Getting to know Flo...
When did you first start riding?
I first started riding when I was 3 years old. I had a little grey Welsh Mountain Pony who was called Kai. However, being obsessed with the animated film, Spirit, I renamed him Spirit! As I did with the next one and with the Spirit I have now! My uncle thought it was the same pony, just growing as it got older!
At what level do you compete?
I am currently competing at BE100. I am hoping this year to step that up to Novice and Pony Trials (which is like Novice for ponies!).
Tell us about your horses?
My main man is Spirit! He is a 9-year-old, grey Connemara. When I first got him he had been a show pony, so he had a lot to learn. He definitely had the “ping” factor which made it worth the gamble of not buying an experienced event pony. He has the sweetest nature and is a total dude, so eager to do his best and we have an amazing partnership.
Pony Will is a bay Connemara. He is actually a cousin of Spirit, although we didn’t know it when we bought Spirit. He is now not competing in affiliated competitions, although last year we came 4th at Munstead in my first ever BE event and won a Technical Merit award for our riding. He is 23 years young and full of it! He was a team GB pony trials pony, competing in Pony Europeans. He has taught me so much, he has been the ultimate schoolmaster. He still thinks he is the bee’s knees, and still wins dressage competitions with me and we go schooling and hacking. My cousin is now being taught to ride by him!
Pizza is my first horse. She’s a stunning 7-year-old Selle Francais, who is related to the famous racehorse, Secretariat. She is being ridden this season, and maybe next, by 5* eventer Tom Crisp, which is where I am based. He gets the job of using his considerable experience to produce her into hopefully an amazing event horse, so she will have lots of experience for when I am ready to ride her and my pony days are over.
What is next for you, do you have a particular goal this season or beyond?
This season I have begun my journey with the GB Pony Trials Programme. This is super exciting for Spirit and me! I believe Spirit will be an excellent trials pony, and who knows, hopefully we will be good enough for selection for Pony Europeans. I am also continuing my training and competing with the BE SE u18 riders. I’d love to be selected for the u18 National Eventing finals. As I’m only 13 I have plenty of time on my side!
What do you like about Feedmark supplements?
I love Best-Flex HA!! All 3 of my horses are on it! Pony Will my older pony has benefitted enormously. He was quite stiff in his hocks and had them injected in the past. He is now really supple and has a great range of movement. No one can believe he is 23!!
Spirit and Pizza both have Best-Flex HA as well. As they are competing and training their joints have a high workload, so I really believe they need protecting.
Will also has EquiDermis to soothe his skin.
Pizza and Will also have Gastric Comfort each day. Both can be a bit girthy, especially in the winter months when turnout hasn’t been great, so Gastric Comfort helps to settle their stomachs and balance the acidity.