Biography
I went riding for the first time aged six with my best friend, just for fun. I then spent most days dreaming of having my own pony and eventually I was lucky! My parents bought me my first pony. I soon realised that I enjoyed dressage enormously so I began competing.
I have been a member of the World Class Development Programme since 2002. I began competing seriously in 2002 and in 2003 made the Pony European Team where we won a team Bronze medal (I was riding Ian Woodhead’s six year old DHI Langar). I then went on to compete my own Rapino at the Junior Europeans in 2005 in Barzago, Italy. In 2006 I was selected onto the Young Rider squad. Then in 2007 I competed internationally on Emile Faurie’s Racit at Young Rider level.
I won my first Young Rider International on my new horse Duke early in '08. He is a really exciting prospect. Unfortunately, he got an injury and was out for the rest of the season. This was a huge set back, however I feel the highs and lows of 2008 will only make me stronger in the future. The setback has also proved to me that a rider can never have enough horses so I need to expand my string in '09. One very positive development for me has been changing trainers to Markus Gribbe. Markus has helped me mature as a rider and I am now riding professionally and working as a trainer. I still have so much to learn but my ultimate aim is the Olympics!
Duke is on the mend; Domino is ready to do his first advanced medium and I’m lucky to have another great youngster to produce. I also have the added excitement of moving in to my own yard very soon!