Jessica, the Little Champ
By Paul Funnell OAM
A two-hour drive south of Canberra, Australia’s Capital City, is Jindabyne, the gateway to the Snowy Mountains, a most beautiful region that attracts snow skiers from all over the world and anglers looking for some of the best trout fishing available.
Peter and Fay Moore lived twenty minutes west of Jindabyne, on a one hundred-acre property, with their son Shane, and two daughters Karina and Jessica.
The property provided a tranquil environment to raise their family, adjoining Kosciuszko National Park. There’s a bend in the Mowamba River flowing past the south-west corner, that adds to the beauty of the region. The snow gums, chestnut and hazelnut trees scattered throughout the property made it a peaceful and relaxing existence it was simply beautiful.
Owing to Peter being a Project Manager in the construction industry, he treated the property as a hobby farm. Regularly buying young calves from the Queanbeyan cattle sales, leaving them to graze until they were of an age and condition for resale.
Fay was kept busy with her home duties, also as a dressmaker she designed and made dresses for Canberra society women of which there were many. Wives, daughters and friends of Prime Ministers and Governor Generals were on her VIP list.
Fay gained great satisfaction when her customers were pleased with her work, and knowing she was making a positive contribution to the family income. High on her priority was ensuring each of her children received a good grounding in the Christian faith.
Shane liked the hiking, trout fishing and mountain bike riding. Karina could be found with her easel, canvas, paints and brushes, painting the many scenes that took her fancy on the property or in the Snowy Mountains. Her mother was forever reminding her that she still had to study and pass exams.
Jessica was four, when she accompanied her mother to the pony clubs on Saturday mornings to deliver horse rugs, which she had embroidered the horses name on.
The teenage girls at the Jindabyne club took an instant liking to Jessica and gave her rides on one of the spare Shetland ponies, her enjoyment was obvious.
The senior trainer brought the head coaches’ attention to Jessica’s riding, pointing out that she possessed natural ability.
She went on to explain her good balance and that she was already using some of the basic riding skills. The coach agreed to watch from a distance the following Saturday.
Fay and Jessica turned up as usual, and as the pony with Jessica on it was being led around the paddock, the assistant let the lead rope go and ran beside the pony for a short time before regaining the rope. It didn’t phase Jessica; she just kept riding.
The coach then approached Fay asking if she and Jessica’s father could meet to discuss the possibility of Jessica joining the club. Fay was surprised considering her young age, regardless she agreed, and arranged the meeting for the following week. At the meeting, Jessica was allowed to ride unassisted for much of the demonstration.
The coach pointed out that Jessica was destined to become a champion, as she had skills normally found in a rider twice her age. That morning Jessica was registered as a club member, and by late afternoon she was the loving owner of a 12 hand Shetland pony, named Honey. It did take a lot to convince her that she couldn’t ride Honey until they purchased a saddle and bridle, and it could be weeks as they needed to find a saddle to suit both her and the pony.
Jessica spent time every day feeding and watching Honey run around. Three weeks after purchasing Honey, it was Jessica’s fifth birthday and everything was ready to go, riding her own pony at the club with others was the best present she could wish for.
Over the next four years Jessica completed every riding lesson and activity the club offered, collecting her mini achievement badges along the way. By her ninth birthday she was competing against the twelve-year old’s. Her father realized it was time to purchase her second horse, that would be more suitable for show jumping. It was a Cross Galloway 14 hands, named Star.
After identifying a large level and well grassed area on the property, Peter and Shane set about clearing and mowing it, ensuring there were no holes. The next three months on the weekends were spent building jumps for a complete show jumping course.
With the jumps set at 25% of the regulation height, Jessica spent her afternoons practicing, although her school homework did provide limitations. Saturdays after pony club and Sundays following church were the only other opportunities.
Her parents had a rule that she was not to jump the horse without an observer being present, as safety was paramount. The jumps soon rose to 50%, by her eleventh birthday she was jumping 75% height. Still, she was mindful that her times were outside those required to complete each round in a competition.
Karina wanting to help, taught her the importance of tracking her progress, showing her how to use a computer to record her times and the number of faults she incurred.
