CHILDHOOD reminiscences over a kitchen table – and an impromptu post on Facebook – marked the start of what has now, in just four short years, become one of the most prestigious grassroots championship events on the showing circuit.
Add in the sheer determination and drive of the Lancashire-based mother-and-daughter team of Sharon and Sarah Harrison, and you have the recipe for the uber-successful STARS – Show Teams And Rising Stars – championships. This unique event, held at Aintree Equestrian Centre, has all the glitz, bells and whistles and is aimed squarely at riding club members; qualification to compete depends on points earned through the season at club events.
So who are the Harrisons and what prompted them to embark on this project in such challenging times? The family are certainly no strangers to hard work, but their dedication to the showing world had unlikely beginnings.
“Neither of my parents was at all horsey,” Sharon recalls. “But we lived next door to a livery yard and from the age of about seven, I was round there all the time helping with the ponies and horses. I learnt to ride the hard way – I wasn’t necessarily ‘pretty’, but I was effective and I learnt how to stay on.”
This was just as well as her first pony – when she was nine – was an unbroken two-year-old Welsh section A straight off the hills. However, the pair went on to compete at riding club events – Sharon has supported Leigh and District RC ever since, and her daughter Sarah’s association is lifelong – plus doing gymkhana games and handy pony classes at local shows.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 13, 2023-Ausgabe von Horse & Hound.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der April 13, 2023-Ausgabe von Horse & Hound.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Rider Denies Doping After Team Loses Olympic Placing - Tine Magnus and the Belgian team said they do not know the source of the drug that caused the positive test
Olympic eventer Tine Magnus has denied ever doping after her Paris ride Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z gave a positive test at the Games. This means the Belgian team, which came fourth, has been disqualified. On 4 September, the FEI said the 10-year-old mare, owned by Kris van Vaerenbergh, tested positive for trazodone, which is listed as an antidepressant on the FEI's prohibited substances list.
Michael Eilberg
The top dressage rider talks to Polly Bryan about the special horse with the potential to carry him back onto the British team, how to be a better coach and using his talent for teaching to help the sport
Schooling success
Combining school and riding can be tricky, but horses can benefit a child's education. Lottie Morgan uncovers some options for horse-loving pupils
How to get a job in hunting
The British Hound Sports Association's apprentice scheme is providing young people with excellent all-round training in the skills required - and many others besides, as Tessa Waugh discovers
Burke's Affair to remember
A fast round delights one rider who comes away with a coveted grand prix trophy and a rankings class concludes with an unusual tie
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
Derby winner returns for further Hickstead glory
After watching wife Pippa compete at Burghley, William Funnell returns to the scene of his Derby triumph to win the All England grand prix
'I'm grateful to have such a wonderful partner'
The brilliant duo of Martin Fuchs and Leone Jei seal back-to-back grands prix after a dramatic turn of events
Hamlett takes centre stage
Two horses round off their competitive careers with victories, a championship specialist earns her fourth title and a pair with a combined age of 105 prove invincible
'This is the ultimate five-star test'
Mark Phillips on Burghley's highs, lows, challenges and champions