Cinch Magazine- Your Online Equestrian Source

Careers & Horses: Questionnaire with Actress/Equestrian Amber Marshall

J.L. Orchard, Cinch Magazine

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Cinch Magazine is proud to promote “Equestrian Inspired” Amber Marshall Apparel. 22 year old Amber Marshall is more than an actress, she’s a horsewoman, and is living the best of both worlds as lead in the Canadian television series, Heartland (based on the books by Lauren Brooke).

1. What came first, your love of horses or your love of acting?

It’s hard to say what came first. I was always a drama queen from the day I was born, but I also always had a deep love for animals. When I was four my parents took me to a nearby farm to ride, “Tony the Pony.” He was my introduction to the equine world. Now after having 5 horses of my own I am in knee deep and love every minute of it!

2. Is anyone else in your family interested in horses?

I have a wonderful little brother named, Lee. He’s really not so “little” anymore being 6ft. Although I have had him on my horses a few times, it’s not his thing. Lee and my father motor-cross, and debate that they “don’t have to fetch and clean their bikes!” (like horses). My mother and I are the horse lovers of the family.

3. What pets do you have and what are their names?

Well, this happens to be a long list. On top is my Border Collie X, “China.” She is my shadow and goes everywhere with me. Happily grazing outside my window are my horses. Pepsi is my 4-year-old Welsh/Paint that patiently waits out the day for our evening ride through the trails. (Pepsi appears in Amber’s T-shirt line). Chadny is a little mare that loves to come with Pepsi and me on our evening rides, ponied along behind. Then there’s the two yearlings, “Cash” and “Moon,” and “Buckett,” a little pony who has a foot condition and just needs an extra hand. The pigs come next, “Charlotte” and “Rosie.” They love following my dog around the yard snorting and squealing. China doesn’t like it much. The chicken house gives me my morning eggs and currently contains hens, roosters, turkeys, a peacock and a bundle of baby chicks. With a barn full of critters, I am kept very busy.

4. When did you know you wanted to be an actress and decide to reach for that goal?

I first got into acting with The Original Kids Theatre Company when I was 8. It looked like a lot of fun and I loved performing. After a few years there and really getting a feel for on-stage acting, I decided to try my hand at on-screen performance. After meeting with a few agencies in Toronto, I found an agent I felt comfortable with and began auditioning for the odd role. I got my first role in a YTV kids show called “Super Rupert.” From then on I was hooked.

5. Acting is a tough industry to break into and horses are an expensive hobby, how do you manage to maintain the two in your life? What does it mean to you to be able to combine horses and acting in Heartland.

Being an actor, I find myself with lots of down time. Although, when I am filming the hours are long, but the long breaks in between really allow me to spend lots of time with my horses and other animals on the farm. Sometimes it can be hard to manage, but I always seem to make it work.

Heartland is the ultimate way of life for me. I get to hang out all day in the most beautiful locations, with my friends and ride horses. I can’t imagine a better way of spending my days.

6. What were your first thoughts when you realized you’d landed your role in Heartland?

It didn’t really set in until we were filming. Everything happened so fast. One day, I was on set riding a beautiful black horse along a ridge overlooking the mountains, and I thought, “WOW, this is my job!!”

7. Did joining Heartland change your lifestyle in where you live, what you do in your spare time? Was it a good change?

It most definitely did, and I thank Heartland for that. I would have never decided to pick-up and head west if it were not for the show. I went from living in Ontario, in the big city, to living in Alberta, on a hobby farm. I have so much fun out here waking up to the crow of the Roosters and heading to the barn to do chores.

8. What is the work load like when filming for Heartland? What season are you most busy during and what hours do you work?

The workload is fairly heavy during our filming months. We shoot each season from May until December and work a 60-hour week. It can be challenging sometimes to work all day and then get home in time to finish chores before it is too dark. From January until late April I usually have lots of time off. I still continue to go to the odd audition for other projects, but also enjoy the break to ride my horses and spend time with family and friends.

9. Tell us a bit about your co-stars on Heartland. What does it mean to you to be a Canadian celebrity living in Canada?

We are blessed with a wonderful cast and crew on Heartland. We all work together like honey bees, and everything flows perfectly. The respect level on the show is very high for everyone involved. I think that is extremely important. I love every minute I spend on and off set with them all. We have grown into a real family and I miss them all very much during the winter when we are not filming.

