Dressage Days

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MEET LUCY HOWARD

With her three children growing up to make their own way in life, talented amateur Lucy Howard is now afforded more time to return to her own equestrian ambitions. Winner of this year’s KBIS Preliminary Silver Winter Regional title at Vale View, she secured a second appearance at the NAF Five Star Winter Championships with her young mare, Wind Chimes. We caught up with Lucy, who lives in Rutland with her husband Rich, son George, two horses and their three Irish Terriers.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR EARLY INTEREST IN HORSES

I fi rst sat on our . family pony hen I as about t o. lthou h our parents ere not horsey, e had a privile ed childhood, ith facilities at home for ponies. e ould spend our summers oin to the ernie ony lub camp and local sho s here um and ad ould often volunteer.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST START COMPETING?

hen I as three I started ith local sho in classes on the lead rein ith um, ho also en oyed ma in costumes for the fancy dress class I absolutely loved ettin ready and atchin mum plait up. I uic ly cau ht the ridin bu hey ere ma ical early years ith so many fond memories of my mum ho sadly died hen I as . I ill be forever rateful for those buildin bloc s that introduced me to the onderful lifestyle that horses off er.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT DRESSAGE THAT INSPIRED YOU TO TAKE UP THE SPORT?

avin spent ten years a ay from the sport, or in , ettin married and havin our family, I then purchased ushmoor arriet II and started to event at E . I really en oyed the drama of eventin and ot some ood results. ur irls then both rode her on ony lub teams throu h their early teens. ver the years, I started to focus more on dressa e as I relish the challen e and appreciate the ele ance of dressa e as I et older. his led to me oinin .

WHAT ASPECTS OF COMPETING DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?

I love preparin for my next sho and plannin ho I m oin to improve on my previous scores. I set realistic oals hich really motivates me to train hard. If I prepare ell, I don t et nervous and then I ride better.

TELL US MORE ABOUT WIND CHIMES

I bou ht osie as a three year old from achel roo . he as bred by nn illiams out of her stunnin mare oodlander avissante and by oodlander ild hild so has rand rix enes from both sides. osie is petite at hh but has a real loo at me attitude. he is po erful, aff ectionate, very pretty and a pleasure to o n and loo after. osie loves oin to a sho and defi nitely ro s a hand in the arm up

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS FOR HER?

I have really en oyed our ourney so far, it s re ardin to see a youn horse develop, e are learnin to ether. I hope e can eep climbin the ladder and see ho far e et. he has a varied trainin pro ramme includin hac in , hill or , a little bit of umpin for fun at home and plenty of turnout ith her best friend ippa, hich she loves. he is currently trainin at Elementary level.

HOW HAVE YOU FOUND RETURNING TO COMPETITION AFTER HAVING YOUR FAMILY?

o that Emily, lice and eor e are independent and follo in their career paths and dreams, I am rateful that I have osie and ippa to fi ll the void that many parents experience and understand. ich and our children are very supportive. It s my time to live my dream and I m up for the challen e.

WHAT’S YOUR DREAM HOLIDAY DESTINATION AND WHY?

iin in anada. e are a s iin mad family but I ve never s ied in anada

DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS

ili ent, riven and ompassionate.

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