The Story So Far...

I have been riding since before I can remember, (getting riding lessons for my 5th birthday was the most expensive mistake my parents ever made!) and from the age of eight my ambition has been to become a top event rider.

I was short listed for the British Pony Team in both 2000 and 2001. After making a successful transition from ponies to horses, I qualified for the Junior Regional Novice championships by winning both Northern sections. Riding my first horse, Highville, I finished seventh in that competition and went on to become the British under 18 Champion in 2003. In the same year, following first and third places at the Junior trials, I was selected to represent Great Britain at the Junior European Championships in Pardubice, Czech Republic.

In 2004 and 2005 I was short listed for the Young Rider Europeans, but missed out on both occasions due to injuries. To make up for this disappointment, I won the British under 21 Championship title at Weston Park in 2005.

In 2006 Highville was on top form, finishing fifth in an Advanced at Withington Manor, tenth in the CIC*** at Chatsworth, and a fantastic third in the Under 25 Championship at Bramham CCI***.
It proved to be third time lucky when I finally represented Great Britain on the Young Rider European Team. At a very rainy competition in Pardubice I was the only rider to finish on their dressage score and won the individual title. I was very proud to have helped the British Team to win Gold as well. After this in 2007/8 I was selected for the lottery funded World Class Start Programme.

I am interested in developing my skills as an equestrian journalist, and have had a number of event reports published in Eventing and Horse and Hound Magazine. I was the featured diarist for the 2007 season. In 2009 I wrote a feature in HORSE magazine on 'how to train the young horse' in association with my very good sponsors Baileys Horse Feeds and Brinicombe Equine. I will continue to report on events this season for Horse and Hound and Eventing magazine.

I am based at home in Stanhope, Co Durham and receive dressage training from Pammy Hutton at the Talland School of Equitation, and Gwyneth Lewis at home. Kenneth Clawson visits the north at Park End EC, and I go to him for show jumping. I go XC schooling with Jeanette Brakewell when I can, and she is always happy to offer advice or walk a course with me at events.

I am very grateful for the support I receive, and am therefore delighted to be sponsored by Brinicombe Equine, Baileys Horse Feeds, and KanTeq Bodyprotectors.

My long term aims are to make a career out of my chosen sport and to represent my country at the highest level.