For as long as I can remember we have always had ponies, horses and lots of other different animals. We have been lucky enough to live on farms, a stud and nearly always have our own stables and grazing too! Although I was born in Portsmouth I have normally lived in the countryside and currently live in a small village with fields across the road from our home. Team Graney has always been a huge part of my life and my family, it has brought so many opportunities and skills to me which I know will be be helpful in future jobs!
The Beginning of Team Graney
Before my mother met my father she used to ride professionally and so this led to horses naturally being in life from birth and as long as I can remember. There are even photos of me as a small baby with ponies or balanced with my mother on her saddle. As soon as I was able to I would sit on her horses and at four I started “proper” lessons. It soon became clear that I wanted and needed my own pony rather than loans or sharing, and so for my fifth birthday my grandfathers purchased Diva my favourite pony for me. Since then I have had Marmite and now ride my mothers exracehorses and have a young gypsy cob as a project.
BHS Stage 1
I joined Pony Club at an early age but due to moving I sadly had to leave however once I was able to I studied for my stage 1 with the British Horse Society and with my mothers support and coaching. It was also at this stage that I had separate coaches for dressage and jumping. I was very lucky to have international show jumper Greg Hill, watch my mother coached by Polly Williamson and have dressage lessons myself with Nicky Moffat
Eventing & Dressage
Although my mother comes from a professional eventing and polo background havinf worked with or shared yards with some of the top internationals in the world, my own passion when it comes to riding is dressage. I love th econtrol, precision and elegence. I still enjoy eventing as a spector though especially as we live so close to Badminton Horse Trials. The annual trip by Team Graney to Badminton or other equestrain events is always in our dairies and along with it the compulsory shopping too.
Hard Lessons Learnt with Team Graney
I learnt very early on with horses that when you fall off you get back on (normally with my mother laughing as I did so). I also learnt that however tired, cold, wet or hungry you may be the animals always come first! These lessons have served me well in all areas of my life and continue to do so now. Persistence and never giving up however hard it may be and thinking of others at all time.
Para Rider
In more recents years I have taken on more responsibility at our private Team Graney yard as my mother has developed mobility and health issues leading to her now being disabled. I help with stock rotation of hay, feed and bedding. I also help with fencing, arena maintenance, DIY and much more.
My mothers aim is to now become a para rider and I regularly groom for her, assiting with tacking up, grooming and more. I no longer currently ride as much as I used to personally however I still love my regularly horsey time and helping around the yard several times a week or more in winter!
Discover more of my work experience and qualifications in other areas of my website and blog.
