‘I can definitely feel an improvement’: Gemma Owen continues post-Love Island dressage winning streak
Gemma Owen competing at Vale View High Profile Show in January 2022 with Sirius Black III.
(Image credit: Kevin Sparrow)
Gemma Owen is enjoying a post-Love Island winning streak in the dressage arena. The 19-year-old added a prix st georges (PSG) victory at Vale View High Profile show to the string of wins she has clocked up since returning to competition in October with her 18-year-old gelding Sirius Black III.
Gemma also stepped up to ride her first inter I in two and a half years at Vale View, finishing sixth in that class on 69.31%. She then collected the PSG win the following day, scoring 70.29% with “Siz”.
“I’m so pleased with how my tests went at Vale View. The inter I was a slight gamble as it was my first really competitive test at that level but ‘Siz’ felt amazing and loves the test,” Gemma told H&H. “He really comes to life and knows what’s coming, which can be a challenge in itself as he’s a big horse to half-halt, but I love riding him when he’s like that.
“I was thrilled with our PSG. [My trainer] Sarah Higgins and I have been working a lot on the canter pirouettes in training and I’m really pleased with how they went in the test. It’s still work in progress, but I can definitely feel an improvement.”
“The plan for the year is to get out as much as I can really,” said Gemma. “I’m hoping to do some Premier Leagues this year and if I could manage to get to an international at small tour, that would be the icing on the cake,” she added.
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