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Equestrian Mothers
This article is from May 2019 Horse Deals magazine.
In celebration of Mother’s Day, this month Horse Deals talked to four professional riders who have welcomed their first baby of the human variety. Managing horses is tough enough, let alone with an added tiny human... so how do they do it?
Leslie Moore - Barrel Racer
When was Tejay born and how is he doing now?
Tejay was born on the 17th of December, 2017. He is currently doing great! He’s not walking yet, but hopefully that will happen soon. Tejay is a very happy boy, he loves to smile.
How has your lifestyle changed?
It is just busier you could say, I still do everything I did before I had Tejay, it just takes a little longer to do.
When did you make your return to riding and how did it feel getting back on board?
I was pretty quick to get back on a horse, I was four weeks post-partum after having an emergency c-section. I didn’t feel at all uncomfortable or in pain, you could say I couldn’t ride as good as before I had Tejay but of course I wasn’t as fit.
What was the biggest challenge in returning to riding?
Just being fit again I would say. I was determined to get my upper body strength and core strength back in shape to help my riding, and it did.
How do you manage to ride and train with Tejay around?
Tejay has been a very good baby for me in that way. He has had his moments that I’ve had to stop riding and tend to him, and others didn’t get worked that day but tomorrow’s another day and they got the work they needed. I have a good play area set up at the arena for Tejay, to keep him safe and busy while I work horses.
What was your first competition back and what were your main concerns in the lead-up?
It was Alexandra Rodeo and I felt pretty good and confident when I got there. It had started to rain heaps that day which made me a little weary but I still competed and getting the first out of the way made me feel better. Nothing went wrong, the horse stayed on his feet, so it was a good outcome.
How has packing for a competition changed?
Haha, this is a good one because this is the one that has changed a lot! It takes sooooo much longer to pack, and you still forget something. Now I make sure I start a few days earlier and double up on things, so some things just stay in the trailer.
What are your plans going forward with your new addition and equine commitments?
Keep competing hard and try my best to make finals at Warwick in October because I do plan to have another soon.
Has your approach to riding changed since the birth of Tejay?
No, it hasn’t at all, I’ve always been one to do my best, as that goes for being a mum also.
What’s your number one tip for new equestrian mums?
Just do the best you can with what you have around you and don’t forget tomorrow’s another day! Being a mum is the best thing I ever could have done.
Tamara Lee - Show Rider
When was baby Ellie born and how is she doing now?
Ellie was born on Tuesday, the 4th of December 2018 at 3pm. She was 7lb 2oz and 50cm long.
She was born with pneumonia and struggled to breathe, she was rushed by MICA to Northern Hospital Intensive Care Unit. Ellie was given expert care and responded to treatments. Ellie bounced back after five days, being able to breathe on her own. Although a rough start, she is very happy and healthy now, she has fitted into my life very easily.
How has your lifestyle changed?
My lifestyle has not changed I just have to make sure Ellie is changed, fed and ready for the day. She is my first priority. Then I can start my day. I am very lucky to have a supportive family that I can depend on.
When did you make your return to riding and how did it feel getting back on board?
I did not have to rush to get back on board as I have my two sisters to ride for me, and it was Christmas, so a short show break. I managed to get back on board after about three weeks just riding a couple of ponies, which felt great to be back in the saddle again. I only rode for short periods of time.
What was the biggest challenge in returning to riding?
My biggest challenge was making sure I didn’t rush into it. Let my body tell me how it was feeling.
How do you manage to ride and run your equestrian business with Ellie around?
When I first ceased riding Brynie was in the UK riding for Stanley Grange, so Ebonie who was 15 at the time stepped up and rode our horses. I still worked with horses until the last few days before delivering Ellie. Once Ellie was born on the 4th December we had a short break from shows until after Christmas which gave me time to get into routines slowly enabling me to edge back into my work. Family is the most important support you can have.
What was your first competition and what were your main concerns in the lead-up?
