Di Tutty
Ray White North Richmond NSW
When did you start riding , and how did you get into it ?
My first experience riding was when I was about seven years old and we were visiting my cousins in Melbourne who took me for a ride on a pony . From that day on I was hooked . I got my first pony when I was eight years old and it was your typical first pony , white and fluffy .
Do you have any horses of your own ?
Over the years I have owned and bred 15 horses . I currently have four .
What style of riding do you do ?
I do hacking or show riding which is sometimes hard to explain but generally it ’ s what you see at the Sydney Royal Easter Show in the main ring events with all the horses going round in a circle being judged . Kind of like dressage but in an open space . I have competed at Royal and National level since I was 10 years old .
What ' s your favourite place to ride ?
I ride only to train , which I do in the early hours of the morning before heading into the office . Most recently my main home breed competition horse has done extremely well being two years running on the national team for New South Wales .
What do you love most about it ?
It ' s hard to pinpoint one thing as there are a lot of very long hours , sometimes years of training to get a horse to competition level . I think I enjoy starting young horses and watching them develop .
Lisette Schults-Rand
Ray White Sherwood QLD
When did you start riding , and how did you get into it ?
I started riding at the age of seven . I had the ‘ horse bug ’ very early on . My parents were not connected to the sport or horses at all - we are still a little unsure to this day where this love came from .
Do you have any horses of your own ?
Just the one ! It ’ s all I have time for . My current horse ’ s name is Nic Nak .
What style of riding do you do ?
I showjump . I compete most years up to 35 shows a year and compete anywhere from Roma to Glen Innes to the Mornington Peninsula .
What ' s your favourite place to ride ?
My favourite show would have to be jumping at the Ekka . It was always a dream I had as a little girl , and always has such a fun atmosphere in the main ring .
Any tips for people who might want to give it a go ?
I would say find a good riding school and start with some private lessons to find your feet . Then see which areas / disciplines you like most !
What do you love most about it ?
These amazing animals have always been very good for my soul . They teach you so much working with them and often bring me peace when I need it . The part of the sport I love most is it ' s so technical and hard to get perfect - I am always chasing improvement . The mental challenge of competing and getting your brain space right I also love . I guess overall when you have a sport or a hobby outside of work you get a chance at perspective and focusing on something else away from your job .
Karen and Tim Gardner
Ray White Carterton NZ
When did you start riding , and how did you get into it ?
I ( Karen ) have been riding most of my life . When I left school I rode racehorses doing track work for a couple of years . Tim was brought up on a farm and they were the best mode of transport . We have been leisure riders since then .
Do you have any horses of your own ?
My horse Louis is a retired ex-trotter and Tim ’ s horse Promise is an ex-pacer .
What style of riding do you do ?
We live on a lifestyle property on the outskirts of Carterton , and enjoy riding our horses around the property .
What do you love most about it ?
The biggest pleasure we get from our horses now is the grounding reality . Grooming , handling , filing up hay nets , picking up horse poo in all weathers - this is real . But it ’ s the best way to start the day before heading into real estate with all of the daily demands . At the end of a busy day after dealing with multiple personalities the best person to listen to you is your horse !