Eventing can be intense for everyone involved, that’s no secret. Rider, coach, spectator – no one is spared from the investment and emotion of it all, especially not family and definitely not a parent.
Anne Altmann is one of those parents spending many weekends at eventing competitions. It’s a lot of time, energy and emotion spent at various locations across the state (and country). A lot of revising dressage tests, remembering the ring number, filming the showjumping and waiting anxiously at the finish flags. Once she’s done all that, she does it again – because Anne has two daughters that compete at CCI2* and CCI3* levels.
Laura and Emma Hercules are competing at Melbourne International Three-Day Event (MI3DE) in the CCI2*-L YR/Junior and CCI3*-L, respectively and Anne is not only their Mum, but their biggest fan.
“Getting to this level wasn’t necessarily the plan, it just sort of happened as they progressed through the levels and then a few years ago, the two-star Junior at Melbourne became a goal for them both,” she explains.
They reached that goal indeed, with Laura, now 21, finishing in second place in 2022 on Ballahowe Wildside (Alan). Emma, now 17, then partnered with Alan to finish in sixth place in 2024.
Living, training and competing alongside a sibling has some great advantages, particularly at this level. There are obvious things like motivating and challenging each other as well as the logistical benefits of always having company when out riding. They also get to spend “a lot of time away together as a family, which is really lovely.”
Most importantly though, they have a great comradery, and they help each other a lot. “They’re each other’s sounding board, they share their knowledge and insights,” says Anne. “I don’t think I give them much technical advice; they get that from each other – I’m more of the moral support.”
Anne’s role is much more than that though, she pivots to meet needs that are often opposite. “With horses, there are the obvious highs and lows, but with two of them, they are often happening at the same time. It can be celebrations for one and commiserations for the other.” That’s one of the biggest challenges for Anne as their Mum, so she manages it by taking as much pressure off as possible so they can focus solely on their rides.
Transport, time keeping, saddling, feeding, cooking, psychology – Anne has it all covered. “If I’m well prepared, then they’re well prepared too and it helps us to all feel confident.”
That preparation is even more important in the lead up to and during an event like MI3DE. It’s a special event on anyone’s calendar, and with that comes added pressure. “There is more of a spotlight – crowds, live streaming, the fact that it’s long format,” says Anne, adding that those factors are also what make it “so much fun.”
Anne is hoping they both really do have fun and achieve the results they’re aiming for, but results aside, she is already proud. “They’re both amazing and brave, I’m in awe of them. I’m proud, especially of their love for the horses – they always put them first”.
This week, Anne and the girls are making their last preparations for MI3DE (we had our chat scheduled around the last fitness ride) where Laura will compete in the CCI2*-L YR/Junior on Paint A Squiggle (Squigs) and Emma riding Ballahowe Wildside will be in the CCI3*-L.
It’s going to be a very busy week, and Anne is looking forward to Sunday when she can watch them patting their ponies whilst they gallop through the finish flags. She’ll be running straight over to ask “Clear?” She’s most excited for the part that makes it all so worth it – when the response is a huge smile and a nod that means “Yes!”
