Double graft

Dedicated amateurs being able to compete alongside professionals is a special aspect of equestrian sport. Gemma Redrup meets three inspirational amateur eventers who are taking on the top riders

- Gemma Redrup

“Find time to make it work”

LAUREN INNES works full time as an auditor for KPMG in Reading, an hour’s commute from her home. She is on a training contract, which means she is also completing exams alongside her job so she can gain her chartered accountancy qualification.

“I’m on the client side of things so although I always start work at 9am, my finish time can vary from 5pm to midnight depending on what deadlines we’re working to,” says Lauren, 29. “I once finished at 5am and day-to-day I don’t know exactly when I’ll be home, so I always get up at 6am to ride before work.”

Lauren owns one horse, Global Fision M, and is on the lookout for a young horse. She sourced “Flipper” five years ago and the now 10-year-old gelding completed Blenheim’s CCI4*-L and was in the money in the CCI4*-S at Barbury last season.

“My proudest moment so far, though, was getting my Union Jack upon being selected to compete on the three-star European Cup team last year – we went on to win team silver,” says Lauren, who cites her mother as the person without whom she couldn’t manage to do it all.

“My parents, but especially Mum, are a key component of making my competing around work possible,” she explains. “She’ll bring Flipper in from the field in the afternoon, provides financial support and is at home, keeping an eye on him for me when I can’t. I’m also really lucky to have a horse walker, which I couldn’t live without. I have access to a water treadmill, too, so when it’s too dark to hack in the mornings, I can take Flipper there to add variety into his work.”