“Since winning the Dodson & Horrell Novice Open Championship at Stoneleigh in September 2015 on my horse Fyona I have been working hard to move up the grades. This is also the case with my other horse MFS French Noir, who also came third in the Championship.
Fyona aka Princess Fifi had some well deserved time off after her win and we have mainly been working at home with my trainer Matt Frost. She is now working at Medium level at home and has just started with her changes, she has had so much hype around her as a horse for the future, that I felt it was important not to push her at the lower levels. She's a Grand Prix horse in making without a doubt, so bringing her out at Elementary was never really so important. She will come out again in August to hopefully qualify for the winter Championships. MFS French Noir, who we call Felix at home, after coming third, went on to win the Open Elementary at the Winter Championships at Hartpury College. He is now working towards Advanced Medium at home.”
Tips for this year’s Championship qualifiers
“My tips for anyone competing at the Championships this year would just be to enjoy it! I love the buzz of a big show and the atmosphere at Stoneleigh is one of the best. If it's your first Championships make sure you give yourself enough time to acclimatise and get used to everything that goes on. It's very easy in all the bustle and nerves to let the whole show pass you by. Be sure to watch how the top riders prepare for their tests as you can always pick up some great little techniques that may just help you.”
Aims for the future
“My aims for the future would be to win a National title at every level. Hopefully next year I will start to represent my country abroad. It's a hugely exciting time for me, my team and my little gang of horses and at the moment I'm just enjoying every minute of it!”
