Dressage Days

DRESSAGE DAYS Q&A

MEET ALEX HARRISON

International rider Alex Harrison (25), who is a BDCC Level 3 Coach and List 3a Judge, has a dedication and drive for development that extends to others at all levels within the sport. Collective Equestrian, the Somerset training yard he runs alongside his partner Jonny Clarke-West and Elizabeth Allen, regularly fi elds teams for the popular Quest series. We caught up with Alex, who will himself be performing a gala evening demo during the upcoming Saracen Horse Feeds Quest National Championships at Bury Farm in Buckinghamshire.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST GET BITTEN BY THE RIDING BUG?

Quite late on compared to most riders, I must have been about 12 when a school friend dragged me along to her local riding school. I was legged up onto a one-eyed donkey called ‘Jimmy’... the rest is history!

WHO OR WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO TAKE UP DRESSAGE?

I have always liked dressing up, my fi rst passport photo was me in a spiderman outfi t. The dressage tailcoat seemed like the obvious choice for me.

My fi rst horse was a three-yearold off -the-track thoroughbred (not the best fi rst horse for a 12-yearold I know). I didn’t have enough money to buy him a saddle so went everywhere bareback. I fell off him about 12 times a day. Dressage seemed safest!

HAVING COMPETED AT FEI YOUNG RIDER AND U25 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY MAKES SOMEONE A GOOD TEAM RIDER?

nice person! There are a lot of diff erent pressures at a championships. Tests go wrong, riders get nervous etc. If you can learn to support your teammates, even if you haven’t had the best day, you will always hear clapping from the side of the arena. That support is what brings out the best tests.

HOW DOES THE QUEST SERIES BENEFIT NEWCOMERS TO THE SPORT?

Quest gives riders an easy gateway into dressage. The series allows combinations to set achievable goals and aim for championships, even if they are very new to competitive dressage. Less intimidating warm up arenas and lower qualifying scores allows greater accessibility for novice riders wanting to get out and give it a go.

WHAT PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE THOSE TAKING PART IN THIS YEAR’S CHAMPIONSHIPS?

Stay out of your lorry! I hate going to shows where everyone hides in their lorry, only coming out for tests. What a unique opportunity you are all going to have, being surrounded by people who all love the same sport as you. So socialise, drink, eat and chat. Whatever the outcome of your fi ve minutes in the arena, make the other 23 hours and 55 minutes of the day something to remember.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR UP-AND-COMING HORSES.

I am lucky to have some fantastic horses in right now.

I have had the privilege of riding MSJ Top Secret for Emma Blundell, Mount St John Stud, over the last season clocking up some impressive scores at Premier League shows and qualifying for the Nationals at both PSG and Inter I.

My gorgeous mare Horelja L is about to make her Grand Prix debut. She passages for a 10 and, like any good mare, she really fi ghts for me in the ring (sometimes a little too much).

Behind those two, I have lots of fab younger horses. One seven-year-old, Kickback, qualifi ed for the Nationals this year at Medium. He is a sensitive soul with bundles of energy, hates wearing shoes and will do anything for a sugar lump. Three six-year-olds from Mount St John – Barney, Nev and Diamond. My four-year-old, Newton Vamouche. She is a daughter of Woodlander Farouche by Valverde... she really is one to watch. And lastly, my yearling MSJ Soho who is just enjoying life being a horse.

SIX FAMOUS GUESTS AT YOUR DREAM DINNER PARTY!

Beyoncé, Ben Whishaw, Tom Daley, David Attenborough, Nigella Lawson and Graham Norton.

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS.