Alice Pearson joins Shires’ Performance Rider Programme
Shires is delighted to announce that eventer Alice Pearson from Bromyard in Herefordshire has become the latest rider to join its Performance Rider Programme in preparation for the 2010 season.
At just 22, Alice has already achieved a huge amount in her equestrian career. She currently has six competition event horses including the Advanced ‘Beau Bear’ and Intermediate ‘Whatever You Want’ as well as a number of younger horses who are just starting to event. During the 2009 season, Alice’s top achievements include 6th place at Bramham CIC*** and 29th at Blenheim CCI***.
Alice has also been selected for the West Midlands Regional Foundation Squad which aims to produce a pool of up and coming talented riders across the four Olympic disciplines - dressage, eventing, show jumping and para-equestrian dressage - and has been set up through funding from Sport England and is being co-ordinated by the British Equestrian Federation (BEF). The aim is that it will identify riders between the ages of 16-24 who show the potential to progress to International sporting success.
‘We’re really pleased that Alice has decided to join the Performance Rider Programme,’ explains Rhea Freeman, Marketing Manager for Shires. ‘She’s a local girl and a talented rider who had a successful 2009 and is set for bigger things in 2010. Her selection by the BEF for the Regional Foundation Squad will also help with her training and performance- meaning she really is one to watch for 2010 and beyond!’
Alice added: ‘I'm honoured to have been selected on the Regional Foundation Squad and feel that the training will really help me get the results I want and to promote myself and Shires in 2010 and further years. It’s exciting to be sponsored by such a quality brand that I can enjoy working with.’
For more information about Shires, see www.shiresequestrian.com, email sales@shiresequestrian.com or all 01568 613600. For more information about the Regional Foundation Squad, visit www.bef.co.uk.
Showing posts with label eventing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label eventing. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 December 2009
Friday, 9 October 2009
Rosie Thomas has ‘best season ever’ with Barry.
Rosie Thomas, one of Shires’ Performance Riders, has declared that this season has been her top horse’s best season ever, culminating in 9th place at this year’s Burghley.
Rosie and Barry’s Best (Baz) were in 50th position after the dressage on the first day at Burghley and, with the new shortened format on the cross country, the phase where Baz traditionally excels, the pressure was certainly on Rosie on the Saturday: ‘Baz is a cross country machine, but with the shortened cross country, and after walking the course, I was a little worried as the time had been shortened, there were the same amount of jumps but, critically, the long gallop had been removed; the stretch where you can make up time if required,’ Rosie explains. However, once aboard Baz, all seemed to go to plan, ‘I was meeting all my minute markers on time and Baz was brilliant. We were one of five to finish inside the cross country time and this put us in to 11th place before show jumping.’ With all to play for on the last day, Rosie and Baz entered the show jumping arena and, after a super round, finished 9th overall. ‘Baz has been show jumping really well this year so I was hopeful, but finishing 9th was just brilliant, I was thrilled!’
After a brilliant season, Baz is having a bit of time off before he comes back into work and starts his dressage and showjumping training in the winter. As for next year well, as Rosie explains, there really is all to play for: ‘we’re aiming to go to Badminton for the third time and Burghley for the fourth. I think Burghley is my favourite event and we’re aiming for a finish within the top four next year!
To find out more about Rosie, see www.graftonfarm.co.uk. To find out more about Shires and the Performance Rider Programme, see www.shiresequestrian.com.
Rosie and Barry’s Best (Baz) were in 50th position after the dressage on the first day at Burghley and, with the new shortened format on the cross country, the phase where Baz traditionally excels, the pressure was certainly on Rosie on the Saturday: ‘Baz is a cross country machine, but with the shortened cross country, and after walking the course, I was a little worried as the time had been shortened, there were the same amount of jumps but, critically, the long gallop had been removed; the stretch where you can make up time if required,’ Rosie explains. However, once aboard Baz, all seemed to go to plan, ‘I was meeting all my minute markers on time and Baz was brilliant. We were one of five to finish inside the cross country time and this put us in to 11th place before show jumping.’ With all to play for on the last day, Rosie and Baz entered the show jumping arena and, after a super round, finished 9th overall. ‘Baz has been show jumping really well this year so I was hopeful, but finishing 9th was just brilliant, I was thrilled!’
