island business
Island Life - April/May 2011
Photo: Splash of colour at Newbury Show
Vicky's determination pays off
Vicky Lacey has been riding horses
she was always destined to ride horses.
for her, and on one occasion they
since she was three years old, and
She explained: “When I was born, the
travelled to Malvern for an Olympia
has achieved huge success, including
late Ken Gill bought my mum the Pony
qualifier. Vicky recalls: “I was really
representing England at dressage.
Club membership for a year, as if to say
nervous competing on the mainland,
‘she will ride’, so I don’t think I had a
but Nipper was called in third, which
lot of choice!
would have been good enough to
Under the guidance of international
dressage trainer Andrew Gould,
Vicky continues to go from strength
“I had my first pony when I was only
to strength. But what has made her
three years old. It was called Sweetie,
he bit my auntie’s skirt, so we were
achievements even more remarkable
but he was a bit too big for me, and we
relegated to 14th – but at least he lived
is the fact that for the last six years
had the chance to get a pony on loan
up to his name!” Nipper is still with
she has suffered from labyrinthitis, a
called ’Knighton Just So’, also known as
Vicky to this day, and is now the grand
balance disorder that often leaves her
Nipper.
age of 31.
feeling dizzy.
“He was the pony that I really learned
qualify. But as I got on and off Nipper
After Vicky moved out of Lead Rein,
The determined 26-year-old said: “It
to ride on, and had my first success
she and Nipper went on to win First
has made riding difficult at times. I had
in Lead Rein. Basically he was just a
Ridden three years in a row at the Ag
two choices – give up riding or fight
phenomenal pony, who taught me
Show, and then decided to take part in
it.” She chose the latter and with the
everything. My first success was when
jumping events as well. Vicky continued
help of her family and boyfriend Martin
I was six and won the ‘Ag Show’ (IW
to ride Nipper until she moved on to
Farrell she continues to set her sights
County Show) Lead Rein. I won a really
her next pony, Barney.
on more accolades.
big cup, and I nearly cried.”
Vicky, who lives in Havenstreet, sensed
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Vicky’s Auntie Jackie did the leading
“Barney was 13.2 hands, and I
thought I would never find another
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