This blog is by Francesca (UVI Form and Head of Grosstete Company) I have ridden since the age of three years old, when we were given two Shetland ponies for £50 from the ILPH (International League for the Protection of Horses). Therefore, the idea of giving it all up to sit exams was completely out of the question for me! The turning point in my career as a rider came when I was nine years old and I was lucky enough to buy a 14-year-old ex-FEI Pony Trial Connemara pony named Bertie. His enthusiasm for life and love for working fuelled a new competitive nature in me, as I had previously just enjoyed a day of hunting and the occasional local show during the summer. After being selected to ride in some North West BRYDS classes I qualified for the U11 BRYDS National Championships where I ended up 5th. I was then exposed to a whole new part of the equestrian world. I learnt that people would travel all over the country to take part in extremely prestigious events in order to put more and more value to their name. Since then, it has become my aim to push myself to be the best I can be and I have a new desire for competition.
The next highlight in my career came in 2013 when I was 14 years old and I qualified for the Pony Club Championships at both Intermediate Eventing and Dressage level, after winning the area qualifier at Dauntsey’s Park Horse Trials riding the fabulous Voyagers Sovereign (Timmy). Timmy was an incredibly special and giving horse; whenever I was out on that cross country course I only ever had to point him to where we were going and he would do the rest for me. At the time I was too naive to understand what I had just achieved, but once arriving at the championships held at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire, I quickly came to realise the sheer size of the competition. After an unforgettable week of meeting new people, watching some seriously talented riders, and enjoying success for myself, I decided it was time to join British Eventing and start aiming even higher. I had exciting things planned for myself and the superhorse that was Timmy, but alas, I then learnt of the lows that this sport can suddenly throw at you. Timmy had had problems with his sinuses as a five year old, but hadn’t had any repeated issues for ten years. However, whilst on holiday in Kenya visiting my brother, my mother received a call from a friend who was looking after him to say there was blood pouring out of his nose and he was in extreme pain. The vet informed us he had a brain tumour that had burst, and there was only one option. It was then that I discovered how cruel and unpredictable the sport could be, whatever level you’re at. I had to make the decision then to give up or come back fighting.
Thankfully, I brushed myself down and after a while of trying to get over what had happened, I came to the conclusion the best thing to do would be to just get back out there and do what I loved most. Murphy Mayhill (Smurf) was super in helping get my confidence back and his cheeky character and hugely optimistic outlook on life never failed to put a smile on my face. My competitive nature was back and stronger than ever as I enjoyed a couple of event seasons with Smurf. When GCSEs came around, I thought it would be sensible to stop riding for a while in order to give me time to settle down with my work. After a couple of weeks away from Smurf and the saddle, I found that I had become more lethargic and grumpy than I had been, and my motivation and work ethic suffered greatly as a result. Thus, much to my parents’ dismay, I decided it was due to not riding and I was quickly back to my old ways!
After the summer of GCSEs, it became clear that I had outgrown Smurf both height wise (as I stand at just under 6” now!) and ability wise as I was keen to start moving up a level to BENovice. Therefore, we returned Smurf to his old home, where he is now competing with their 14-year-old daughter and enjoying success at BE100U18 classes. This then brings me to my current horse, Val de Barr (Wally). It was my trainer, Christina Wiederkehr, that had heard there was a nice horse for sale just 20 minutes down the road at Badgerstown. Wally had come over form Sweden, where he competed up to CCI** level with a 23-year-old girl. He had come over to England to be sold whilst she was travelling. I walked around the corner after arriving at Badgerstown to see a huge brown horse, standing at 17hh, with wild eyes, croup high and pretty awful thoroughbred feet! My first thought was ‘oh well, at least we didn’t travel far’. I watched Ludwig ride Wally around a little on the flat and pop over a few fences. He definitely looked better when being ridden but still didn’t jump out to me as a hugely special or talented horse. I then hopped on him, finding he would only walk or canter for me, despite all my efforts just to try and get him to trot. It was only once I jumped him over a few fences did I realise there was no way I was going to be able to walk away from the yard and not buy him. From jumping that first fence, Wally and I had clicked. Obviously there was much hard work that he would need, as he would get extremely tense and excitable on the flat, but he had much to teach me when jumping. I proceeded to event him at ONU18 throughout the 2016 eventing season after buying him at the beginning of May. We had many successes at this level, in particular coming 4th at South of England. It seemed our hard work had paid off, as we were never out of the 20s in our eventing dressage tests (apart from our first event together) and we have developed a lovely partnership over the season. At my last event of the season, Wally took me around my first CIC* at Aldon International Horse Trials, where we finished 10th. This has been my most proud and successful result of my career; hopefully it wasn’t just beginners luck!
The 2017 season is going to be a challenging one, both because I hope to move up a level to BEIntermediate and aim for the Junior CCI* at Frickley Park in the summer, but also because I have a few A Level exams getting in my way! However much time my riding takes, whether it be in training or competing, one thing is for certain – I clearly can’t function properly without it! It has always played the biggest part in my life, and I have adored every horse I have ever owned. Nothing makes me happier than being out on that cross-country course. I like to think of it as a therapy session; a time when I can clear my head and forget about the exams and university applications looming over me. Therefore, for anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation to me, if ever you are in doubt about whether you should stop riding during important exams, consider the fact that perhaps it is actually healthy to take some time away from the books and just enjoy yourself for a few hours a day.
Do everything in proportion and you’ll find it is perfectly possible to balance your hobbies with your school work. I find it helps me be more effective with my time, and keeps my mind in a happy and calm place. I would 100% argue that riding during your A Level year is most certainly a good thing, just as long as you are able to find the right balance. Let’s hope I’ll hold the same argument after my results in the summer!
