Sophia Hill
Discipline: Eventing
Home town: Mosman, Sydney, New South Wales
How did your love of the horse begin?
Growing up in Sydney, I was a horse crazy girl with no horse! I was so desperate for my own horse that I used to write it on my mum’s shopping list. I also named my bicycle ‘Prancer’ after the horse in The Saddle Club and took the bike over jumps! Luckily my grandparents have a farm on the southernmost tip of Victoria, and I was able to get a pony there when I was 9 years old. A few years later we moved to Melbourne and closer to the farm and horse, much to my delight.
What are your competition achievements highlights?
My biggest competition achievement is placing 3rd at my first Five Star at Adelaide!
What are your goals?
I am hoping to take my horse Hughie overseas to compete in 2024. He is such an incredible jumping horse and I would love to compete at Badminton or Burghley Horse Trials.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your team.
I am based at Bluebell Park in Mansfield, Victoria. My husband Andrew Hill and I purchased the property 4 years ago, and have been flat out developing it ever since! I run a horse training and rider coaching business, and also stand stallions at stud in partnership with Tulara Warmbloods. I have a special team of horses at the moment, consisting of three FEI eventing stars, and a number of young horses that I hope to showjump at the top level.
What are your favourite products from Horseland you use, and why?
WeatherBeeta Therapy-Tec Gel Ice Boots – We ice our horses after every jump, and the higher level horses after every ride. These ice boots are super easy to use as everyday ice boots and at competitions.
Albion Saddles – my favourites are the Kontrol jump saddle and the Revelation dressage saddle. These saddles are fantastic quality, durable, and I love the position they put me in.
Dublin Galtymore Tall Boots – I have ridden exclusively in these tall boots for the last 5 years! They are easy to wear in, comfortable to ride in, and look great. I have a pair for at home and for competition.
The entire WeatherBeeta rug range – We use WeatherBeeta rugs on all our horses and find them to be fantastic in quality, fit and durability. There are so many options available to suit different climates and horses.