A : Portland Jones and I wanted to help disseminate the abundant information about equitation science to the wider
20 QUESTIONS
20 Questions with Sophie Warren
community. Our book, now in its third print run, is about how horses learn. It’s a practical training guide and includes lots of fun exercises.
Q: Did you go to university? A : I was to study Agriculture or Landscape Architecture. My very supportive parents agreed to my having a gap year, then I deferred for another
Sophie Warren is a professional event rider, horse trainer and coach. She has had many successes at the highest level in eventing, and has been among the top ten at all of Australia's major competitions.
year and then another. By then I’d competed in the Trans-Tasman and was coaching and riding full time. Uni never got another look in!
Q: Tell us about your Highfield Academy. A : I want to enhance horse welfare
Q: Was there a horsey background? A : My mother, who’s from the UK, was
Q: Who did you train with overseas? A : Hermann Burger at Stall Ramsbrock
and rider safety. The more people I
very involved in the Pony Club and rode
in Germany. There I worked three-
deep understanding of good training
at Olympia. Here she rode side-saddle
year-olds to GP dressage and jumping
practices, and the more horses I can
at various Royals. My aunt did eventing.
horses. I also spent time in the UK with
help indirectly.
Q: Your first competition? A : I was twelve when I first went
Francis Whittington, one of the world’s
Q: Do you have help? A : I’ve a dedicated team who help get
best cross country riders.
eventing and got about a million time
Q: Tell us about Horses Hate
penalties on the cross country!
Surprise Parties.
78 | E Q U E S T R I A N H U B I S S U E 6 • 2 0 2 2
can train, then the more riders have a
all the horses worked during the week. We assist each other at competitions.