My first competition was VAS Ltd Saddle Horse Championships in January 2019. My main concern was that I might not be fit enough to ride all weekend.
How has packing for a competition changed?
I still plait horses and help pack all gear the night before a competition so that has not changed much, except that I have to pack the pram and accessories for Ellie as well. The morning has changed as previously I only had myself to get ready but now I like to get Ellie ready to go myself. I feed her early and she normally goes back to sleep whilst I get all horses loaded then I go back and get Ellie from her bassinet and place her in her seat in either the car or truck.
What are your plans going forward with your new addition and equine commitments?
Still continue to produce show horses and ponies to the best of our abilities. We are a committed family who works and travels together all year round.
Has your approach to riding changed since the birth of Ellie?
I am more careful with what, and where I get on, as I am conscious that I have to take care of myself for Ellie’s sake.
What is your number one tip for new equestrian mums?
Trust your gut feelings! There are no heroes, look after yourself. If you are not comfortable riding whilst pregnant then it is time to stop. Don’t rush back on until your body is ready as it is very important to allow your body to heal. I was very lucky to stay active and fit right through my pregnancy.
Sponsors: Tuffrock Australia, Phiten Japan, Bling It On Pony, LP Designs, PED Bits, LaLapel Equestrien, Horseland Ringwood and Cobram Feed N Grain.
Brooke Campbell - Showjumper
When was baby Lennox born and how is he doing now?
Lennox was born via c-section on the 9th of December, 2018 at 1.30pm, a very civil time of day! We had a bit of a rocky start, but I’ve been very lucky that he’s an extremely chilled out baby and has been quite easy. Though I hear the four-month sleep regression is just around the corner...
How has your lifestyle changed?
I would say the biggest change would be that life has become less about us and more about making this tiny little person as happy as he can be, and it’s not in any way a negative, your priorities just change. Doing things as simple as leaving the house become more time consuming, tiny people need a lot of stuff! Competitions have also become a lot more challenging, but there is always someone willing to babysit or push the pram when we are really busy (special thanks to our mums and Lisa Clarke).
Organisation is more important than it has ever been, but schedules with a baby are hard to follow, we have had to accept that we need to be flexible. It’s an adjustment, but we wouldn’t change it for the world. We also now spend a lot of time just staring at this little human we created, every day he does something that amazes us.
When did you make your return to riding and how did it feel getting back on board?
first rode four weeks after Lennox was born, I felt fine and was itching to get back on. The next day I rode two horses, then four. That was too much and my body let me know. I gave myself another week off and then started again but was a bit slower in what I did. In week seven I had my first show with three horses, it was great to be back competing, however, I was very unfit!
What was the biggest challenge in returning to riding?
You lose your riding fitness, you become time poor, and schedules are difficult to follow. However, it doesn’t take long to get the fitness back, and you adjust to your new flexible routine.
How do you manage to ride and coach with Lennox around?
Riding is generally done very early in the morning, often when he wakes up for a feed around 5.30am I will put him back down and go out to try to ride a couple while he’s asleep and Brett is still home. When Brett leaves for work we put the monitor on so I can continue riding until he wakes, some mornings it works, sometimes it doesn’t! I just have to be flexible and try to get things done in his sleep times. We are lucky to have a treadmill and an extremely capable extra set of hands in Gemma our chief groom/rider/organiser/babysitter. So the horses can be worked no matter what. Lessons are also slightly trickier, I rely on parents to pram push a lot. I also have a carrier, which he is happy to be in on the arena as long as it’s not too hot, he just falls asleep.
What was your first competition back and what were your main concerns in the lead-up?
My first competition back was a training show at Boneo Park in early February. I took three horses, it was cold and rainy, and I was bucked off in the warm-up because my horse hadn’t been out in six months! It was difficult not having anywhere to feed or change Lennox, the following week we bought a caravan to tow behind our truck and tide us over while Brett builds our trailer. Show life became a lot easier when we had somewhere out of the weather for us to tend to the little man.
