Latest / Between the Flags / Don’t Let the Name Fool You — Golly Means Business!
Transcript
- Fiona Hughes: G'day legends and welcome to Between the Flags, Aussie eventing chat show. We'll bring you honest conversations, expert insights and a bit of cheeky fun from the riders, the coaches and even those amazing folks shaping sport in Australia and beyond. Whether you're young rider chasing your first star class start, ⁓ a parent, horse owner lives and breathes eventing, Between the Flags is your go-to chat show. ride along with Prue Barrett and Fiona Hughes. up, let's eventing. Well g'day listeners. Prue, how are you? Prue: Hey Fee, I'm really well, thanks. Fiona Hughes: Well, today's guest is a very exciting and determined Aussie eventer, Olivia Barton, better known to most of us as Golly. From lining up at her very first FEI competition back in 2014 to making waves on the international stage, Golly's journey through the sport has been nothing short of inspiring. At just 14 years and two months. She stepped into what was then two-star and now two, one-star, yours, ⁓ now two-stars with Sandhills Darcy, making the beginning of a partnership that would deliver countless standout performances through two-star and three-star level alongside Darcy, Golly partnered Birdie Bad. But that was only the beginning. With the Mayor Hollyander, Golly's trajectory soared, starting two-star at Olivia Barton: . Fiona Hughes: In 2020, the pair steadily climbed the ranks to reach the pinnacle of the sport at five-star appearance at Adelaide. In 2024, they delivered an extraordinary performance to finish second. Then came the bold move. In mid-24, following Melbourne three-day, taking her two exceptional horses, Hollyander APH Sudoku, named as reserved for Paris, off they flew overseas to attend Paris training camp and they remained overseas stepping firmly into the European stage. Since then the results have spoken for themselves. A four-star win at Stregum with Holly, APH Sudoko known as Skippy stepping into four-star as part of the Australian team in the Nations Cup competition, finishing fourth Olivia Barton: You. Fiona Hughes: and most recently second place at Cronenberg with Hollyander in October. From a teenage rider chasing her first FEI start and then to representing Australia on the world stage. Golly's story is nothing short of true grit, horsemanship and fearless ambition. Let's dive in. We welcome Golly. Also no, probably should not use our nickname. of Golly, let's go through, kick into our talk with Golly this afternoon. Prue: Hi Golly, how are going? Olivia Barton: I'm very well. Hi, Fee. Hi, Prue. nice to be on here with you guys. Fiona Hughes: high goals. Prue: It's lovely to have you. let's start here with Golly. I'm actually really glad that you're continuing the Aussie tradition of a nickname, but you don't feel the urge to make your FEI name like the English tend to do. We've got wiggy and piggy and bubby. You've stuck with the Aussie way. Like for example, we don't have ring a rose, Berto Burton, AC Cooper, Mace O Mason and Chappers Rose. So Fiona Hughes: Rose. Prue: Olivia Barton when we look at the FEI website. fact, Berto Burton is actually Christopher Burton on the FEI. I think congratulations. I think we all know you as Golly, but actually on the, when we see you now, we're watching you on Clip My Horse. It's always Olivia Barton. So we're so proud of you, Golly. ⁓ exciting to watch you on Clip My Horse. How good is that? ⁓ Olivia Barton: Okay. Okay. Prue: So going back to Golly, who's responsible for the name Golly? Olivia Barton: Well, that is a bit of a long story, but would go back to when I was very little and have two older brothers and my eldest brother thought it was very funny and very fitting that we all had nicknames as kids and was Bugs, Sam was Samuel John and ⁓ he decided that name was going to be Golly. ever since then, it's really stuck. ⁓ I meet new people, I always feel rather strange saying Olivia, but I say, hi, I'm Olivia, but you'll probably hear everyone call me Golly. So I have two names. Prue: And I would say knowing you so well, I think your mother, well, apart from Bang Bang, but she calls you Golly, but I would say your father tends to call you Livmore. Would I be correct in saying that? Olivia Barton: Yes, especially dad's side of the family aren't as onto the nicknames as the eventing world. So ⁓ dad's side of the family, I'm Liv. And then to all my eventing family, I'm Golly. Prue: Yeah, well that's great. tell us about, you've talked there a little bit about your family, tell us where you grew up and where the love of venting may have stemmed from, including maybe a couple of wild early pony stories. Olivia Barton: Well, grew up in Wellington. So that is central west, New South Wales, about four and a half hours west of Sydney. We on a big property. cattle and sheep farming and mum ⁓ hooked on venting when