In this edition of BetaVet Under The Radar we catch up with Angelique Bridson - marketing extraordinaire and co-breeder of eye catching grey Riot and Rose. She is also a big contributor to the NZTBA and our operations, just another reason she is an unsung hero.
What is your role and how did you get into it?
Freelance Marketer/Photographer. I have always loved horses and studied marketing at Uni. I brought the two worlds together with my first real job which was at New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing. As for photography, a few years back Trish Dunell let me use a camera at the races one day and I was fascinated by it from there.
What does a typical day look like for you?
It varies widely but today involved video editing, a yearling draft conformation shoot, photo editing/printing and website management.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Either sitting in a paddock, photographing mares and foals or capturing a really good headshot of a horse.
What part of your job would you delegate if you could?
Invoicing.
How did you become involved in the thoroughbred breeding industry?
At Otago Uni, I did a Marketing Master of Business project on branding in the Thoroughbred Industry. Namely, it observed the Waikato Stud brand and its perceived impact within the yearling and stallion market. Great contacts were made at this point with Lisa Chittick of Waikato Stud and Kevin Robertson of New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing, with both of these outfits later becoming pivotal employers in my career.
Favourite thoroughbred of all time?
Phar Lap
What is your proudest moment as a breeder?
Watching a horse I bred with Kerrie Cox and her husband Rob called Riot and Rose (Pins x Lasting Luck) win last Saturday’s Camperdown Cup (1600m).
He was orphaned as a foal but has now recorded five wins from nine starts for Peter Moody and our fellow Wylie Dalziel Racing syndicate members. What makes us particularly proud of him, is just how hard he tries each time. He has quirks, but we always know that when he’s called upon by the jockey, he will respond with everything he’s got. Saturday’s win was also special because I watched it with my sister who is not well. To see Riot and Rose bring her joy was terrific.
A close second to that was to be able to tell family and friends later that week that Peter had nominated our grey boy for the All-Star Mile. Realistically, there are 80 other very talented horses nominated, but to think that Peter rated him as a possible option for contesting it, made us very proud.
If you could shadow someone in the thoroughbred breeding industry for a day, who would it be?
Kerrie Cox, General Manager of Elsdon Park. She’s a great horseperson and my best mate. Apart from being able to learn a lot, the chat would be highly entertaining, and a delicious lunch would be guaranteed.
Finish this sentence - The best thing about the thoroughbred breeding industry is…the horses themselves and their ability to unite people with a shared passion.