After a brilliant season, Baz is having a bit of time off before he comes back into work and starts his dressage and showjumping training in the winter. As for next year well, as Rosie explains, there really is all to play for: ‘we’re aiming to go to Badminton for the third time and Burghley for the fourth. I think Burghley is my favourite event and we’re aiming for a finish within the top four next year!
To find out more about Rosie, see www.graftonfarm.co.uk. To find out more about Shires and the Performance Rider Programme, see www.shiresequestrian.com.
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Brilliant day at Hartpury International
Sorry this is a bit late...I was going to write this blog entry last week to tell you all about the great day that I had at Hartpury International. I went on the Wednesday which was the BYEH day and the first inspection for the * and ** classes, so there was plenty going on and we got the chance to catch up with three of our Performance riders.
The first rider we met up with was Aaron Millar who is one of our newest Performance Rider recruits. He had his top horse and a mare with serious potential at Hartpury...he also rode a friend's horse in the BYEH class where he rode beautifully- one of those people that is fabulous to watch but you are green with envy throughout- but hey ho! Anyway, we took some pictures and interviewed him in front of the camera for when we launch our revamped website.
Next up, we met Nici Wilson and Mini Mr Bigglesworth (her horse) who is the sweetest skewbald horse I've ever met...he just stood there chomping on the grass oblivious to the fact he was at an International horse trials. We spoke to Nici in front of the camera too and took some pictures of her- it was lovely to meet up with her and, again, we will get some info about her and her horses up on the revamped website.
Last but certainly not least, we met up with Julie Tew and saw her with Ballagan and Lord of the Owls- two very sweet horses who seemed to be taking the world in their stride. It was great to see them all.
Hartpury is a really, really super place. We were lucky enough to be able to have a look round at their indoor arena, outdoor arena and stables-have a look at their website if you're interested, it's www.hartpury.ac.uk
Anyway, tomorrow I'm off to a photoshoot- so let's hope it's not going to rain, I seem to have a knack for finding the rain at the moment. I've been out on three work outings this August- cover star, a local photoshoot and Hartpury and each every time I have got wet. So, if anyone's got any influence on the weather, I could really do with some sunshine tomorrow-we're snapping 2010 spring turnouts!
The first rider we met up with was Aaron Millar who is one of our newest Performance Rider recruits. He had his top horse and a mare with serious potential at Hartpury...he also rode a friend's horse in the BYEH class where he rode beautifully- one of those people that is fabulous to watch but you are green with envy throughout- but hey ho! Anyway, we took some pictures and interviewed him in front of the camera for when we launch our revamped website.
Next up, we met Nici Wilson and Mini Mr Bigglesworth (her horse) who is the sweetest skewbald horse I've ever met...he just stood there chomping on the grass oblivious to the fact he was at an International horse trials. We spoke to Nici in front of the camera too and took some pictures of her- it was lovely to meet up with her and, again, we will get some info about her and her horses up on the revamped website.
Last but certainly not least, we met up with Julie Tew and saw her with Ballagan and Lord of the Owls- two very sweet horses who seemed to be taking the world in their stride. It was great to see them all.
Hartpury is a really, really super place. We were lucky enough to be able to have a look round at their indoor arena, outdoor arena and stables-have a look at their website if you're interested, it's www.hartpury.ac.uk
Anyway, tomorrow I'm off to a photoshoot- so let's hope it's not going to rain, I seem to have a knack for finding the rain at the moment. I've been out on three work outings this August- cover star, a local photoshoot and Hartpury and each every time I have got wet. So, if anyone's got any influence on the weather, I could really do with some sunshine tomorrow-we're snapping 2010 spring turnouts!
