On the horse
FARMALL – Paige Shiller discusses the partnership between a horse and its rider.
Equestrian sports might be one of the most difficult sports to master, but the rewards can be greater than anything else out there.
Top eventing rider and showjumper, Paige Shiller, has tasted the glory of equestrian success in South Africa, but more importantly for her, she has experienced the benefits of the wonderful bond between horse and rider.
The Farmall resident currently rides nine horses at the Fourways Riding Centre, but only five of them for competitions.
She said that understanding the personality of your horse, and developing a successful partnership with them, is key. “Horses are fantastic creatures, you can form a great bond with them as you come to trust each other,” Shiller smiled, while practising 1-metre jumps on the majestic 13-year-old Namibian warmblood, Alpha So Cool.
“Horses have different personalities, and they have good days and bad days.When I work with Alpha, a stallion, I cannot be too controlling, and I must understand when he sometimes calls to other horses – it is in his nature.”
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Shiller won the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) event in South Africa in 2003 and then rode at the FEI event in Germany afterwards, where she came third on her now retired horse, Midgard Glamour. Shiller also placed in bar two at six SA Derbies and was runner-up at another.
In 2009, Shiller became the first South African to ever qualify for both eventing and showjumping at the World Equestrian Games. Unfortunately, she could not compete as it was too expensive to make the trip.
She rode her first horse at the age of five and was riding in a group in Walkerville, and her horse had followed in a line. Shiller recalled that she was so young and excited that she did not pay attention to an approaching washing line. “My horse went under the line but I was left there, suspended,” she laughed.
The Fourways Riding Centre, which is based in Midrand, is home to about 70 horses and hosts equestrian competitions throughout the year in its six arenas.
Details: Fourways Riding Centre 083 265 8278.