It was Christmas 1994, Peter and Fay had planned a Queensland holiday, in Rosewood a small country town, sixteen-hours’ drive north of Jindabyne, and around one hour southwest of Brisbane. Their friends had settled there some years earlier and often told them they should make the move.
On their arrival they discovered it was cattle country, just how they liked it. There were tens of thousands of acres of rich fertile land, taking in the Lockyer Valley with fruit orchards and vegetable farms.
During the New Year period, Peter met with representatives from three of the nearby pony clubs, he discovered the opportunities for Jessica to compete in competitions and rural shows were much better. When asked how good Jessica was, for the first time he revealed that she would compete and win gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. He was not taken seriously, but they got the message that Jessica was special.
A family decision was made for the relocation to take place. Peter, Fay and Jessica would make the move as soon as possible, while Shane would remain in Canberra to complete his arborist apprenticeship, Karina would also remain and board with friends to complete her final school year.
Before leaving to visit the real estate agent, Fay’s friend told them of a private sale. It was two-hundred acres, and the owner had not lived on the property for twelve months, she was in a retirement village and was waiting to sell to someone who would care for the property.
On inspection the property was perfect for their needs. It was mostly fenced, with a beautiful old style Queenslander homestead. Five bedrooms, two bathrooms and wide verandahs, with four large sheds. While looking around Peter spotted a large flat well grassed area, which he paced out for the approximate size, and concluded it would accommodate a great show jumping course. A price was agreed, and a favourable contract was signed. It allowed them to rent the property while their own was being sold.
The events over the following four weeks happened at a cracking pace and demonstrated that Peter was a ‘get it done man’. His approach was, get out of the way, or get run over. Fay and Jessica remained in Rosewood to organise her school and enrol her in the local Rosewood pony club. Also finding a church for them to attend was high on their priority.
Peter and Karina flew home and with Shane’s help, it only took forty-eight hours to have a small removal truck heading for Queensland. There was enough clothes and the essential furniture for the girls to be comfortable. Peter phoned the real estate agent to tell them he wanted to sell his property. He couldn’t believe his luck, the agent had a prospective buyer, and arranged to meet at the property 10.00 am the following day. The buyer was a property developer, who wanted it for a tourist project.
The offer to purchase exceeded Peter’s expectation, so a contract was signed with a sixty-day settlement. A few days later Peter drove to his employers Canberra office to resign, and just as he thought that things couldn’t get better, they did. The manager told Peter they had a new project starting in twelve weeks in Ipswich, thirty minutes’ drive from Rosewood, and that the Project Manager’s position was his if he wanted it.
Peter accepted and suggested that he take his long service leave, allowing him time to settle into his new home. He gave an undertaking that he would be at the work site in late April for the start of the project. Deciding to press his luck, he asked if he could hire a company ‘B Double’ truck, with two drivers to transport all his belongings to Queensland. The manager approved his request and sent seven workers, and two forklifts for three days to pack the furniture, Fay’s machines and Jessica’s jumps.
Peter understood there would be a return trip in early March for the settlement of the property, as well as a farewell BBQ the pony club and church ladies were organising. With the ‘B Double’ on its way, Honey and Star safely in the horse float, behind the Landcruiser, it was ‘goodbye Jindabyne, hello Rosewood.
Peter and Fay were on a fast-learning curve, the Queensland heat and humidity were going to take some getting used to. No one told them that late January and February were the tropical wet season, and the thunderstorms were enough to scare anyone. They soon had the important things completed, the home was organised, clean, neat and liveable.
Jessica was happy with her private school in Ipswich as it had an equestrian program for her sport. With the help of a few of their new friends from the Rosewood pony club and others from the church, the show jumping course was completed. The only person left to please was Fay with her dressmaking studio, she made it clear there was no hurry, she was not sure what her future was in that department.
On their return from Jindabyne where they settled on the property and enjoyed the farewell BBQ, they finally were able to relax, appreciating they were now in their new home. Of course, Peter couldn’t help himself, he visited the Toowoomba cattle sales, where he purchased and had fifteen calves transported to the farm. Fifteen soon became thirty, then fifty.
