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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.
© Spidge Photography
© Spidge Event Photography
© Spidge Photography
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
She only did a few events last season and hadn’t been out since May last year so she’ll be competing at BE100 for most of the season with the aim of possibly doing a Novice 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 go to this event every year, it’s a very good confidence giving course.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
That’s a tough one! I admire a lot of top riders but growing up it was Pippa Funnell. My dressage trainer, David Rumsey has been a great inspiration, he has always been there whenever I need it and although I don’t have that much training I get a lot from what I do have.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
My parents have always been very supportive and used to drive me to all the events getting up at ridiculous hours in the morning! I think they were relieved when I got my HGV so I could take myself to events.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
How long the days were and how little money I would have! But it’s all so worth it.
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
I was doing studs and I didn’t realise my horse was about to go to the toilet and he pooed on my head! I stank all day!
© Spidge Photography
Which is your favourite event & why?
Chilham as it’s my local event, it’s a lovely event, well organised and is set in a beautiful location. And I don’t have to drive miles to get there!
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
I love a good roast with lots of roast potatoes! With a glass of prosecco.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Anything that’s on the radio but I do like singing along to a bit of One Direction…
© Spidge Event Photography
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
I have qualified for Badminton Grassroots so my aim for 2018 is to complete the XC there.
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?
We often compete at Munstead as it is one of the closer events to us, and it has good ground for the start of the season.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
The unsung hero of my team is my Dad as he used to drive me everywhere before I passed my test this year, and is my unpaid groom!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
Before I started eventing I wish I’d known how much it was going to cost!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
My funniest eventing moment was jumping an extra unflagged jump on a XC course as my pony was going too fast, but at least I got my money’s worth!
© Spidge Event Photography
Which is your favourite event & why?
My favourite event is Badminton Grassroots, this year will be my third time competing there, it takes a lot to even qualify for the event, and to then ride around the XC makes it all so worthwhile.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
In my “chicken dinner” will be a KFC that we usually find on the way home from a days eventing.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Our favourite karaoke song in the lorry is “Are you ready for love” by Elton John as it’s the only CD my Dad seems to listen to.
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
OBOS Impressive is off to the CCI** next in Ireland at Ballindenisk and then if all goes well I might aim for the 8/9 year old CIC*** at Blenheim later in 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?
I will definitely be back! Great event and they couldn’t do enough to help you!
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
Jane Graham helped me massively during Pony Club and then helped me to get on Junior and Young Rider European teams and most recently it would have to be Chris Bartle and Susie Gibson who I have been training with for a few years.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
My mum, Yvonne…she isn’t really horsey (only been on a horse twice in her life) but drives around the country in the lorry and comes to all the events ..she also gets up at 5am every morning to help me get on the sharp young horses!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
That there would be more downs than ups! After young riders I spent 8 years either with injuries to myself or horses not making the grade or getting up the levels to then have to retire them due to arthritis….it’s a long haul but worth all the heartache for the few good moments!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing.
There’s been a few…but the funniest would be my jodhpurs splitting while getting on to a 17hh horse from the ground just before going xc years ago…needless to say I was super fast around that course!
Which is your favourite event & why?
I love Floors Castle, such a fab xc course and a really lovely atmosphere….like all the Scottish events it’s not won on the dressage!
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
We actually celebrated with a McDonald’s chicken sandwich on the way home…and I would love to say we had champagne but we were so tired after the drive we made do with a cup of tea!
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Anyone that has had the pleasure of hearing me sing will be pleased to know that I won’t be going anywhere near a karaoke any time soon!
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
The main reason I started riding Blue was to improve his flatwork to help Grace (his little jockey who will eventually take the reins) there isn’t really a long term aim with him as Grace will eventually take over but I guess I will just keep playing up the levels with the aim of doing a good job at each one!
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 can’t say I’m a regular at Great Witchingham but I have been before and do really enjoy the event! My horses have always run well there so I guess this keeps me coming back as I know the event always brings out the best in my horses!
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
God there are so many people I could name! My mum for sure, she’s the main clog that keeps everything running! But I can’t not mention Sallie Clough and Carolyn Watson. Sallie, who has put a huge amount into making any of this possible and Carolyn for investing many hours into my dressage training! The improvements are unrecognisable!!
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
My mum without a doubt, I don’t thank her enough! She’s basically 6 people in one, she does it all and I’m forever grateful! Also Helen Rennie from rezone performance coaching. She always keeps me in the right headspace before events!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
I think I went into it with my eyes wide open, I knew it was going to be hard work to get to where I wanted to be!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
So I did my first 1* at Osberton a couple of years back…. we went clear cross country and both me and my mum were in floods of happy tears! When mum came over to me I jumped off and literally my legs were like jelly and I just face planted the floor!! In front of lots of professionals!
Which is your favourite event & why?
I absolutely love Houghton International. It holds so many memories for me. It’s where I did my first double clear at 1* and it was the last event I did with my mare before she got diagnosed with navicular. Not to mention it’s just beautiful!