I was born. So she has been breeding horses for as long as I've been alive. And so, yeah, you say that I was born into it. Dad's side of the family polo players. So my granddad was a very good polo player and represented Australia in that discipline. And actually how mum and dad met. So mum was dad's polo, well, actually Johnny's polo groom, my grandfather's polo groom, but ended up grooming for dad as well. So that's how they originally met. And mum came and caught, came over from New Zealand caught the Aventine bug. So ever since I've been alive there, I've been surrounded by horses. Mum worked for Libby Sauer who was a dressage rider, but she always loved Aventine. And so I grew up with a lot of horses. I think I was on a horse before I could walk. And yeah, I had quite a few ponies growing up. My first pony was called Little One. she was ⁓ one that shaped my career of determination, would say. I think fell off that pony every single day I rode it. She would do same thing day, and every day I would fall off. She would chop to the end of the arena, ⁓ spin. I would fall off and she'd counter back to mum. So was ⁓ an opinionated But after her, I got Feather Duster, who was also ⁓ taught me lot. He had done sort of A grade pony club when got him. And he was an amazing pony. anything you put at him if he wanted to. When he didn't want to jump, he made sure you knew. And then following Feather Duster, I got a horse, a pony called Maggie. And Maggie was an unbroken three-year-old pony that mum thought was a really good idea to give to me. I think the first day we got Maggie, we tied her up. put the saddle on she proceeded pull back ⁓ and around the arena. I think mum and I just looked at each other and went, this could be fun. But she ended up the most amazing pony, would jump anything, was super competitive and took me through to 95, one star. only thing she didn't like was polo cross. Don't swing a, don't swing a polo stick in ⁓ front her face because she will bolt. Yeah, so they my sort of main ponies growing up, I would say. But yeah, a lot of ponies, a lot of horses, ⁓ and I really just born into it. Prue: Well, it sounds like you nailed the craft of tricky horses very, early in your career. And I think that's probably something that has stood you in good stead for all the horses you've produced and young horses you've ridden. So I'm not sure that many are going to deliver more than little one and Maggie, if they either, you know, buck and spin and dump you or bolt. So I think you've pretty much got it covered in your first couple of ponies. Olivia Barton: You Prue: In the intro that Fiona read through, heard names like Sandhills Darcy and APH Bertie Bad. So they're probably the horses that rocketed you into the FEI eventing sphere anyway, and competing at that two star level and above. And just tell us a little bit about those two horses and perhaps what they were like, or where did Bertie come from and what they, I guess what they instilled in you what part of eventing they excelled at. Olivia Barton: Oh, those two horses were pretty amazing horses, really. I got Darcy from you guys, so from the Barrett's. He had previously been ridden by Craig and I got him as maybe a 16 or 17 year old. that had been around and done Adelaide. yeah, it sort of my next stepping stone, I suppose, to a bigger horse that was going to do a bigger level. And he wasn't the most careful jumper or the best on the flat, we got along well. And he was the most amazing Cots Country horse. He was super straightforward, could like, know. just amazing gallop across the country and so honest ⁓ just loved his job. And so he took me up to three star. We a lot of inter-schools together. We did a lot two stars together. And he sort of just was my school master, I suppose, for, especially because I had Bertie as my other horse at that time. And he was home bread. So mum bred him and as soon as he was born I said I want that one. had a big white blaze, he was brown, he was beautiful ⁓ ⁓ just literally wanted him ever he was a foal. And so started riding him as a four-year-old. Probably also wasn't the best idea, like now we look back on it, he used to buck. So he bucked off the breaker a couple of times. He's me off a couple of times. He bucked mum off a couple times. But I was my heart was set on riding that horse. So I produced him from a four year So I was probably, I don't even know. I might've been 10 or 11 when I started riding him. So looked a bit ridiculous. I looked very little on this big horse. and he also didn't find dressage very I remember a few times Craig ending up outside of the arena, when he said, no, I don't want to do that. but he was also most amazing cross country horse. and we just had built this bond where he would anything for me. he also really good jumper. He, if you looked at him off, you know, in the paddock, you wouldn't think any much of him. He