Tina Cook inspires young riders at Ebony Horse Club

Tina Cook Ebony Horse Club — (Image credit: FEI)

Olympic medallist Tina Cook and her European team gold medal-winning ride Billy The Red are helping to inspire the next generation of riders at an inner-city riding club.

Following the success of equestrian sport at the Tokyo Olympics, Tina and the 14-year-old gelding surprised the young people of Brixton-based charity Ebony Horse Club with a visit. The charity uses riding and horses to help build young people’s life skills.

“In the end it’s the passion and the hard work and dedication that goes into this sport – there are many people that have proved that, who have gone on to be the best in the world. I love my horses, I’ve worked very hard with them but I want the kids to realise that I enjoy mucking out, brushing, and the general everyday graft that goes with our sport. It’s not just keeping myself fit and healthy, it’s making sure the horses are fit and healthy.”

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Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.

Tina Cook and Billy The Red inspire the next generation with visit to inner-city riding club

Ebony business and funding manager Naomi Howgate said it was “so inspiring” for the young people to meet Tina and Billy The Red.

“Having this beautiful horse being ridden by an Olympic rider in our arena, interacting and being taught by her really gives them a huge boost in their aspirations and ambitions,” she said.

Parent Julia said meeting Tina had given the children something to aspire to.

“When you meet someone it’s different from reading about it or seeing it on TV so I think that was really special,” she said.

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