HLS Trick Riding principal, Hollie Shiels, is a full time trick riding and riding coach.
Hollie runs a trick riding performance team of 10 trick riders who have so far performed at QLD EKKA, Glen Innes Show, Totally Wild, Nambour Show, Tambo Show, Boulia Rodeo & more!
Hollie also trains/retrains horses and ponies, as well as competing successfully at State, National & Royal levels with her pinto/paint showhorse DAIQUIRI LOREDO MOON.
Early Days:
Originally from NSW, Hollie was on a horse as a baby but really began riding at 3 years old with the ownership of her first horse. She then started competing at 6 years old guided by her mother who has ridden horses all her life particularly for Showing and Eventing.
Hollie followed her mum with her main interest in Showing but she also competed in Pony Club, Dressage, ODE's and Showjumping.
In 2000 Hollie and her mother moved up the Coast to Mt White, NSW.
At 15 at the invitation of coach Heath Harris, she began trick riding with the all girl group GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS and performed at events such as Sydney Royal, EKKA & Equitana.
Big Things:
In 2005 Hollie made the trip from Mt White on the Central Coast NSW to the Gold Coast QLD to began training, teaching & performing trick riding at a world renowned horse dinner show, AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK SPECTACULAR. This saw Hollie performing in a principal lead role, as well as working as the Cast Co-coordinator and the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) Officer.
Hollie remained part of the Australian Outback Spectacular for 13 years and was the first “outsider” hired for the original dinner show.
In 2015 Hollie established her own business, HLS Trick Riding & Equestrian Services based in Tamborine Village QLD. She mainly teaches kids general riding skills and trick riding; and also runs kids camps, clinics & pony club camps.
We hear From Hollie:
“I am 34 years old and horses have been my whole life, I honestly wouldn’t know how to live without them. I now have a 5yo and 2yo who also enjoy them.”
“When I was asked by the coach of my first team GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS, Heath Harris, if I would like to join the team... I thought why not? So that’s how the Trick Riding began.”
“My most memorable achievements are performing at the Sydney Royal, Brisbane Ekka and Equitana. My thirteen years at Australian Outback Spectacular as well as competing at Royal, National and State levels on horses I have produced myself from unbroken babies.“
“I source them anywhere cheap! (Lol) and turn them into great ponies!”
“My advice to others is to always have a goal, even if it is seems unrealistic and to always aim to work towards it.”
Ambitions:
Hollie Shiels also has an interest in mounted archery and hopes to start competing soon!
Favourite Dynavyte products:
“MBS (MicroBiome Support) is amazing stuff, love it.”
