TEAM HYGAIN - AMANDA HOWELL

• 2006 - 2nd Camperdown CIC***, 3rd Albury CIC***, 5th Albury CIC**, 2nd Tonimbuk CIC**, 1st Tonimbuk CIC*.
  

• 3rd Albury CIC*** riding Zoom.

When did you first start riding?

• Mum used to ride, & has a photo of me sitting on a horse at 2 yrs old! I began at a riding school when I was about 6yrs old.

First horse?

• When I was 8yrs old, Mum bought me my first pony - an 11.3hh grey welsh/Australian pony called Tinkara Minuette.
  

Describe your typical day?

• My typical day starts with a quick breakfast, then turn out the stabled horses at 7:30-8am, muck out the boxes, then ride usually 4-5 horses from 9am to 2pm-ish. I teach mostly after school times from 3:30-7:30pm from home. The stabled horses are brought in between teaching lessons around 4:30pm, & tucked in & lights out around 10pm. This can vary - sometimes I teach a couple of lessons in the morning, some days I'll teach a days clinic & ride when I get home.
  

Any Other Pets?

• My husband & I have two Staffordshire terriers - our daughter 'Pika' who is 5yrs old, black with white socks & chest, & our son 'Murphy' (Murf) who is red & white, & 7 months old. We also have a Russian Blue cat named Prudence, but she thinks she's a dog.
  

Your best Horse?

• My best horse overall is Otto Schumaker who I rode at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. At the moment, my 3* horse Zoom is the head of the stable.
  

What is your favourite Horse of all time & Why? (anyone’s)

• One of my favorite horses to watch compete was the showjumper 'Milton' - he had such amazing scope & was a real head-turner being snow-white. Watching Milton just made my jaw drop, I was always in complete awe of his amazing jump!
  

Your favourite Food?

•  My favorite food…chocolate, Thai, & lots of different salads. I am a chocoholic!
  

Your Favourite Drink?

• Fav drink - I don't have a favorite, I'm kind of boring & drink lots of water!
  

Your favourite Song?

• I like lots of different music - stuff like the Rogue Traders.
  

Your favourite TV Show and Movie?

• At the moment we like watching Mythbusters, House, & any sports stuff like the F1 Grand Prix's on TV. Love Actually is one of our favorite movies.
  

Your best horse event & Why?

• I have always enjoyed Camperdown Horse Trials, because its really rider friendly & a well built course. I had a great event there in April 2005 winning 3 classes, & the pub serves great food!
  

What other hobbies do you have?

• We enjoy snow skiing but do not get much time for it anymore, as well as doing dinner with friends, movies, & getting unexpected free time - there is always something that needs doing!                 

Person you most admire?

• I most admire Lance Armstrong, for his amazing fight against cancer & subsequent return to record winning cycling form. His books are incredibly motivational & really put life into perspective.
  

What do you want to achieve in the next 5 years?

• I really really really want to compete at the Olympics/World Games etc again! Successfully!
  

HYGAIN Feed or Supplements You Currently Use and why?

• We feed my younger eventers & those on holidays Showtorque. The harder working eventers eat MicrSpeed & oats, & my broodmare & weanling/yearling get Studtorque. All working horses get Regain electrolytes & Flexion for their joints, those that need more vitamins & minerals get Sporthorse. Gleam is great to improve hoof growth quality, & Pak Cell is given to those needing an iron boost. Recuperate Pastes are excellent after a long journey to an event & after XC to replace vital amino acids.
  

What is the best thing about having a horse?

• Horses are amazing creatures in that they are my friends, my business partners, & my competitive team mates. I just love animals & enjoy working & training with them.
  

Ideal Retreat?

• The amazing 100acre dream property by the beach in Mornington, with an array of arenas, stables, gallop track, lush paddocks, & well paid grooms to help me look after my team of Olympic eventers, next to the golf course to keep husband happy….just waiting on the winning lotto ticket!
  

Words of Wisdom

• …Just Do It!