The daughter of professionals Jim and Jennifer Gray, she grew up surrounded by horses at the family’s Jack Pine Equestrian Centre in Owen Sound, ON. In addition to training with her parents, Nora spent a good deal of time honing her skills with legendary American equitation trainers Missy Clark and John Brennan in Warren, VT, and Wellington, FL. Along with competing in the prestigious 2013 USEF Medal and ASPCA Maclay Finals, Nora spent the year competing various mounts in the junior hunters and also had great success in the 1.30m Jr/Am Jumpers on her 10-year-old Belgium Warmblood, Dolly B.
As the daughter of professionals, were you always interested in horses, or was it something for which you developed a fondness as you got older?
NG: I’ve always been surrounded by horses, and for as long as I can remember I’ve been very interested and involved. I started taking formal lessons when I was four. My parents always encouraged me to do other sports when I was younger, but in the end riding was always my number-one focus. I got my first pony, Franklin, when I was three years old. He was a typical pony and when I was little he used to drag me down the aisle and push me around, but he turned out to be a great pony. I think of Franklin to this day when I need to focus on straightness, because with him if I didn’t ride straight, he would either go into the wall or bolt into the middle of the ring!
When did you decide that competing at a high level was something you really wanted to pursue?
NG: I started showing when I was five and have been going to high-level horse shows since I was a baby. My mom had one of her top grand prix horses and was getting more competitive when I was younger, so I think that definitely raised my interest in the top level of the sport. Having someone so close to me to look up to was a great experience and continues to make me want to improve my riding all the time. Having my mom showing at the top level taught me so much about all aspects of the horses – from riding, to what it takes to get a horse of that calibre ready to go to the ring.
What are some of the challenges and benefits of being coached by family?
NG: Being coached by my mom has been an amazing experience, because she knows me and my riding better than anyone. I wouldn’t be anywhere near the rider I am today without my mom; she has always made sure I learned to do everything the right way. My dad has also always been there to support me in all aspects of my riding and has done whatever he could to help me reach my goals. My brother, Robert, has never really ridden, but has always been one of my biggest supporters. He loves the business and has just recently taken a job with the Prudent family, where he is involved in horse sales. I’m lucky that all my family is involved in the sport and have supported me. When you grow up in this business it becomes your entire life, so there really is no separation between riding and family life.
What was it like training with equitation legends Missy Clark and John Brennan?
NG: I worked for and rode with Missy and John at North Run on and off since WEF 2012. I wanted to be a working student for them to learn more about their program and their ability to consistently win in the equitation and jumping rings. Being with North Run was so great for my riding and confidence, because I got the opportunity to ride so many different horses. Not only did I learn a lot about riding, but working there taught me so much about the care and management of horses. Training with Missy and John was a great experience; their work ethic and ability to get the most out of all their students is something that I really admire.
Describe your CET Finals experience this year.
NG: Going into the CET Finals I was feeling pretty confident, as I had gotten to take ‘Papa’ to the USEF Medal Finals in Harrisburg and ASPCA Maclay Finals in Kentucky before coming to the Royal and I knew I could trust him one hundred per cent. Both days the course was challenging enough that there wasn’t really anywhere that you could get away with not being accurate; almost everything was a related distance. Throughout the whole week I was more anxious than nervous, as I just wanted to get it done! After winning, I was just so happy that everything finally came together – for me, my family, and the owners of the horse. Winning the CET means so much to me, because it is something that everyone recognizes in Canada and the United States. I think the CET is very important to the development of riders, because it forces riders to be accurate and effective, to ride properly and make good decisions, even in high-pressure situations. My horse, who is owned by Iron Horse Farm, couldn’t have been any better; both days of the class he just went in and went around like he had been doing it all his life, and prior to Harrisburg he had never done the equitation. I love him!
What are your future plans?
NG: After I go to school, I hope to pursue a career in the horse industry. I’m currently on a gap year, but plan to attend university starting in the fall of 2014. I am pursuing an equestrian scholarship to an NCAA school in the US, but have not made any commitments as of yet. Growing up with my parents being trainers has taught me that nothing in this industry comes easily and it takes a lot more than being a great rider to be successful. After school I hope to gain experience as a professional and see where it takes me within the sport.