wasn't excellent of horse and he was, you know, he wasn't for the dressage phase, but he and I just had the most amazing bond. And yeah, he took me up to four star level. He was my first four star horse, which was pretty cool because it was a horse. for my first four-star horse. So yeah, they were both the most amazing horses and they taught me all that I know about cross-country riding. taught me to be quick, they taught me to be accurate, and they taught me that if they love doing it, they're gonna find the flags. So yeah. Prue: Yeah, that's great. So lovely and I think so many riders, can their love of the sport stems from those first horses that took them to those higher levels and they, you know, really, really set them, set their path on in this game. So it's so lovely to hear you talk about those two horses. So you completed year 12, which I'm sort of that as much as you school and you, you know, you're obviously a very social person. ⁓ Olivia Barton: Okay. Okay. Prue: but your heart was really in the horses. And I don't think I'm speaking out of turn to say that you probably didn't tell all your career advisors at school that you were really just what you wanted to do was ride horses. So let's just go back. What were your choices after school and what did you choose to do when you left school? And even horses came through your life in that time, because you... have actually produced a number of horses to the four star level, I think is for someone of the age that you were is actually quite incredible. Olivia Barton: Yes, so was actually at boarding school. from year seven to year 12 and I went to school at Frenchham in the Southern Highlands and they have quite a good equestrian sort of group that a lot of girls ride horses in that school. So I ended up actually being the equestrian captain in year 12, which was really nice. But yes, I think I missed a lot of school going to a lot of events. Um, and yeah, they didn't love it all the time, but they were mostly very supportive of me and, and the equestrian sport and, what level we were doing it at. Um, but yes, all the way through year 12 and even year 11, you get sat down and you get asked by your career advisors, you know, what, what do you want to do after school? And I didn't really think it was a good idea to say, well, not much, probably just ride horses. So there was always, yeah, I could go to university and maybe do a bachelor of arts. And actually got a pretty good A-TAR and I could have done that. I could have gone to uni and studied something, I never had this longing to study a specific area. And I always thought I would go to uni if I really wanted to study something specific. But I just never had that yeah, finishing school, I decided to go to the Barrett's, who were my coaches, are still my coaches, my mentors. And worked for them. It was to be maybe one year gap year. I'll just make everyone happy and say I'm having a gap year and go work with horses. It ended up being a lot longer than that. I think it was five years, nearly six. But I had the most amazing time. had, I produced quite a few horses to four star. think I had APH Andre was at four star level. I also got Henry at that time who I Mum had produced to three-star level and then I took him into four-star level. I had Hollyander, who I had also produced from a four-year-old to four-star. And yeah, they were all just, it was a great experience to produce these horses under such an amazing environment at Sandhills under such a good watchful eye. And if you ever were stuck or you needed help, you just had to ask, which was always so amazing. But yeah, I still, yeah, the career advisors were not thrilled my decision, I don't think. But I have looked back and yeah, I think uni's always there and you can go at whatever age. So I think whilst I'm still loving this horse industry, then that's what I'm going to do. Prue: Yeah, a great story. I remember we nearly set our by Golly turning up and riding her first horse every morning. in fact, I would even say, Golly, that there are a couple of people, as you know, we used to have a few high schoolers come in holidays to help out or do whatever. And they thought they were going to love the horse stream. And I remember one girl who I taught who was very, very talented. And, and she decided actually after seeing you ride 11 horses every single ⁓ rain, hail or shine, she went, well, I don't think I can do what Golly does. ⁓ and I just, I just think for someone of such a young age to show such consistency and absolute diehard. And I would say also just absolute delight every single day. I, I just think. Olivia Barton: You Prue: You know, you're really, you know, and speaking from obviously being here with you at Sandhills, was a real delight to have you for so many years and you've really set the tone, helped set the tone on, you know, and what everybody does here. I really, really