I love being part of the Canadian television world. I am so proud of the talent we have here in Canada and I feel that it never truly gets the recognition it should.

10. What advice can you offer young individuals interested in acting? What is it like to have people recognize you when you go onto the town?

Make sure you are pursuing a career in acting because you truly love it. It can be a very difficult industry to break into, and even once you do, it can still be very demanding and not guaranteed. I’m not saying this to scare anyone away, it is just good to know going into it, that it is not all glitz and glamour. But, if you are like me, it can be the most rewarding and fun job imaginable.

Being recognized still amazes me. Even though it happens more and more these days I always wonder how people know that it is really me, what if I was just someone who looked like “that girl from Heartland?” Never-the-less I love hearing what fans have to say about the show.

11. Do you compete at horse shows or pursue horses beyond what you do with Heartland?

I take lessons when I can fit them in, but mostly I just ride for fun outside the show. I love taking off on a mountain trail and riding for hours on the beautiful terrain.

12. What advice can you offer young riders who are looking to maintain their passion for horses with a non-horse career?

Horses can always be a part of your life no matter what you are doing. If you don’t have the time/money to own a horse or ride everyday, you can always just take a lesson once a week, or once a month for that matter! Just something to keep you involved until you have more free time to dedicate. Some people pay lots of money for a gym membership or equipment, why not put that toward horse lessons! Mucking stalls is also great exercise, and most places will pay you to do that job.

13. What hobby or interest do you have that people would be surprised to know? What’s better, English or Western riding?

I think my hobbies and interests are all very imaginable. I love riding, dog agility, and training/taming new animals. I also love exploring new places and sneaking through different habitats to see what creatures I can find…
I began my time in the horse world riding English Hunter/Jumper, but I have now fallen in love with the Western World. I love roping and moving/sorting cattle, and I find the western saddle to be much more comfortable. I still like to jump on occasion, so the English tack goes back on for that.

14. If you had to choose between the two what would you rather be, an actress or a rider?

That is a very difficult question. Animals always have won over anything, as they are my true passion, but if I could still have horses, and be around them, but not ride? Ah, no I still think I would pick riding over acting…. Unless it was a short-term deal, and I could go back to riding after….

15. When Heartland does eventually come to an end, what do you see yourself doing?

I will continue to manage my chores on the farm, keep riding and hopefully find another project in the industry that is just as suited to me as Heartland.



ABOUT AMBER MARSHALL APPAREL
Answered by Wenda Metcalfe, director of Amber Marshall Apparel

1. What can you tell us about Amber Marshall Apparel? Does Amber choose the styles/pictures that go on the clothing?

"Amber Marshall Apparel" was started for the fans asking for promotional products to do with Amber and as she has such a large equestrian fan base we decided to design everything to be "Equestrian Inspired". We have a "Marshall" bandanna (something Amber’s dog always likes to wear) and a "Marshall T". She has a gin gum "Western" shirt and a canvas chore coat with a removable polar fleece liner that is a secondary jacket. Soon we will be coming out with a lounge wear line. Amber and Amber Marshall Apparel will be at the "Master's" event at Spruce Meadows in Calgary Sept 8-12 as well as the Royal Winter Fair. You can also find some of her clothing on her website "Ambermarshall.ca" and more will be added soon.

2. When was it decided to start Amber Marshall Apparel?

We decided to form the company in November of 2009 so it’s not very old! It is something fun to do and the fans enjoy wearing the designs as well as taking something home when they come to meet Amber in person.

3. What do you most look forward to with this clothing line?

It would be nice to see the line take off and be recognized as a comfortable, casual line equestrian inspired by Amber that she or other horse lovers would feel good riding in the mountains, working on the ranch or just hanging out in. Making riding specific apparel is our future goal!

Learn more at: www.ambermarshall.ca

Questions and Answers in this interview have been edited for publication. What’s Amber Marshall Horse Camp?
Wilson H2 Ranch of Woodville, ON, is proud to host Amber Marshall themed horse camp complete with riding and drama activities, summer 2010. The camp is open to youth age 8-16 and is in support of Horse Wish, a non-profit organization that opens the way for disadvantaged youth and adults to experience horses. See www.wilsonh2ranch.ca for more details.