82 SIDELINES APRIL 2013
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
By Alexa Cheater
Ainsley Vince of Burlington, Ontario, had always wanted to be a
professional rider. Although she didn’t come from a horsey back-
ground, Ainsley got her start early and enjoyed a highly success-
ful junior career. In 1995, she was named to the Canadian Eques-
trian Team for the frst time and has gone on to represent Canada
proudly on the international stage, including the 2000, 2003 and
2004 World Cup Finals.
Ainsley currently competes with Frieda, a 12-year-old Sachsen-
Anhaltiner mare owned by the KMA Group, at the grand prix level
and has enjoyed an impressive number of top 10 fnishes through-
out North America. In 2012, they fnished second in the $50,0000
Grand Prix of Rockwood at the CSI2* Angelstone International
before heading to Toronto’s prestigious Royal Agricultural Winter
Fair where they fnished fourth in the $50,000 Canadian Show
Jumping Championships Phase II and ffth in the $50,000 Weston
Canadian Open.
Also a successful coach, Ainsley returned to her own equitation
roots by guiding her student, Ashlee Steffens, to victory in the
Jump Canada Medal Final at the 2012 Royal Agricultural Win-
ter Fair. She plans to continue mentoring students in the hunter,
jumper and equitation rings while maintaining her own competitive
career.
How did you begin your riding career?
Honestly, I was so young I don’t really remember. My mom has
a picture of me riding a pony in a snowsuit when I was three. I
used to drive them crazy because every time I saw a horse, or
even a picture of one, I was always quite adamant that I should be
riding one. I didn’t come from a riding family; but I seemed to start
a trend since both of my sisters followed right behind me.
What are your future goals as a competitor?
I would really love to have a solid string of horses that I can do
the bigger FEI competitions on. Last year was such a great year
for me because I was able to make the trek to Spruce Meadows
for two weeks. I also think that to be at the top of your game, you
have to spend some time competing in Europe, so that is defn-
itely also on my list.
What was your most embarrassing moment with horses?
I remember being jumped out of the tack a few years ago dur-
ing a big class at Spruce Meadows. The stands were, of course,
full at the time. I just rolled and rolled and rolled while my horse
took off and was running around near the bank at one end of the
International Ring. I remember worrying he might get out, or get
hurt. But by the time I got up, he was standing at the top of the
bank with a beautiful sunset behind him. It was like a scene from
a movie. Then he put his head down and started to eat the grass
and the crowd just went wild with laughter.
Ainsley Vince and Frieda
Photo by Cealy Tetley
e
Canadian Connection
What do you look for in a horse?
Of course they have to be athletic, but it’s more than that. I’ve
worked with a lot of different horses and it comes down to heart
and attitude. Take my old horse Catch 22 for example. His con-
frmation meant he technically shouldn’t have been able to jump
the way he did; but he did it anyway. My current mare, Frieda, is
the same way. She’s a small horse; but she always tries so hard.
I think the horse has to be intelligent and believe that they can do
it and they will.
How do you prepare for a big competition?
I fnd everyone prepares differently. My sister Sydney likes to
stand at the side of the ring and make jokes with people. I’m the
opposite. I always like to take some quiet time by myself. Some-
times fnding those few minutes to really focus on the class can
be really tough. I’m always running around helping clients or with
horses in other rings; but when I can get those dedicated few min-
utes to myself it really helps put my head in the right place and
helps me focus.
If you hadn’t chosen a career with horses, what would you
be?
Something to do with design. At one point I had thought about
becoming an interior designer or a landscape architect. I got a
taste of that when we built our farm, Linden Ridge, from scratch. It
was such an interesting experience and I was able to do the layout
exactly as I wanted it.
What are your favorite things to do when you aren’t riding?
I love to go scuba diving, play tennis or go for a run. Of course I
never get to enjoy those things as much as I would like! I think part
of the appeal of riding for me has been that I really do enjoy the
outdoors, so it makes sense that all of my other favorite activities
would be outside activities as well.
About the writer: Alexa Cheater is an avid horse lover who spends an inordinate
amount of time at the barn for someone who doesn’t own a horse. When she’s not
enjoying the company of her favorite four-legged friends, she’s writing about them as
Communications Specialist for Starting Gate Communications Inc., a public relations
agency specializing in equestrian sport. www.startinggate.ca
for Canada’s
Ainsley Vince
Ainsley Vince
Photo by Michelle C. Dunn