Jennifer Saunders has lessons with Tim Stockdale and Piggy French

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Comedian and actress Jennifer Saunders is enjoying improving her riding as part of a new documentary series about horses that she is filming for ITV.

Jennifer, 53, who has ridden since she was a child, has admitted that she is keen to return to competitive riding and will be visiting the Badminton Grassroots Championships in May for inspiration.

Jennifer is training daily and having lessons with Tim Stockdale and Piggy French.

“Tim is a brilliant teacher,” she tweeted. “He had me jumping a small course by the end of the afternoon. My body is in shock.”

During the two-part series, which will air in August, she will follow British Olympic hopefuls, including Piggy and fellow eventer Lauren Shannon.

Jennifer went to the spring horse trials at Gatcombe and met H&H blogger Lauren during the filming.

“It was surreal to meet Jennifer,” said Lauren.

“She had a busy weekend walking the course with the Princess Royal, sitting in the judge’s car for some advanced dressage tests and spending time with us in the lorry park.

“I am a huge fan,” she added.

British Eventing’s Mike Etherington-Smith welcomed Jennifer to the sport as a role model for women of all ages.

“Many women challenge the perception that growing older means you have to slow down – eventing allows them take up that challenge,” he said.

This news story was first published in the current issue of Horse & Hound

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