My Story
I grew up at Chilworth Tower Farm surrounded by horses and my love affair with these beautiful creatures began. If anyone wanted to find me, they just had to look by the stables. At 3 years old my first pony was a Shetland called "Fred". I rode him until my feet were dragging on the floor! Then along came "Pip" a bay New Forest pony. "Pip" hadn't done much and I was 8 years old preparing to teach her to jump for the first time. As it turned out "Pip" became an outstanding pony. In 2005 my family and I moved abroad and I sold "Pip" and made a nice profit, my first "business venture".
At the ripe old age of 13 I swapped living on land for life on the sea where sadly it became a bit difficult to keep horses. We then sailed accross the Atlantic with the ARC in search of a new home and new adventures!
In 2007 we settled in Antigua in the Carribean where my parents launched into an exciting building project. Despite a busy school schedule I was able to carry on with my riding and represented Antigua in several international Jumping and Dressage events. Antigua is the smallest nation to be accepted into the Federation Equestrian International (FEI). I was crowned Caribbean International Isle Show Jumping Champion in 2007. In 2008 I was the best under 16 rider in Barbados.
Each time I returned to England in the holidays I worked for Mark Dorgan at Denise Stamp's yard based in Alton, Hampshire. I gained much knowledge and experience as I already knew that this was going to be my chosen career and life long love!
After completing high school I returned to the UK in 2010. While in Antigua my mum had given swimming lessons to a lady who was a good friend of Laura Stockdale's! So on my return I was fortunate enough to go and work for Tim Stockdale and resume my training seriously. Tim found my first horse "Vogue III" who became my focus for the next 7 months as under Tim's tutelage we grew together and now "Vogue" has turned into a Superstar! I then bought "Catapult" (bred by Tim and Laura). He was a talented 6 year old in 2011 and I am looking forward to an exciting 2012 with him.
I cannot thank Tim enough for the knowledge and training I have received from him, not to mention the support and guidance I have had from both him and his wife Laura. They have helped me to live my dream! The other 2 people who are behind me 150% are my parents who are helping me fulfil my ambitions and are there with me every step of the way!
I am now based back at Chilworth near Southampton running my own yard and bringing on not only Vogue and Catapult but two younger horses Dahar and Estella who show great promise for the future. I thought working at Tim's yard was hard but here at home everything rests on my shoulders! I still train with Tim at every opportunity and of course I compete as often as possible. I continue to look for young horses hoping to find that special one to take me all the way.
