Biography
I am based at Pye Greave Farm in Yorkshire, ideally situated for the motorway and the landscape lends itself perfectly to getting horses fit. I have been riding ever since I can remember, and my first pony was a brown and white Shetland called Billy. I started competing in affiliated classes when I was five and qualified for HOYS when I was eight.
I had a series of 12.2hh ponies including Tom Thumb who actually belonged to my brother until I pinched him! I rode him in '10 and under' classes. At the same time, I had Bobby Brown who was a speed demon! Current Ruella was next followed by Miami Bound, Street Angel and Savvy Mill, who I came second with at the Pony Europeans. Savvy Mill was my last pony before I moved onto horses.
I have always wanted to be a show jumper, it runs in the family and it seemed like the natural route to take! I've been a member of the British Nations Cup teams since 2004 and was the leading under 21 rider in '05, '06 and '07. Jumping a triple clear in the European Championships in '07 was a career high. The last year or so hasn’t been the best for me but Olympia '08 was the turning point and I am very excited about the future again. I have a good team of horses at the moment, including CS Online, Ocalado, Ladina B, Shearwater Mikado, Ashdale Futuro, Safano, Kanselier and Locarno. 2009 is set to be very busy and I am looking forward to working my way back up the rankings.
I had a tough year in 2008 and a lot of catching up to do in 2009 but I finally feel like I'm getting back to where I was. Winning the Treble (Puissance, Speed Horse and Show Jumper of the Year) at HOYS put me back where I want to be. All my horses should be on form next year and I'm looking forward to hopefully having another successful season in my build towards Olympic selection.