‘I had a giant meltdown’ – top British rider bounces back from disappointment to win major spring class that had eluded her

Pippa Roome's avatar
By
Published In News
Gemma Stevens and Cooley Park Muze jump into water on the way to winning the Grantham Cup at Thoresby.
Gemma Stevens and Cooley Park Muze win the Grantham Cup at Thoresby.
(Image credit: Tim Wilkinson | BEDE Events)

Gemma Stevens won the Lycetts Grantham Cup at the Eventing Spring Carnival at Thoresby on Saturday (4 April) – but admitted to having a “giant meltdown” after cross-country problems on her first three rides.

“I was like, ‘I obviously can’t ride, I’m useless’ – there were massive tears, the whole works,” said Gemma, who paid tribute to husband Gary, best friend Emma Gage and pupil and owner Pru Dawes, as well as fellow competitor Simon Grieve, for helping her before she started on winner Cooley Park Muze.

Pippa Roome
Pippa Roome
Magazine editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.