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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.
What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?
We’ve had a fantastic 2017 season progressing from 100 to completing our first 1*. Next year I am aiming her at Young Rider teams/ OIu21 and 2*.
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 is my second time to West Wilts and yes, I’ll be back. It is a lovely event!
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
Vittoria Panizzon.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
My Mum! She works tirelessly, comes to every event and never fails to support me 100% – even if she can hardly bear to walk the cross country sometimes because she gets so nervous for me! She is my greatest inspiration and I would not be where I am without her. Not to forget my Dad!!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
How far away events are when you base yourself in beautiful Cornwall!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
I’ve been lucky so far in that not too much has gone wrong. But I am blonde and often muddle elements of dressage tests up – or even learn the wrong one completely for an event! This is the hardest challenge in eventing for me!
Which is your favourite event & why?
Chatsworth and Barbury. The atmosphere was electric at both and I was so excited to be there competing alongside top riders.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
My favourite celebration meal is comfort food all the way – my Mum’s lasagne can’t be beaten in my eyes! I’d wash it down with a G&T with fresh lime.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
“Put your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae
What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?
My horse Aspiration is next aimed at Intermediate.
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 Gatcombe several times, although it is quite a long way for us to travel, we like to come back as it is very well organised and in a lovely location.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
This has to be my boss Linda Wright, she also owns Aspiration (Pip). Linda rode to Advanced level herself when she was younger and has a lot of experience, she has supported me for a very long time.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
I can think of many unsung heroes in my team, Mum, Dad who have supported me right from the beginning and everyone who comes along to events, most recently my work colleague and house mate Betty has been to a lot of events to help!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
Wish I had known how much time and money was involved in this sport before I became addicted!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
Had many ‘blooper’ moments which definitely were not funny at the time but now I can look back and laugh.
Leaving my smart leather riding boots at home then having to stop at Mole Valley Farmers on the way to pick up some cheap rubber boots to get me through the day.
Which is your favourite event & why?
Bicton Arena, this is one of my most local events so I always like to support it! The courses are always great and there is such a friendly atmosphere!
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
A good steak with Blush Cider or Gin and Tonic
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
I love all pop songs!!
This was my first ever BE affiliated win so it means a great deal to me and is a massive confidence boost moving forward, especially with the company in the section!
What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?
My aims for UC Cavaloon this season were to produce him slowly up to novice and do the CIC 1* at Aldon International in October.
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 is my second time at Gatcombe, I first came here a few years ago on my other horse Asparagus. I came back this year because I loved the atmosphere at the event and the cross-country is normally challenging. Will definitely plan to be back!
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
It’s “what” really not whom! I was lucky and joined Portman Hunt Pony Club who had a great bunch of competitive lads and great teachers…it has evolved from there!
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
Heroes; my parents. They are the most supportive pair I could ever wish for. They back me through thick and thin, through all the lows and highs they are always there willing to plait a horse up or drive me miles to an event on the other side of the country no matter what, they always have a way of getting me to perform my best!
My Mum Caroline, she’s up before all of us getting the horses to look “pretty”, she’s always got the one thing I’ve forgotten, and always has the chilled persona when walking a tough cross-country track telling me it will all be fine, always there with dressage sheet or telling me to take deep breaths when I’m getting nervous before the dressage or showjumping. She is always planning that one step further than me with the horses so that they are in the correct form for an event so they are not tired nor over worked, she is the backbone of the whole operation we would just fold without her!
Dad drives me everywhere, helps stud, wash-off. He spends hours at lessons, listening, watching helping with jumps and reminding me of the important point on the way home, telling me to man up and “ if all fails, ride it like you stole it” when I’m over thinking.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
How difficult it is to turn a hunting lad into a showjumper.
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
Whilst competing at Camphire International with the Under 18 development squad, we jumped the CCI*** last fence not the CCI* my bad haha won’t do that again!!!
Which is your favourite event & why?
This year has to be Tweseldown, the courses have always been different each time we have been, and going has always suited my horses. It was UC Cavaloons first Novice earlier this season and it gave us a great confidence run.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
We actually had roast chicken (long standing family joke!) with a ton of veg and potatoes washed down with a posh bottle of Bollinger that our top sponsors Chipmunk South West kindly gave us to open on the day of our first BE win!
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Madness: Baggy Trousers
© E.S Photography
It was a fantastic event, with a true Championship feel. We decided to take Smurf (Trendy Magic Touch) to practice the test in a big atmosphere for Badminton MMC 2018 and to give him confidence to be able to step up to BE Novice … He certainly did and after a solid test he flew XC and grew in confidence throughout, it was a superb course, excellent ground and some inviting questions… and such a buzz!! The reverse SJ worked very well, and really built the atmosphere and apprehension!
What are your aims for 2017 for this horse?
He now goes novice and is qualified for Badminton 2018 MMC. He is such a talented horse, he’s my best friend and I have huge hopes for him for the future!
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 love Frickley Park, we support it as it has such a fabulous atmosphere, a confidence giving but bold XC that needs jumping and a SJ track that encouraged forward thinking and accuracy. I am a regular at Frickley. Smurf won his first BE90 there two years ago! I had a gorgeous little girl last season so this is the first year back fully running! I event 6 horses.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
My trainer Chris McGrann he has trained me for 23 yrs… He is so patient and focused, the training of the horse and correct preparation is paramount… As well as excellent turn out!
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
My husband… He’s so patient and calm and my groom Irena Milner she balances looking after my 15 month old baby with looking after the horses at the events… She always smiles and she is so vital to our team.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
I’ve grown up with it!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
At the Junior Final Trials at Weston park… One of our team had her horse injured in the steeple chase so we borrowed a teddy for her…. But it was from a fence….. Quickly returned!!
Which is your favourite event & why?
Hard to choose, I love Warwick Hall, Oasby and Frickley Park. They both have a lovely old fashioned feel, encouraging tracks and friendly atmospheres.
© Grossick Photography
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
Anything Thai, or smoked salmon and courgette pasta defiantly with Pinot Grigiot.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
7 yrs!
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