I don’t come from a particularly ‘horsey background’, but I started having riding lessons at the age of four. My Dad was a very keen sailor when I was growing up so, to occupy the children on a suspended race day, we were taken to have a ride on one of his teammate's New Forest ponies. I was around three at the time and was hooked after that day! After losing my first pony, my parents bought me a very steady but cheeky Connemara, who I attended Ryburn Valley Pony Club camps and rallies with. He excelled at the cross-country, but not so much at the dressage!
My passion for dressage stemmed from watching Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games – I remember watching at 12 years old, sat with goosebumps, thinking “that’s what I want to do”. I started competing in 2014 with my first dressage horse, Comtess, and, after winning my first Area Festival Regional title a few months into our partnership, the journey went on from there!
I competed in three Young Rider CDIs in my final year – it felt as though we were just getting to grips at that level before I outgrew the age group! I've always thoroughly enjoyed following the success of my peers through their youth journeys, though.
Making the decision to train with Becky Moody was a huge milestone in my career – my development as a rider, person and horsewoman has increased tenfold. The quality and knowledge of training, paired with her kindness, determination, belief and work ethic, has really changed my riding and
performance for the better. I am very grateful to be able to spend as much time at Moody Dressage as I can. Going over for the day in-between my lessons to help ride and watch Becky and Hannah train and teach has been so valuable in my understanding and progress. Having both their support in my coaching, as well as my riding, has really given me the confidence and self-belief to share my knowledge in supporting riders on their own journeys.
As for my competitive milestones, competing at Aachen CDI for my first international abroad was very special and a moment I will never forget.
I am fortunate to have my horses and set up at home. We have 10 stables, an outdoor arena, turnout pen and large paddocks for field turnout – it's really important for me that my horses have access to turnout all year round. I train with Becky Moody and try to spend as much time as I can at her yard learning and expanding my knowledge.
The dream is the Olympics, competing on senior teams, producing happy, healthy horses up to Grand Prix and inspiring younger riders. Over the next few years, I have ambitions of competing at the European Championships in my final year at U25 Grand Prix and making the step up into senior Grand Prix, competing internationally and starting my young horses. I have plans on continuing to develop my knowledge and progression as a BD coach.
I am really looking forward to the support in performance lifestyle and human sport science, so I can increase my knowledge on how to perform at my best as an athlete, working on my strengths and weaknesses, while managing a busy schedule. I am excited to work around and within a team of
like-minded, supportive riders, as we all strive for excellence in our sport.
I am really passionate about self-development – I like a challenge and, most recently, have found that I’m pushing myself out of my comfort zone more and more. I enjoy running, reading and spending time with my close friends and family.