Profile Jess Manson When Jess Manson and Trumby (Legal Star)were selected to join the Australian Senior Trans Tasman squad in April 2013, it showed how far this pair had come since this grey stock horse cross gelding came into Jess’s life eight years ago as a three year old with a very chequered past. Twenty year old Jess lives in the Swan Valley with her parents, Rod and Louise. Her older brother, James, was also a talented young rider but, as many boys do, gave up riding at about 12. Louise originally took Trumby on for herself, with the intent of doing some endurance riding with him. After not even making it successfully out of the round yard on him, and with his chances running out, Jess decided to give the gelding a go. The rest is history; Trumby (the brumby!) and Jess have successfully competed around Australia at 3* eventing for the past three years, and last year they embarked on their biggest challenge yet, Adelaide 4*! The 4th placing at this event is a career highlight for Jess so far. The rise through the ranks for Jess and Trumby was as fast as the eventing rules would allow. Olympic eventer Sonja Johnson has been coach and mentor to Jess throughout her eventing career and continues to be so today. “Her experience and generosity with her knowledge have been an integral part of my success. “ says Jess. Gidgeganup One Day Event was Jess and Trumby’s first 2* when she was 16 and from there they continued their steady rise up the ladder of success, with Sydney International Horse Trials his first 3* - when she was 17 - and the youngest 3* competitor at the event. At the Sydney International Horse Trials 3* at the end of April this year, as part of the Senior Trans Tasman squad, this combination finishing 6th overall. The interest in horses started when equestrian enthusiast Louise made the mistake of buying her 18 month old daughter a pony, and from there started her love for all things equestrian. Venus, the 11.2 hh Welsh Mountain pony that Louise purchased as an unbroken two year old still resides in the Swan Valley and can be seen at the Swan Valley Pony Club. It was at this pony club (previously called Swan View Pony Club) that Jess started her career as “an obnoxious 5 year old who refused to be led in the lead line group!” (Jess’s own words) with the legendary Kay Nelson as coach at that time. Many years were spent honing her riding skills and having a go at everything that pony club had to offer. Mounted games was a strong passion for many years when she represented WA on three occasions, followed by being selected for the Australian Prince Phillip Mounted Games Junior team in 2007. Her best games pony, She’s a Charm (Missy), also continues to reside in the Swan Valley, where she had a career change and taught a young Jennifer Williams the art of Eventing. Jennifer has since purchased one of Jess’s young up and coming horses, Almost Legal (Monsta), and is competing successfully at eventing, working her way up the grades. The decision to focus on eventing came at an early age with Penleigh Casablanca (Dusty), the 12.2hh Australian Pony being her first eventer, followed by Maverick, a superstar who gave her the first real taste of success. Maverick and Jess joined the Equestrian WA BEATS program, a squad that supports up and coming junior riders with clinics, lessons and interaction with eastern states and international eventing coaches and riders. This was to be the first of many squad positions Jess has been invited to participate in, with the latest being the Trans Tasman Squad. And yes, Maverick is still in the Swan Valley, living at Eliva Park, passing on his wealth of experience to Olivia Shore. Just Will was the horse to take the rising young star to the Jess Manson and her stockhorse gelding Legal Star tackle the water jump on their way to 4th place in the 4* at Adelaide International Horse Trials. Photo courtesy Rod Manson. next level. At 11 years of age Jess’s legs barely came to the end of the saddle flaps when the horse was first purchased from showjumper, Nadia Gronow. The powerful 15.3 hand Thoroughbred gelding was bold and forward on the cross country course and was not without his quirks to handle. Louise put her knowledge of natural horsemanship to use, to keep the horse settled enough for her very brave, very strong willed and capable daughter to ride. Will and Jess progressed rapidly through the grades under the expert guidance of Phillipa Collier, and in 2007 (aged 15) they entered their first one star event at Brookleigh Equestrian Centre. Will took this event in his stride and won the Junior one star class. And yes, you guessed it, Will still resides in the Swan Valley. Will found ‘horse heaven’ when he went to live with the McWhirter family. Louis, the oldest of the two boys, is currently enjoying a successful eventing partnership with Will. The years of horse experiences and knowledge gained, combined with the natural ability to know what to do with this knowledge was a deciding factor when Jess left school and had to make a decision regarding her future career. Now training eventing horses professionally, she has several youngsters coming up through the grades, which she hopes will join Trumby at 3* and 4* competition level. Like most eventers, Jess’s favourite phase is the cross country and her amazing ability to see a stride gives her an advantage in showjumping as well. Dressage on Trumby is always a challenge due to his somewhat downhill conformation, but help is coming from such experienced trainers and instructors as Wayne Roycroft and Brett Parbery, working on making him the best he can be. As all those who want to succeed in the equestrian sports understand there is a high risk of injury or accident so it is important to have another horse or horses coming along and Leroy (Legal Contender) her five year old Thoroughbred gelding traveled to Albury and Sydney recently with Jess and Trumby to compete in his first EVA 105 (pre-novice) events and Jess was happy that he finished both events without jumping faults. Future goals for Jess and Trumby include consolidating at 4* level and to continue working towards developing an international career. Although the World Equestrian Games in Normandy in 2014 may be a bit too soon for this combination, the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 must surely be in their sights. Read about Jess’s Trans Tasman Journey to Sydney International Event in the WA Show Scene Extras Online, the free e-magazine with additional shows, clinics and events. Visit www.washowscene. com.au to view this free online magazine . Profile - Jess Manson Age – 20 years Lives – Swan Valley, Western Australia Current Horses – Legal Star (Trumby), Legal Contender (Leroy), She’s Legal (Bonney), Just Legal (Brian), Moselands Hillman (Hilly)owned by Sophie Goy, Eliva Armani (Armani) owned by Cristy Shore of Eliva Park, Amani Phantasie (Digby) owned by Nicole Christie. Coaches and mentors – Sonja Johnson, Wayne Roycoft, Brett Parbery Recent top achievements Australian representative at the Young Rider Trans Tasman challenge in 2010. Highest placed Australian and 2nd individually; Adelaide International Horse Trials 2012 – 4th place in the 4* (Olympic level); Australian squad member Senior Trans Tasman 2013 – 6th individually in 3* at Sydney International 3DE. Current Squads National Young Rider Elite Squad, the National Futures Squad the West Australian State Eventing Squad. Sponsors Cadbury Fundraising, Eliva Park, Equestricare, Equestrian at Brookleigh, Mitavite, Prestige Loans Valley Equine Veterinary Centre. WA SHOW SCENE June/July 2013 - Page 21