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Katie Price makes her dressage debut at Hickstead

Nick West, H&H news desk

11 June, 2008

Katie Price brought a touch of glamour to the world of unaffiliated dressage at Hickstead today, when she made her competition debut.

The former topless model, who is known as Jordan in the world of lads' mags, demonstrated her passion for horses by coming in a very creditable sixth out of a class of 23, scoring 63.7 per cent in prelim 17.

It was Katie's first ever competition but Dane Rawlins, show director at Dressage at Hickstead told H&H that he was impressed.

"She did a bloody good job. She didn't hype it. She got a good round of applause. She just wanted to do it properly. Everyone was quietly impressed. She was very pleasant and friendly to everyone and has set her sights firmly on improving," he said.

Mr Rawlins, who has trained riders to Olympic level said Katie was on the right track: "The judge thought she did pretty well. She got the lines right and got to grips with it well. She's good news for the sport, as everyone likes a touch of glamour."

Ms Price is being trained by Andrew Gould, at his stable Priory Dressage in Sussex, which he runs with his wife, Polly. Ms Price's home is close to the stables.

Mr Gould said they met through mutual friends.

"Her two horses are based at our place," he told H&H. "She only began learning dressage in March of this year but she's quite passion about it. She sometimes has two lessons a day. She's serious about it but now has to understand how the sport works."

But, he added: "She's not planning for the Olympics."

Mr Gould was there for the competition this morning. He said they weren't trying to win: "I was there warming her up. It was merely a training exercise. But it wasn't easy for her with all the cameras. It's early days and we've made no plans for the future."

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