Biography
I have been riding since I was six years old. My first pony was a little Welsh mare called Missie who was very pretty but would regularly buck me off! I was a keen member of the Flamstead Pony Club and with my wall-eyed pony, Smartie, took part in lots of PC competitions - my favourites being one day events and hunter trials. I also played polo for a season, but never managed to score any goals!
I ‘discovered’ dressage when I was 13 years old and entered the British Dressage National Talent Spotting competition which I won on my lovely bay pony, Leonties Double. Following this success, we went on to win two National titles at Sheepgate Under 25 Championships in 2007, represented England at two Home Internationals where we were Individual and Team Champions, and were runners up in the Elementary Restricted class at the British Dressage National Championships at Stoneleigh in 2008.
Since September 2008 I have campaigned my chestnut pony, Gigolo, and have had many wins and placings at home and abroad. On my GB debut at the CDI at Addington in March 2009, we were in the top four placings in every FEI class, including runner up to the Dutch Indoor champion in the Freestyle to Music. In subsequent competitions abroad, in both Holland and Belgium, we challenged the top German and Dutch combinations and our 73+% score in the Kur in the CDIP Moorsele earned us a third placing, flanked by two top German ponies! It was a great feeling to see the GB supporters cheering and waving and I felt so proud to be flying the flag for Britain!
In July 2009, we were selected to represent Great Britain as members of the European Pony Dressage Team who gained a 5th placing, and Gigolo and I qualified for the Kur. In our last competition of the 2009 season, at the Sheepgate Under 25s Championships in September, we won the BDSC FEI Pony Championship on scores of over 70% in the Team and Individual test and 74.5% in the Freestyle to Music.
In spring 2010 I was selected with Gigolo for the CDI competitions at Addington and Saumur where we scored and placed well and achieved more personal bests. We worked really hard through the season and were selected again for the European Pony Dressage Championships, which this year were held in Great Britain at Bishop Burton. It was amazing to ride for Team GB on home ground. The team finished 4th and Gigolo and I were 5th in the Individual test and 5th in the Kur! This was a great moment for me. I have now moved on to horses and after a long search to find the right ones, have two lovely horses, Annette Ballerina (Bella) and Daniolo, (Danny).
Bella is my 7 yr old bay mare who I am training up the grades. She was very successful in Young Horse classes and was the 2011 National 6 year old champion. Danny is my 11 yr old chestnut gelding who has competed successfully at home and abroad and whom I am aiming for Juniors and Young Riders.
I am trained by Daniel Sherriff with input from Jill Day and am inspired by their enthusiasm and excellent coaching to improve my skills as a rider. I am looking forward to the challenges that 2012 will bring and hope that I can once again successfully represent my country in competition.