Maddison Vallender and Ronan R competing at Willinga Park. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Once an unknown name, young Australian rider Maddie Vallender has quickly risen through the ranks. From motorbikes to dressage, her return to riding has seen her achieve international recognition. Now based in Germany with Aussie Olympian Will Matthew to train her new mare, Ivy, Maddie is chasing experience, not accolades – driven by passion, hard work, and an unwavering love for the sport.
Maddie Vallender began riding at the age of five. Image supplied.
Two years ago, if you mentioned the name ‘Maddie Vallender’ in the dressage or equestrian world in Australia, no one would have had heard of her. Maddie, living close to Canberra in Yass, only took to liking dressage a few years ago. She rode as a young girl and did a lot of showing, but she soon became bored with it and joined her brother racing motorbikes. Only three years ago after watching a dressage competition, however, a spark lit a fire in her heart. She had never ridden dressage tests – in fact, she hadn’t ridden at all for several years. Maddie rode a schoolmaster, Elversace, in a Prix St Georges test in 2022 and that was the tenth test she had ever ridden. I guess you could say it was like a duck to water!
“She had never
ridden dressage tests…”
You can read more about Maddie’s equestrian journey in the March 2024 issue of Equestrian Life.
Maddie Vallender is now very well known in Australian dressage as one of the up-and-coming young riders. Her name appears internationally on the FEI world ranking at number three in the Juniors with Rubinell (Blue Hors Romanov x Don Larino) and number 30 in the Under 25 riders with Ronan R (Regardez Moi x Richmeed Medallion). It is also interesting to note that Jessica Dertell is now fourth in the FEI Young Rider rankings, Kate Kyros is at number 11, and Tia Rose McKenzie is at number 14, as well as number 15 in the Juniors. How amazing for Australia!
Maddie Vallender and Ronan R. Image by Roger Fitzhardinge.
Maddie is a very down-to-earth achiever. Smart and single-minded, charming and confident without being outgoing. She keeps to herself and simply loves her horses, their welfare and the sport. The challenge of making her horses the best she can is, for her, exciting. Competing is a bonus, and a win icing on the cake – but win or lose, she is a great sportsperson with a great attitude in a sport that has plenty of ups and downs. She has a quiet and calculated demeanour with an empathetic way of riding. Supported by her parents, but hard-working, Maddie became a force to be reckoned with in the Junior classes at FEI level on the tall, elegant chestnut mare, Rubinell (‘Ruby’) and Ronan R, her Grand Prix horse.
By no means has she been handed her horses and her competition success on a plate. She works hard in the barn and on the family property, preparing and producing her horses to the best of her ability. Of course, her mother helps and loves to do so, as does her father.
Maddie seems to have her timeline fairly well mapped out. She’s modest with her success in her wins and realises how lucky she is to have good horses, good coaching and good support. She would not be in the position she is in now without these ingredients and, of course, tireless dedication.
FINDING ‘IVY’
Travelling overseas with a group of young riders to compete at P.S.I. in Hagan, Germany last year gave Maddie a huge insight and valuable experience into not only the professional and the business-like approach to the sport in Europe, but also to success and lack thereof. She came back to Australia and competed very successfully, digesting that information and experience.
“I had ridden over 10
horses and when I first sat
on Ivy it felt right…”
While over there, Maddie and her family took the chance to look at a few horses to get a feel for what was available. Maddie has very definite ideas about the horses that fit her – similar to fitting a pair of gloves! It is not always easy to easy to find that fit. She was not so blown away by the many good horses she rode – not because they were not great horses and well trained, they just didn’t feel right for her. It was with Will Matthew – the West Australian Olympian who was so successful in Paris, and who spent some years training under the guidance of Isabell Werth – that Maddie and her family ultimately found the liver chestnut Hanoverian called Isla Bonita 10.
‘Ivy’ suited Maddie’s feeling perfectly. The mare was athletic, sensitive, light, and expressive. Maddie wants to work wise and not strong in her riding. This mare suited that attitude for her right down to the ground… and a black mare as well! She is by the in-fashion stallion Asgard’s Ibiza and from a San Amour I mare named Sangora. Ivy is eight this month and has competed Small Tour and is starting training in all the Grand Prix movements.
“I had ridden over 10 horses and when I first sat on Ivy it felt right,” says Maddie of how she chose her new mare. “Of course, firstly there was a budget, then age and training, and that all fitted and especially then the feel. She is now only just eight and competing seven-year-old tests, so she is Prix St Georges and training Grand Prix. I like mares a lot and seem to enjoy their personality.”
A MOVE TO EUROPE
Having spent time mulling this over, selling her beloved horse Ruby, and now packing everything up for a few months, Maddie is now in Germany to train this mare with Will Matthew near Oberhausen. She and her mother will travel and start training there, and after several months they will reassess and decide what the following step will be.
This next step in Maddie’s riding journey will be to make the most of her education and to see the sport on the big stage. She has now sold her beloved mare Ruby to help fund her trip and to buy another horse. Ronan is part of the family; she’s not sure that he will go anywhere, other than be spoiled rotten in his own stable.
Maddie Vallender and Isla Bonita 10, aka ‘Ivy’. Image supplied.
“I’m looking forward to this
next step in my jigsaw of life…”
On asking Maddie about her choice to go to Europe she replied: “We always thought that if I was to be lucky enough to find a horse to buy in Europe, I would like to take the opportunity train and compete in Europe simply to build my experience.
“We had been to Europe to look for a suitable horse and I had the chance to ride some amazing horses in some wonderful barns. I watched many talented trainers and riders, and just being able to sit and observe, with an open mind, riding and training and many differing styles.”
“I will be based at Will Matthew’s barn and ride and train my new horse, Ivy, with him. Will Matthew is an inspiration to me, seeing how he has come so far and managed to do so well. It will be great to see it all at firsthand and I am not sure what the future brings nor how long I will stay in Europe.
“I am going to stay a few months and train and hope to compete and then it will be up to how I feel. Ronan will stay in Australia and will stay in work with Dave and Robbie McKinnon, and I will miss him a lot!
“When I bought Ivy, I had four rides and Will helped. It was a good impression for both of us and I hope it will be so inspiring. I am excited to get there and start work. If I decide to stay, I will need to get a job in the industry, as I am bit of a worker and just riding one horse a day will do my head in, I am sure… I’m looking forward to this next step in my jigsaw of life, horses and training!”
Maddie isn’t one with outlandish expectations, but with only an expectation upon herself to make the most of every opportunity. She’s very much looking forward to working with her new mare and training in Germany. EQ
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