Young rider special: future showjumping and breeding stars
SHOWJUMPING
CHLOE ASTON
Why she’s one to watch: Chloe, 16, has enjoyed a rapid ascent up the ranks, from taking the children-on-horses international final in 2009 aged 14 to winning multiple classes on this year’s Spanish Sunshine Tour.
What do you think your greatest strengths are: “I’ve been told that it’s my speed against the clock.”
Plans for 2011: “I’m hoping to jump at Horse of the Year Show, Olympia, and to make the European team.”
Most proud of: “Being part of the team that won the children-on-horses international final in Colombia.”
Horse to look out for: “Kolibri Classic. He won lots of classes in Spain and is now winning grands prix in Portugal.”
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Trainer Laura Renwick says: “She has no fear and is seriously competitive. She doesn’t like to lose and that drives her on. Chloe is determined to succeed and when out competing you always keep an eye out for her. She she has all the right attributes for a big future.”
BREEDING
LAURA HUMPHREYS
Why she’s one to watch: Laura, 23, is a working pupil at Touchwood Stud and a member of the British Young Breeders programme. An equine science graduate of Hartpury, she aims to breed dressage horses for the “normal rider”.
Her ethos: Laura believes that the broodmare is just as important, if not more so, than the stallion so she focuses her attentions on the distaff side. The purchase of the Donnerhall mare Deutsche Eiche at the age of 19 and her subsequent success at breed shows has inspired Laura to try to produce a mare dynasty from her.
She says: “I’m proud to be a British breeder. I’m not about producing a horse that will go to the Olympic Games, I want to produce horses that will be loved for everyday riders. Dressage horses can be your friends — you don’t need to spend half an hour lungeing one before getting on!”
Woodlander Stud’s Lynn Crowden says: “Laura is really passionate about breeding and nuts about her horses. She’s keen to learn, respectful and has impressed me with her knowledge and understanding. She has also been incredibly clever in buying older mares with extremely good bloodlines and shows a wisdom beyond her years.”
Are you a young rider or driver aged between 15-21 who would love to star in an H&H feature and be sponsored by Dodson & Horrell for a year? Then be sure to enter our amazing young rider bursary at www.horseandhound.co.uk/youngriderbursary2011 before 6 June, 2011