Jessica had celebrated her twelfth birthday and had her horse Star jumping full height, but couldn’t understand why the times were not improving. To help her, the services of Dennis Coenen were obtained, he was a professional coach recommended by the club President. Even with the extra coaching there was very little improvement. Clearly her style and techniques were better, it was the times for each round that were the problem. Karina wanting to help, taught her the importance of tracking her progress, showing her how to use a computer to record her times and the number of faults she incurred.
For motivation Jessica had two poster size photos on her bedroom wall, they were of her riding Star, clearing a jump. Each had a caption in very large writing:
- One read ‘State Champion’
- The other ‘2000 Olympic Champion’.
Every morning and night, they were a constant reminder of her goals. She was obsessed with her vision of being an Olympic champion.
Every morning and night, they were a constant reminder of her goals. She was obsessed with her vision of being an Olympic champion. Dennis realised he didn’t have the answers, and decided to invite Wendy a show jumping horse trainer, to join Peter and him to watch Jessica in action on the Saturday morning. Wendy arrived and out of her horse float, she slowly led a black 16.2 hands Thoroughbred, named Viking. She tied it up under a shady tree, filled a bucket of water, then spent the next fifteen minutes getting to know Jessica. Wendy noticed Jessica was distracted by Vikings presence. “Do you like him?” She asked. Walking over to pat Viking, “oh yes, he is the most beautiful horse I have ever seen.”
“First show me what you can do on ‘Star’, and we will finish with you riding Viking,” she let her know. Confirming that all the jumps were set at full height, Wendy watched closely as Jessica completed her first round. She then asked her to do a second round, trying to improve her time. She did her best, but there was no improvement. After taking a short break, Jessica unsuccessfully completed a third round. Sitting enjoying the light lunch and coffee that Fay had prepared, and with Jessica listening intently. Wendy told Peter and Dennis that it was not Jessica’s riding, rather that Star was the problem, the horse was not capable of the standard required for competition. She pointed out that show jumping horses needed to be quick on the trot, while being able to jump cleanly and quickly. They must also be capable of making sharp turns without losing form, highlighting that was the key to winning. She added, the horse must be light, strong and nimble. Explaining that Viking was a Thoroughbred that possessed all those attributes. When they watch Jessica ride, they would notice Viking’s agility, speed and spirit.
Saddling up Viking, Wendy said, “okay little champ, let’s go.” Wendy provided the instructions, and Jessica spent a short time getting acquainted with Viking, while Peter and Dennis set all the jumps to 50% height. During the afternoon Jessica completed three rounds that confirmed what Wendy was saying. Even though the jumps were only set at 50% height, round three was perfect, her time was good enough for competitions.
Wendy offered to leave Viking for six weeks so Jessica could practice. The first two weeks the jumps were to stay at 50%, then two weeks at 75%, the last two weeks would be at 100%. Peter could see where things were heading, after six weeks there was no way Jessica would let Viking leave. He took Wendy aside and asked, “how much to buy Viking?” He was pleasantly surprised at the price, and agreed to favourably consider it on her return, asking her to bring all the paperwork.
“Peter, you are right when you claim Jessica can win gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. What I am telling you is, it will be on Viking, he is the horse that can do it,” she said. Over the following nine months Jessica competed at many of the rural shows within three hours’ drive of their farm. They travelled to Stanthorpe just short of the New South Wales border, Warwick, Toowoomba, the Gold Coast and as far as the Sunshine Coast. A number of the show organisers suggested that Jessica may like to select rural shows with a higher level of competition, which was a polite way of saying, ‘we want to give others a chance’, so she registered at the
Toowoomba Equestrian Centre, which had a high level of coaching that suited her goals. Jessica was fourteen, and the week of the State Championships had arrived. Both Jessica and Viking were ready, they knew exactly what was required, they had done it many times. The event was being held at the ‘Queensland Equestrian Centre’ at Caboolture north of Brisbane. It was a busy time; many hours were spent washing and grooming Viking. Fay made a special light- weight rug, with Viking’s name embroidered on it. Jessica polished her saddle and Peter washed and cleaned the horse float.
