I always loved horses.
Mum paid for lessons when I was a child and at 14 I shared a pony; I did all the jobs and they let me ride him. A chance meeting with a local trainer led to me riding out for him. Walking into his yard and seeing head after head of shiny horses, I wasn’t interested in anything else, I only cared about horses. I don’t know what I’d have done otherwise.
I was there all the time, until I moved on to a bigger yard and then Newmarket. The trainer’s wife there was a mentor to me, and he was a major influence but he was so difficult to work for! I wanted to leave, he was hard on me if a horse wouldn’t go on the gallops, but that makes you tough and nobody has that any more. You need that tough love to set you up for life.
Kelly Harrison, a fellow jockey, talked me into giving presenting a try.
We were at Wolverhampton one night, both waiting to ride the last race at 9pm, and she told me about her being on William Hill TV. I did a few days and I hated it. I cried one day and it was a pre-record! After a few months I said, "Thanks but not for me", but they said, "We're not letting you go, you're great".
I was getting fed up with racing.
Esta historia es de la edición September 21, 2023 de Horse & Hound.
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Esta historia es de la edición September 21, 2023 de Horse & Hound.
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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