Georgie Strang has hit some significant milestones in the past few years, and with a string of exciting young horses and a brand new base, she is hoping this season will be her best yet. She talks to Ellie Hughes.
IT’S one of those bleak January days when daylight never quite materialises, but as I pull into Georgie Strang’s new yard, at Bedgebury Park, just outside the pretty village of Lamberhurst in Kent, the stillness and gloom lifts to give rise to a hive of bustling activity. Horses’ heads peer inquisitively over stable doors, yards are being meticulously swept and Georgie’s two dogs, Twig and Gorse, dart in and out of the bushes, tails wagging furiously.
“We’ve been here for less than two weeks, but everyone’s settled in really well,” says Georgie, who is keen to show me around the smart yard that now houses her 15 event horses.
Bedgebury has accommodated eventers in the past — Sharon Hunt was based here for several seasons — and on inspection it is easy to see the draw. The facilities are enviable and include two covered arenas, a horse-walker and a cross country course, plus several hundred acres of hackable forest.
“It’s the first time I’ve had an indoor school and I’m feeling thoroughly spoilt — although last week I fell off in my dressage lesson,” Georgie admits with a grin. “My trainer, Sam Newbury, joked that it would never have happened if we’d been outside in the wind and rain!”
The catalyst for change came about at the end of last season, when Georgie became newly single, having split from her partner, point-to-point trainer Nick Pearce, with whom she had shared a yard.
“It feels like a fresh start and a new chapter. It’s a really exciting opportunity,” she acknowledges.
A wake-up call
THE petite 29-year-old blonde has come a long way since her CCI4* debut six-and-a-half years ago at Burghley, where she failed to complete with Master Monarch, an old-timer who had been there and worn the T-shirt with Australian internationals Brook Staples and Andrew Hoy.
Denne historien er fra February 16 2017-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra February 16 2017-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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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
