Biography
Horses and ponies have figured in my life since I was a child. I was absolutely obsessed with them, despite the fact that neither of my parents rode at the time. Although I was also a keen competitive runner, ponies eventually won the day. My life became full of Pony Club activities competing in teams for all sorts of disciplines.
Ironically, both my parents also decided to take up riding purely for pleasure. Both worked, my father was a film director while my mother was a model before starting up own catering business. I am a film fanatic and name most of my horses after them. It was while my father was producing a documentary on Badminton Horse Trials with Lucinda Green (then Prior-Palmer) I decided to focus more on eventing. She was my real heroine and I was totally in awe of her.
As a teenager, I went to work for Mrs Daphne Wyatt who was keen on hunting and also showing. This turned out to be my first taste of serious showing and it was through Mrs Wyatt that I got into working hunters. I absolutely loved my job and I learnt so much about producing and competing hunters.
It took me a while to get noticed in the show ring. With working hunters, not only do you have to jump a clear round, you have to jump clear in a beautiful style as you are marked on the way you ride, your horse’s style and confirmation. Ted and Liz Edgar helped me a lot with my flatwork and jumping too.
When I met and married Robert we made a real team, but a serious road accident in 2002 nearly jeopardised my riding career. I broke my leg in five places and was told I may never ride again. Thankfully, I did and went on to win at HOYS which was wonderful.
We are lucky to have some great owners and horses. We have enjoyed amazing success with Sarah Gallagher’s Out of Sight. I’m fortunate to have won major working hunter titles including HOYS, the Royal International Horse Show and Royal Windsor. My current top horses are Out of Sight, Cruise Control, Man on Fire, Rock Star and I have the younger Working Girl and Cracker too.