I couldn't have achieved any of it without the support from my Sponsors BlueChip Feed and Equllibrium Products, BEF Excel Talent Programme, the horses and their Owners, the team of vets, farriers and physios, my trainers and my family....Thànk you everyone, non of this would have been possible without you.
I am excited to announce that I am now supported by Sports Aid and part of the Jaguar Academy of Sport in association with Sport England, I am very much looking forward to progressing with their support and backing.
Highlights of 2014.....
2014 has been my first year as part of the BEF Sport England Excel Talent Programme. The programme has provided inspiring workshops throughout the season, high performance training, support, celebrity guests, a greater understanding of the rules, legal issues, and a chance to work with a team who are the top of their specialised field and to gain a greater knowledge into sports nutrition, strength and conditioning, sports psychology, and the maintenance of a top level competition horse. All of these aspects help to improve us as athletes and maximise success. I have greatly enjoyed being part of this programme and am looking forward to my next high performance camp.
In March 2014, I won silver at the British Dressage Young Professionals Award Final held at Talland School of Equitation. It was a fantastic experience and I highly recommend the programme. It provided me with interview experience, a greater understanding of costing within the sport, goal setting, creating a five year plan, and the opportunity to ride in front of Carl Hester, Dan Sheriff and Becky Moody. I really value the investment British Dressage have made in my future in the sport.
I have continued to train with Gareth Hughes, Jonathan Chapman, Ian Woodhead, Ali Berman and Dan Sheriff this year. They have helped improve my riding, my teaching skills and the horses. I have also had the exciting opportunity to ride in front of Stephen Clarke and Judy Harvey which has been extremely beneficial as well.
In October, I got the chance to go to Kent to stay and train with Francis Whittington who won Blenheim earlier this year. Francis, as well as being a fantastic rider is also a very gifted coach and even with only four days , there was a noticeable difference in our style. I was able to compete British Eventing under Francis's watchful eye and put into practice everything I had learnt on my stay with him. With success!!
I had three horses competing at the British Dressage Winter Nationals, Cleopatra II, Urbanus IV and Bing. It was very successful....
Cleopatra II won the Medium Restricted Freestyle on 75%
Bing won the Medium Resticted with Urbanus in a close 4th
Cleopatra II came 2nd in the Elementary Open freestyle on 73%
It was a fantastic Winter Championship and it was made even better as my sponsors BlueChip were there supporting and exhibiting. It was also when I first saw the fantastic advert of Daya and I on the back page of the British Dressage magazine promoting Bluechip Feed.
We also had a good Summer Nationals, Show-Off competed at her first big show and Bing did a competitive test in the Medium Open. Equllibrium products were exhibiting at the Summer National's so it was a great opportunity to catch up with them . It was then they told me that the advert Cleopatra II and I featured in had gone international! Wow!
The highest British Dressage score achieved this year was 80% posted by Cleopatra II and I at the British Dressage Regionals at Addington Manor EC.
Urbanus II was placed 4th at the picturesque Hambelden International Horse Trials in the 1* even though the weather was against us.
Louis was also placed 6th at Gatcombe Park International Horse Trials and I was thrilled to meet Princess Anne in the prize giving!
Our best British Eventing result this year was a double clear 25 dressage at Aston le Walls under21 Open Intermediate.
As the 2014 season comes to a close..... I feel inspired and grateful ... It's safe to say I am much more weathered than this time last year, with more miles on the clock, dodgy knees, a pile of broken boots and holes in my jods but we certainly all had a great time.
#makingthedreamareality
D x
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