While many competitive riders dream of making it to the top of their chosen discipline, few succeed. It takes a huge amount of hard work, talent and a bit of luck before one can reach clear that “A”-grade course or complete the Prix St George dressage test. Yet two riders have managed to reach the top of two different disciplines … at the same time!

Paul Hart and Paige Schiller both currently compete at the highest levels in both show jumping and eventing. Paul achieved second place at the 2007 South African eventing championships, as well as a fourth in the South African show jumping championships on Brandenburg Clarinius. Paige was the highest qualifier going into the 2007 South African Derby and finished tied third with her phenomenal Warmblood, Midgard Glamour.

Both Paige and Paul grew up riding. Paige took a long break to focus on her education and career (she is now a managing consultant in human resources). Most child riders tend to do a variety of disciplines, and Paul and Paige are no different.

Both spent their weekends trying out everything on offer, from dressage to equitation, to just enjoying the thrill of riding a horse. Unlike other riders though, Paul continued to compete in both eventing and show jumping, saying that he loved the challenge and does not have a favourite discipline.

Paige was originally focused on show jumping and bought Centre Forward (better known as Stripey) to compete on. She says she never had a specific goal in mind, but rather just wanted a nice horse that she could get to “C”-grade. Stripey turned out to be better suited to eventing and so Paige gave it a try, while looking for a show jumper to continue in that discipline.

She found Glamour and quickly went up the grades. Her nice “C”-grade horses turned into two formidable champions in eventing AND show jumping.

Not always easy

Both riders agree that competing at such a high level in two disciplines is extremely difficult. Many shows clash and it is necessary to be slightly more picky in determining which is the bigger show to go to.

Paul also finds it difficult as he has sponsors who want to see their horses compete. But he is quick to point out he that his sponsors are actually very good to him and patient with their horses. The Brandenburg stud sponsors his show jumping career, while Air Holidays and the Cliffords sponsor the eventing discipline.

Unlike other sponsors, they are not over-demanding. Paul believes that with their support and the juggling of disciplines, his horses are never “over-jumped” and therefore perform better.

Paige does not have a sponsor, but funds her riding career with her work career. Obviously the time management is difficult, but she points out that she has always been a bit of an over-achiever. Her schooling methods are the same for both her eventers and show jumpers. She tries to do two to three schooling sessions with each horse, and two track sessions. She likes to vary their routines so that no schooling session is ever the same.

She also jumps Glamour once a week and believes that a horse has only so many jumps in him. She jumps Centre Forward a little less often, but has dressage lessons with him to help with that particular phase of the eventing competition. Paige takes lessons with Gail Foxcroft.

Routines for champions

Paul has different routines for the different disciplines. For his eventers he does track work, lungeing and also focuses on proper dressage training with the correct tack and frame. He is slightly more lenient on the show jumpers when it comes to schooling on the flat, as it is not necessary for them to be completely on the bit and in that “dressage” frame, although he still emphasises the importance of quality flatwork with a show jumper.
Paul also tries to hack his horses out once a week. These hacks are relaxed and by no means a drilling session. They consist of leisurely walks on a long rein, which lets the horse relax and have fun. Paul is also a firm believer that even at the top of your discipline, you need lessons. He receives tuition from Gonda Beatrix and Mariaane Conling.

So, two riders at the top of two different disciplines, and yet it seems that the preparation remains in part much the same. Is it possible then for one to have a horse that can jump at the highest level and event at that level as well?

Paige believes that show jumping is all about precision, control and luck. Eventing is about obedience, suppleness and bravery, but there is a definite cross-over. If one looks at the Derby, there are a variety of “eventing” type fences such as the bank. She comments that at the highest levels, both disciplines require precision and focus. It is her belief that many top show jumpers could easily event. However, the riders just choose not to.

Paul believes that eventing is mentally and physically tougher. One needs a braver horse that can change character, depending on the phase. With show jumping one needs to be focused, as there is no room for mistakes. You are either on form or not.

Page points out that breed also plays a part. Thoroughbreds tend to suit the cross-country course due to their natural speed, forwardness and athleticism, while Warmbloods are not always forward enough in the cross-country phase.

Both riders have similar advice for the younger generation that have dreams of reaching the top, be it in two disciplines or one. Paige says one should be focused, disciplined and, even at A-grade level, one should be willing to learn. Paul emphasises the importance of finding a trainer that works for you and that you like. It is important to plan one’s season step by step and to never rush yourself or your horse.

Gail Foxcroft was one of the first South African riders to compete successfully in two disciplines at the same time, achieving her South African national colours in both eventing and show jumping in 1986 and 1989 respectively. She is still competitive in the open show jumping ring on her stallion, Lindenburg, who can be seen every year enjoying the Winter Classic, which places cross-country jumps into an arena in the winter months when the ground is hard.