In this week’s showing special, H&H meets five inspirational home producers who combine family, work and the general stresses of daily life with successful careers in the show ring.
Turn to page 34 in 28 March 2019 issue to read the full feature but for now, learn how these brilliant amateurs juggle the plates and manage to show at top level without burning out:
1. Be super organised
“I keep all my show stuff separate and most of it stays in the lorry,” says Charlotte Massey-Dales, a learning support assistant at Lincoln College who rides her own small hunter Whittlesbach Diamond. “I get the lorry packed up the day before a show as it helps soothe my nerves.”
2. Study the professionals
Dental nurse Sophie Burrows — who was placed sixth at the Royal International Horse Show (RIHS) last year with young small hack Penharver Bright Light — says: “Learn from the pros and don’t be afraid to ask for advice.”
3. Establish a good routine
This is how Rachael Holmes — a medical textiles design manager specialising in creating made-to-measure sensory dynamic orthosis for children with brain injuries and cerebral palsy — keeps her horses happy throughout the season.
“I have four horses and they all fit into a routine before and after work, which usually starts at 5am and finishes around 9pm,” she says.
4. Save time at the weekends
“At weekends I will do a week’s worth of haynets and feeds to save time,” says customer contact team manager Raquel Dickin, who qualified her middleweight hunter, Raconteur, for HOYS last season.
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5. Plan around your work
Emma Staton, who was reserve supreme in the SEIB SFAS mountain and moorland finals last year with her New Forest Buckland Romantic, says that planning is the key to her having a stress-free show season.
“I book as much as I can in advance so I know when I need to take time off; not just for major competitions, but for the farrier, dentist and vet visits,” says chiropractor Emma.
“I saved up a few years ago to buy LED floodlights in my arena so I can ride before daylight,” says Emma, who sometimes does not finish work until 9pm.
7. Don’t get disheartened
Adds Sophie, who also admits that it can be quite stressful trying to balance her job and business, childcare and horses.
For all the latest equestrian news and reports, don’t miss Horse & Hound magazine, out every Thursday. In this week’s issue don’t miss the showing special issue, filled with interviews and exclusive features.
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Former H&H showing editor and deputy features editor
Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.