The horse stables at the Equestrian Centre were impressive, everything they needed was on hand. They all had their jobs to do, time seemed to pass quickly, when Wendy announced it was forty-five minutes to go. Jessica was helped to mount Viking, and after Wendy completed the safety checks, she led Viking to the warmup arena. Jessica was soon approached by an official and given the ten-minutes warning notice. Making their way to the entry gate, Wendy provided her last- minute encouragement. “This is your day, Little Champ.”
Approaching the starting line, Jessica carried out her deep breathing exercises to calm her nerves. She became relaxed and oblivious to any other person in the stadium. Hearing the bell, she knew the clock was ticking. Viking cleared the first jump, then the second and the third, by the fifth there were no faults, and her confidence was up. Viking turned sharply to line up the ‘water hazard’, instantly Jessica realised the markings to the approach were different to what they were used to. As they got close the spectators rose in unison. Jessica’s small slim body flew through the air like an arrow, landing in the water trap on the other side.
Viking had locked all fours and refused to take the jump. Course officials raced to her aid, the ambulance took less than a minute to travel the short distance, knocking over other jumps didn’t seem to matter. Fay ran through an open gate in the low fence that separated the spectators from the contestants; she knew it was the end of Jessica’s dream to win the State Championships. Scared she may drown in the water-trap, an eerie silence came over the crowd while they waited for an announcement. “Jessica, Jessica,” her mother yelled.
She fell to her little girl’s side out of breath and sobbing uncontrollably. Jessica never moved; not even a breath of life was present. “Everyone back, we need to clear the area,” Alex the paramedic ordered. “I have a pulse, it’s not strong but it’s there,” his assistant called. Alex kept the instructions flying “I’ll get the oxygen, we’ll make her comfortable, let’s go, time matters.” As Alex sat in the driver’s seat, he saw Fay in the passenger’s seat. He ordered her to get out. Fay said, “no time, there are two thousand people out there who will boo you.”
Jessica had celebrated her twelfth birthday and had her horse Star juLess than eight minutes passed when the ambulance sped through the gates heading for the local hospital. Alex notified the hospital of the emergency and gave their estimated arrival time as ten minutes. The hospital had ambulance ramping and were on a ‘Code Yellow’ by-pass. He was instructed to go directly to the Royal Brisbane Hospital. Jessica was immediately classified as critical, and with the ambulance sirens blaring they were soon joined by a police escort.
On arrival the emergency team was ready to swing into action. Jessica was in a deep coma, fighting for her life. She had a broken arm, a broken leg, internal and external bruising, she was a mess! Lying in the intensive care ward one month dragged into two, then three and four, her leg and arm were healing nicely, but she was in desperate need of exercise.
Fay, Peter and family friends took turns of visiting Jessica, where they talked to her while exercising her legs and arms. They sang her favourite songs and read books to her. As the months passed it was taking its toll on everyone, the daily round trip was three hours by train and with seven-hour shifts, it was a long day. Fay was particularly feeling the strain, there were many times she thought the end was near, that is when she turned to her faith that taught her that prayer was the answer, but could it be her little girl’s time had arrived to depart this world.
It was more than she could bare. Ten months had passed, Fay was attending her Sunday morning church service, when she was approached by her friend Helen, who had noticed she was not her usual bubbly self. Helen enquired how things were going and of Jessica’s progress. Fay not wishing to offload her troubles, with emotion and struggling to get her words out, told Helen of the difficulty in coping, not having volunteers to help with the exercises. Trying her best not to admit how far it had driven her to giving up, she suggested it was all too much.
A lady was passing and asked, “Helen, is everything okay?” While Fay was looking away to regain her composure, Helen took a small pink card from her handbag and handed it to her friend, asking her to look after it. The card was a signal that there was one of their own that needed help. Helen then invited Fay to meet a group of ladies, they called themselves ‘The Carers’.
