Tell us about you and your horse
Sarah competing at NAYC last summer
My name is Sarah Corbett, I’m twenty years old and I have been riding my entire life! My horse’s name is Sully and he is a 11 year old Oldenburg gelding who I have owned for 5 and a half years. Together we have gone from training level up to I1/I2
How did horses come into your life?
My mom is actually a farrier, so I was very lucky and grew up around horses. My current horse Sully was actually a sight unseen purchase which was a bit of a risk but it’s totally paying off for us.
When and where do you ride?
Sarah with her coach Danielle and Sully after winning freestyle at WEC
Sully is a horse that needs to stay in work very consistently, so I usually ride him 5-6 days a week depending on what we’re working on and what’s coming up in our show/clinic schedule. Usually, one of the days is a hacking day and we go galloping along the trails. In the summer months I ride with Cindy Ishoy and Daisy Kosa in Ontario Canada and in the winter, we head down to Wellington where I train and compete with Denielle Gallagher.
How did you start riding?
I actually started in vaulting when I was just three years old. I eventually moved on to trick riding and absolutely loved it. I discovered dressage when I was eight and fell in love with the technical side of it and have been addicted ever since.
What you and your horses currently working on?
Sarah and Sully competing at NAYC
This year we are going to try to qualify for young riders again before I age out. We have just started to kind of touch on the U25 GP movements and so far it’s going very well.
What do you love about riding?
I love the connection that I’m able to create with the horse. There is something so special about being able to create a dance with a 1500 lb animal and I find that to be absolutely incredible. The technicality of the sport I find to be very addicting, and I think that it takes so much mental control and timing.
What would you like to be doing in the future and do you have any goals?
Sarah with her good friend Sara, and Sully at Young riders last year before the jog representing Canada
My all time goal is to represent Canada at the Olympic Games. Eventually I would love to have my own training business and be able to have some clients and sales horses, however I’m still super young and have lots of learning to do so I’m in no rush. I would really like to go to Europe in the next year or so to show and train over there.
Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding?
This image sums up Sarah’s relationship with Sully. This photo was taken at Young riders when Sarah fell asleep in Sully’s stall
Yes. I don’t actually get nervous to ride or compete, but I do tend to get very nervous in the warm-up ring. I tend to over fixate on what other people are doing and that if they’re watching me but once I go into the show ring, I’m able to turn it off and focus.
How do you with them?
Honestly, for me personally it’s come with time. The more time I can be in the show ring and the warm-up ring the better it is. For me I don’t think there’s any better way to get over your fear of doing something other than doing it.
Your Top Tip
Sarah with Sully and friends from her Zumba class who went along to support her
My top tip would honestly be to never give up. Every single famous rider out there has been a beginner at some point in their life, and they have failed at some point in their life, and they’ve probably came last in a competition. Winners are just dreamers who never gave up and I think that’s a super important way to live your life if you want to be successful.
Down the Centre Line
Who would be your dream horse to ride?
Glamourdale
Who is your equestrian rider hero?
Cathrine Dufour, Steffen Peters and Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl
If you could have 5 people to dinner, who would they be?
Cathrine Dufour
Steffen Peters
Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl
Fredric Wandres
Anna Buffini
Favourite colour horse?
Some would say boring, but I love a solid bay
Favourite horse event?
My favourite horse event that I have personally attended would be NAYC in 2022
Favourite food?
Skittles
Favourite way to relax?
Watching a movie in Sullies stall with him
Favourite film?
Grace and Frankie
Want More?
If you enjoyed meeting Sarah you might like to view more dressage rider “chatting with” interviews here You can keep up with Sarah’s progress and check out her instagram page here