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).
Although 2008 saw me through some serious ups and downs I have learned heaps as a rider and as an individual. I am as motivated and ambitious as ever and aim to take a top 5 place at the Europeans in 2009 and most importantly, help Britain gain a medal! I plan to compete Andretti through the World Cup season and with a bit of luck we might qualify for the Las Vegas final in April. I also have a string of youngsters to bring on and will have my first flying lessons when I bring out the 5 year olds to their first shows. Dan, my 7 year old will hopefully grow into Small Tour at some point during 2009. Whether luck is on my side at the right moments in 2009 only time will tell but I have a great support crew at home and awesome horses to work with so I am convinced that the only way is up!