Mums of event riders are a special breed. Some had their children on ponies before they walked while others wait until the child can at least groom, tack up and get on board before they lend a helping hand. Many spend hours on the road taking their children to various events all round Australia, while others can’t even watch as their offspring head off out of the start box.
In the first of a few interviews with eventing mums we spoke to Rose Palm, whose grown up children, (Robert) Rob and Clara, are both very much part of Australia's eventing scene.
Rob Palm competing at Lynton
Rob, formerly based in NSW, has been living in Victoria with his partner Cassie Lowe for the past couple of years where they run their business – Regulator Thoroughbreds and Performance Horses. The name Regulator came from a horse that Rose bought for her 14 year old son in 1998 and together Rob and ‘Fred’ as he was known worked their way through the grades, competing at Burghley CCI4* in 2006.
Clara Palm competing at Wallaby Hill
After riding up to 2* level Clara Palm took a break from competing as she pursued her career as an Equine Chiropractor. But the appeal of competing was still there and now Clara is back as a competitor as well as providing a chiropractor service to many fellow eventers and their horses.
Rose (above) has enjoyed being around horses all her life and still enjoys a spot of 'team penning'
Coming from a background full of horses it is easy to see why Rose Palm is delighted that her children both chose to follow down the path of equestrian careers. But although Rose was always happy to support her children in their riding she was equally determined that they should be exposed to as many sports as possible. “You name it they tried it,” Rose told us “but they always came back to riding, which for me was great because I have always loved being around horses.”
"I dont think I'd had too much to drink - I think it's the photo that's blurry" said Rose
Rose is one of those parents who can often be spotted in the background, seeing to the horses and helping to organise things and in the background is where they like to be. But we managed to persuade a somewhat reluctant Rose to come out of the background for just a few minutes to speak to us, not just about her children, but a little bit about herself. In that conversation, which you can listen to below, I discovered that Rose had been just as keen a rider and competitor as her children.
