THERE'S a theory that once an athlete has achieved a big career-defining goal, they experience a version of a comedown. In an instant, the curtain comes down and the pressure dissipates, as the years of graft, determination and consistency come to fruition and the dream has been realised.
I was curious if the same rang true for Danielle Heath. The 48-year-old show horse producer lifted her first-ever "major" supreme accolade at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) in October aboard Issy and Guy Mears' exceptional large hack, Forgeland Hyde Park (Will).
"I'm still absolutely buzzing, Danielle says, eyes gleaming. "It was magical and I'll be on this high for sometime."
Danielle landed her first HOYS title in 2011, riding middleweight hunter contender Oathill Take The Biscuit.
"I never thought I'd be able to replicate that feeling of winning HOYS for the first time," she continues. "I've been in the supreme at HOYS six times and it's been the one I've wanted for so long. And to do it on a horse like Will was the icing on the cake. He thoroughly deserves it."
AFTER their stint at the NEC, Team Heath's open horses are on holiday until the new year. They're fully let down and turned out daily, come rain or shine, in their own separate paddocks.
"They spend the whole season being ridden, trimmed, bathed and groomed so I give them a few months to have a complete break, explains Danielle. "Daily turnout is essential, even if just for an hour. It loosens them off and keeps their systems moving."
Will's paddock is nearest to the block of stables. It's his preferred station, nearest to the action, and Danielle doesn't mind pandering to the five-time HOYS section champion.
"As soon as he goes out, he digs himself a nice big hole and rolls in it," she says.
This story is from the November 23, 2023 edition of Horse & Hound.
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This story is from the November 23, 2023 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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