Rider of the Month Lydia Jackson
Rose-Hip Vital sponsored rider Lydia Jackson is a level 3 Dressage Specialist coach, Level 2 General Coach and Coach Educator. She and her husband Jonathan run the family business, Kingston Agistment and Training Centre, which is approximately 15 minutes from Hobart.
Lydia and Jonathan have 3 children, Harry 8, Sabrina 6 and Charlie 3yo. Before children, Lydia was a successful Eventing Rider with winnings and placings at all major 3DE over Australia. She was also twice a member of the Australian Young Rider Trans Tasman Team, as well as being on the National B Squad for Athens and on the NSW Institute of Sport Squad for a number of years.
Since returning to Hobart a little over 10 years ago, Lydia has primarily concentrated on a Dressage Career with success at National level with numerous horses. She has had success on Snowy River Blackwood and Precizion at Grand Prix and is about to compete GP in a couple of weeks on a homebred and produced horse named Splendido.
At the recent 2016 Tasmanian Dressage Championships, Lydia's Clients scooped the pool. The horses from Advanced up are all on Rose-Hip Vital Equine! Here is a list of Lydia's achievements.
- Preliminary Championship- Malteser R and Lydia Jackson
- Novice Championship- Malteser R and Lydia Jackson
- Elementary Championship- Neversfeld Rommany and Belinda Snooks
- Advanced Championship- Just Victory and Alison Watson
- Small Tour Championship- Sir Archibald and Meegan Daun
- Medium Tour Championship- Splendido and Lydia Jackson
- Reserve Medium Tour Championship- Sunbury Lodge Toronto and Miriam Coleman
- Para Championship- Kooinda Saint and Catlin Radcliffe
- Pony Medium Championship- Elmos Fire and Karina Lane
We recently asked Lydia a few questions about her horses and her achievements, as well as her thoughts on Rose-Hip Vital Equine:
When and how did you start riding?
I was 5 years old; my parents were both riding and competing, so it was a natural progression.
What do you love most about riding and working with horses?
I love the outdoors, I love working with horses as they are beautiful and intriguing creatures, I enjoy training and schooling them and developing each horse to the best they can be.
What skills, abilities and training do you need to succeed in your chosen discipline?
As primarily a dressage rider now I believe you need a calm and focussed outlook on all aspects of training and competition, not being distracted by outside influences you can not control.
If horses are your livelihood, briefly describe the services you offer.
We run Kingston Agistment and Training Stables. We offer Agistment, lessons and schooling of horses.
What do you consider your biggest equestrian achievement to date?
Competing Grand Prix and obtaining my NCAS level 3 Dressage Coaching Accreditation
What is your favourite competition memory?
A few brilliant XC rides, Adelaide 3DE.
Tell us a little about your current competition horse(s).
I have 4 Competition horses, Splendido 13yo GP, he is really stepping up to the level and every day we experience more confidence and improvement of our work. Malteser R is 5yo is elementary level, he was recently awarded Tas EA young horse of the Year and is on the national futures Squad, he is very cheeky but very trainable and we are excited about the future. I also have a new young horse that will start competing later this year, his current name is Peaches, I have a few ideas for a competition name but still deciding. He is very tall and only 3 with great breeding.
What is your goal for them over the next 12 months?
My goals are to improve my percentages here in Tasmania and aim for DWTS and the nationals next year.
If someone wanted to follow a similar journey to you what tips would you offer them?
Marry a good partner, surround yourself with positive people and stay true to what you want and who you are.
What advice would you would you give to your younger self?
Listen to your mother!
Besides riding horses, what else are you passionate about?
My family and friends.
Who or what inspires you?
Seeing people achieving their goals and dreams.
How long have you been using Rose-Hip Vital?
I have been using Rosehip Vital for 3 years. I was looking for an alternative to injections for joints etc I am thrilled with the results we have seen and we have 3 sound GP horses on it!
How did you find about it and why did you start using it?
Roger Fitzhardinge was raving about it! He is a well respected journalist and photographer within the equestrian world.
Tell us about the health benefits you have experienced or noticed since using it.
My horses seem happier, more willing to work, healthy coats and general wellbeing. For myself if I miss a day not taking them, it struggle to walk when I get out of bed and and night I feel stiff and mild aches.