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
My chicken dinner would have to be 5 chicken selects from McDonald’s!! Washed down with a large prosecco!! My 2 favourites!
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Cringe as anything… but Superbass by Nicki Minaj. I know all the words and if I actually sing it at the top of my voice I feel like I could conquer the world!
© James Pyne
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
We have qualified for the Mitsubishi Motors Cup at Badminton this May so if all goes to plan then we will hopefully be going there! Aside from eventing William loves his dressage so I hope to register him with BD and see how far we can progress. Most importantly though, I want us to enjoy ourselves again – last year I thought we were both on the verge of falling out of love with it all due to various difficulties, we are feeling much happier after a winter break; so, for me, maintaining that enjoyment is paramount!
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 was my second time at Aldon (my first being last Autumn). Despite it being one of our more local events we had never been able to fit it in around school. However it is now a firm favourite and definitely one that we will be going back to!
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
That’s a tough question as I could name so many riders who I’ve always looked up to. Pippa Funnell is probably my biggest ‘idol’. However off the beaten track I would have to say that Keith Watkins is someone who always makes an event that bit better – whatever the weather and regardless of how you’ve performed in the previous two phases, you can always rely on Keith to put a smile on your face as he counts you down in the start box. His enthusiasm is infectious!
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
Without a doubt my instructor Lorna, she has, and continues to, put in so many hours behind the scenes, she turns my eventing dreams into reality. Not only has she taught me everything I know but she’s seen me through difficulties, been a shoulder to cry on and most importantly an amazing friend who is always up for a laugh!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
When it comes to buying horses you should always look for a willing teammate rather than a ‘rosette machine’! I’ve learnt that attitude is more often than not far more important than results.
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
William’s ‘party trick’ is to pull off the lorry when you come out of the living and tear off across the lorry park. On one particular occasion we were parked next to William Fox-Pitt and just as William broke off and started to make a break for it I leapt out of the living and shouted ‘no William!’ in a rather exasperated tone just as William Fox-Pitt appeared from behind his lorry…!
© James Pyne
Which is your favourite event & why?
There are two events that are my absolute favourite: Portman and Bricky. Bricky has such a fun cross country course and Portman has a very friendly atmosphere.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
William is very partial to a blueberry muffin – I always buy one after an event and share it with him!
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Definitely Mr Brightside…or any other song by The Killers!
It was pure chance that I was competing in that class, I was entered for the following day in the OI but arrived very early on the Saturday morning to the news that Sunday was being cancelled so I was really pleased that the secretary could transfer my entry to the Saturday alongside my horse that was already entered. It did mean it was a mad rush all day though, I had just over an hour to walk the course, plait Playtime, tack up, stud up, get dressed and be in the dressage arena! I arrived in the dressage warm up as the previous rider was finishing her test and so was really impressed with the test Playtime produced with a 2 minute warm up!
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
My aim is to be the best combination that we can be together at every competition and if that leads to the Junior Europeans I would be over the moon! We competed as individuals last year and I would love the opportunity to be back there again!
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?
We went for the first time in the Autumn 2017 event and loved the atmosphere. It’s an incredibly friendly team running the event who go out of their way to make sure every rider has a great time and can excel.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
Every trainer I have worked with has given me something unique to add to my tool box and it would be really hard to choose. But of those that wouldn’t know that they have helped me, Harry Meade taught me a lot about the importance of course-walking. I continue to learn so much listening to his commentary and am so much more vigilant when course walking.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
My unsung hero would be my older brother Adam. Although he does not know much about horses he has always been an incredible supporter and always knows how to calm my nerves and focus me back onto my horses and my competition. He does the best team talks! As well as the incredible emotional support he also spent the whole of XC day washing off the GB horses despite being introduced to Irish Guinness the night before!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
Without a doubt the time commitment. It’s extremely challenging to get the balance right between studying for A levels and having my horses in peak condition and at the right events!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
I had a fairly evil 11.2hh pony who had a habit of putting me on the floor! At my first ever ODE I managed to get through the dressage, SJ and XC fence. However after the last XC jump I gave her an ‘over enthusiastic’ pat as I was so happy to have got around without falling off at which point she proceeded to buck me off, only a couple of metres before the finish posts! I think it’s safe to say it wasn’t the best start to my eventing career!
Which is your favourite event & why?
Swalcliffe has always been a lucky event for me and is pretty local too. I managed to win the riding club eventing championships on my dads hunter a few years ago, I also won my first ever event on Playtime there in September 2016, and at my first run of 2016 I finished in 1st and 2nd place in the under 18 section on my two horses who I was trying to qualify for the Under 18 Championships that year!
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
Sushi, and ginger nuts washed down with ice-cold water!
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Everything and anything! I sing when I’m nervous and excited so I do a lot of it when in the lorry!
The Arena Show | Episode 6 | Tom McEwen | Box Rest | Top Tips 
Optimising your horse’s health whilst on box rest 
Relief for winter weary skin & hair 
9 ways to transform weathered hands 
10 mood brightening tips to banish bad vibes 
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner Part 1 2018 
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