I am a 16 year old event and dressage rider from Lincolnshire in the East Midlands. I started riding at age 3 and a half at a local riding school. From then I joined their Pony Club centre and attended many 'own your own pony' days, hoping that eventually I could persuade my mum!
I still remember to this day how my mum revealed to me that I was getting my very own pony! I was around 8 years old and it was around Easter, instead of chocolate (as I am not the biggest chocolate lover!) I got an envelope... yay! Little did I know at that point that it was a present that was going to change my life forever! It was a small, silver, rectangular plaque that read "Frankie Olivia's pony". From that moment onwards I never have looked back! We based the ponies at a friends farm that was in the next village to us, I still can't thank my mum and her partner for deciding to get me my first pony, who knows where I would be know If I didn't have horses in my life!
Woody was the 2nd pony I tried when looking for a new horse, and deep down inside I knew he was the one! I spent many a riding lesson purely in walk just trying to get him into a soft outline, the hard work paid off as in the summer of 2013 we won the Novice Pony Club Area dressage qualifying for Pony Club National Championships, little did I know this was going to be the first of many!
Woody also taught me that horses are unpredictable and amongst the highs you have to have the lows, something we have had our fair share of. From injuries, to eliminations we have had it all, and the one thing Woody has taught me is, how to deal with all of these moments. Before, I used come out of a test or round being ultra critical of myself always beating myself up for the smallest of things, or getting upset if things hadn't gone the way I hoped. As a rider over the years I have taught myself that this isn't the end of the world! You just have to pick yourself up and move on! Personally I think I learnt this lesson very early, however I have no doubt that It has contributed to the rider I am today!
Seb came to us after a friend didn't have the time he needed to reach his fully potential, I will be honest, I didn't think it would take this long to gel and bond, I also didn't think it would be this hard work, all of it however has paid off and Seb has taught me more then I would have ever imagined. And when there does come a time for him to move on, I will feel so proud that I have brought him on to that stage myself!
I have been lucky enough to compete at many National Championships over the years, and competing in 6 in the season of 2016, something I hope to repeat next year with both Woody and Seb! I already have my name down for Area selections and u18's training!
I can't write all of this and not mention all the people behind the scenes, I may not be competing for GB or at Badminton or Burghley (YET!!) but I still have a great team and without them none of this would have been possible. My trainer, Julie Corrigan has been working with me for nearly 6 years. She has been so influential for me, and is so much more than a trainer. I am extremely grateful to have her as part of the team- it wouldn't be possible without her. My parents and their partners have given me every opportunity to achieve my dreams- I am very lucky to have such support from them. From initially buying me my first pony, to moving house so that we can have the horses right outside the door- they have given their all!
What I didn't really appreciate until I began competing, is how many people contribute to your success. Yes, you could argue that once you’re in that arena it’s down to you and your horse -and I’d agree- but so many people have made trotting down the centre line or galloping out the start box possible. There is so many people when I really think about it and it is an amazing feeling to know I have all these people behind me, and I am incredibly grateful to every one of them. Of course, there are the four legged members of the team who it really would be impossible without- my past rides, going back to the pony I learnt to ride on and the current superstars Woody and Seb. The opportunities and experiences that they have all given me are the best, and I can’t wait for the ones to come. As for my riding future- dressage and eventing is my main passion and I always want horses to be in my life, but as my GCSE's are looming I need to make sure that I always have something to fall back on, since this sport is so unpredictable. One day, I’d love to ride for my country, but as with all things involved with horses are so changeable I'm just going to take each day as it comes and enjoy all of the wonderful moments that this sport gives me.