RIDER PROFILES

Durham based event rider Amy may only be 23  but she already has a long list of successes to her credit and is in a great position to give many more seasoned eventers a run for their money. Having recently set up a yard at home, she has a dedicated back up team (her family) to help her achieve her ambitions of a four star victoryand representing her country at senior level.

Amy started her riding career at five and by the age of eight knew she wanted to become a top event rider. She says, “Getting riding lessons from my parents for Christmas was the most expensive mistake they ever made! Their support is invaluable and I know how lucky I am to be able to do what I love every day.” Amy fits in her studies part-time, at the Royal Agricultural College, so she has more time for the horses and does all the usual yard work riding daily, starting at about seven each morning.

With the help of her top horse, Highville (or Bobby as he is known at home), and a dedicated back up team (her family) she claimed both team and individual Gold Medals at last year’s Young Riders Championship at Pardubice, in less than perfect weather conditions. This year she has already ridden as the ‘guinea pig’ dressage rider at Badminton and will be off to Hong Kong to try out next year’s Olympic track in the test event there, as well as being Eventing magazine’s diarist – so she should be pretty busy!

Also in Amy’s string are Whitewall Tribunal (Duncan), Whos Cruise (Tom), Mister Maguire (Thomas), and the Mayhill sired five year old Made Of Bricks (Hill)  “The relationship I have with all of my horses is very special,” Amy tells us, “and, although the hours are long and the work is unforgiving, I love it!” “I would probably be better off studying for a degree in English or doing dressage or show jumping as there is more money in them but I love this sport too much.”

This year, Amy started the season with two wins at Poplar Park, followed by qualification for the British Novice Championships at Gatcombe, an exciting clear XC round the 3* at Chatsworth and capped 2008 off by winning the title class at Tetton Horse Trials and taking home £1000. Amy hopes to carry on producing her horses through the levels and in the long term has her sights set on Badminton and representing Great Britain at the Olympics, World Equestrian Games and European Championships. " I try not to take life too seriously though as we all have disappointments and in this sport you have to pick yourself up and keep going" - A good head on young shoulders then.