I was brought up on the island of Jersey, which is where I first met Carl Hester.
I wasn't from a particularly horsey family, but I started riding when I was five and finally managed to persuade my parents that I needed my own pony at the age of 10.
Showjumping was my thing as a child.
Later on, there started to be opportunities to have lessons with some top dressage trainers who would visit the island.
These included Hasse Hoffman, Hans Ley, Stephen Clarke and Carl. I would have lessons with Carl whenever he came to Jersey and we became friends. My friend and I began to travel to the UK each year to compete and train, and Carl’s business partner at the time, Kate Carter, very kindly let us base ourselves at their yard in Stow-on-the-Wold. We would spend a month or so having a few lessons and trundling off to competitions. It was all very low-key, but looking back I realise how lucky we were.
I moved to the mainland at the end of 2000, after my husband got a new job.
At that time, Carl and Kate had recently relocated to Eldersfield, in Worcestershire, and Carl suggested I took a groom’s position that Kate had on the yard. I’m not sure Kate was quite so enthusiastic about this idea, especially as I had been office-based for about 10 years prior to starting as a groom.
Denne historien er fra April 11, 2024-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra April 11, 2024-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.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change