Allpress still on

This story was originally published on Locker Room at Newsroom.co.nz, and is republished with permission.

LMumby and Trish Beattie, and then going onto her husband, Karl, and her mentor, master trainer Kevin Gray.

‘‘Growing upmumand Dad were really supportive. The both helped out at pony club and used to drive me around every weekend to shows, and if I needed help with anything Dad would jump in,’’ says Allpress. She competed all over the country with her ponies, and lists her childhood heroes as Kiwi showjumping legends Sir Mark Todd, Harvey Wilson and Catriona Williams.

‘‘Originally my parents didn’t want me to be a jockey,’’ she reveals. ‘‘My dad was a jockey and there weren’t any females when he was riding. But I’ve always had a love for horses since riding ponies as a child and they could see that, so they backed me and my passion.’’

Allpress met husband Karl, a horse trainer, a year after she finished her apprenticeship. ‘‘He’s heavily involved in the racing industry too, so he knows the lifestyle required to compete at an elite level,’’ she says.

If he needs to tend to their 215-hectare beef farm near Whanganui, and misses Allpress’ races, he’ll listen on the radio and offer advice on her performanceswhen she returns home.

Everyone supporting and contributing to Allpress’ career understands the level of constant dedication and discipline needed to remain on top.

Allpress says a solid foundation was set by her family, and the building blocks and polish were added when her parents sent her to the Grays in Patea for her apprenticeshipwhen she was 20.

‘‘I was very lucky to be mentored by Mr Gray – I still call him that to this day too. I think he’s had five of us go on to win over 1000 raceswhich has to be a record,’’ she says.

What the Grays have in spades is a genuine interest in a rider’s growth and wellbeing.

‘‘They definitely helped mould me into a good rider with a good work ethic and taught us skills like being able to communicate with trainers and owners effectively,’’ Allpress says.

‘‘It’s not until I left after the four-year apprenticeship that I fully appreciated and realised the amount of work Mr and Mrs Gray did for all of us. They took care of everything sowe could concentrate on being the best version of ourselves.’’

On reflection all the little things add up. The analysis sessions with Kevin Gray after every race day; the meals his wife, Kathleen,