© William De La Mare
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Find out all about this weeks winners, their horses, their plans for the season and inspirations as well as learning what will be in their celebration ‘Chicken Dinner’.
If you have a win this week, we’ll help you shout it from the roof tops so get in touch at events@thegaitpost.com to be featured or tweet us @thegaitpost using the tag #TGPwinnerwinnerchickendinner
All disciplines welcome.
© William De La Mare
© Jason Bax
© William De La Mare
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
Unfortunately I am probably going to sell him but if he doesn’t find the right home I will aim him at a CCI* at the end of the season.
Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular? If a regular, what keeps you coming back? If a first timer, will you be back?
I have been to Smith’s Lawn a couple of times before and I like the event because I find the cross country a fair test and it has the most beautiful setting especially as you drive down the drive.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
I have a few different people for different reasons, Richard Waygood has certainly changed the way I ride in the show jumping which I am now reaping the rewards from but also one of my closet friends eventer Coral Keen is always the first person to tell me the hard truth about my riding or the horses and drives me to keep pushing myself.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
That has to be my dad he has so much passion for horses and caught the eventing bug like me so he dedicates alot of time and money into me and the horses.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
How addictive it can be, I took a short break at the end of last year and found it very difficult.
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing.
It wasn’t funny at the time but when I worked for JP Sheffield we were driving to an event in France and we had a blowout and lost all the tack where the tyre went up through the tack locker on the motorway. We can have a laugh about it now though !
Which is your favourite event & why?
One of my favourite events is Wilton probably because it is very close for us and the picturesque setting makes you feel lucky to be able to ride there.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
If we are back late from an event we usually get a takeaway and it depends on what kind of a day we have had as to whether we celebrate with a bottle of fizz or slum it with a squash !!
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
I have recently dug out my Adele 21 CD – all the songs make you want to sing your heart out !
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
Olaf (Hilton Cooley) is next heading to Blair next week for the 1* which will be his last event of this season.
Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular? If a regular, what keeps you coming back? If a first timer, will you be back?
I’m a regular, I have been every year since the first year. It’s such a fun event because it’s local to me and I know so many people going and every year they make improvements to the ground and the XC.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
James Oakden – I used to be based with James and he taught me everyday. He took me to all my events and would also give the best advice and always supported and guided me when needed. Without his guidance and expertise I would never have been able to produce horses like Olaf (who I got as a 4 year old).
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
Our groom at home, Caitlin. She ALWAYS steps in when help is needed. She often takes me to events and helps me at home and we always have such fun doing it together.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
How addictive it was!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
I fell off at the Young Rider Final Selection Trial at Wellington in the water jump a couple of years ago (I didn’t find it very funny at the time!).
Which is your favourite event & why?
I love Barbury because I have always had very good runs there. It’s such a beautiful setting and fun for spectators. It’s so its nice that for once my support team can see me go round the majority of the XC course!
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
Sushi and a gin and tonic.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Any Disney songs!
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
My main aim for this season was to regain our confidence as I had a fall at Hartpury in the CCI* last year and it knocked both of us back a few steps. I would love to step Hector back up to intermediate by the end of this season and become established at that level with the aim of a 2* next year in mind.
Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular? If a regular, what keeps you coming back? If a first timer, will you be back?
It was my first time at Homme House and I have to say it was a really great setting for an event. I loved that the showjumping arena was in the middle of the tradestands it gave it a great atmosphere. I thought the cross country was challenging and one of the tougher novices we’ve done but it rode really well and hopefully will benefit us in our aim to step up to intermediate again.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
Probably Eric and Lizzel Winter as I started my career with them as a working pupil over 10 years ago and well and truly caught the eventing bug!
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
My sister is my long suffering groom and has pretty much been to every event I’ve ever done. She organises me and keeps the horses looking beautiful all day. I’d say she never moans but I’d be lying!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
How expensive it is!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
When we were at Chatsworth in the CIC* last year. We’d just finished cross country buzzing from our clear round. As I was taking hectors bridle off he whipped around and galloped off across the lorry park (past a LOT of well known professional riders) with his bridle swinging around his legs! I was totally mortified!
Which is your favourite event & why?
Even though Hector embarrassed me there I really loved Chatsworth. It felt like a mini Badminton! It ran like a proper 3 day event and had such a great atmosphere. The grounds and the house were so beautiful too. It will definitely be on the list for us to go back to next year.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
I’m fairly partial to a chicken curry! And definitely a gin and tonic!