After hearing Fay’s story, the ‘Carers’ made a commitment to join with two other churches that had similar groups. There would be a roster of ladies to help, it would also be arranged for Fay to do the night shift and sleep over at the hospital. That morning a heavy load was lifted off Fay’s shoulders, she no longer felt alone. As time passed even the ‘Carer’ ladies privately wondered what Jessica’s future would be. It was early one Wednesday morning, when Fay was returning from a walk around the hospital wards, she stopped to check and make Jessica comfortable. At a most unexpected moment, “Mum, Mum, where are you Mum?” Jessica faintly muttered. “I’m here Jessica, I’m here.”
Holding back tears Fay knew she had a job to do; her little girl was talking. “I can’t see you, Mum. Where are you?” “Here, it’s me holding your hand, I’m beside you.” Fay reached and desperately pressed the emergency button to call the nurse. “Mum, I can’t see you, I’m scared.” Her mother realized Jessica was starting to panic, she needed to keep her calm, again she reached for the buzzer and held it down until the nurse finally arrived.
“Get the doctor, my little girl is talking, and she can’t see.” While the doctor was pleased that Jessica was out of the coma, he understood the reality of the situation and arranged for an eye specialist to attend that afternoon. Fay phoned Peter with the good news that Jessica had woken up, explaining that her eyes may be a problem. During the afternoon, the specialist carried out routine tests and a thorough examination. On completion she advised Fay that she had seen the condition before and that Jessica’s sight would return to normal within a few days.
The next three months were long sessions of physiotherapy; it was all about teaching her to walk as best she could. Jessica arrived home to the family farm fifteen months after that terrible day. “I want to see Viking,” she insisted. Her mother was not so sure but reluctantly agreed. Standing on a small box and struggling to place her arms around part of Vikings’ neck, “Oh Viking you beautiful, wonderful horse, it wasn’t your fault I still love you,” she said. “We are going to win, Viking we will win you wait and see.”
“Now, hang on,” her mother interrupted. “Just slow down, I am not sure you will ever ride again. The doctor said another fall could kill you.” “Mum, Viking and I are going to fly over the jumps and become Olympic Champions.” Her mother thought it was best to let it go. There was only sixteen months to the Olympics when she started riding. Having organized time off school, she asked Dennis Coenen and Wendy to train her, which they both agreed to do on a voluntary basis. It was back to basics, soon the jumps reached 50%, then 75% then 100% height. There were rural shows most weekends, although Jessica had to agree to do her round as an exhibition and not as a competitor. She was happy with the arrangement, as it gave her good practice. Also, without realizing it she was building up a fan base of supporters.
The six months leading into the Sydney Olympics saw her win the State and National Show Jumping Championships. Late one afternoon, just as it was getting dark, Jessica hobbled up the steep stairs, her injured leg had never healed properly, she crossed the wide timber verandah and through the door leading to the kitchen where her mother was preparing the evening meal. “I’m ready Mum, and Viking is ready, we are both ready.” “Ready for what?” “The Sydney Olympics, oh Mum, I am seventeen and will be the youngest ever equestrian show jumper and Viking will be famous.” Her mother was overcome with joy; her little girl’s dream was about to become a reality.
“You have worked for it, and you have my blessing, enjoy the moment”. She stood quietly hugging her Jessica, knowing that her little girl was about to become a young lady. Then reality hit her! “Oh, my little champ, why couldn’t you grow-up first?” The venue for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Equestrian Show Jumping, was to be the ‘International Equestrian Centre, at Horsley Park’. It was going to be a very special day, one that everyone who had helped Jessica on her journey would remember, there was a lot of preparation ahead.
Fay made a new horse rug with Viking and the Sydney 2000 Olympics logo on it, it would only be used once, then be displayed in the trophy room. Peter sold cattle to help fund the trip and purchase a new horse float, which had Viking 2000 Olympics, sign written on it. Officials from the pony clubs and the rural shows had contacted the ‘Host Television Broadcaster’ and threatened a boycott if they didn’t cover Jessica’s ride. There were plans for big screens in the clubs, churches and some public venues. It was going to be a big event.
The Jessica team were shielding her from all publicity, the last thing any of them wanted was added pressure on her. Newspapers, online sports news, talkback radio and their presenters were telling the Jessica ‘Come-back’ story, and their hopes for an Australian Gold medal. A team decision was made to arrive ten days early, and setup at Shane’s fifty- acre property where he lived with his wife Monique. It was around two hours south-west of the equestrian centre at Belimbla Park. For Jessica to practice Shane arranged for the local pony club to provide unlimited use of their show jumping facilities.
