business spotlight
DHI Generous tackles the water jump on the home cross country course
along with lots more! Ian is usually teaching at home a couple of days a week and that’s when we review the progress of horses and make a plan for their progression. “I couldn’t possibly list everyone who contributes to the success of the work we do, but Ian and I appreciate everyone’s top level of commitment and input.”
Q3:
Why did you decide on this particular aspect of the equine marketplace? Eventing as a sport is my passion; finding young sport horses and producing them to be sold was an obvious choice to make.
Q4:
Regional Equine Business in the Spotlight
DHI Event Horses Owners Heidi and Ian Woodhead
Q1:
What is the nature of your business, when and how did it start? Together, Ian and I source and produce top quality sport horses mainly for the eventing market, but also for dressage and show jumping. DHI was founded over 20 years ago by Ian and his business partner, Andrew Graham. Together they built up a strong brand name with horses being sold and going on to successfully compete at high levels of dressage. DHI (originally Dressage Horse International), was divided into two companies in 2006 with Heidi (me) and Ian now steering the DHI Event Horses brand forward. Many horses are now being sold to compete at all levels of eventing.
Q2:
Describe your own day to day role in the business and the tasks undertaken by others in your team.
Heidi explains: “My day typically would start on the computer, reading emails and dealing with paperwork (and the odd bit of housework!). I try to ensure
Justin, Bertie and Buster, the DHI Team Pups
I start riding by 9.00am and keep going until all the horses are finished, or when I start teaching! There are anywhere between 12 to 18 horses to work on a daily basis, so it’s always busy. At the end of the day, it’s back to the computer to follow up enquiries and catch up with some of the DHI Team riders who have our horses out and about competing. “We have a great Yard Manager, Jennie, who has been working with us for over 10 years. Jennie is brilliant at getting to know the horses and reminding me which bridle goes with which horse, as well as a whole load of other stuff !! “Hector Payne joined us at the end of last year with his team of competition horses to be based with us, and he also works some of the young horses that we have in. “My Mum and Dad are invaluable and have been the ones who have helped to make it all happen. Dad mends fencing, builds cross country fences and drives the lorry to competitions …. I could go on!! “Mum feeds me on a regular basis and helps with paperwork management
Did you need any training or qualifications before launching your business? Heidi says; “I have competed Internationally to 4* level eventing, including Badminton and Burghley, and represented Team GB in Aachen, Germany. Ian trains many of the top international riders in eventing for the dressage phase and is committed to working towards perfection!
Q5:
Have you undertaken any additional training to help you develop and grow? Being constantly at the forefront of the sport, through training riders and owning horses, we ensure that we are current in our knowledge of what riders are seeking in their next competition horse. Ian is a member of the ‘International Dressage Trainers Club’, which constantly addresses issues that develop within equestrian sport. He is also the dressage coach for the Irish Eventing Team and last year was in Rio. We are involved in the sport at a level where observation is the best learning tool - you have to constantly observe and form an opinion, and then use what works best for you.
The ‘home away from home’
Team tactics on a course walk Q6:
What are the most rewarding aspects? Producing young horses is incredibly rewarding. Taking the young ones out for their first competition is always exciting, especially when you see them go on to succeed in their sport. DHI Topper W won the London test event in 2011 and was selected for Team GB in 2012, with Piggy French. DHI Zulu was the 6 year old National Champion in Holland in show jumping and has now been sold on to compete in the USA DHI Mighty Dwight won a Bronze medal in 2016 at the Junior European Championships with Sofia Sjoborg
DHI Able Mable is now show jumping with Robert Whittaker at 1.50m. We still remember standing on the side of a hill in freezing rain in Donegal, watching a bunch of young Irish horses loose jumping. We bought about 15 on that trip, including DHI Paparazzi and DHI Broadway, both now at 3* level, and DHI Jet Set who was 2nd in the BYEH final in 2013. They were all unbroken and raw, but with special potential. There are far too many to mention, but it’s not only the big results that make us smile. We love hearing that our ‘graduates’ have been placed at the lower levels too. Not every horse is going to be an International star,
Equine Page 46
www.theequinesite.co.uk
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