Getting to know you…
We asked showjumper Bex Mason to share a favourite flatwork
exercise, and also asked her ten burning questions, from advice to training
goals.
Recovery on landing from a fence is usually to do with rider
balance and proprioception.
I do non-mounted balancing exercises daily. A simple one is
to balance in your jumping position on a showjumping pole (placed on a hard
surface) – try to use your core to maintain perfect balance. Once you’re adept
at this, you can then throw a ball from that position, to make it more
difficult!
Ten burning questions
1. What’s your
most memorable horse and why?
Miserden Imprezza - she is nothing I would’ve chosen in a
horse, but she chose me, and we won over 180 classes together. Pretzel is a
broodmare now and is as quirky as they come; she’s quick and careful as a cat,
so hopefully will pass her brave, gutsy traits onto her offspring. She’s the
ultimate ‘diesel horse’ and will stay with me now for all her days!
2. What’s your
best piece of advice?
You can do and be whatever and whoever you want - you just
have to want it enough!
3. Who’s the
person you look up to today in equestrianism, and why?
Liz Launder (osteopath and senior lecturer on Equine Science
at the UK’s Hartpury College). She specialises in equine reproduction and
equine therapy, and her knowledge goes so deep. Liz’s perspective on every
aspect of the horse and rider is what constitutes the small differences which
help us to be better in every day. She is a wizard!
4. What’s your
ultimate riding or training goal?
To jump a world ranking class in the next year.
5. Can you
share your biggest regret?
This would definitely be not checking my own tack at the
talent seekers final! I had been drawn last to go (a prime spot) riding
Vancurtis – she’d been on flying form, and I was confident this was her class
of the year. I cantered to the first fence, and realised she couldn't get her
head up; her martingale had been swapped when the tack was taken apart to
clean. It was far too short. She was fighting for her head and eventually she
ground to a halt at fence six. (Bearing in mind I started Kimmy as a three year
old and she had never stopped, not even once in her whole career!) I knew what
was wrong, so just retired. I was very grateful that I knew why, and certainly
learnt my lesson about checking my tack. it was just a little frustrating that
I couldn't have learnt that lesson in a less prestigious class!
6. What would
you tell your younger/teenage self?
Keep going, enjoy the interactions with people as well as
all the small wins; and live in each moment.
7. What’s the horse you would like to
have ridden, or to ride?
Of course I’d have to say Stroller; Marion Coakes’ amazing
little gelding, and the only pony to compete at the Olympics in show jumping.
He competed in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico; he was the ultimate little horse with
a big heart. I think he would suit me,
being only 14.2hh.
8. Which three
dinner party guests would you choose?
Showjumpers Edwina Tops-Alexandra and Rowan Willis (both top
class riders who come across so positively in the sport). And David
Attenborough; who wouldn’t want him at the dinner table?
9. What would you
like to see implemented in your discipline?
Prize-givings— it’s so sad now that at the smaller local
shows, the owners don’t get to see their horses go in the ring to collect their
prize. Obviously not currently because of Covid, but even before the pandemic, this
had stopped. The owners put so much into the horses, and this was always a
little piece of joy that they got back.
10. What will you
be doing in 20 years’ time?
I will be riding Vancurtis’ babies, and coaching, as well as
spending time between sunnier climates and the UK.
All about Bex Mason
Bex has worked for many years breaking in horses and
competing at an international level and specialises in producing competition
horses. “I find myself expressing love for my Derrieres daily,” Bex says of the
underwear range. “I openly discuss the results and versatility of the products,
whether it’s to customers at my yard, or fellow competitors at shows; I don’t
even realise I’m doing it - these pants change riders’ lives!”
Visit her website - www.bexmasonshowjumping.co.uk
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