My main concerns in the lead up were my lack of core strength and fitness and the challenge of feeding between rounds. Lennox took a bottle for the first six weeks but has since decided that he would prefer the real thing and so now I am the only one that can feed him, it makes it hard. I don’t want to hear him crying while I’m riding because he’s hungry, so sometimes I’m late to warm up, and it’s just the way it is! Priorities change.
How has packing for a competition changed?
Organisation is key. Packing for the horses is the same, however, packing for a few days away with a small person is still new to me, and the saying “less is more” is simply not true. More is more because the thing that you leave at home is the thing you need at 2am. Also, all-terrain prams take up a lot of room, but your gonna need those big pram wheels!
What are your plans going forward with your new addition and equine commitments? This year I feel like we are just doing what we can. Being the best mum I can be is now my biggest responsibility and priority, but I believe with help and support we can continue doing the competitions that are important for our team of horses. Lennox is lucky that he was born around the same time as many other showjumpers babies, so I hope shows will become something he will look forward to, to catch up with his friends.
Has your approach to riding changed since the birth of Lennox?
I wouldn’t say my approach to riding has changed, no. I still have the same ideas of how I want my horse to go and programs for them in preparation for certain shows or classes. I still have goals for each one and an idea of where I want each horse to be in its own career at certain times, however, the logistics of riding has changed. I find it hard to stick to a daily schedule, so while I have to be organised, I also have to be flexible. Competition performance is still just as important to me as it has ever been, and I would say I’m still as driven to win as ever.
What’s your number one tip for new equestrian mums?
There’s no such thing as “normal,” do whatever works for you and your baby. And buy a pram with big wheels. Oh and accept help when it’s offered!
Megan Jones - Eventer
When was baby Finn born and how is he doing now?
Finn was born on the 3rd of January, 2019 and he is a model baby. If he was a young horse you’d buy him! He has a great temperament.
How has your lifestyle changed?
Not at all as far as day to day. Except now I can change a nappy without looking while I’m coaching...
I just get my horses ridden between 6am to 11am and Finn hangs with James while I ride. Then Finn hangs with me the rest of the day while I coach.
When did you make your return to riding and how did it feel getting back on board?
I had a c-section so had to wait six weeks until I rode again. I was super lucky that I was able to ride so long into my pregnancy. I stopped riding close to nine months. Therefore I had no loss of strength and I could get back on and straight into four to five horses a day straight away.
What was the biggest challenge in returning to riding?
Honestly, I’ve been so lucky I was able to just get back on and keep going.
How do you manage to ride and coach with Finn around?
I wake up at 5am and do a ‘dream feed’ (feed him in the dark and quiet and he basically doesn’t really wake up) then I put him back to sleep.
I can then be on my first horse by 6am. I only do four to six horses these days so I can be finished by 10-11am. James will get Finn up at 7am, take him out to water the hedges and things like that. Then I take him once I’m done riding.
What was your first competition back and what were your main concerns in the lead-up?
Concerns were having enough time as I only had two weeks to prepare. It was just a local horse trials and combined training. I rode four horses.
I was worried my boobs wouldn’t fit into my show jacket or tails! But they did - phew.
How has packing for a competition changed?
Ha, a bit yes. We had to clear out a bit of cupboard space in the truck and stock it with nappies, wipes, and wraps. Luckily the pram fits in the living area in transit.
Then I spend more time picking Finns outfits than my own!
What are your plans going forward with your new addition and equine commitments?
I have a super team of horses this year so I have a big year planned with horses aimed at Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Wallaby Hill major events. And Finn will be our sidekick!
Has your approach to riding changed since the birth of Finn?
It hasn’t. I still feel the same, brave in cross country so that’s great.
What’s your number one tip for new equestrian mums?
Keep it simple. And use your sixth sense you use to read your horse, to read your baby.
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