Access All Areas: Zoe Potter

Showjumper Zoe Potter (née Adams) shows Stephanie Bateman around the Nottinghamshire farm where she is producing the next generation of premium jumpers alongside new husband Michael.

DRIVING through the centre of Nottingham, only six miles from my destination, I wonder when I’m going to hit any green space. I don’t have to wait long as soon the landscape opens up into a vast blanket of rolling countryside.

The entrance to Lambley House Sport Horses is inconspicuous, with just a small sign clarifying I’d reached my destination. Turning onto a gravel drive, I wind through a picturesque coppice until I come to traditional redbrick buildings next to an imposing three-storey farmhouse.

Originally a dairy farm, then beef and arable, the farm and its outbuildings have been transformed into a thriving equestrian empire.

Set in 500 acres, half of which is arable, a quarter grassland used as paddocks and cut for hay and haylage, and a quarter of which is woodland, Lambley House is home to recently married Zoe (née Adams) and Michael Potter.

The farm, which has been in Michael’s family for over 200 years, boasts 20 boxes, three separate crew yards, stallion turnout, a 30x60m outdoor and 20x40m indoor arena, cross-country course, jumping paddock, all-weather gallop and canter track.

While Michael’s parents still live in the main house, opposite a bungalow inhabited by Michael's 95-year-old grandmother, Zoe and Michael have taken up residence in a second bungalow on the estate.

Zoe hails originally from Essex, and her love of horses began at young age. After competing in all Pony Club events, including the mini major relay at Olympia aged 10, she then began focusing on showjumping, culminating in individual silver and team gold medals at the pony Europeans in 2007. She then evented up to two-star before returning to showjumping, and has since had success at four-star level. Her career highlights include top-10 placings in the Hickstead speed derby, and placings in world ranking classes.