Like most equestrian sports, spectators love to see the new horse and rider combinations achieving impressive results, especially if they are not what most would consider the norm. Fern Wright and her Welsh Cob Kamber Pryderi are a great example of this. At the 2012 Australian Dressage Championships, Fern and Kamber Pryderi were crowned the Australian Young Rider champions and the pair is set to return to defend that title at this year's Nationals in Sydney, Australia on 25 - 26 October 2013.
Her performance at the 2012 Australian Championships was remembered by many, not just because of an excellent test but also because she was not onboard a flash moving warmblood but a cheeky chestnut cob with flowing feathers. I wondered how a rider must feel riding such a horse amongst what we call Performance Bred Dressage Horses? Fern's response was perfect - a good horse is a good horse, isn't it?
It was in early 2006 that Fern and her brother Aengus started Kamber Pryderi under saddle. It was during this time that this impressive Welsh Cob got his nickname, BB. It originally stood for Beautiful Boy, Big Butt and blunderbus but now Fern assures me that those names have been forgotten and it is simply BB.
Fern is 19 years old and seems very grounded for such a young lady. "I come from a family without a background in horses, but of course, we’re all very horsy now. When I was 5, I was going to a school which had Shetland ponies, and I began learning to ride on them. I then did all the different disciplines at Pony Club and then went on to showing. It wasn't till 2008 that I discovered dressage. I now reckon it's the best sport there is."
To compete at this level of dressage, it is imperative that you have a strong network of support. "My family is wonderful. My mother helps me heaps, taking me around everywhere- lessons, comps etc, she is also my groom and someone I can always talk to. My brother Aengus is also very enthusiastic about dressage – especially Freestyles, he's helped me with all my freestyles. He's very good at it! Then there's my sister Skye who is dragged around the countryside to whatever competition we happen to be going to without complaint. Last but not least is my Dad, who looks after the farm while we’re away at comps. I think he enjoys the break from us!"
Although BB is the horse of the moment, Fern has another dressage horse in the wings and this time it is the warmblood gelding Thorn (by Ferrero Rocher). I had to ask why she had moved from a Welsh Cob to a warmblood. "Good question," says Fern with a knowing smile that told me she had been asked this before. "Contrary to popular belief I never actually chose to do dressage on a welsh cob, it was more that I started doing dressage with the horse I had. Fortunately he turned out to be very talented but as I want to ride, train & compete many horses, I needed to find my next star.
I wanted to try a nice conventional Warmblood after always being the odd one out. I can’t afford to get a highly trained horse, so I needed a young one, I now have a 3yo old filly (Elle) as well as my 5yo (Thorn), so hopefully I’m well set up for the future. I certainly haven’t turned my back on the Welsh Cobs, as my family breeds them & I break them in, if I find one that I think is really good, I will of course continue it on, in fact I have two super little 4yo ponies at home, which I’m having a lot of fun with."
In Early September, Fern was selected to be part of the National Youth Development which is for riders aged between 16 and 25 who have shown potential to develop the traits required of an elite dressage competitor. It's always interesting how riders like Fern have developed their skills at such a young age. "I have a lot of help from my coach Glenda Hinchliffe for my general riding but otherwise I have derived my style from trial & error. I reckon it's not just about how to train them but more importantly understanding them. I've worked on this for as long as I can remember. So for me, it's not just about the training but also the partnership."
At the 2013 Australian Dressage Championships, Fern and BB will be competing in the two Young Rider competitions, hoping to retain their title. "Although it's nice to win, my main goal is always to do the best we can." Like most young riders, Fern has a lot of ambition. "I would love to train many horses up to Grand Prix and be the best rider & trainer I can – always hoping that I will one day be lucky enough to represent my beautiful country at an International Championship."
If her recent results are any indication of what this young rider can achieve, then she may well eventually get to wear the Australian flag on her chest. We wish her all the best for the future!
Like a true professional, Fern, insisted on acknowledging her sponsors as they are integral not only to Fern herself but to the sport of Dressage. “A big thank you to Wyronga Park, Musikur and of course my Mum and Dad – they are all part of the team!”
by Scott Pollock
Related Links
Scores: 2012 Australian Dressage Championships
Tomkinson Sweeps to Kur Victory at 2012 Australian Dressage Championships