September/October 2017 WEBSITE sep_oct_2017 | Page 29

Where do out think your interest in the show world will go from here? I want to see where I can take things living in the USA. We are putting it all on the line. It’s exciting, Reining is so multicultural over there! Just having access to the horses and the trainers will be another big plus for me. You can learn a lot from the way things are done in different countries. What other interests do you have in your spare time? In all honesty I don’t have time to do much else. I work full-time, have a part-time business and train my horses 7 days a week. I try to take half a day a week to do things around the house and visit family and friends. Reining is an expensive, time consuming sport that requires extreme discipline. There is not a lot left after that to give. I am running my whole operation, the buck stops with me. However being more mature I know what I want. I have in the past spent all my money on clothes, parties and travelling. Now I just want to focus on reining. Is there anyone you wish to think in the Industry? My husband Daniel. He tells me nothing is impossible. You just have to stay focused and believe My Dad My Trainer Noel Watson – Even when it just seemed hopeless and I couldn’t get it right he kept on working with me until we got it. I attribute a lot of my success to his skill as horseman Lynda Weaver from Belar Farm for believing in me and my dream Edwina Pilch Eva and Luke Gagnon The great friends I have made along my reining journey so far All the people involved in Reining Australia who make great things happen. Any words of advice for people coming into the sport: To my knowledge no horse show was ever won in the trailer park or the tack store. Never be afraid of failure. It helps you to grow stronger and learn for future endeavours. Always learn to make lemonade out of lemons when it comes to horses. It will always be sweeter then. It’s not where you are from or have been, it’s where you are going that matters. There will always be haters. You need a strong force field. Finally a wise old Olympic Gold Medallist once told me, he said “Helen if they're not talking about you, you’re not worth talking about.” Helen Balu and Whizkey On The Rocks Q-60208