Biography
I started riding when I was 3 years old but spent a large part of my early years hitting the floor rather than staying in the saddle. I was always a little more ambitious about jumping than my ponies! Finally I took over my brother’s 13.2 (Tom) on whom I enjoyed lots of success eventing. During my teens dressage began to replace my eventing dreams and at 14, I won a pony team silver medal at the Europeans. Since then I have been on a British championship team every year throughout juniors, young riders and then seniors - for the first time with Douglas Dorsey in 2006 (at the World Equestrian Games in Aachen).
Ian Woodhead was my biggest influence from ponies through to juniors. He taught me the basics of dressage and a healthy but fun competitive attitude. My under 21s career continued with Markus Gribbe who trained me in the step up to Grand Prix. My biggest successes and the start of very high scores came with the help of Klaus Balkenhol and the newly established partnership with my father (who is now my trainer).
This year we plan to improve on the high scores I finished with last year and to bring my new ride Andretti H up into the top 15 of the world rankings. I also have high hopes for some of our 'home-made' youngsters. I currently have a great back up team at home, headed by Carole Levitt, my competition groom and supported by Carl Cuypers who helps me with the riding. We are all very excited about 2008.