‘We do it on a shoestring’: meet the one-horse rider making her Royal Windsor debut with ‘project horse’

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Madieson Blakesley and Javelin IV, pictured at Hickstead, are making their Royal Windsor debut in the Defender under-25 class
Madieson Blakesley and Javelin IV, pictured at Hickstead, are making their Royal Windsor debut in the Defender under-25 class.
(Image credit: Peter Nixon)

Madieson Blakesley is a one-horse rider going places. At the forthcoming Royal Windsor Horse Show (1-5 May), the 21-year-old showjumper will be making her debut at the five-star show with 10-year-old mare Javelin IV (Zinedine x Quality Time) as she contests the Defender under-25 jumping competition.

“She’s an amazing horse. We were a bit unlucky at the last fence in the grand prix at the recent Blue Chip Winter Championships, I think I just let her get a bit too forward down to it. She’s come up the levels so quickly that it still feels a bit mad to be jumping this level with her!” says Madieson.

Jennifer Donald
Jennifer Donald
Showjumping and racing editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.