Aspire to Affiliate
Petplan Equine has partnered with Horse magazine and British Dressage to support riders every step of the way to their first British Dressage competition so they can achieve their dressage goals.
Petplan Equine has joined forces with Horse magazine and British Dressage to help riders that 'Aspire to Affiliate'. We are pleased to announce the three riders that we will be supporting on their journey to their first affiliated competition; Kezia Allen, Maria Carrasco and Rebecca Smith!
Meet the riders
Kezia Allen
Kezia is the proud owner of a dark bay, 12 year old warmblood called Luca. When Kezia took her on as an eight year old, everything Luca initially lacked under saddle, she made up for in temperament.
Two years after Kezia got Luca, they entered their first unaffiliated Intro dressage test and Luca was a star. They are now competing at Novice level and having a ball.
Kezia said she is excited to be receiving support through the Aspire to Affiliate programme. “I am looking forward to the experience, although nerves and apprehension are taking over at the moment,” she reveals.
Maria Carrasco
Maria’s horse, Corlita, is an eight year old Hanoverian mare whose stable name is Lita although she is more affectionately known as “La La” as she is quite often in her own la la land.
At first Maria and Lita attempted a few Intro tests, which Maria describes as “bumbling her way around cluelessly”, due to suffering terribly from nerves and the thought of being judged. They are now competing at Prelim level and have taken part in many unaffiliated dressage events this year, with varying success.
With the aim of their first affiliated competition in early Spring next year, Maria said; “Nerves are my biggest bugbear. I’ve got better at controlling them, but my main aim is to ride a correct, neat test and enjoy it! I’m relishing the chance to see what Lita and I can achieve.”
Rebecca Smith
Rebecca’s horse is called Patrick Star, or otherwise known as Paddy. He is a 15’2, 12 year old Irish cob. After two and a half years of having the gelding on loan, Rebecca is now lucky enough to own him.
Rebecca and Paddy competed in their first unaffiliated Prelim in early 2015 and more recently have represented Meon Riding Club in dressage and combined training, and are currently competing at Prelim and Novice level.
Rebecca works full time and would like to inspire other busy, working people that with lots of hard work and the right help, a normal rider and horse can make the “daunting step up from unaffiliated to affiliated dressage”.
On being chosen for the Aspire to Affiliate programme, Rebecca said; “I am so excited. Perhaps slightly apprehensive, too, but I am looking forward to the challenge.”
Follow the ‘Aspire to Affiliate’ riders and boost your dressage performance.
Over the next few months, Horse magazine will be following the riders’ journey to their first affiliated competition. As part of the programme, Kezia, Maria and Rebecca will be receiving exclusive training from a top dressage trainer, Charlie Hutton and support from a Sports Psychologist to help overcome any competition nerves.
In each issue of Horse magazine, experts will be sharing their top tips to help you boost your dressage performance. Get your copy of Horse magazine each month to follow the riders’ journey to their first affiliated dressage competition and pick up some expert advice along the way.
