90 SIDELINESMAY 2014
FORHORSEPEOPLE • ABOUTHORSEPEOPLE
ByMariaWynne
SidelinesWriter Across thePond
LizHalliday is theperfectmixtureof glamour, guts, grit andglory
all in one blonde package, with amyriad of achievements to her
name. She is amotor racing driver and a three-day eventer with
two horses on the United States Eventing Association (USEA)
High Performance List. Based in Britain, Liz flies back and forth
to compete on both sides of the Atlantic, and enraptures all who
meet her.
Her successes last seasonbrought her firmly to the forefront of
the selectors minds and, as a result, the motor racing has been
put on the back burner for a while. “It’s the right thing to do so
that I can focus onmy horses 100%, but also very difficult to step
back from the racing! I will still stay involvedwithmotorsport a bit
thankfully, as I will continue to commentate/pit report at the Le
Mans 24 hours for Eurosport, and hopefully some other bits and
pieces aswell,” Liz said.
Liz filled us in on how the two sports compare and gave us an
inside look at what life is like for this adrenaline junkie.
What’ssomethingmost peopledon’t know about you?
Hmmm, that’s a tough one! I originally majored in Marine
Biology at school and also did an internship at a big aquarium in
California some years ago. Although I did not continue to pursue
that route, I still have a big interest inmarine life andwe currently
have inour newhousea14-footmarine fish tank custombuilt into
thewall, dividing two rooms. Something I havewantedallmy life!
Doyouhave any funnysuperstitionsor routinesyou follow?
I am a bit funny about what whip I use to jumpwith and I really
hate it if I lose one and have to use another at the last minute! I
have had to learn to get over this, as I am also very bad about
leaving them behind at the finish of cross-country at a three-day
event! I can also be a bit superstitious about using new things in
competition - like when I have a new pair of gloves or a whip. I
always try to quickly use them oncewhile schooling before using
them in competition.
Howdoes theadrenalin rushofmotor racingcompare to that
of comingout of the cross-countrystart box at an event?
The start of a race is very similar to the start of cross-country
with the adrenaline jolt that you get. However, the feeling in the
car is a bit more intense right at the start of a race, because you
go from a very slow speed to extreme intensity all at once. Quite
often themost franticanddifficult part of thewhole race is the first
lap or two and you have to be at your absolute peak of adrenalin
and focuswhen the lights gogreen.
Onacross-countrycourse, youhaveacoupleof fencesusually
before the real difficulty begins, so the focus must be a bit more
centered. Maintaining the concentration of the horse must be
consideredaswell.Many of us knowwhat it’s like tohavea crazy
horse in the start box, and it can be difficult tomanage; so I think
channelling a sense of calm is important! At the end of the day, it
is all a huge adrenalin rush with both sports, which I think stems
from the knowledge that there is a very difficult job ahead that
requires extreme focus and commitment.
What techniques frommotor racingdoyouapply toeventing?
I have a couple of techniques that I have worked on over the
years that I apply equally toboth sports.
1) I always mentally ride through my whole cross-country
course, ideally in the horse box on my own if I have time, and I
always drive a lap of the track inmymind before the start of the
race. I am a very visual thinker, and I find this really helpsme to
feel prepared.
2) I hadhelp fromsomeonea fewyearsagowhoworked inNLP
(NeurolinguisticProgramming) andhehelpedme tocreatewhat’s
calleda “trigger point”which is something that youpracticedoing,
so thatwhenyou repeat it duringacompetition it canhelp tofill you
with the right amount of focus, adrenalin, etc. Sounds crazy, but
LizHalliday – the
race car driver.
Photo by JohnWaugh
e
Continued on page92
LizHalliday – the
event rider.
Liz
Halliday
Racing
&
Riding
