Laura Collett

LAURA COLLETT - RIDER PROFILE

Date of Birth: 31-08-1988
Rides for: Britain
Based in: Membury Estate near Swindon
Horses Competing: Fernhill Sox, Rayef, Vancouver, Jitterbug, Opposition Legacy, Dumbleton, Fernhill Cristal
Website: www.lauracollett.com

Biography

She is 23 years of age and in her seventh year as a professional event rider. She is based at The Membury Estate in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside where she has access to some fantastic facilities in which to produce and train event horses.

Before she began eventing seven years ago, she successfully competed show ponies and working hunter ponies, in which the highlight was winning the Supreme Pony Championship at Horse of the Year Show in 2003.

Her switch to eventing started with Noble Springbok a 14.2hh pony, and she was selected in 2005 for the Pony European Championships in Pratoni Del Vivaro, Italy where the GB team won a gold medal and Laura won an individual bronze medal.

Through her trainer, Miranda Lucey, she acquired the ride on Walnut and in 2004 they won individually and as a member of the Central Team at the JRN Championships at Weston Park. She also won individually and as a member of the Heythrop Team at the Pony Club Eventing Championships at Sansaw Park.

In 2005 Walnut and Laura won them both again!

In 2005 she was selected to compete in South Africa as a member of the British Young Rider Team, winning individual Gold and team Silver (on borrowed horses!).

At the beginning of 2005 she was selected for the World Class Development Programme, which is Lottery funded via UK Sport and seeks to identify and develop riders who have shown the potential to reach the world stage. The Programme underpins World Class Performance and, together with the Equine Pathway, they comprise the Equestrian World Class Programme. It incorporates the three Olympic sports of Dressage, Eventing, Show Jumping and the Paralympic sport of Para-Equestrian Dressage.

The Development Programme is divided into Start and Potential within each sport and then further into gold, silver and bronze funding levels. All riders on the scheme will have access to the same World Class benefits including, equine and human health, fitness and nutritional support plus training and regular squad sessions. Riders are required to plan competitions, training, management and personal development with the assistance of the World Class personnel.

The programme allows her to receive training, support and expert advice from Yogi Breisner, the Performance Manager for the British Eventing Team.

Her last year riding ponies was in 2005, due to the age limit being 16. Laura had already started competing horses, and at Weston Park she also won the CCI* Three Day Event with Fernhill Sox.

In 2006 she won the CCI** at Tweseldown riding Fernhill Sox and in doing so became the youngest rider ever to win an International Two-Star Three-Day Event, and she also became Junior European Champion again on Fernhill Sox.

In 2007 Laura won her first Advanced at Belton Park on Fernhil Sox. She also successfully defended her Junior European Title in Switzerland and won Gold on Rayef and led the GB team to win Gold as well and she became the first British rider to win consecutive Junior European Titles.

2008 was a mixed year of fortunes, as Fernhill Sox lay 2nd after dressage at Blenheim CCI*** but the dreadful weather brought an abrupt end to our campaign. A quick re-route to Deauville for the World Cup Final where Fernhill Sox jumped the only clear inside the time showjumping to finish a very creditable 13th. The year ended on a high as she won the U21 Championship at Weston Park on Fernhill Sox.

2009 has been a fantastic year, Hartpury CCI* provided a thrill with a win on the up and coming star, Vancouver. She then had a 14 point margin win in the CCI** on a new ride, Libby Soley's Kachemire le Beau. The season ended on a complete high with Rayef winning double gold at the Young Rider European Championships.

2010 was a year of mixed emotions, a few nasty falls and Rayef having an injury were all major blows but there were plenty of highs too! Fernhill Cristal won Team Gold at the Young Rider Europeans and then went on to jump double clear in his first CIC*** at Blenheim. Ginger May Killinghurst gave her the best 21st birthday present when she jumped clear round her first CCI**** at Burghley! Noble Bestman finished the season off with a win in the Under 21 CCI** Championships.

2011 was something of a 'dream' year.. Rayef headed to his first CCI**** at Badminton, finishing 8th proved dreams can come true... top 10 at her first Badminton was more than a dream come true! After his performance at Badminton the aim of Senior selection became slightly more realistic. Barbury CIC*** was vital if selection was to become reality, Rayef put up a stunning perfomance to finish 3rd behind two of the sports greatest riders, Pippa Funnell and Piggy French. The following day Laura recieved the phone call she'd been dreaming about, "You have been selected to represent GB as an individual at the Senior European Championships with Rayef." Unfortunately it wasn't a dream debut at senior level as Rayef had a blood disorder which affected his performance. Outward Bound was the rising star of the year when he won Hartpury CCI* at just 6 years of age.

2012. Well the theme of the year was rain. Badminton was cancelled and the rest of the spring season was a nightmare for everyone. She finished the year in 21st place in the BE ranking list but sadly did not get a run at the Olympics. Here is to 2013 and the planning for Rio 2016 begins

Laura understands the level of commitment and hard work that is required to ride and win at the highest level, and she believes she has the talent and drive to succeed.

Barnsby Interview

Highlight of career to date?
Winning Back to back junior European championships on two different horses, both of which I bought on myself having done their first pre-novice.

All time favourite horse and why?
Fernhill Sox, because he always gives 110% and has the will to win. He also won me my first CCI**, first Advanced and first European title.

What do you enjoy most about your chosen discipline?
The challenge of all three elements and the satisfaction of doing well when all the hard work pays off.

Favourite Barnsby product and why?
The Xtreem, because it is light weight which benefits the horses and gives me comfort and a secure seat for the jumping phases.

Other hobbies / interests?
Spending time with my friends!!

Who is your hero/person you most admire and why?
Pippa Funnell, because she brings on all her horses from youngsters and has won the Rolex Grand Slam which no other rider has done. She also understands her horses and will criticise herself before the horse.

All time favourite film?
Pirates of the Caribbean

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