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Polly Williamson

Polly Williamson

Profile

  • Age: 40
  • Favourite Horse: At present my advanced mare, Madame Folie Bergere. Of all the horses I’ve ridden - Highland Road
  • Greatest Moment: Surviving as an international event rider for 24 years, and having two children age 4 and 6 months
  • Words of Wisdom: Enjoy it!
  • Star Sign: Aquarius
  • Essential Piece of Kit: Good staff and back up team
  • Aim for 2010: Blenheim with Stanley
  • Hero or Heroine: Horses are my heroes. Red Rum, Desert Orchid and Over To You all come to mind for their incredible courage

Biography

I started riding when I was 3 years old. Although my parents did not come from a horsey background my mother loved animals and Dad gave her an unbroken pony for her 21st birthday present. My sister and I began having ponies from a young age. We joined the Flint and Denbigh Pony Club and Hunt and became competitive pretty quickly. In fact I won my first One Day Event when I was 8 years on a palomino pony called Crispy.

My first horse was a dun Highland pony cross called Highland Road, whom I started riding when I was 15. We went from Pony Club to Badminton (where we finished 9th when I was 20 years) and the Senior European Championships. Together we also won four gold medals at Junior/Young Rider Europeans and a National title. During this time I also produced a beautiful thoroughbred called Folly’s Last, with whom I won a further 2 gold medals and another national title. Unfortunately he broke down before Badminton and never truly recovered.

It then became necessary for me to earn a living, so I took over Charlton Park stables when I was 23 and have run a successful event business there ever since. I compete horses for owners and am lucky enough to have sponsorship. We also produce horses to a high standard for sale and I teach as well as having resident students. Alongside running the business, I have continued to event internationally winning ten 3-Day Events over the years, as well as completing Badminton and Burghley a good few times.

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