Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2017 | Page 90

Equestrian Emily’s riding high on Olympic star horse Horse-mad Island teenager Emily Chapman was right in the middle of her A-levels at The Priory School when her dream job presented itself, working as a groom and nanny for a famous 3* level eventer, sports horse breeder and trainer in Devon. The timing wasn’t exactly ideal, and it certainly led to some tough decisions – not least, giving up her sixth form studies and leaving behind family and friends on the Island – but for Emily, the benefits far outweighed any risk. Now, 18 months after taking that giant leap of faith, she is not only loving her job, but has also become the regular rider of an Olympics class horse, Simon Porloe. Emily, 19, whose family home is at Merstone, was offered the ride last November, after she had been working for Lucy and Padraig McCarthy at MGH Sport Horses for 10 months. “They wanted Simon to step down from high level competitions, and offered me the ride” says Emily, who admits she was “totally shocked” to be given the opportunity. “At the beginning it was difficult as Simon is not the easiest horse” she said. “In fact it was questionable whether it was going to work out at times! “However we kept going through the winter and were ready for our first event in March, where we were double clear.” She says that Simon’s owners, Sarita and Christopher Perkins, have been ‘amazing’ through the highs and lows so far, always pleased to hear how she and Simon have been doing, and going along to watch them competing. “At the beginning it was difficult as Simon is not the easiest horse. In fact it was questionable whether it was going to work out at times!” 90 www.visitilife.com