The Professionals

YOUNG EVENTER

SETTING OUT ON A PROFESSIONAL CAREER

At a time when British Eventing brings back Team Gold and Individual Silver, and equestrian medals all round with two Bronzes in dressage and Individual Gold in the showjumping – it’s never been a better time to be a young rider setting out on a career in eventing.

And according to Ben Perry, rider at Team Jones Equestrian, there’s no better place to be than at Team Jones Equestrian yard in Rutland, home of top international eventing and dressage riders Richard and Victoria Jones. With Covid restrictions hopefully behind us, 20-year-old Ben has talent spotters to impress and the Olympics in Paris to dream of. In his two short action-packed years with Team Jones, he and his mare Fa Karla have fast forwarded from pre-novice BE90 competitions to qualification for 4* events following a strong performance at Aston le Walls. His excellent run of form continues, finishing on his dressage score at Houghton Hall CCI3* and sixth place in the Young Rider CCI3* championship.

So what’s the story behind Ben? Although he was brought up in the countryside around Loughborough, horses or ponies were never on the family radar –but they were on his. The mother of Olympic showjumper Holly Smith had a yard nearby where he was already riding ponies at the age of four and the addiction had started. He worked for free, rode ponies, and bought his first 14.2hh pony at the grand old age of twelve. But he longed to go eventing. At sixteen he sold the pony, counted his pennies and fell in love with a sharp 7-year-old mare with attitude and opinions that Ben was sure he could change. At nineteen he and Karla took the perfect next step to join Team Jones yard in Rutland. “It’s been life changing,” he says. “Richard and Victoria both go that extra mile – literally – to take me to the important events to develop my horse and my experience. With Victoria my dressage has gone from ‘grin and bear it’ to rhythm and harmony. But more than that, they teach me equine life skills that I just couldn’t have got at home because I don’t come from a horsey family. “I now have the confidence not just to ride, but to meet with owners, talk with other competitors and even with British Eventing officials. I have not only grown in riding abilities but in personal confidence.” Team Jones are eyeing up a busy end to the season with the yard’s top eventers, Alfies Clover and Kilballyboy Bob – both having been nicely prepped at some smaller events over the past few months. As for Ben, he and Karla hope to end the season on a high at Osberton International CCI-L 3*.

www.teamjonesequestrian.com

INTERNATIONAL PARA SHOWJUMPER JOINS ROBINSON ANIMAL HEALTHCARE

International Para showjumper, Laura Goodall has joined the team of sponsored riders representing Robinson Animal Healthcare, following a nationwide search. Laura’s determination and passion for the sport she loves stood out from the many applications that came flooding in.

27-year-old Laura has ridden since the age of six and competed in British Showjumping competitions from the age of thirteen beforeshe was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2015. Laura now competes in both Para Showjumping and British Showjumping competitions with her top horse Guusje.

www.robinsonhealthcare.com

Have you ever watched in awe at the skill of carriage drivers as they manoeuvre their way through cones or obstacles on the marathon after the glamour and precision of the dressage phase?

For many horse and pony enthusiasts competing at the highest level may not be their dream, but simply getting out and about in the countryside for a pleasure drive is a fantastic way to spend your spare time. The team at Bennington Carriages near Newark, offer a wide range of Carriage Driving experiences aimed at the newcomer or novice which provide an ideal opportunity to try this wonderful activity. The Carriage Driving Experience provides an enjoyable introduction to the sport during a two hour session. With many years’ experience and from a family steeped in Carriage Driving, UKCC Level 3 coach Sue Mart covers the essentials of Carriage Driving and provides one to one tuition whilst also ensuring your first time ‘behind the reins’ is safe, rewarding and of course, fun! Said Sue: “Carriage Driving has always been such a big part of our lives and everyone in the Bennington team so enjoys passing on our skills and knowledge to get more people interested in this fantastic pastime or sport.” Bennington also offer tailormade one-to-one tuition, suitable for all levels and disciplines of driving - from novice to advanced and from pleasure to competition. Sue will work closely with you to understand your requirements and tailor either individual or a series of sessions to ensure you realise your Carriage Driving goals. Carriage Driving Academy Bennington has always focused on making Carriage Driving enjoyable and accessible to all. To some this means relaxed driving through picturesque countryside and a picnic halfway through the drive. To others it means the thrills and excitement of competing at club, national and international level. The Bennington Carriage Driving Academy offers an extensive range of facilities and training for all levels of driver. A wide range of Try Driving experiences are available for those new to Carriage Driving or for those who would simply like to ‘have a go’ for the first time. For more advanced drivers, the Bennington Carriage Driving Academy has a wide range of Carriage Driving facilities to help improve performance and develop skills. The Carriage Driving Academy is a purpose-built facility, set in ten acres of picturesque countryside and is extensively equipped to help maximise your enjoyment of the sport. Ample parking, wash down facilities and toilets are available as well as expert advice from the Bennington Team - who are always on hand. The Academy offers: • Outdoor dressage arena 100m x 40m • Obstacle and water splash • Cones course • Outdoor training area • Grass fitness track Sue and the team at Bennington are always happy to talk to those wanting to have a go at carriage driving and learn more.

www.bennington carriages.co.uk

WHY NOT TRY... CARRIAGE DRIVING

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

The Windrush Equestrian Foundation are pleased to confirm a new partnership with the Ebony Horse Club. The partnership looks to help develop new pathways into the eventing industry for their members.

