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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.
Today is one of my biggest achievements to date, having owned Seymours Star II since she was 18 months old and produced her myself to win at Novice Level is great. Everything came together on the same day and we managed to achieve a good dressage score and a fast double clear. We have a great partnership and as one of my trainers has said “we both are finely tuned to each other it’s unbelievable.”
What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?
As the season will soon be coming to a close, I will continue to improve our performances in each phase meaning our chances of top placings be more likely.
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 last competed at Somerford in a Pony Club event several years back, this is my first in an affiliated event. I am however a regular in hiring their amazing facilities, the facilities are always kept in great condition and well maintained. The distance from home to Somerford is quite a long way however it is worth the long journey and hilly ride over the Peak District!
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
My trainers enable me to reach my full potential, not having my own schooling facilities at home can make things more challenging. My family, boyfriend and facebook supporters enable me to thrive to succeed.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
Seymours Star II, without her I wouldn’t be where I am today, winning my first affiliated British Eventing competition, she forever tries to please, and I am a proud owner of such a kind natured horse.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
The cost of lessons for each discipline and the cost of events! I am a full time university student so trying to continue eventing under student budgets can be difficult at times so I work in my spare time either in the hospital as a health care assistant or as part of my freelance service I have to offer.
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
Several years ago I took Rosie VIII to a competition at Prestwold, I was on time for once! So I walked the cross country and came to the point of getting the horse ready to find I did not bring the tack trolley which fitted in front of our old trailer. therefore, I had no tack what so ever. Thankfully a close friend back at home loaded the tack trolley onto his pickup truck and brought it to us, however I had to borrow a bridle, bit, saddle, numnah from 3 different people! However, we did not let this affect our performance in the U18s BE 100 to finish 3rd, one place of qualifying for the U18 Championships.
Which is your favourite event & why?
Chatsworth International Horse Trials, it is literally down the road from me, the atmosphere is always great and you feel like you are competing at Burghley!
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
I love a good roast, I will wash it down with a fizzy drink e.g. Fanta fruit twist, I am not a great fan of alcoholic beverages, I only consume them on special occasions.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
I don’t have a favourite song but enjoy listening to Take That, Arctic Monkeys and Oasis to name a few.
What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?
This year I’m aiming him for Blenheim 8/9 year old championships (CIC***) he’s a talented horse whose ready to step up the grades.
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 to this event because it’s always a good cross-country track, well organised and run very efficiently. Not only that but if you stable, the facilities are fantastic!
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
I have two people to thank and they are Judy Bradwell for giving me the opportunity to ride Lemington Let’s Dance and Wutella. Without her I wouldn’t be where I am now as these horses have played a massive part in my career. Not only has she given me the rides on these but the knowledge to produce a young horse correctly through the levels. She came with me to help find my own Slaney Cruise and CMS google.
The other person is Chris Bartle for teaching me ‘the system’ he has given me the confidence to believe in myself and trust the system.
I have trained with both these trainers throughout most of my eventing career and I couldn’t have done it without both of them.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
The unsung hero of my team would be my parents. Mum and dad take me everywhere and help me financially. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without them. Mum is also super groom/my secretary.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
How difficult it is to get 3 things right on the day
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
Vaccinations!! I was caught out by the 7 days rule. I knew my horses needed a vaccination before their FEI run so I thought I’d been really organised and got them injected the week before hand but it was only 6 days till dressage day. I went up ready in all my tails to be told I hadn’t left enough time and wasn’t able to compete.
Which is your favourite event & why?
Chatsworth would have to be my favourite event. The atmosphere is fantastic and I find it really useful going to this event with the young horses to get them used to the crowds. Closely followed by Ballindenisk. I won there the beginning of this year so that helps in making it one of my favourites but the people were so friendly and couldn’t do enough to help you.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
That would have to be a roast chicken dinner and some orange juice! I’m not a big alcohol drinker but if it was to be an alcoholic drink it’d be champagne.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Don’t worry be happy! It’s a feel good song that relates to horses/eventing.
What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?
I got him a little late to push and be competitive in the 5 year old classes, so will just continue with his education.
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 coming here for years as it is one of my locals and have competed in all classes with different horses. I don’t think my parents would ever allow me not to do it as they love it!
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
I have to say my fiancé Andrew, not only because he’d kill me if I didn’t, but because he has changed my dressage scores around dramatically!
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
Got to be my mum and Dad, who show endless financial and emotional support!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
That I would break so many bones!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
I’m quite ditsy and forgetful so to everyone around me, I’d say I’m quite exasperating as I have done the most humiliating and ridiculous things.
Which is your favourite event & why?
I have too many! But I have to say, I really do miss Mattingly.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
Thai green curry and New Zealand Sauvignon blanc.
© Spidge Event Photography
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Anything Coldplay!
He did a good dressage test and a lovely clear showjumping, and I was trying out a new bit cross country before we leave for Millstreet one star next week, which gave me the control I needed in the combinations to allow me to gallop between them to make the time. It was a real step forward as he’s a big horse and we’ve had some steering issues in the past.