miss you, to be honest. I really miss Friday nights. I miss fish and chip night. I you making my gin. Olivia Barton: Okay. Okay. Prue: It's just actually quite, you know, it's has taken me a little while to get used to that. ⁓ But we know that eventing is full of highs and lows, bit like life really, but it just seems to be crammed into some very short periods of time. us some really great career highlights and and maybe sneak in a real career low part low point that you've experienced in this sport. Olivia Barton: Okay. Oh, well, you're going to make me cry after all of that. A career highlight. think looking back, you have so many. They might only be little and fleeting, but they are sort of what keeps pushing you to the next one. I think a really big one was winning Melbourne three day in 2023 on Polyanda. That was my first big four star long win. Probably, and just, that horse is the most amazing horse cross country and she just was amazing all weekend. And I think that still for me is a really, really cool thing to look back on and go, ⁓ yeah, I did win Melbourne. And also completing our first five star, that is little of a, touchy subject, I suppose you could say. She was the most amazing horse on Coast Country Day. I think she was the only one clear and on the time at a really tough five star track. She just carried me around, had a few hiccups at the start, but then she was like, right, golly, just get in, go and do it. so was countering through those finish flags was. Prue: Hahaha Olivia Barton: was pretty amazing. The final day didn't quite go to plan, but that is eventing. You can't have it all. And I'd already won the three-star, so I had a pretty good weekend, but it does leave a little sour taste. But the lows of the sport, I would say, are probably more frequent than the highs. I think My lowest low was probably in 2018 and I was doing my first four-star long at Wallaby Hill with APH Birdie Badd. So the homebred four-year-old that I'd produced to four-star level somehow. So I was, yeah, 18 and he was maybe 12. we were going, well, probably three quarters of the way around cross country. I sort of felt him get little ⁓ tired. so I went, ⁓ okay. Well, and he's normally a very good galloper, very quick across the ground. And so I went, ⁓ well, I slow up a little bit. And so I just counted across and you had to jump down these steps and over. like a brush fence at the bottom. And so we potted down there and he actually fell at the sea element he actually away from a heart attack on Coast So losing that horse at that time in my life was pretty hard, would It was... probably a point where a lot of people would have said, well, why do you keep doing it? Why, you know, you should, you've lost your top horse. Maybe you should go find something else to do. And I was only 18, so it could have, it could have easily happened, but I actually never viewed it in that point, in that way. I think it makes me very aware of the horses that I'm riding cross country and how they're feeling. But I never thought that, oh no, this is not something that I can deal with. So that was a very hard time in my life. But I think that horse taught me so much and I take so much from what he taught me and producing him. And yeah, it was a very emotional thing for a lot of people that I knew. My mum was... very dedicated to that horse and I. for our journey to end that way was very, very sad. But I think I would say that it has made me a very strong person. And also just if you're determined to do it, you will find a way to do it. Prue: I think I love the way it's, you know, it is really emotional, it is heartfelt and it really, you you're totally gutted by that experience. But then I also admire your, you know, desire to, you know, going. I don't think has any doubt, you know, your love. for your horses and what they do for you. it just, you know, just that moment, I guess, is, you know, it's always going to be there, but I, you know, I think it becomes a part of the fabric of your life. And I just really admire the way you're able, you don't put it aside, you really, it sort of becomes a part of you and you carry on. And think that's such an admirable quality that. you have. So I think that's quite an inspiration to everybody. ⁓ So ⁓ let's just move along with Holly and you've spoken a lot about Holly, the Holly and Golly show as we like call it and Holly does have some real in her life and tell us a little bit how you came across Holly, how she came into your life. Olivia Barton: Okay. Okay. Prue: and maybe what your journey looks like with her at the moment. Olivia Barton: Yeah, so Holly came into my life a four-year-old, freshly broken from Dionne Stokes. And is owned by Bob and Ila Waite, who ⁓ are of my biggest supporters. They are most amazing owners. And they they're from Mudgie and they approached mum and they said, do think there's any chance that Golly would