- Home
- Features
- News
- Tried & Tested
- Shop
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 2018 for this horse?
Main aim is BE Grassroots, Riding Club Championships (Intermediate SJ 100, she has already qualified for it and competes in a few weeks, as she won the 100/110 qualifier)
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?
Competed at many BE competitions but it’s her first win. Love the buzz especially after the XC.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
Many event riders, but Neil Spratt helps with my training
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
Gemma Pearce, my head girl. She is my rock on the yard and never lets me down. She is there at every competition too.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
How much it costs!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
Going head first into the water at Aldon one star, the horse was just too keen.
Which is your favourite event & why?
Larkhill is one of my favourites, I just love the galloping course and that spectators can see most of the course.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
Indian and red wine
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
Katie Perry – Firework
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
We have qualified for the Mitsubishi Motors Cup at Badminton, so my aim is to have a successful run there! Then to hopefully do some BE105s on him.
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?
Aston is one of our regular events, firstly because it’s local but mainly due to their fab facilities! Also down to their team who put in huge amounts of work enabled us to run there at the weekend in the muddy conditions!
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
Louise Gilbert – who has been my incredible trainer for 3 years. She’s transformed both our flatwork and jumping, her endless knowledge never ceases to amaze me!
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
Mummy McLeod (Top Groom!!) and the bank of Dad! Mum has always been my biggest supporter and trucking us all over the country, whether it be to train or event! I managed to repay her slightly by helping her complete the Wobbleberry Challenge last year!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
That it’s the most expensive addiction!!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
My other horse and I both somersaulting in the showjumping, we can laugh about it now!!
Which is your favourite event & why?
It was Hambleden because of the bluebells on the cross country, but it has to be Badminton after competing there in the MMC last year which was an amazing experience.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
A hot Nando’s and a glass of prosseco!
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
These Days – Rudimental
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
We have the Mitsubishi Motors Cup in a couple of weeks so that is currently my main focus. We came 6th last year which I was thrilled about so I would like to just have fun this year galloping around the XC.
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’ve been to Larkhill for a number of years now. It’s a local event for us and well run. The showjumping is always a challenge as it is on the hill and I find the XC bold which is what Ryan likes.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
My trainer Jo Clarke. I been riding with her since I was six and bought Ryan (who was bred by Jo’s sister) from them. Ryan still lives at their livery yard; Tunley Equestrian Centre now.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
My Mum, she looks after my horses when I’m at work and supports me at events.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing.
How addictive it can be and how expensive it it. It’s worth it though!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
Not at an actual event but I took my younger horse XC schooling in the summer. It was extremely hot. He loves the water so I let him paddle about in it and before I realised he went to lie down in the water. Luckily as I went to get off he was disrupted so stood back up. I did end up with wet feet though.
Which is your favourite event & why?
The Mitsubishi Motors cup. Not the showjumping or dressage but the XC course. The course is always a challenge but when you have a horse that lives for XC it’s the most fun you could have. Especially with the atmosphere and galloping past Badminton house.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
Literally a roast chicken dinner with Yorkshire puddings. I’d wash it down with a big slice of chocolate cake! Or maybe just orange juice.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
The radio in the lorry is well and truly broken so currently it’s the wind whistling through the windows.
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
Terry will now be moving up to BE90 (Intro). He qualified for the BE80T Airowear Championships so will have that to look forward to.
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 competing at Moreton and I will definitely be back again. It is a lovely event.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
I have admired all the top riders, watching a lot from when I was very young. I worked alongside Tim Cheffings when I was 16/17 which was a massive insight to help progress in my eventing career.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
The hero of the team would definitely be my mum, she is the back bone to the team, she organises everything and drives and grooms for us at all our events.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
I think it would be how time consuming it can be. Working full time and having the eventing as a hobby you don’t get much free time on your hands. A lot of training is required so I spend all my “free time” taking the eventers out to either training or competitions.
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
The funniest blooper I have had out eventing was a few years ago when I was out on xc and one of the jumps was in the fence line, the horse spooked before the jump and I ended up jumping the wooded post and railing instead of the jump.
Which is your favourite event & why?
My favourite event has to be Pontispool, it is just down the road from home, I think it’s always beautifully displayed and very well organised.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
It has to be a roast dinner with lots of chicken and gravy with a large gin & tonic.