What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?
I hope to get a good result at Millstreet and after that, move him on up to intermediate 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?
We are regulars at Bicton and have been to every BE event here this season! The venue has such great facilities with the all weather and grass jumping arenas, the super flat dressage area and the huge variety of cross country fences. The team also work very hard to make sure the going is always good there.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
Probably my coach Emily Lee, who helped me make the jump from the lower levels to novice and then to FEI competitions and who has always been there with her invaluable advice and experience
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
My parents who spend endless hours driving me and my horses up and down the country to competitions and training, without their support I wouldn’t be able to do the sport that I love and I’m very grateful for that.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
I wish I’d known how approachable the big names in eventing are, and I would have definitely spent more time talking to them and asking advice.
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
Definitely when I was riding at Larkhill, and I arrived at the start only to realise I’d forgotten my medical armband meaning dad had to run the whole uphill mile back to the lorry park to get it, and then sprint back down. He was not very happy about that!
Which is your favourite event & why?
I really love Frickley Park, which is where the National Under 18 Championships are held, because both times I’ve competed there in the CCIJ on star, I’ve been lucky enough to be a contributing score in South West teams which have been placed on the podium.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
I am a huge fan of Japanese food so my dinner would be a bowl of steak ramen washed down with a small glass of sake or a homemade lemonade.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
My family are huge Coldplay fans, so we always roll up to events singing Coldplay at the top of our lungs. I was very jealous that my younger sister saw them play live at Glastonbury last year.
What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?
My main aim for the rest of the season with Melody is to do the YH** on her at Osberton and get her qualified for CCI**.
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 Solihull several times. It is a lovely event and the course is always an inviting, kind course which allows the horses to have a good round and build confidence.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
Richard Walker who is my instructor. He won Badminton at just 18yrs so is a huge inspiration to achieve my goals.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
Mum! She does so much for me and the horses. Everything runs smoother when she is around!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
That it was going to cost as much!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
At the Pony club area eventing when I was about 12yrs. We had taken one pony and finished when mum realised that she had forgotten that she had entered my other pony too and we had left him at home. Instead of withdrawing him, despite the competition having almost finished, we drove home (over the speed limit) to get a dirty grey pony from the field. We sped back, asking our friends to try and stall the dressage judges from going home while we washed and plaited the pony in the lorry on the way there! I think I ended up getting eliminated so I’m not sure it was worth it…
Which is your favourite event & why?
Belton. It’s got a proper International event feel especially in the dressage and the cross country is always a big bold track.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
Chinese and sprite.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Anything Adele.
There were elements of each phase that made this win extra special; the dressage judge said I’d made her day, all our training came together for a foot perfect SJ round and we jumped a cracking XC round to finish bang on the optimum time.
What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?
Our next outing is CIC* at Gatcombe, we have had to hold back for some time to stay eligible for The Corinthian Cup at The Festival of British Eventing which has just been and gone. We are looking forward to moving to Intermediate after the CIC* and being faced with some serious XC obstacles!
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 done BE multiple times at Solihull, almost certain that I’ve jumped every level at the venue. It’s nice and local when we need to get a run in and is a treat to SJ on a surface.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
Samantha Albert would be my biggest influence as she was the first Olympic representative of Jamaica at London 2012, I am working hard to follow in her footsteps!
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
I think it’s important everyone that helps to get horse and rider event ready is felt appreciated and I am infinitely grateful to my mum, we couldn’t do it without her!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
It’s like a puzzle, every piece needs to come together which takes time. Don’t be disheartened if you’re waiting for a placing when you start off, just perfect your craft.
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing.
I’m such a perfectionist that finding a blooper amusing is a struggle however one comes to mind. I psyched myself up to storm around XC at Hambleden as not 1 person had made the time and I was lying in top spot. On the home straight it was clear I had far too much time to get home so I resorted to a zig zag technique rather than pulling up to a walk! 2.4 too too fast faults cost me 1st place resulting in 2nd!
Which is your favourite event & why?
The Festival of British Eventing in August is by far my favourite event as I have lovely memories of 2016’s prize giving where Zara Tindall presented me with the Sarah Staples Memorial Cup for best Regional Rider. The atmosphere and organisation of this prestigious event is second to none and I hope to qualify for the Intermediate Championships in 2018!
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
My chosen winners banquet was a take away Chinese. Quick, hassle free and calorific; just what you need after a long day eventing… unfortunately we were all out of champers!
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Playing Sports by J Hus always makes it into my pre event play list, the beat gets my in the zone and mentally ready! 5 minutes alone with Afrobeat tunes pre dressage is now a ritual believe it or not!
The Undergrad Eventer: Part 14 
August’s Book List 
August 2017’s Super Seven things to do in London 
“No Novices” & Trying Your First Share 
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner Part 22 
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner Part 21 
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