Profile

History

Despite coming from a non horsey background I began having riding lessons when I was four and have been hooked ever since. Although given my first pony, Bonnie, at the age of 14, it wasn’t until 2001, three years later that I had a fully fit horse on which to compete. I spent the previous winter as a working pupil with Gill Watson in Buckinghamshire and was determined to make up for lost time. However, I never dreamed that I would go from pre novice to being accepted for Badminton in four years. My first team experience was with the Scottish JRN squad at Weston Park in 2002 but my highlight was being on the 2005 GB Young Rider European Gold Medal team where I produced a counting score and finished 6th individually.

During my time in young riders (ages18-21) I was in the top 10 in the world in my age category on the FEI rankings including a spell at number 1. Also in 2005 I entered Badminton for the first time but had to withdraw as Tom had a minor setback but we did start in 2006. Unfortunately I had to retire on the cross country as Tom was completely fazed by the crowds but I will be remembered for my spectacular fall live on BBC Grandstand.

I also completed my University degree while at Badminton as Glasgow Uni. allowed me to sit my last Psychology exam in Cheltenham as part of my Sports Bursary. I am now committed to Eventing full time and plan to build on my fast start in the sport.

My Aims

I want to show that I can compete with all the top riders, while living in Central Scotland, riding home produced horses. I am based minutes away from the motorway network so competing nationally and internationally is straightforward.

I have produced my first two horses through to advanced level and I am establishing a team of young horses who will hopefully achieve the same success. I have a range of facilities at home, including indoor and outdoor schools for year round training, extensive turn out fields, gallops available locally and am within easy reach of several top class indoor competition centres.

Scotland is an ideal place to produce young horses because of the variety of terrain, good ground conditions, availability of year round turnout and quality competition venues. I treat each horse as an individual and produce them accordingly with a view to the long term rather than going out to win on every outing.