Perth-born Tyla Schou enjoyed a recent win at Addington in the UK with her dance partner Dennis Deniro. Image by Spidge Event photography.
Australian rider Tyla Schou is making a mark in the UK with a recent win in an Under-25 Intermediate II class on 68.137%. She also secured second place in both the U25 Grand Prix (65.214%) and the Grand Prix Freestyle (71.700%) with her four-legged partner Dennis Deniro. For many Australians, this was the first they’d heard of Tyla and Dennis, but riders in Western Australia know them well.
Tyla and Dennis were all smiles after a successful outing at a local competition in March. Image by Spidge Event photography.
Tyla grew up in the Perth Hills. Her parents, Jesper and Anita Schou, had both ridden in their childhood, but it was Tyla’s paternal grandma, Dorrit Schou, that started the passion for her.
“As a kid, she always had horses and I was always wanting to sit on them,” explains Tyla. “I used to play stick horses with my friends all the time until I got my own pony.”
Like many young riders Tyla went to Pony Club and did all the different disciplines, but it was in one of her lessons with coach Deborah Spencer where the love of dressage clicked in. From there she started having lessons with Victoria Hamilton and her love for the sport continued to progress.
“I liked the challenge and the finesse of it,” Tyla recalls. “I liked the fine details and how many ways there were to ask for something… and I just really enjoy it.”
When Tyla was 15 she met her current dancing partner Dennis De Niro, a 13-year-old gelding by De Niro out of a Sandro Hit mare, when he was just four years old. “He never really had a character when I first bought him, but he’s grown into a personality.” Together the pair progressed through the levels with lots of achievements, including winning the Prix St Georges at the 2020 Western Australia State Championships, and being awarded Dressage Rider of the Year back-to-back in 2020 and 2021.
Outside of her successes with Dennis, Tyla also became an accredited off the track re-trainer for WA in 2020. Over two years, Tyla worked with 14 off-the-track horses helping them find their way in their new careers after racing. Tyla also took on other horses for training, including riding for Michelle James at Penny Hill Park, and she also became a qualified EMMETT Technique Horse Practitioner in 2022 – a therapy that utilises light finger pressure on specific points to release muscle tension and improve movement. It is easy to say that Tyla has long lived and breathed everything horsey.
A good coach is pivotal when it comes to your journey and Tyla is quick to credit her success to the guidance and support she received from her coaches along the years, including Grand Prix dressage rider Steph Spencer and EA Level 3 coach and A level dressage judge Nadine Mereweather in Australia.
‘DID NOT WANT TO DIE WONDERING’
“I’m so lucky to be
here training with Laura
and Carl Cuypers.”
Like many ambitious riders, Tyla dreamed of going to Europe and with solid and consistent scores in the Small Tour work she decided to take the leap. “I was at a point in my training and time in my life where I did not want to die wondering. I wanted to learn and train,” she explains. And so that is what she did in August of 2022 – and she hasn’t looked back.
Whilst it was an adjustment and it took a while to find their place, Tyla and Dennis are now based with Laura Tomlinson (nee Bechtolsheimer). Laura needs no introduction, being part of Great Britain’s 2012 London Olympic gold medal-winning team, where she also claimed an individual bronze medal for herself.
“I’m so lucky to be here training with Laura and also Carl Cuypers. It took some time finding our feet and where we wanted to be and who we wanted to train with. It was Laura who introduced me to the Under-25 classes, and after the first one I was hooked!”
Since their debut at this level the combination has improved their scores by over 7% in under a year and are looking like a formidable combination for the future.
“Dennis tries really hard. He never says no, but I would never push him past his limits and for now he’s happy and so we continue whilst he’s happy.”
The pair have their sights set on upcoming British CDIs in Wellington and Hartpury.
From competing at Perth to centre stage in the UK has been quite a change. “The atmosphere is very different and exciting. It is such a buzz and there are so many people watching. At first it was a little overwhelming but now it uplifts me,” says Tyla.
This is the combination’s final year in the Under-25 classes before they step out at open Grand Prix, and with their scores continuing in a positive projection they are certainly a combination to watch!
Whilst Dennis is proving to be a superstar in the arena, his genuine personality means he has been for beach rides, trail rides, been ridden bareback with a halter and even Tyla’s mum hops on him occasionally. Truly the horse every young rider wishes for.
Tyla also works as a groom for Laura. “It’s an incredible place to be! Laura is so generous with her time for me, but also for the horses. Her love for them is evident in her training and everything is horse first,” says Tyla.
Anyone who has made the move to the other side of the world knows how big a change it brings, losing all familiar support systems.
“I was really lucky that my partner Jake could come for the first two years and my mum is arriving soon. Additionally, the support of my family, friends and sponsors, GS Equestrian, Horse Straights Direct, LaNoir Equestrian, Saddleworld, and Allways Caravan Hire on this journey has made it easier.”
For any riders thinking of making the move, Tyla can’t recommend it enough. “If you think you want to give it a try, go and do it and find your way. You don’t need an exact plan, but it will work out if you’re prepared to put in the work and try.” EQ
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