BEu18 2018 Team - Where are they now?
Hi, I'm Daisy and I was in the BEu18 100 team at Frickley park last year. Although I am still eligible for u18’s this year, last year was my last championships and it was an incredible week. I’ve got so many fond memories as well as making friendships that will last forever!
Since then Player, the horse I competed on, has moved down south to be with my Aunt. He is becoming a proper dressage diva as well as teaching younger jockeys the ropes of flatwork and jumping and as always he is being completely spoilt. It was a hard decision for me to make to not event him again but he has given me endless fun and experience so I felt he didn’t owe me any more.
This year I’ve been competing my mare ‘Cool Kangaroo’ who has had a busy season so far and is still learning the ropes of the sport. I am enjoying producing her and there has been plenty of highs and lows along the way to keep me on my toes! I have also finally finished school which means I’ve been able to work and play ponies as much as I’ve wanted since then!
My biggest achievement since last years championships would have to be completing my first CIC* (now CCI2*-S) on ‘Beyond Gold’. Since then we started training him to race and he won his first point - to point!
Next year is my first year as an overgrown u18 so I have lots of goals I hope to achieve!
My biggest achievement while in u18s would have to be our team finishing on the podium in 3rd place last year. We had a super team and it was so special to get such a good result. Player and I also finished individually 2nd which was a massive highlight. It was so special to have a mounted lap of honour with our teammate Eilidh who also finished in the top 10.
There are so many unbelievable memories made with fab friends/coaches/coordinators that I will never forget. It was Rose and Lucy’s final year as coordinators last year and for me, the u18 experience would not have been the same without them - they were both so supportive and there is so much to thank them for! We owed the team result we had last year to them.
One part I found particularly special is seeing your teammates cross the finish line on the XC. The XC is a true test of partnership between horse and rider and emotions are at their highest as each combination complete. The whole team work together to ensure that the recovery of each combination is as efficient and effective as possible. It's a proper team effort and a time when everyone comes together, no matter how their own day has been. It is also fab to hear how each round was for every rider.
My advice to this years team would be to enjoy every second of it; enjoy the friends you make and take time to appreciate how lucky you are to be there. The experience is so surreal it is easy to be overwhelmed by the atmosphere so remember it is the same for your ponies who will be excited to be at a bigger party than usual. Whatever happens, just remember why you are doing it.
Most of all I wish everyone massive good luck - I hope you all have the best time and I can’t wait to hear all about it!!! Go get em Team Scotland!
Daisy
Photos of last years Championships by Stevie Purves Photography
