Laura - Petplan Equine Ambassador
I have always wanted to give my horses the best care and Petplan Equine’s specialist knowledge gives me the peace of mind that I have quality cover in place so my horses will always come first.
I was thrilled to receive the news that I would be part of the Petplan Equine Ambassador team and cannot thank enough those who supported me achieving this. I’m really looking forward to sharing my adventures with you over the next year.
I have been riding, training and competing within Endurance for 21 years, since the age of 11 – which is quite frightening, I’m not sure where the years have gone! I have a small team of Endurance horses competing from Novice up to FEI 2* 120km level. I first started in Endurance with a 13.2hh New Forest pony who my brother and I bought with our pocket money. I credit him with teaching me stickability, he certainly had some tricks in his repertoire!
I moved to the rolling Shropshire hills two years ago after deciding to make a slightly impulsive move from Wiltshire. Of course my first requirement was that wherever we moved to had to be close to a network of bridleways, much to the bemusement of many estate agents!
I work for the NHS, managing Trauma and Orthopaedics, a job I love but it does cause tension with my sport – the hours are most certainly not 9-5! I am very lucky to be supported by my mum, without whom I could not compete at the level I do. She is a retired veterinary surgeon which, as you can imagine, comes in handy.
I will be competing 4 horses this year with my ultimate goal being to achieve 3* status (160km in a day) and qualify to represent Great Britain. I also have two youngsters – one homebred, who I hope to bring on in future years – and a number of retired horses who are enjoying their golden years.
Now for a little bit about my horses! My top level horse is Warrens Hill Farrah (Farrah) an 11 year old bay Arab mare. She is a quirky, 14.1hh pocket rocket who lives on adrenaline and is always leader of the herd. We really couldn’t have had a better season last year with her completing two 2* FEI 120km rides, finishing both in 4th place and being placed 3rd in two national trophies. My aim this year is to complete her first 3* FEI 160km ride and qualify to represent team GBR.
Laura plans to complete her first 3* FEI 160km ride on Farrah this year
Xtreme Independence (Indie) is a 7 year old chestnut and white Tobiano mare. She is very pretty and boy does she know it! She is best known for pursing her top lip to form a beak when excited, at least she gives you a warning! She started her first Novice ride at the end of last year but didn’t complete. She will be competing at Novice level this year starting in rides up to 40km. We hope to build a solid foundation of fitness and experience for when we up the distances towards the end of the season to achieve Advanced status.
Ragham High Flier (Sox) is a 6 year old chestnut Arab gelding who we bred from my Young Rider horse, Bright Dreamer. He holds a special place in my heart as he is full brother to Ambergambler who we lost with septic arthritis at only 7 years of age. Sox is a striking chestnut with legs that seem to go on for miles and is a real softie on the ground. He was backed last year and will spend this year gaining confidence and hopefully starting his Novice qualifications.
Surplus to Requirements (Pearl) is the odd one out – she is a 9 year old black and white Cob x who has learnt the Arab snort and blow. She is best known for her love of being plastered in mud and eating. She has been known to break out of her paddock for a munch of lush grass and then pop herself back as if she has never been anywhere. She also does some beautiful airs above the ground in the field – thankfully not when ridden! She has competed up to 80km level. We attempted the iconic Golden Horseshoe two day 120km ride last year. She completed 80km over the tough Exmoor ground, sadly to be vetted out with a stone bruise. Our aim this year is to complete a multiday class at the Red Dragon ride in October. This ride is equally challenging running across the Welsh mountains surrounding Builth Wells showground.
Laura and Pearl
Ragham Mudlark (Lark) Farrah’s daughter is a 6 year old bay Arab mare who is unfortunately going to be spending this year recovering from a muscle injury sustained charging round the paddock with her mate Sox.
You will also get to see lots of pictures of Cindaka Lady (Elbie) a dun 82.5% Arab filly. Having said we wouldn’t buy any more horses we somehow found ourselves bringing this gorgeous but very sharp lady home. She loves nothing better than having a good old charge around, throwing a few bucks in for good measure, and isn’t too bothered if anyone is in the way!
2018 to date has been relatively quiet so far. In September last year I had a little bit of a riding accident! Indie and I somehow managed to fall in to a 10” ditch on her first competitive ride. Fearful of her injuring herself, as she went to go through a tunnel under the track we had been on, I caught her and tried to calm her whilst I found a way out. Quite sensibly she decided she wasn’t going to wait and was going to make her own escape, unfortunately using my leg as a step. Thankfully Indie was uninjured and I managed to catch her having scrabbled out of the ditch. Unfortunately, I didn’t fare quite so well, requiring 2 operations at a Major Trauma Centre to sort out the damage and 6 months of no riding. Whilst I’ve been out of the saddle I have been doing a lot of groundwork with the horses to build up their core strength. A few weeks ago I got back in to the saddle, I felt so at home - there were a few tears! Now that I am back riding the fitness work will really build as we aim to get out to our first competition in April.