Biography
I started eventing when I was 15 and up until then I was into show-jumping, competing in Pony Home International teams and winning gold medals. I made the switch to eventing with my pony Darraks Tonto, and we were both bitten by the bug straight away. We were placed in Pony Trials in our first year and were named as reserves for the Pony European team. We then bought three horses over the next 18 months and I competed in JRNs and championships, along with some novices and my first few intermediates.
In 2005 I won Necarne CCIJ* and Chepstow under-18 National Championships and in 2006 won at Avenches CCI* in Switzerland. I also had wins and placings in Junior Trials and was selected for the Junior European team, where we won team silver.
In 2007, I was given the ride on Cottage Craft Spirals. In only 4 events we were competing at Houghton Hall CCI** where we finished 10th. I was 2nd in the under-25 National Championships and I had a one-two in the Young Rider Final Trial at Gatcombe. I was then selected for the Young Rider European team, where we won team gold. I also finished 6th at Weston Park CCI**. At the British Eventing ball in 2007 I was awarded the Edy Goldman Trophy for the under-21 achieving the most points in the year.
2008 was a great year. I was 1st and 2nd in the under-21 class at Somerley Park at the start of the year and retained the trophy for the highest placed under-21 in the CIC**. The high point, though, was achieving my special aim of completing my first Badminton and Burghley clear, whilst still a teenager, and then going on to win team Gold in the Young Rider Europeans! It was also a thrill to finish 18th and best under 25 at Beokelo with Song for Gull. The 2008 season ended with the fantastic news that I have been re-selected onto the World Class programme for 2009.
In fact, 2009 was another great year for me and a real coming of age in lots of ways. All the horses did well and several moved up a level. I had a fantastic Burnham Market with 2 horses in the top 4 in the CIC***. It was also an achievement to have 2 horses at Badminton, both clear XC and inside the time. The young horses had wins and placings at all levels and Velosity jumped double clear at the Novice Championships at Gatcombe. Skylight and I were re-selected for the YR European team and came home with team gold! Birthday Night was 18th in the CIC*** at Gatcombe and selected to go to the World Cup Championships - another great result. I also had another completion at Burghley CCI**** with Running Brook which brings his 4* record to 4 out of 4 completions! Finally, I was delighted to receive a letter to saying I had two young horses on the Equine Pathway list, a great way to end the season!
In 2010 was more of an up and down year! The season started well with a 3rd and 4th in the BE100 JAS final. All the horses came out at the start of the season and jumped well, except Birthday Night, who picked up a virus at the beginning of the year and didn’t start eventing until May, therefore missing Badminton. I also had a bit of bad luck at Weston Park, the final qualifying result for Skylight for Badminton, as she fell cross country. It was obviously just not meant to be, as I damaged some ligaments in my shoulder as well. Onwards and upwards and the younger horses were getting consistent placings at Intermediate level, which was good. Velosity went on to win an intermediate by 10 penalties at Pontispool, and Jovial Valentino was 2nd at Longleat in the Novice Regional Final qualifying for Gatcombe Park Novice Championships. Birthday Night finished th in the AU25 at Aston and concluded the season with a 4th in the Advanced at Gatcombe Park. KBIS Starlet was 3rd or 4th on a double clear at every event and finished 2nd in her first 3-day at Hartpury. Velosity jumped double clear in his first CCI** at Hartpury. We then took Running Brook to Pau 4* where he jumped 1 of only 4 British cross country clears.
2011 is looking good. Birthday Night completed his 4th Badminton with a clear cross country and only 0.4 time faults. Velosity and Wii Limbo jumped double clear in the CIC** at Somerley to finish in 3rd and 10th, and new rides Bow House Mandalin and Kings Rock put in good performances at Belton, finishing 5th in the Under 25 and 4th in the Intermediate respectively. Velosity completed Houghton CCI** double clear, in 10th. He and Wii Limbo with aim for the 8/9year old classes at Blenhiem.