It's WEG!

WEG Tryon 2018 logo

WEG Tryon 2018 logo

Sophie updates us on what 2018 has in store.

2018 looks to be an interesting and challenging year. With the World Equestrian Games (WEG) in Tryon, USA as the aim for the top horses, there are also a lot of smaller goals for the younger horses! We have a few internationals to be aiming for during the selection period, and I’m still on the look out for a young horse to join my team, and of course any owners that want to join the team, they would be very welcome!

I’ve also been selected onto the BEF Youth Pathway Coaching Programme. This is a programme to help develop coaches to work with youth athletes and understand stages of their development, as well as looking at your own development as a coach. The group of coaches from dressage, eventing and show jumping seem really lovely after our first two sessions. We have been assigned a mentor from outside equestrian to help us on our journey and have already experienced some great speakers within the course.

Lots of clients had success at the Regionals able-bodied, with some qualifying for the Winters, as well as some going to the Petplan finals at Hartpury! My para riders have had a good start to the year at the Winter championships at Myerscough and are set to have a busy year of competition.

I love working with riders to achieve their dreams. The process and journey is a massive part of that and is very fulfilling, whatever level they are at.

A Fab Year!

A wintery hack

A wintery hack

The year is coming to a wintery end... snow has arrived, not too much for us so far, thank goodness. As part of the horses' fitness and wellbeing I usually hack out twice a week and I'm lucky to have the farm for this. On the schooling front, my new surface, cushion track from Equestrian Surfaces, has been brilliant. Even when it started snowing we were still able to ride as the wax element stops the snow balling in the horses' feet. We haven't had one day that freezing weather has stopped play which is fantastic. I'm very grateful they came and did some maintenance on it recently and it rode like new. 

Sophie on Reece and Rhianydd on Noki

Sophie on Reece and Rhianydd on Noki

We have had a fab year with the horses, with William coming on board and being a lovely addition to the yard. With his gentle elephant like nature he is so lovely to have around. Reece and Jorge have had a fantastic season and both have stepped up to new challenges.

As always I'm very grateful to my ever loyal sponsors who continue to help me and my boys, as well as Jackie and Neil Walker, Charlotte Hogg and Valerie Woolford for being wonderful owners. And of course the rest of my team who keep the horses fit and well, and attempt to with myself as well! My new website is obviously a welcome addition too, I hope you like it - I love it! Thank you Jayne.

I wish you all a fabulous Christmas spent with loved ones (especially the four-legged variety!) and all the best for 2018. A new year and new challenges for all!

Soph x

(Thank you to Julie Priestley for the lovely winter photo shoot as part of Horse & Country's 'Rudall Rides' - can't believe it's already a year ago!) 

Jenny Rudall, Sophie and Rhi Lee-Jones

Jenny Rudall, Sophie and Rhi Lee-Jones

Tia takes charge as usual!

Tia takes charge as usual!

Sophie receives Equestrian of the Year Award!

Jorge takes 3rd place in the Inter I Freestyle

Jorge takes 3rd place in the Inter I Freestyle

The Horse of the Year Show 2017 was the stuff of dreams for Sophie as she received the Equestrian of the Year Award as well as riding Charlotte Hogg's C Fatal Attraction in the Future Elite Dressage Inter I freestyle. Sophie and Jorge achieved 3rd place behind Charlotte Dujardin and Maria Eliberg with a personal best score of 76.34%.

Sophie receiving Equestrian of the Year Award

Sophie receiving Equestrian of the Year Award

Very much the icing on the cake of a terrific season both in para and able-bodied dressage. Fantastic Sophie - we are so proud of you!