse UK Everything Horse Magazine, August 2018. | Page 15

I love Wallace!” I’m not bothered by the image or the
perception of riding a mule, so my answer would have
always been yes.
We have loved seeing all the support around
your story and how people have backed you,
stating it was wrong for British Dressage
to refuse your application. Did you expect
that level of support?
No, absolutely not. I honestly thought, deep down,
that people would be more against it than for it. This is
for the reason a few people did raise, of horses being
a bit more aware of him being there than if they would
another horse. To be “that” behind me, I cannot tell
you how completely mind-blowing it is!
And did you expect the amount of media
coverage you have been given? You have
been all across national media!
No, I didn’t at all! Horse and Hound hopped on it first,
even at that point I couldn’t believe it. Then national
media hopped on, Sky News and then the BBC.
It overwhelmed me slightly and I questioned whether I
did the right thing. The media did change a few things
and I felt bad as some of content was misleading.
Even Carl Hester was supporting you
though! He famously started his career on
a donkey, at a young age, and has excelled
to the level he is at today!
That was absolutely amazing! The king of dressage
supporting a little mule in his quest to do a little bit of
dressage. His words certainly wouldn’t change British
Dressage, but to have someone like him, giving us the
thumbs up is incredible!
What do you think made British Dressage
change their mind, initially refusing your
application for membership, then to accept
it?
They initially refused us on the basis that their rule
book stated only horses and ponies were allowed to
compete, and that they are in accordance with FEI
guidelines. Within a matter of days after saying that,
it came to light that FEI guidelines actually state that
horses, ponies and anything born from a mare is
allowed to compete.
I think the amount of support helped. It wasn’t
necessarily the easiest thing for BD to do but I think
it’s a fairer way.
Yourself and Wallace have a
very admirable story. You are
starting to break down the
elitist barrier, which people
associate
with
affiliated
competition, and maintain
the inclusivity of the sport.
What impact do you think your
story has had on the equine
community and their view of
dressage and competition?
I never really thought we would have
as much as an impact. It has opened
people’s eyes to realise that you don’t
have to have a £20,000 warmblood to
be able to compete. The exposure for
BD to accept anybody is great.
With the amount of coverage,
you and Wallace have received,
do you feel any added pressure
for when you do compete
affiliated?
Yes, I do. Wallace and I will only do our
absolute best. We know what level we
are riding at, we know our strengths and
we know our weaknesses. Ultimately
I feel a subconscious pressure for him
to be foot-perfect, even though he
does amazingly well every time. For
him to attend our first BD competition
and trot down the centre line, that is
perfect!
You have both competed
unaffiliated before, though.
At competition it’s rare to
see a mule, so I’m sure Wallace
receives a lot of attention.
What advice do you have about
coping during competition,
when you feel that all eyes
are on you?
When you are focused on what you
are doing with you and the horse, or
in my case mule, it shuts everybody
out. Ultimately, you just have to relax and focus on
what you are doing. You have to keep him relaxed, if
you aren’t relaxed he won’t be either and therefore it’s
not going to work. Keep your head up, shoulder back,
and smile, plus keep your leg on! If you can finish the
test and know you’ve done your best, you can’t ask for
more than that!
Wallace can jump and hack too, do you
think you will be giving any other discipline
a go?
I have deformity to my left foot that puts my left side
out of sync slightly, so when it comes to jumping it puts
my balance off. I’ll take Wallace on some fun rides,
as he loves being around other horses. We might do
some small show-jumps, just to add variety.
Now you’ve paved the way for mules in
British Dressage, do you think people trying
to affiliate mules with other governing
bodies will encounter the same problem?
I think British Dressage have made history with their
decision. It has been referred to as a ‘British Premier’.
I think that regardless that the decision only affects
dressage, the whole equestrian world has seen it. I
would be very surprised if anyone came up against
this problem again.
He has very much earned the title of Wallace the Great!
Thank you so much for speaking to us!
You can follow Wallace’s journey on social media.
Facebook www.facebook.com/domyearslookbiginthis/
ISSUE 36 • AUGUST 2018 • EVERYTHING HORSE MAGAZINE
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