"River" thriving in the Show Ring

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

As a racehorse Swift And Smart was neither.

But in the Show Ring the now 14-year-old mare, known as "River", is really finding her place for her young owner and rider Edie Van Der Vis.

"When we started out we were both as green as grass," says Van Der Vis, "and now we would have over 120 red ribbons."

"I would never have thought we could have made the progress we have."

The 21-year-old dairy farmer from South Otago acquired the horse eight years ago.

"She's been my one and only horse."

She realised pretty early on that it was going to be more challenging than first thought.

"She took two years to look at me properly and acknowledge me - now when I'm in the truck heading down the driveway she turns around and she pricks her ears and always comes over to the gate."

"She looks after me and I look after her too."

A daughter of Julius Caesar, Swift and Smart never made it to the races.

"She was a bit of a bolter early on and was so tough to crack, it has not been easy."

"She's terrified of jumps and is not brave at all,"  Van Der Vis laughs.

"It's been a long road."

But persistence has seen its rewards. The pair clearly have a bond and in the Show Ring they have matured into a very successful combination.

"We do up to nine A & Ps a season and we have been getting some good results."

Two in particular were highlights. 

"She was Supreme Champion at Gore last year," says Van Der Vis, "and this year at the Winton A & P in a class of eight saddle hunters we got Reserve Champion - that was really exciting."

But there's always room for improvement.

"I'm trying to work on extensions in the trot and the canter leads."

Now the goal is to get to Christchurch next year and compete at the NZ Agricultural Show (Canterbury A&P Show) during NZ Cup week.

"The way we are going I think we could hold our own up there with the bigwigs."

(Photos courtesy of CC Photography and Kerri Back Photography)