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Rosie Thomas blogs for us!
Rosie Thomas, a rider on Shires' new Performance Rider Programme has written a blog entry about her preparations for Badminton!
Preparations for Badminton have gone really well, I think that the training that British Eventing has given me has really helped along with the British Dressage Classes he (Barry's Best) has done and even won at Medium and Advanced Medium Level. We started the season at Tweseldown in the Open Intermediate, which he did a fab test and jumped a good double clear and came home 3rd. Gatcombe he unfortunately pulled a shoe off in the cross country but the dressage and show jumping were great. Weston Park he did the Advanced and I decided to give him a steady run cross country and not push for the time. We went down to Powderham Castle and he did a cracking test and show jumped really well, with only two weeks before Badminton, we didn't want to risk him cross country, so we withdrew him. Which I don't think he was too pleased about as cross country is both of our favourite discipline.
At home we have been doing plenty of fast work, we have got some really steep banks on the farm and the ground has been just perfect to work him on them. He's been doing plenty of dressage training and we have marked out a 20m x 60m grass arena with all the white boards so we can practise the moves for our dressage test. It's surprisingly different on grass, we all get too comfortable with our all weather arenas! We have been BSJA jumping and have jumped some good rounds, at home we have been doing lots of grids, to keep him supple and to really make him work.
At Badminton I'm number 91, I would prefer to be earlier as there is less hanging around, but more time to get him settled. I just want to get there and get on with it. I will be leaving for Badminton on Tuesday lunch time, I still have the lorry to clean and pack! I will meet Tracey Garrett my groom for the week there and she will help me unload and get everything organised. My family will drive down each day that I am competing, they have to go back and forwards to do all the work!
The two horses stabled each side of Baz, Graftons Jackpot and Watzmann, have both recently won classes at Sapey, so we have told Baz no pressure but! I think he knows all this build up is for something special, He's just the kindest horse that always tries his hardest for me and I love him to bits no matter what.
Rosie will be writing another blog for us when she returns from Badminton...GOOD LUCK ROSIE!!
Preparations for Badminton have gone really well, I think that the training that British Eventing has given me has really helped along with the British Dressage Classes he (Barry's Best) has done and even won at Medium and Advanced Medium Level. We started the season at Tweseldown in the Open Intermediate, which he did a fab test and jumped a good double clear and came home 3rd. Gatcombe he unfortunately pulled a shoe off in the cross country but the dressage and show jumping were great. Weston Park he did the Advanced and I decided to give him a steady run cross country and not push for the time. We went down to Powderham Castle and he did a cracking test and show jumped really well, with only two weeks before Badminton, we didn't want to risk him cross country, so we withdrew him. Which I don't think he was too pleased about as cross country is both of our favourite discipline.
At home we have been doing plenty of fast work, we have got some really steep banks on the farm and the ground has been just perfect to work him on them. He's been doing plenty of dressage training and we have marked out a 20m x 60m grass arena with all the white boards so we can practise the moves for our dressage test. It's surprisingly different on grass, we all get too comfortable with our all weather arenas! We have been BSJA jumping and have jumped some good rounds, at home we have been doing lots of grids, to keep him supple and to really make him work.
At Badminton I'm number 91, I would prefer to be earlier as there is less hanging around, but more time to get him settled. I just want to get there and get on with it. I will be leaving for Badminton on Tuesday lunch time, I still have the lorry to clean and pack! I will meet Tracey Garrett my groom for the week there and she will help me unload and get everything organised. My family will drive down each day that I am competing, they have to go back and forwards to do all the work!
The two horses stabled each side of Baz, Graftons Jackpot and Watzmann, have both recently won classes at Sapey, so we have told Baz no pressure but! I think he knows all this build up is for something special, He's just the kindest horse that always tries his hardest for me and I love him to bits no matter what.
Rosie will be writing another blog for us when she returns from Badminton...GOOD LUCK ROSIE!!
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