THE top 10 at Britain’s only five-star this year, Bicton, was littered with the who’s who of eventing, but rounding out that leading group was a rider who is just 23 years old and was achieving her first completion at five-star.
Watching Felicity Collins that week, a slight figure on a big bay horse punching out an assured double jumping clear, spectators probably thought this was a natural, easy progression for her. Daughter of Vicky Collins, who was shortlisted for the Atlanta Olympics, Felicity is already a three-time medallist at under-21 level. Success at five-star was the next inevitable step on the ladder, surely?
But in reality, Felicity’s Bicton placing was a hard-won result, encompassing hard work as well as talent and a gritty battle to beat the demons in her own mind.
Significantly, Bicton was Felicity’s first five-star completion, but not her first start at the level. That came at Pau in the autumn of 2019, when she took both RSH Contend Or (Mickey) and the second-generation home-bred Just Amazing (Mazie) to France.
“I underestimated Pau. It was huge and so technical, it caused a lot of problems that year,” she reflects. “My brakes failed on Mickey and we had three fly-bys. He wasn’t going badly or stopping, but by three-quarters of the way round I had to go home.”
She also pulled up Mazie, who lost a shoe early on. It wasn’t a disaster, but Felicity struggled through the following winter, seriously considering giving up eventing.
“I was so disappointed, so embarrassed. I felt I’d let everyone down,” says Felicity. “I felt it was going to ruin my business, everything I’d worked for. You do have to talk yourself up, then I thought everyone would be laughing at me.”
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 25, 2021 من Horse & Hound.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 25, 2021 من Horse & Hound.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Better judges' cover a must to protect the sport's future
A group insurance option has been found to protect the officials showing needs but only if enough sign up
IVF with frozen sperm is a 'milestone' in equine breeding
The first successful use of frozen semen in the technique has been recorded in an American study
Challenging ourselves to be and do better for our horses
The 2024 FEI general assembly heard how we should all challenge ourselves to give horses the best lives possible
Scottish jockeys to benefit from fund's top services
A new centre in Galashiels has been built thanks to a legacy donation
How horse simulators could help encourage people into riding
It is hoped the new model will help break down barriers to the sector for a wide range of people
Many horses' needs aren't met: study finds chance to improve
Researchers say all must ensure horses have space, friends, forage and good experiences
Humble pie
How many ladies does it take to cook a shepherd's pie? It’s a complicated one, says Tessa Waugh, on a quest to find appropriate ovens for the impending hunt auction dinner
I love an underdog
The arrival of the winter mud brings with it a Venetia Williams hat-trick, but the day belongs to a warrior gelding, who never stops trying”
Jumping Jack cracks it
A scopey grey is learning to be quick” anda broodmare makes up for lost time
A star is born
A nine-year-old mare helps put Luxembourg on the map and we celebrate a remarkable grey’s comeback