Meet Sophie

I have been riding since I was 7 years old and was a member of my local Pony Club, where I gained my B+ certificate and competed up to Open Level - Eventing, Show Jumping, Dressage and Tetrathlon until the age of 21.  I completed a 3 year BSc (Hons) degree in Equine Sports Science at Hartpury College.   I was very fortunate to be a member of the Equine Academy for my 3 years there and had some fabulous lessons with Corrine Bracken, Nick Burton and Carl Hester.  Since graduating from Hartpury, I have been working part-time for Equilibrium Products affording me the time to compete and care for my own 3 horses whilst also riding for my private equine clients.  I am looking forward to sharing my journey over the next year with everyone through the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials website.

Horses

Feels Like Gold (Faible) - 15 year old – Hanoverian – 17’0hh - Chestnut Gelding

I have owned Faible since he was 9 years old.  My parents bought him for me in 2008 following my win at the British Dressage Junior Talent Spotting Championships.  The following year we came 4th at the National Dressage Championships at Novice Restricted.  Whilst I was away at Hartpury, my brother (Josh) started to ride Faible. He took him cross-country and show jumping, which Faible turned out to love, and in 2012 they completed their first CIC1*. As I finished at Hartpury, Josh started - so roles were reversed and I took Faible back.  We completed our first CIC* and were placed 7th.  This year Faible has had a few minor injuries to contend with but we managed to do the CIC* at Gatcombe in September, finishing in the top third of a very competitive field with a fabulous double clear!  I was thrilled with him and he is now having a nice holiday before we start to prepare for Intermediate classes next season.

Zachary III (Zach) - 10 year old - KWPN - 16’2hh - Bay Gelding

I have owned Zach since he was 2 years old.  As soon as I saw him jump at the stud where he was bred I knew he was for me.  We have been on a long journey of learning together as we go.  He has always had a very careful and athletic jump but has taken a long time to establish over cross-country fences.  This year Zach has really started to embrace eventing, achieving a first and second place in his first two outings of the season!  This gave me 2 chances at the regional finals to qualify for Badminton Grassroots.  However, Zach didn’t need his 2 chances - he won on his dressage score of 27.5 at his first Regional Final at Shelford Manor to qualify for Grassroots in May 2015.  I really am looking forward to this and will be planning his fitness programme a long way in advance to ensure he is up for the challenge!  As if that wasn’t good enough, he also had a brilliant win at the BE100 Eventer Challenge at Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials in September, completing clear and closest to the optimum time in both rounds.   Zach moved up to Novice this season and remained confident over the cross-country fences.  He is also enjoying a well-deserved holiday; in the run up to Badminton we will consolidate what he has learnt this year and then focus on moving him up the grades. 

Enjoy (Jovi) - 5 year old - KWPN - 16’2hh - Grey Gelding

Jovi is the latest to join my team - only a week ago!  A very good friend found him for me and I’m extremely excited about his future.  He is related to both Valegro and Nip Tuck on his sire’s side and he also has a fabulous jump from his dam’s side.  I have taken him XC schooling once and he gave me a very positive feel - he is both bold and careful and can cover the ground with ease. This winter Jovi will be doing lots of hill work to strengthen him up so he is ready for the start of the season. My aim is to compete him at the 6 year old British Eventing classes.