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
It would have to be S Club Party by S Club 7.
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
I aim to complete a few novices with both young horses by 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’ve been to Moreton lots of times before and will always continue to go back. It’s always such a friendly, well run event with nice educational courses at all of the levels.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
My biggest influence in my eventing career so far is Alice Fox Pitt, she has been a huge support to me from the word go! She is such an amazing horse woman and has an incredible work ethic.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
I can’t pick one unsung hero of my team! I owe everything to all of my amazing owners! Without them I wouldn’t be able to do my dream! They are hugely supportive and we always have great fun whatever the situation!!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
One thing I wish I’d known before I started eventing was to try and take a positive from everyday! Even if you’ve had a shocker!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
The funniest moment I’ve had so far whilst eventing was years ago on a chestnut mare called Little Tike at Stonar. She tripped on landing over the final XC fence and sent me flying, I managed to hang on around her neck until we crossed the finish line where I then plopped off!!
Which is your favourite event & why?
I absolutely love Portman, it’s my most local event and in such a beautiful setting, the courses are always fun to ride and it’s always very friendly. I hunt regularly with the Portman and most of my owners are great followers of the hunt so it’s one I really enjoy.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
I love a Nando’s and usually wash it down with a glass of Rosè!
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
It has to be Florence and The Machine, Dog Days Are Over!
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
He is a new ride to me this year. The plan is to step him up to Novice early this season and build his experience at this level.
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 a regular visitor to Aston Le Walls. It is a great venue for producing young horses, with fantastic surfaces enabling them to run events despite the difficult weather conditions.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
Sir Mark Todd. I spent 4 years based with him at Badgerstown, and was lucky enough to groom for him in Rio before setting up for myself.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
My dog April! She is always happy – no matter what the weather – which always make me smile!
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
It is a very expensive addiction!
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
I was riding a horse at Broadway for a friend whilst she was out with an injury. The horse spooked on our way into the show jumping arena and somehow I hit the floor before the bell had even gone! Luckily I managed to climb straight back on board and jump a clear round!
Which is your favourite event & why?
Badminton! I have groomed there a few times and the dream is to go back and ride!
What are your aims for 2018 for this horse?
We are stepping up to 3* at Chatsworth so I would love to have a positive first outing at that level and then gain more experience at 3* throughout the year with the aim of a CCI3* 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?
I’ve been to Belton before and I love the atmosphere at the event and it’s brilliant how all the lorry’s are parked down either side of the drive so it’s a very sociable event and the place to catch up with everyone you haven’t seen all winter.
Who is the biggest influence in your eventing career to date?
I would have to say Pippa Funnell on this one. The system she has for getting her horses ready for events worked so well for Charly in the year and a half I was based there and since setting up on my own I have tried to mimic this as much as possible, but horses aside the biggest lesson I would say I learnt from her was her ability to keep a sense of perspective in every situation. It’s a lesson I’m still trying to learn now but I find it so helpful to remind myself of it as much as I can.
Who is the unsung hero of your team and why?
My Mum, she does so much to help me and my sister and has always so supportive with my riding.
What is the one thing you wish you’d known before you started eventing?
How mentally strong you have to be to succeed in the sport.
Describe the funniest “blooper” you have experienced eventing
Oh dear… well funnily enough on the way to Belton a couple of years ago we had loaded my horse up and left really early and when I went to get changed at the event I hadn’t packed a bra so my friend had to buy one on her way for me..And I wonder why people call me Drippy.
Which is your favourite event & why?
Barbury, my best friend always comes with us and we have such a laugh. It was great one year when she got one of the ‘buggy boys’ numbers and he came to pick us up outside the lorry everyday, I hardly walked anywhere the whole show.
What will be in your “Chicken Dinner” and what will you wash it down with?
A good roast dinner and prosecco!
What is your current favourite lorry karaoke song?
You Give A Little Love – Bugsy Malone. Mum played Tallulah in the west end so when we get that on in the lorry she will always start signing along.
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner Part 1 2018 
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner Part 2 2018 
The Arena Show | Episode 6 | Tom McEwen | Box Rest | Top Tips 
Optimising your horse’s health whilst on box rest 
Anxiety 
© 2026 The Gaitpost is published by Sarah Heseltine. All rights reserved.
