Biography

I began riding at the age of six at Knabswood Riding School. I realised early on that I wanted to specialise purely in Dressage, so I persuaded my parents to buy me my first pony, with whom I did all the local dressage events, and I was a member of Penistone Riding Club.

I bought my first horse in 1998 without my parent’s knowledge; I saw the horse in the H&H, asked two older friends to drive me to try her and then talked my two Grandpas’ into giving me the money to pay for her. So there I was the proud owner of a 16.2 mare at the tender age of eleven!

I started to have dressage lessons with Ian Woodhead (British Pony Team Trainer). After six months, he gave me the privilege of riding his six year old German pony, DHI Langar. After winning four Premier League pony titles I was selected to represent Great Britain at the 2003 Pony Europeans in Necarne, Ireland. We came home with a Bronze Team medal.

I also won the Steele Trophy that year.

In 2004 I found my Junior horse Rapino a Dutch gelding by Casanova who had competed for Germany on Junior and Young Rider Teams. In January 2005, we won the Addington Junior Premier League. I was then selected to compete at a Junior International in Samur. I was the highest placed Brit and came 7th individually. Rapino and I were then selected to compete for Great Britain at the 2005 Junior Europeans in Barzago, Italy.

In 2006 I won the Young Rider Premier League title at Addington and many Prix St. George classes. Rapino and I were shortlisted for the European Team that year and did well at Inter 1 level resulting in high rankings at Small Tour.

I 2007 I had the ride on Emile Faurie’s Danish gelding Racit, we competed Internationally and gained Grand Prix experience.

In March 2008 I won my first International at Addington with Duke my Hanoverian gelding purchased from the Werndls in Germany. Duke was fourth in the Individual test and second in the Freestyle. Everything was going so well, we were achieving high percentages until unfortunately not long after the International Duke was sidelined with an injury and although we were reserve for the Young Rider Europeans our hopes of a Team place were dashed.

I started to train with Marcus Gribbe at the Addington International and I now base my seven year old with him whilst the purchase of our new farm is underway.

I hope to have my very own facilities up and running by spring of this year and I am very much looking forward to having my horses at home with me for the very first time.

I feel I have the understanding and love for horses, and the dedication and drive to compete successfully in the future in order to achieve my Olympic goal.