Hygain

TEAM HYGAIN - ANDREW SOPER

Name: Andrew Soper

OCCUPATION: Animal Flight Attendant / Western Performance Horse Trainer

DISIPLINE/S: Western Performance

CURRENT HORSES: Naturally Charming, Stop n Paws & Winderadeen Cesomthinhot

RECENT PERFORMANCES: At the Australian Halter Showcase 1st in the Weanling Halter Futurity, 2nd in the Yearling Halter Futurity and Champion Colt/Stallion, as well as numerous other placings throughout the show season.

BEST PERFORMANCE: Winning the $10,000 Solid Gold Western Pleasure Futurity at the Australian Halter Show in 1966 aboard Naturally Charming.

When did you start riding?

  • I started when I was about 3.

First Horse?

  • A pony called Danny; he was 12hh, chestnut and a fantastic friend


Andrew Soper

Describe your typical day?

  • With my job I could be almost anywhere in the world on any given day. When I am flying I get to the airport, load the horses and take care of them during the flight. When we arrive I unload them and either head off home or onto my next world wide destination. If I'm at home I take care of my horses, work them as required and then help my wife with our new baby girl 'Kloe', the most important job of all!!

Any other pets?

  • Ben the Blue Healer, Cody the Australian Sheppard and Smoggy the cat.

Your Best Horse?

  • Naturally Charming. A bay 13yr old Quarter horse Gelding, that we still enjoy showing.

What is your favourite Horse of all time?

  • I have been lucky to have shown many great Quarter horses as well as having flown with some of the great Competing horses in the world and they are all special. Standouts are H.F.Somthin Hot, Sweat Priory, Naturally Charming, Flashy Zipper and Mummify.

Your Favourite Food?

  • A good steak and veggies.

Your Favourite Drink?

  • Any fruit juice.

Your Favourite Song?

  • Changes every day, I like Keith Urban.

Your Favourite TV Show and Movie?

  • I love CSI, as for a movie Saving Private Ryan.

Your Best Horse Event & Why?

  • I have two annual events which are the Australian Halter Showcase and the National Pleasure Horse Championships. These two shows are the biggest ones for the year and have the highest level of competition and prize money, so are the best to do well at.

What other Hobbies do you have?

  • I am a Builder by trade so I love making things out of wood.

Person You Most Admire?

  • This one is all the people riding in the Riding for the Disabled Association. The challenges these people overcome to achieve great things with horse's puts most able bodied people to shame.

What Do You Want To Achieve in The Next 5 Years?

  • I would love to coach the Australian Quarter Horse Youth World Cup Team again.
    I would also like to have more time to spend on preparing my show team and have more success at the Australian Halter Showcase and the N.P.H.A Championships.

HYGAIN Feed or Supplements You Currently Use and Why?

I use ICE on all my horses as their main pallet because of its nutrient value without overheating my competition horses. I use Balanced in conjunction with Grotorque on all my young stock as I love how they grow and look so healthy on this combination without creating growth related problems. The supplements I use are RBO-elite and Flexion. I love the coats my horses get on RBO, particularly when they have been on it for more than one season. I use the Flexion as a preventative and to counteract any wear and tear on my riding horses. In the past I have used Equine Senior on my wife's pony who we were having a lot of trouble keeping her condition up, but on this feed she piled the weight on and lived to the terrific age of 36 years, before we sadly had to say goodbye to our beloved old friend.

What is the best thing about having a horse?

  • The lifestyle.

Ideal Retreat?

  • I love spending time in Dubai; ideally I would have my wife & child there with me.

Words of Wisdom?

  • Whatever you do in life you only get out of it what you put in!!

 

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