Biography
I was seven years old when I had my first riding lesson and I guess it was the hours I spent playing with 'my little ponies' that first prompted the idea of trying it for real. Once I sat on a pony, I knew, at that very moment, that it was the most fantastic, exciting and exhilirating thing in my life. It still is.
I got my first pony at age eleven and then with my second pony I joined the Suffolk Hunt Pony Club and started competing locally. My dad, Terry, had joined me in learning to ride and even started competing at Novice level. My first event horse was Parkmore Bel and we did our first Pre-Novice when I was 17. I soon upgraded to a more experience horse called Irish Festival and we made our debut at Novice level, going on to complete in two stars.
In 1996 I went to train with Ruth McMullen in Norfolk with four horses, all running at Intermediate level. It was a tough year but the results were amazing - Ruth is a phenominal trainer. She suggested we buy Good Sport II as a four year old. The next year we won the Burghley Young Event Horse Five-year-old Championship.
In 1998 I was lucky enough to find Tankers Town as a green four-year-old and producing him myself has probably been my greatest achievement to date. We have learnt together and have that unique trust and confidence in each other that it takes to get where we are now.
I am lucky enough to be based at my parents lovely home in Great Saxham which is only 10 minutes from Newmarket and Bury St Edmunds so in addition to the great facilities at home we have great access to the bests vets and gallops. I currently have around 14 horses including some lovely youngsters to look forward to the future with. My team at home are a massive help (including Mum and Dad!) and regular training with Barratt Watson for jumping and Jill Day for dressage helps keep the whole show on the road.
Being selected to ride for Britain in the Olympics in 2008 really was a dream come true and the opportunity of a lifetime. My goal now is to work towards selection for 2012.