EFO's 20 Questions with VANESSA CREECH-TERAUDS
- Mari Pikkov
- Jun 1, 2018
- 6 min read
Here is what you all have been waiting for!
In honour of the first Dressage show at Caledon Equestrian Park our 'Feature Rider' for the month of June is none other than...
Vanessa Creech-Terauds
We sat down with Vanessa to ask her about her life with horses and spending time in the saddle. As a rider who has been moving up in the ranks over the past couple years - we thought she would be a perfect candidate for our Feature Rider program!
Here's what she had to say!
1. How did you enter the Equestrian Industry?
“I truly was riding before I was born! My mom, Diane Creech, was riding around on horses while she was pregnant with me, so you could say I was “born to ride”. I started riding myself when I was 3 on an adorable miniature horse named Coby and have been in love with the sport ever since! A few years ago I got the amazing opportunity to join into the sponsorship from Doug and Louise Leatherdale. As being on the Leatherdale team, I proudly ride and compete four of Louise’s horses.”
2. Were you always a dressage rider? Or did you start in a different discipline?
“When I was younger I would tackle a few jumps here and there on one mare I used to ride but never showed at all. Dressage has truly been my passion for as long as I can remember.”
3. What does it take, in your opinion, to be successful in this field?
“I believe it takes passion and drive. The passion for the horses is the real reason we are all in this sport and it’s important to have and to remember that every day. You have to do this because you love it. It also takes a lot of drive. You need drive and initiative to set goals, work through obstacles and take the necessary risks in order to grow as a rider.”
4. What accomplishment are you most proud of within the Equestrian Industry? (Does not have to be based on show results)
“In 2017, Louise Leatherdale’s mare, Fleur de Lis L and I won the young rider division at the Florida International Youth Dressage Festival. It was a proud accomplishment for us because it was only our first year competing at young riders and we had only been together for over a year. Our partnership had developed so much within that year and I still enjoy learning and growing with her!”
5. What does an average day look like for you?
“Right now I am just finishing up grade 12, but I only have two courses. Normally I will go to school in the morning and then head over to the barn to ride Louise’s four horses and finish up the work there. Once we get home we have to take care of our personal horses and once all that is done, my dog Penny is always very demanding to play ball with her.”
6. What are the most common challenges you face?
“I think the biggest challenge is always finding a balance between school and riding. Riding takes a lot of dedication and I would much rather be riding one of Louise’s horses than writing an essay, but I still need to have the discipline to sit done and focus on my schoolwork.”
7. Do you have any suggestions for young riders looking to enter this field?
“Don’t be afraid to take risks. I truly believe you need to put yourself out there and be willing to make sacrifices in order to further your training. Also, learn to laugh at yourself. Horses make us very humble and there will be many ups and downs. Learn to laugh it off and to not be so hard on yourself.”
8. If you weren’t in the Equestrian Industry, what do you think you would be doing instead and why?
“When I was really little I used to love to write stories, so maybe I would be an author. I was a real bookworm and always took pride in my writing. I haven’t written any stories for a long time now, but I think I would still enjoy it.”
9. The most memorable horse which you have owned or ridden is _____ and why?
“Honestly I think every horse I’ve ridden has been very memorable. They have all taught me valuable lessons. I love all my horses and try to develop my partnership with each one of them in their own special way.”
10. What is the one thing you can never go to a horseshow without?
“I never go to the horseshow without knowing that it is not about winning a ribbon. I take a lot pride in the training and progress of the horses. My love for them always comes first.”
11. Do you have any horseshow rituals? (Other than getting Tim’s at 4am)
“Before I go in the ring, when we are taking all the boots off, towel, final touches, etc. I will go through my test out loud and trace it with my finger in the air. I need to take two minutes just to think and breathe and reassure myself that I know what I’m doing. Also as I am walking to the ring I always say “boots off, mic gone, whip gone?” just to make sure. Once a long time ago I went into the ring with the horse’s boots on and nobody noticed until I was already gone… needless to say I’ve been paranoid that will happen again ever since.”
12. Describe the funniest wardrobe malfunction that you have had when riding.
“Well it’s not exactly a malfunction but one time we trailered into a show in Florida for the day and as I was about to get on I realised I had forgotten my riding boots. My mom wasn’t showing so I couldn’t borrow hers so she had to go asking around if I could borrow someone else’s boots. We ended up finding a pair, that was really big, but I threw them on and still had a good test!”
13. What is your favourite post-horseshow thing to do?
“It’s always nice to take the day after the horseshow to decompress. The horses get the day off and I get a chance to catch up with my friends. It’s a nice breather after a busy weekend, but I am always ready or the next one!”
14. What do you like to do for fun with your horse? (go for a hack, pole work, ground training?
“We like to take our horses out for a short hack every day before and after their work session. In Florida it’s really nice they have a big racetrack that surrounds a gorgeous pond and I love cantering them around there. Sometimes on their day off, I will hop on Fleur and do some bareback fun.”
15. Does your horse have a favourite treat? If so, what is it?
“All of them go crazy for bananas, except Harley. We are still trying to work on expanding his palate but for now we’ll stick to the classic carrots for him.”
16. What do you like to do when you manage to get some time off and away from the barn?
“I like taking my dogs to the conservation area for a swim or just have a chill hangout with some of my friends.”
17. What is your go-to late night snack?
“This may sound a little odd but seasoned sunflower seeds. I could munch on those forever.”
18. Everyone has a favourite piece of tack/equipment – what is the one thing you could not do without (besides the obvious, saddle/bridle)
“Last year when we went on our European tour with the horses we found this really cool tack shop in Denmark. We bought Fleur a really pretty brow band and that is definitely a good luck charm now.”
19. What is the fondest memory you have with horses.
“In 2014 I got the generous offer from Louise and Doug Leatherdale to get the ride on Rob Roy, one of their previous stallions.My mom and I flew to Germany to visit him and after sitting on him for the first time I immediately fell in love. It’s been four years now and I still feel the same connection!”
20. Describe your dream vacation (does not have to be horse related)
“I would love to go somewhere warm. Someplace where I can lie on the beach, but also go out and explore the culture. I love learning and experiencing new things so anywhere I could make lifetime memories would be amazing!”
Would you rather…
Show with an unbraided horse or show with a not-so-white white horse
Show with an unbraided horse
Fall in the warm-up ring or forget something during your test
Fall in the warm-up ring
Split your breeches or have your saddle pad slip all the way back in the ring
Split your breeches
Swim in the ocean with your horse or travel the mountains via horseback?
Swim in the ocean with your horse
Have your horse jump out of the ring or not even go down the shoot
Have your horse jump out of the ring
Thank you so much Vanessa for taking the time to sit down with us and answer our questions! We wish you all the best!
- EFO <3
Comments