Owners
I have been lucky enough to have a few great owners over the years. I would like to take the chance to thank them for their support. It's every competition riders dream to have their own yard and owners, to date I have had some really great owners.
Carol and Willie Douglas
I have known Carol and Willie since I was about 8 years old when I attended the Pony Club training days and competitions run for juniors at their farm. Carol and Willie have always been very kind to me and have always taken an interest in my progress. Carol phoned me up one day and told me that she had a home bred youngster which had been proving to be a bit tricky but she wondered if I wanted to try riding him to see if he and I would get along. I started riding The Banner Blue (Colin) at Newhouses Farm and he certainly was a tricky character. He would nap leaving the yard and often try to buck me off but thankfully never succeeded. Not long after I started riding Colin regularly, Hurricane Basil was lame with a stifle injury and faced being put down if his condition had worsened. Carol very kindly offered to take him and allow him to recuperate on their farm. We then decided to swap the two over and Colin came to live with us where he started his training with me. (see Previous Horses page for more info on Colin). Carol and Willie also kindly allowed Mister Carter to enjoy his holiday on their farm as did Cyril for a few weeks before being re-homed.
Carol now has a share in my Lovely grey Tartan Chill and is still a very active member of the team. I would like to say a massive thank you to Carol and Willie for all of their help and support and Carols on going guidance. It is very much appreciated. |
Anita and James Wilson
Anita and I met through the JedForest Hunt. Anita was always very friendly and of course we had horses in common so had lots to chat about. Anita very kindly offered me the use of her arena at Chesters which was a great help to me as I have never had my own arena or access to one where my horses have been stabled. I used the arena often and it really helped with the early stages of re-training Basil and the continuation of Cyrils training. Whilst using the arena Anita very kindly let me ride and school her lovely coloured horse Ziggi. He was so lovely to ride and gave me the feeling of lateral movements etc being performed correctly which then helped me with Basil's training. Anita allowed me to compete Ziggi in dressage and showing at St Boswells Show. Ziggi came 1st in his showing class at Yarrow and Ettrick Show. I was due to sit my C+ Pony Club Test in 2011 which I passed with Ziggi being my horse for the test. He is such a great little horse and I loved riding him and learning the more advanced movements from him on the flat. I was lucky to use the lovely Ziggi for my BYRDS squadding day. Anita transported Ziggi and I down to Etal where the squadding was held (as my Mum was working). I was successfully squadded at B level, Ziggi was a star as always.
Anita now also has a share in the lovely grey Tartan Chill.
I would like to thank Anita very much for allowing me to ride and compete your lovely horse.
Anita now also has a share in the lovely grey Tartan Chill.
I would like to thank Anita very much for allowing me to ride and compete your lovely horse.
Sheila Stevenson
We were lucky enough to become close friends with Sheila when we moved to The Yard at Spittal Tower in 2017 over the 2 years we have spent at Spittal Tower we now see Sheila as a member of our family as well as a member of Team TT. Sheila has an outstandingly kind nature and has a profound love for animals and the countryside. Sheila often looks after our team mascot, Socks. We all refer to Sheila as Auntie Sheesh and Socks often goes to stay with Auntie Sheesh and has the best time. Sheila also owns part of the very talented Tartan Chill.
Sarah Brownlie
I remember the day that Sarah phoned me, I was standing in the yard and thinking to my self is Sarah really considering sending her lovely horse to little old me. Sarah and I talked for ages and really did put the world to rights and had a mutual love for our horses and not too long later Sarah did indeed bring her lovely 17.2hh Warmblood Jelly (Crime Scene) to our yard. We have all fallen in love with Jelly and I had so much fun getting to know him while eventing him this season. I have great respect for Sarah and now see her as a dear friend as well as an owner.