like to ride Holly? We would really love to see it go and do a venting because they're mainly breed dressage horses, but they had put their dressage mare to Higgins, so a jumper. And said, ⁓ yeah, I'm sure she would. I said, that's a great idea. And so I got Holly as a four year old. didn't really see eye to eye for the first maybe year. She a really good reerer. She would just rear up and flip herself over and say, off. I don't want to do that. And so she to do that a fair bit, especially if there was involved. She wasn't a fan of water, which you would think is an issue for an eventer. But I think the only 20 that horse has ever had is at 80 centimeters at Sydney. And when you had to go down the big hill to the Olympic water and jump a log and then canted two strides into the water and She actually counted down the hill. She looked at the log and was like, that's okay, but I don't like the landing side. So she had a 20 and I, from memory, I'm pretty sure Sam Lyle came down next and I went, oh, perfect. I'll just get a lead from Sam. And his did exactly the same thing. So we were stuck at the water with our 280 centimeter horses. He wouldn't go through it. But aside from that, that horse has never ever said no. And remember producing her all the way through all the squad clinics and every time I'd go I went, wow, that was really cool. And you know, I'd say to Prue, I feel like she really thought about that, don't you think? And it was just amazing to have that feeling of asking this horse a new question and she would just think her way through it and go, ⁓ yeah, I can do that. she was sort of my first, mare I had properly produced. I also had APH Witchcraft at that time. Jelly, we used to call her, who was also a mare, that I produced to Three Star. but those two were my first sort of real mares that I had produced. ⁓ And, they really did make fall in love with, with mares. I just love how they really think and once they're with you, they're with you for life. You can build a really great partnership with them. And I think they just, they will do anything for you if you're on their good side. yeah, Holly ended up going to Melbourne and she won Melbourne four star long in 2023. And then Prue: Yeah. Olivia Barton: Yeah, at the start of 2024, thought we might have a crack at going five star, where she finished second. And she now is, her plan is to try and get to badminton at the start of this year. She's had a few ups and downs while she's been overseas, but hopefully we're on the right trajectory. and we'll try and get her to badminton because I think if you've got a horse like this and she's going to jump anything then you may as well have a crack at the big ones. And yeah, we'll just see what happens after that. Weg is in the back of your mind as well, but I think for now badminton is what hopefully future holds for this year. Prue: Great, well we'll be watching on with keen interest. So you've talked a lot about your, I guess your eventing family in Australia and where you started and your mum and dad and family and obviously Craig has had a huge influence and then you were here at Sandhills for a few years and I imagine it's a, always says about, and you're going overseas as if it's sort of like it's around the corner ⁓ it's huge. We don't want to sort of make it too big, but it is a really, really big change. So I'm interested to hear, you know, how you've managed to cope in Belgium, who your eventing family is in Belgium, and maybe, you know, how long that took to find an eventing family. And because we know eventing family is, I guess if people aren't eventing, they sort of go, what are you actually talking about? But I think... we're kind of maybe all a little bit mad. So it's sort of nice to partner with people that are on that same level of madness, I guess. So yeah, so maybe, yeah, how do you, yeah, who's your eventing family there? And obviously you're based with Jen, who's a show jumper Stateside Farm in Belgium. ⁓ Jen's obviously a huge support to you. So maybe just outline a little bit of. Olivia Barton: Yes. Okay. Prue: you know, couple of differences you've found between and how you've been able to adapt, I guess, to completely different world in some ways in Belgium. Olivia Barton: It has been a journey, I would say. took two horses over, so I've got... Skippy there and I've got Holly and I'm based at Jen's who's a show jumper. So I write a lot of her young show jumpers for her. I maybe, so I got there in July and then I didn't do a whole lot until November in the event team world. And by start of the next year I went, really need to, you know, find some people because I need help. Um, and cause you can't do this sport without help. It just, it doesn't work. Um, and so I actually ended up messaging Kai Steffenmaier at Arville, uh, who does a lot of coaching. And I just messaged him and said, hi, I'm some random Australian