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Usually whatever is playing on Radio 1!
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
She is a one of my bosses homebreds. We are aiming for Osberton 7yo Champs at the end of the year.
Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular? If a regular, what keeps you coming back? If a first timer, will you be back?
It was our first time at Dalkeith, and we will definitely be back, it’s a beautiful event with very educational courses.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
Zoe Rymer, the owner and breeder of the ‘JSR’ horses. Who I work for now and have trained with for years.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
A lady called Elizabeth Hewitt is our unsung hero, she supports our team massively and we couldn’t it without her, also her little dog Bart is our Mascot!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
How competitive it is at all levels, and how difficult it is to find a horse that is exceptional in all 3 phases.
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
Missing out a few jumps XC and coming back to the lorry thinking I had gone clear!!
Which is your favourite event & why?
Bramham is my favourite event although I have never competed there it’s my local big event and have been nearly every year when growing up to watch and inspire to ride there… which hopefully I will get to do in the next few years.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
Definitely Yorkshire puddings, washed down with a Gin and Tonic.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
I don’t usually sing much in the lorry as we all chat too much, but we have Capital or Radio 1 on in the yard daily.
© Jason Bax
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
Trying to get a few Regional Qualifications for Badminton Grassroots.
Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular? If a regular, what keeps you coming back? If a first timer, will you be back?
A regular here. It always runs smoothly and with Dressage and SJ on a surface you can pretty much guarantee a run.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
Tim Price
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
Tracy Hodges – always keeps me calm and makes it fun at events.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
How expensive it was then I wouldn’t have started!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing.
Jumping off at the end of XC without unclipping my air jacket.
Which is your favourite event & why?
Tweseldown as everyone is so helpful and friendly.
© Jason Bax
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
Steak, egg and chips washed down with a nice glass of Merlot.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Reach for the Stars.
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
I had a nasty fall from Echo at the Osberton 7 yr old Champs 18 months ago in which I broke my back (amongst various other things!!) so we have been a little behind where I wanted to be but now that we are back to Intermediate the aim is to successfully complete Gatcombe and Bicton 2*s and hopefully progress to advanced/3* next season. I would love to have my first International win and I think he is a horse that could do it if things went right on the day!
Is this your first time at this event, or are you a regular? If a regular, what keeps you coming back? If a first timer, will you be back?
This isn’t my first time at Aston-le-Walls, I go there regularly because they have lovely surfaces for dressage and SJ, they run 4 BE events throughout the year and the xc courses are always changing. Every effort was made on the ground which was much appreciated with this exceptionally dry weather. Top venue…I will be back!!
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
There are two people. The first is Karen Nicholas who has taught me since I was in Pony Club. She got me into Eventing and Pony Trials and continues to be there to offer training and support. The second is Lizzel Winter. Lizzel introduced me to the Bridging the Gap training scheme through which I have benefitted an enormous amount. She often warms me up and walks the courses with me and gives me confidence when I have been feeling out of my depth at my first advanced and 3*s.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
My fiancé Tom has got to be my unsung hero. He is always there in the background helping and supporting me. He never moans about the Eventing which is all consuming at times and he has been there for the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. He gets up on weekends and helps muck out and lead me round on difficult youngsters. He is my absolute rock.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
I wish I had know how expensive it was all going to be before I was bitten by the Eventing bug!!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
My funniest ‘blooper’ is probably with Echo at Aston-Le-Walls back at his first time competing there. He is incredibly spooky and as I was putting his bridle on, something startled him and he whipped round and galloped off across the lorry park with just his lovely Devoucoux saddle on and his bridle tangled around his front legs! It took about 20 people to catch him, he galloped back and forth across the lorry park for the best part of an hour, in which time he managed to pull off a front shoe as well! I was the last to go of the day and we ended up holding up the whole event!! Naughty ginger!
Which is your favourite event & why?
I love Gatcombe as it isn’t too far away from home, there is always a great atmosphere and I like the courses. And the Princess Royal often gives out the prizes which is a special touch! It’s something to look forward to at the start and end of the season. I also love Houghton as it’s just such a beautiful park, and I did my first 3* there which will always be a special memory.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
I did genuinely have a chicken dinner after my win! It was chicken and veg washed down with copious amounts of bubbles!!
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Well my mum loves a good wailer so we usually end up singing (if u can call it that) along to one of her power ballad CD’s!!!
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