For 26-year old Australian Nicholas Fyffe the 2009 Dressage with the Stars in Werribee was a show to remember. Aboard Dr. Phillip and Jennifer Rapson's Hanoverian stallion Ferrero Rocher, Fyffe dominated the CDI Small Tour, finishing second in the Prix St Georges (67.281%) and winning the Intermediaire I Kur to Music (68.583%).
Fyffe is employed at Suntori Park, a beautiful property on five acres owned by the Rapsons in Arcadia, forty 40 minutes out of Sydney. He has been here for almost five years and has twelve horses in training and a small breeding program to run. "Brett Parbery was originally based here too and we worked together for many years but now I manage the whole property myself," said Fyffe.
This Australian young gun started riding when he was just 4 years old, but only took it up seriously when he was a teenager. He started out with eventing but several crash landings turned off his joy for the discipline. He made the switch to dressage and received much help from Bonnie Holstein. "I still have so much respect for her opinion and give her credit for my style today, Fyffe admitted. He then spent almost a year in Germany working for Martina Hannover-Sternberg and has also been influenced by Ulla Salzgeber.
"Locally, I am regularly training with Clemens and Judy Dierks who live five minutes from my stable. I try to take advantage of international trainers who come to Australia as well. I believe that everyone has something to offer," he said.
Fyffe's star horse is the Rapson's imported Hanoverian stallion Ferrero Rocher (by Florestan x Weltmeyer x Pik Bube II). The liver chestnut came to Australia as a 4-year old and soon the stallion won the Australian 5-year old Dressage Horse Championships under Matthew Dowsley. Fyffe took over the ride five years ago.
"He is doing well at small tour but had a few major setbacks in the past few years, including a scary colic surgery and after this Australia, including myself, suffered through the Equine Influenza outbreak. Things are looking back on track now and we a slowly working towards the Grand Prix," Fyffe explained. "Ferrero Rocher is perhaps the most relaxed stallion I have ever ridden. He is never phased by anything and I could literally put a beginner rider on him with complete trust. I am very lucky to have such a horse. I have started riding some of his offspring and they are like him, but dare I say it even better!"
Fyffe is an ambitious young rider with a realistic view on life. Though only a mere 26-years of age (and preferring to stay at that number) Nicholas has set out feasible future goals for himself. "I want to be the best rider I can possibly be and enjoy walking down to my stables to ride every day," said Fyffe. "One day I would really like my own property and develop it with my partner. Of course everyone wants to aim for the Olympic Games and I am no differen,t but I really want to enjoy the journey along the way, have fun and know that I gave myself every opportunity to succeed."
For Nicholas heaven and hell can lie in the same place: the stable. While a freshly cleaned stable block can be divine to Fyffe, an overbooked schedule, too many horses to ride in one day and a bedridden staff could also be the nadir of a day in the life of this dressage professional.
Nicholas, what's your favourite dish?
Nicholas:I really love good Thai food
If you were to chose a different profession, what would it be?
Nicholas: It was a toss up between Go Go boy and dressage rider. No, that's actually a tough question because I always wanted to ride. I am interested in journalism so that may have been a path I would have followed.
What is the biggest intellectual joy for you?
Nicholas: Managing to complete competition entries for a CDI in under 2 hours!
Also those rare moments when you truly understand the horse you are riding and feel totally and completely synchronized.
What gives you the most artistic pleasure?
Nicholas: Listening to the finished product of a new freestyle that I have produced.
What gives you the most physical pleasure?
Nicholas: Great sex, followed by great dressage training, followed very closely by a great session at the gym.
What makes you cry?
Nicholas: Er, just about any horse film, still!! The Black Stallion, Phar Lap, Sea Biscuit even Racing Stripes! I'm about to cry now just thinking about them all.
What annoys you the most?
Nicholas: Ignorance
What does heaven look like to you?
Nicholas: A freshly raked indoor arena and a super clean stable block where I can hear the sounds of all the horses eating their evening feed.
And Hell?
Nicholas: It's 4pm and I still have 7 horses to ride, my students have arrived double booked and the staff are all sick in bed. With the horses kicking their boxes down waiting to be fed. Urgh!
What is the most beautiful place you've ever visited?
Nicholas :I just get this feeling evertime I go to Grönwohldhoff. I know there are more beautiful places in the world but there is just something indescribable there.
What is the ugliest place you've ever visited?
Nicholas: Bangkok Airport
At what moment were you the happiest in your life?
Nicholas: It just keeps getting better
When were you the saddest in your life?
Nicholas: The death of someone close is always dificult.
Who would be your favourite one-night stand?
Nicholas: Well I never...!