the rider
Island Life - April/May 2011
Photo: Penyreira Byron at Harbour Farm
Photo: Tristan D Cuna at home with Vicky
Nipper, but he was so similar. I did a lot
As a junior Vicky combined jumping
“I had been riding him for about a
of jumping with Barney, but decided
with dressage, but the latter gradually
month when the England team trials
that I really wanted to move into
grew in importance, coinciding with the
came up again. I didn’t think I had a
dressage,” she continued.
arrival of her horse Splash of Colour,
chance, but decided to give it a go,
initially a hunter. She said: “When I
and we qualified. I was ecstatic, and
Vicky became so accomplished that
came out of juniors I said my aim was
we had to go up to Preston for me
she and Barney reached the National
to ride for England in dressage, but
to ride for England – probably the
Dressage Championships at Stoneleigh,
mum didn’t think ‘Splash’, who is now
proudest moment of my life, wearing
Warwickshire. As a 12-year-old she was
21, would be a dressage horse. But
the England badge on my jacket. It felt
the youngest person ever to compete
I was determined, and last year I did
like all the years of hard work had paid
at the event, and was presented with a
a Medium Regional final on ‘Splash’,
off,” said Vicky.
rosette to mark the occasion.
which is the highest level I have ever
That resulted in dressage lessons and
Vicky also began riding her aunt’s
pony Pip, who was a pure jumping
The successes have continued,
done.”
including a musical dressage event
Many more successful ventures
named ‘Strictly Come Dressage’ at
pony, and enjoyed a lot of success
have come Vicky’s way on ‘Splash’,
which she and ‘Splash’ ended up
at Brickfields. That prompted more
but before that she undertook trials
champions of the show. Vicky hopes to
jumping challenges on her next pony,
several times on ‘Splash’ to try to ride
compete again for England sometime in
Byron, who was 14.2 hands, and took
for England, without quite making it.
the future, but she says: “None of this
some time to get used to. However,
But when best friend Laura Barnicoat
would have been possible without the
with the help of Karen Begley Vicky got
injured her ankle she was offered a ride
help and support of my mum and dad
to grips with Byron, and one year won
on 17.2 hands ‘Tristan’ – Laura’s horse
and my grandparents all my life. I owe
five classes over two days at the Ag
– and the pair got on so well, that Vicky
them so much.”
Show.
now owns Tristan.
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