The new relationship took its first step forward at the Young Eventer’s Programme summer training camp held at the infamous Billy Stud this July. Riders from the Ebony Horse Club joined with the Foundation’s young eventing riders for a day of training with, British Olympian and Rolex Grand Slam Champion, Pippa Funnell. Windrush Equestrian Foundation CEO, Mariachiara Apruzzese said: “It was truly special to have a few young riders from Ebony Horse Club attend the training at The Billy Stud with our riders. We are very excited for this partnership and are looking forward to offering more opportunities for Ebony riders to experience the eventing world alongside our mentors and riders.” The Ebony Horse Club members, along with Yard Manager Tom, spent time with Windrush Equestrian mentor Pippa Funnell, gaining an insight into the running of a leading sports stable, and training the top riders of the future. The partnership aims to offer increased training and work experience opportunities, to the young riders at Ebony Horse Club, within the eventing industry. Ebony Horse Club General Manager, Naomi Howgate said: “A key part of Ebony Horse Club’s mission is to provide new opportunities and raise the aspirations of our young people. Working with the Windrush Equestrian Foundation helps us to do this in a very exciting way. Having our youngsters work with top riders and coaches inspires them for the future and helps them learn things that they wouldn’t learn in their regular lessons at our centre. Maybe one day we will see an Ebony rider compete alongside a Windrush rider as a result of this exciting partnership.” The Foundation is now keen to explore the option of work experience placements, within the eventing industry, that would be suitable for the Club’s members. Any eventing stables or businesses willing to explore potential work experience options please contact info@windrushfoundation.org.uk

Following on from Amy’s recent explosion back onto the competition scene, we would like to know a bit more about how to juggle family and competing life.

How has the return to competition life been for you post-Covid? How did you manage to keep horses fit enough to get back out and compete once restrictions were lifted? “It was a very difficult time for us all in the horse world but I did find the uncertainty hard to manage – we had so many stop and starts and when it finally did reopen properly I was still slightly dubious how long it would last! “I managed the horses with regular ground work (something I really believe in) and by my incentive reward coaching in the round pen. I also hacked (again something I believe strongly in) and of course schooled. When I had an inkling things would reopen the focus shifted to more schooling and less hacking etc.” How have you managed family-wise with the shift? Do you have family around who can help with your daughter, Florence? “I am so lucky – husband Simon (Director at Sussex Equine Vets) shared Florence with me as much as he could and we often ran a tag team of me schooling horses early and him taking over in the afternoon. Also it helps that our yard (recently bought in Horsham) is close enough for me to travel to easily.”

PHOEBE OLIVER INTERVIEWS AMY STOVOLD, ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S LEADING DRESSAGE RIDERS, AND EXAMINES HOW SHE IS RISING BACK UP THE DRESSAGE COMPETITION LADDER SINCE BECOMING A MUM

Five minutes with... AMY STOVOLD

“I am definitely more careful – I assess the horse more before taking it on and won’t ride anything that is really tricky or sharp – the risks are now just too huge in terms of falling and hurting myself! I also train myself now to be stronger – I have a healthy balance of PT sessions and Yoga as the core is slightly harder to work on post childbirth! As I was a slightly older mother this is also very important – I want to be strong both as a rider and a Mummy as Florence also demands energy!”

What successes have you had so far and what are you hoping for in the near future? “I am very pleased that in the short time back competiting Bobo L (Bo) has already been placed second in Grand Prix and we have another high profile show at the end of this month in Bury Farm that I am have high hopes for. We all have different methods but unlike some riders I do tend to take my time with the youngsters – Kenjiro is my youngster I am very excited to be working on and will begin to introduce him to some high level competitions soon.” What changes have you noticed in yourself since returning to competiting post becoming a mum? Are you now more careful with the risks you take? What do you think are the biggest hurdles facing young dressage riders? “I really feel for young riders today – there is so much competition and pressure via social media. They are surrounded by people with better horses and better wardrobe/tack/horseboxes etc but the truth is that there is no greater satisfaction than working on a horse yourself and creating the impenetrable bond that you get in doing so. “I didn’t come from a horsey background – I worked in a riding school for all my lessons and so I am living proof that you can make it happen with dedication and raw desire.”

How do you keep horses fit during the Winter months? “Training doesn’t stop for me in the Winter – I train in snow and cold and wet and am lucky as my yard is surrounded by a hard track that I can use and the school has a quick draining system. “I also alternate – essential for some of the young horses and I use a mixture of the pen and school – on really horrible days the horses choose to have a duvet day but where possible I try to get them out once a day for a leg stretch at the very least.” Amy is available to coach riders and horses from youngsters to Grand Prix level. Visit her socials @teamstovold

www.teamstovolddressage.com