Like any good Aussie youngster worth their salt, Christine found Pony Club early and it was show jumping that really drew her in. However, sometimes horses
S P OT L I G H T
Riding it out
have other plans. When she was sixteen she bought the then four-year-old Masterprint with prize money she’d won. But when Masterprint made it clear he didn’t really want to spend his life going over the coloured poles, she started dabbling in eventing.
Many people talk about resilience, but not so many people embody it. Eventer Christine Bates is someone who does, writes REBECCA ASHTON.
O
ne of our country’s most talented eventers, Christine Bates was a non-travelling
Just out of school, Christine decided to take the trek across country with two horses to the 1994 Lochinvar Three Day Event. Upon returning home she informed her parents that she was
Christine was born in Sydney to a navy father and polocrosse playing mother. Raised in Perth, her path in life seemed
heading back east and within months, with three horses in tow, had settled at Prue and Craig Barrett’s yard. “It
reserve for the Jerez World Equestrian
to be set from a very early age. “I was
was really hard work but an amazing
Games, was long listed for the Atlanta
two when Mum was in the shower and
learning experience. I think you benefit
and Sydney Olympics, and short listed
I was caught climbing onto the gate
so much as a working pupil as opposed
for London and Rio. Despite these
about to put a leg over one of her polo
to just having regular lessons. You get
accolades, Christine knows very well the
ponies.” Christine’s first pony, a four-
that whole aspect of how the business
ups and downs of her chosen sport. So
year-old, came along when she was just
operates, the management of the
what keeps her climbing back up that
three. “I’ve always been drawn to them,”
horses, dealing with vets and farriers,”
ladder? Passion.
she muses. “I’m still a horse crazy kid.”
she says.
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