Young rider wins Mark Todd scholarship
Up and coming young eventer Franky Reid-Warrilow has won a coveted scholarship set up by top event rider Mark Todd.
The Sir Mark Todd “Bridging the Gap” scholarship was launched this year.
Franky, who is 24 and based in Powys, was selected from 6 finalists this week by a judging panel of Sir Mark Todd and British Eventing coaches Lizzel Winter and Gill Watson.
A former working pupil of Henrietta Knight and Cirencester University graduate, Franky has had a difficult few months. She suffered a serious leg fracture while cross-country schooling at home earlier in the summer.
Following the accident most of her privately owned horses were relocated, while her Waregem and European CIC2* Championship-bound rides picked up minor injures.
Determined to succeed, Franky has now moved home to her family’s farm on the Herefordshire-Wales border and has started up her business again.
“I was completely surprised when they said I had won the scholarship,” she said. “I think I know how they feel on X-factor now, the anticipation I felt when I was waiting for their decision to be made was so intense!
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“The season really didn’t end very well so this has been a fantastic boost for me, I cannot wait to get training over the winter and start the season on a high.”
Sir Mark added: “It was extremely difficult to choose an overall winner from these very dedicated and talented riders, but ultimately it was a unanimous decision and we look forward to working with Franky next year.”
Franky receives a support package from Mark Todd including training and mentoring from the New Zealand rider, plus goods from the Mark Todd Collection and Keyflow feed.
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.