eventer. I, I live sort of close to you. was like an hour and a half from you, uh, two hours. from you guys and I just really need help. Would you be interested in coaching me basically?" And he responded like, oh yeah, that's fine. Come have a lesson next week. We'll set a date and time and blah, blah, blah. And I went, oh, great. So I took Skippy there. So it must have been in January. So was absolutely freezing. And I just rocked up into the indoor and there was Kai giving a lesson and I went, this feels like, feels like Sandhills, except in Belgium. There was everything else was going on. There was horses everywhere and lots of people riding. And I just went, I'm not the only one doing this. That's so good. And yeah, he was great and he's been so helpful. Yeah, Kai and Lara have been an enormous help to me. You know, even I can ask them what events they think are good to go to or, you know, how to plan the season because they have so many events. So to pick and choose is a little difficult if you don't know what they are or where they are or what the jumps are like or how the courses are built. And Kai also does a lot of course building. So that's also been helpful. Few inside tips, I think sometimes. yeah, it's definitely been a journey. Going an event, we get a bit used to going to Sydney and Melbourne and Adelaide and we know where to drive in, where the stables are. And we the layout. So. The first, yeah, last year as the first season going to all these new events, I had no idea where I was going, didn't speak the language. I'm like, someone just point me in a direction of a stable, please. ⁓ the most part, they are very friendly. And I think everyone who does eventing is yes, we're all a bit mad. So an eventing family, it global because You have to be a bit crazy to do this sport and we all have that, you know, if you have a bad weekend, they can, they can, they totally get it. so yeah, there might be a bit of a language barrier, but we, you know, we get it. Everyone gets it. So, it's been really cool. but yeah, it definitely feels like I threw myself into the deep end a little bit. but. We're starting to swim now, so good. I reckon this season's gonna be a piece of cake because I'm gonna know all the events now. Prue: you talked about taking Holly to Badminton. What are your plans for Skippy this year? Olivia Barton: ⁓ I my plans him I got to the end of last year and I went he just did bookaloo and he was great now what do I do with him? But yeah, I think I'm gonna take him to another four-star long in May and I'm gonna him around and he does it easily does a good job of it ⁓ and give the selectors and and myself another little slight glimpse of leg. It's a very long shot, but you may as well give it a go while you've got a horse. And then otherwise, if he does that four star long well, then look at maybe doing a five star at the end of the year. But honestly, that horse is... exceeding all expectations at the moment. So we will just play it by ear and I'm not going to put a whole heap of pressure on him, but it would be nice to sort of have a second of horse, ⁓ I But now come into work feeling great, so hopefully our first couple of events are good. Prue: Yeah great, well we wish you all the very best with all those plans Golly. Now we have a little wrap up at the end and Fiona is going to just run through a few little quickfire questions for you. So I'm not sure what that's going to involve so just hang on there and Fee will unleash her magic. Fiona Hughes: Yeah, but the owner is going to just run through a few little quick... Yeah well it's a bit like coming out of the start box isn't it Golly? Okay here we go. Question one. Are you a dog or a cat person? Golly. Olivia Barton: Definitely a dog person. Fiona Hughes: Yep, of course. question two. Other people, what's something uniquely Australian about our events that you miss while you're away? Olivia Barton: Goodness. Other than the people, just miss knowing where everything is. Fiona Hughes: the lay of the land. Olivia Barton: Excellent. Getting the lay of the land. I do miss that. Fiona Hughes: Yep. here's our final question for this evening. If your 14-year-old self could see your life now, all the ups and the downs and all the good things and the bad things, would she be impressed or would she be slightly terrified? Olivia Barton: I think she would probably say, are you doing? So I think she would be very terrified, but also quite awestruck at where gotten to, I think. I don't think this would be in her of what we were going to do. Fiona Hughes: Exactly, exactly. think what you've achieved is just next level. Well, thanks to for chatting to us tonight and Prue for giving us all the insights with your wonderful experience Golly as being part of the Sandhills troops and so on and so forth. So thanks for being with us listeners, here between the flags. We'll see you again next time.