Miranda Gent
I started riding at the age of three when my unhorsey parents thought I might like a riding lesson – I was hooked straight away and went every week come rain or shine!
My first pony, Pepsi, was bought when I was 10. He kept escaping from his field and generally caused chaos around the village. My second pony was Crispin. I wanted him to be a good jumper but he had other ideas! However, we were quite good at gymkhana games and Pony Club activities. I was a member of Quorn Pony Club and as I got older I rode on their eventing team and other riding club teams on a succession of ponies. We weren’t very successful but I remember having fun and learning lots. Throughout these early years my idols were Ginny Leng and Ian Stark and I so wanted to ride and be successful like them.
I started affiliated eventing at the age of 16 and was in the fortunate position where my parents owned some land and had built up a livery business to help pay for my hobby.
My first horse, Tom, a very laid back character, gave me a taste for the bigger and better competitions. He was replaced by Barbarian King (Harry) and I progressed to my first two day novice event. I wasn’t placed by loved every minute of it, even though my dressage was awful!
This eventing bug had definitely stuck and my parents decided to splash out on a ‘proper’ event horse and purchased Welham Lane (Sleepy). Sleepy was ready to go novice eventing, he was so handsome and beautifully schooled. Sleepy soon showed me that it didn’t matter how well schooled a horse was, if you couldn’t ride then you still wouldn’t win rosettes! With help from Antonia Brown my dressage improved, having worked hard on my show jumping too I qualified for Badminton Grassroots Championships in April and finished a credible 23rd. To ride at Badminton has to be the absolute highlight of my eventing career so far!
I have a small string of event horses and hope to qualify Stanhopes Skibo, owned by my friend, Niki Howard, for the Badminton Grassroots Championships in 2011 – I’ll let you know how I get on!
After not going on holiday for a number of years due to training and competing my hubby and I are off to the World Equestrian Games! I am so excited – we’re going to watch the eventing competition and then travel on to Florida for some relaxation in the sun!
When I return from sunny Florida the eventing season will have finished. However, my winter campaign will focus on training plus indoor show jumping and dressage; I plan to kick off the new season with arena eventing at Weston Lawns Equestrian Centre in the New Year.
I am thrilled to be supported by Chestfields Equine Products. If you happen to recognise me whilst I’m out competing please come and say hello – I’ll have some Chestfields products on hand should you want to try!
Until next time, Miranda.
