Team Booth are based on a small property in Langwarrin South Victoria which is undergoing development works to accommodate Emma’s two horses and allow her to train from home with as little assistance as possible. Both Sandro and Zidane are currently based in Somers with Emma’s coach.

Zidane

Zidane, 13 year old gelding is Emma’s most recent purchase currently based with Lone Joergensen. He had been competing with an able-bodied rider but has adapted to his new aids with Emma remarkably quickly. They have cemented a successful partnership in a matter of weeks scoring 79% in their freestyle test  during their first outing at Boneo in January.

Sandro

Sandro, also known as the gentle giant, was purchased from Mount Gambia. He’s living with Emma at home and gives her the opportunity to be riding every day. They have competed as a successful partnership over the past six months including cracking the required Rio score of 67% at Boneo Classic in January 2016.

Lone Joergensen – Coach

Lone Joergensen is a former Danish Olympian who is serious about dressage and it shines through in her passion and love of her equine partners. She loves to see her students improving their scores and riding in the competition arena. Lone was responsible for bringing the champion Zidane and Emma together in December 2015. She started coaching Emma through the Victorian State High Performance Clinics and the three of them have continued to work hard together to produce some outstanding scores to qualify for Rio 2016.

Shahira Ameen – Groom

Shahira, also known as Shazz, is an Eventer and used to compete with Emma for many years prior to her accident. Shazz has now taken on the role of Emma’s groom and has been assisting Emma at competitions over the past two years. She is a vital part of ensuring the boys (horses) are ready and looking their best for the judges. She is in charge of looking after the horses at events which can sometimes extend for over a week at a time. She’ll accompany Emma to Rio should she get selected, to ensure Zidane is kept in his regular routine and has a familiar face around at all times.

Steph Jones – Athlete Manager

Steph works to raise Emma’s public profile through managing her RWNL social media and any interview opportunities as Emma concentrates on the horses and riding. She helps out in her spare time whilst working as an Account Manager at Thrive PR. Steph moved to Australia from England in 2014 and met Emma through her work with Melbourne Racing Club.

Layne Shepperd – Groom

Layne is a close friend of Emma’s who helps with the horses almost every day during the week. She is also a rider herself focusing mainly on Dressage and Jumping. Layne is currently studying Osteopathy at RMIT with ambitions to become a human and animal Osteopath. She is a wonderful horse person that assists Emma daily with getting the horses ready, riding, lunging and any other stable hand type duties required. She is a great asset to Team Booth and we wouldn’t be able to work on a daily basis without her.

Chloe Reid – Physiotherapist

Chloe is Emma’s physiotherapist and clinical Pilates instructor. Emma have private sessions three times a week. Clinical Pilates is a low impact exercise that works to improve participants core strength, posture, flexibility and overall body bio-mechanics. Chloe has tailored a program that works to improve Emma’s core strength, sitting posture and balance, tying it into what’s needed to improve her riding performance.