During their second session while Monique was watching, she asked Dennis and Wendy if Shane had mentioned that she was a part time horse groomer. She had taken two weeks off work and would like to offer her services free to help prepare Viking for the big day. Dennis and Wendy accepted her offer and told her they would pay her expenses.
“Oh no,” Monique said. “Jessica will win, and I want to be part of history, all I ask is for a photo with Viking and Jessica with her Gold Medal.” “We have a deal,” Dennis replied. The night before Jessica’s ride, her father sat talking to her, it was important everything was the same as her lead into a rural show. He said, “Jessica, your mother and I have encouraged and supported you all the way, tomorrow it is your opportunity. When you go out there do it for yourself, not for us or other people. It has been your dream, so claim it as your own.
If anyone tells you that you have nothing to lose, don’t listen, as this may be your only chance.” The morning of the big day was fresh and crisp, and considering the magnitude of the event everyone was relaxed. Wendy had a checklist and ticked off each item as it was individually loaded, then Viking was slowly led onto the horse float. Before they left, Fay called everyone together and thanked them. She reminded Jessica there was not a member of her team that could see anything but gold hanging from her neck, as most of the country did. But if things didn’t go to plan, she would be loved no matter what.
On their arrival at the Equestrian Centre and being guided to their horse stable, they completed the final preparations over the next three hours. Wendy announced there was forty-five minutes to go, and like all other times Jessica was helped to mount Viking. Wendy carried out the final safety checks, then following their warmup, they made their way to the stadium entry gate, where Wendy provided her last- minute encouragement.
“Give it your all, Little Champ.” Jessica completed her breathing exercises to calm her nerves. As she approached the starting line, she heard the roar of the crowd, and those magical words echo over the public address, to a packed stadium. “Our next contestant is Jessica Moore, riding Viking, the youngest ever rider in the history of the Olympic Games.”
They had all come to see the little girl who had beaten the odds and battled adversity to live out her dream. Sixteen jumps with one water jump and the time clock to beat, this was the real test. They flew over the first, second and third jumps, by the fifth she could feel Vikings high energy. At the eighth there were no faults, her confidence was at an all-time high.
Viking kept clearing the jumps and finally the sixteenth jump for a perfect round. She then endured a long wait while other contestants finished. There were three that completed perfect rounds, causing a time elimination round. Jessica was drawn to be the last rider. As she sat waiting on Viking, and continuing her breathing exercises to remain calm, she understood that clearing every jump was a must, but this time it was Viking who needed to display his agility, speed and spirit, that Wendy referred to all those years earlier.
The first rider had two faults and was destined for the Bronze Medal. The second had a perfect round, with a good time. Jessica reminded herself that this was Vikings and her day, all they had worked for came down to this one round. “The gold medal is ours,” she said with visions of Viking clearing the jumps. There was a deafly silence as the bell sounded, she was aware that every second counted.
Viking cleared the first, then the second and the third. The swiftness of Viking flying over each jump, caused a soft hissing of the air that was like music to Jessica’s ears. By the sixth the time felt good, but there was no way to know. Jessica called to Viking, “faster, faster, Viking faster.” That is what he did, Jessica felt the difference, clearing the eighth jump, Viking was turning sharply and accelerating like Jessica had never experienced. They cleared the thirteenth, fourteenth, then the fifteenth, and finally the last jump and raced over the finish line. Another perfect round!
Looking up to the leader board she saw her name flashing in first place. As the spectators stood and let out loud cheers, Jessica rode to the entrance gate to be congratulated by her team. Seeing her mother, father, Shane and Karina, she knew she had a loving family and a great team. This time it was her turn to hold back tears. Her father draped the Australian flag over her for the victory lap. She received a standing ovation with deafening roar. For Jessica there was only one sound better than the cheering spectators, as she proudly stood with her gold medal around her neck. Listening to the national anthem, and knowing she caused it to be played.