Ariat Europe

Before specialising in Dressage, Anne-Marie competed successfully in Showjumping, Eventing and Working Hunter Classes. In 2001 at only 14 years old she qualified her horse 'Forrest Fire' and pony, 'Maeseyfron Rhett' for the British Dressage National Championships at Stoneleigh Park, going on to win her Class (open to senior riders) on Forrest Fire, and has never looked back!

In 2002 Anne-Marie went back to the National Championships on Forrest Fire and won again, this time at Medium level. 2002 also saw Anne-Marie be selected for the World Class Start Program for Potential Olympic Athletes, a programme she has been reselected for every year since

From 2003 -2007 She represented Great Britain successfully at friendly Internationals and at European Championships. This has been at Junior and Young Rider levels, often returning home as best of the British!

2008 was a big year of change, the last year of Young Riders and time to really start making a name for herself in Seniors. With new partner Aristo, she won the Hickstead Young Rider CDI and then went on to be placed in the top five in three Senior National classes. 2009 and 2010 was a year for further training and consolidation and she rode her first Senior International with Aristo at Hartpury. She was also 4th in the Inter II at the National Championships while her up and coming mare Fiene Dame was 4th and 5th in the Medium and Advanced Medium championships.

2011 is off to a great start, with Aristo already placed in the top 10 at Grand Prix in this seasons premier leagues, while Feine Dame is in the top 10 at small tour level. They are off to compete internationally through the summer before returning to compete at the National Championships in September. With her eye set on competing for Great Britain at senior level, she is on the right path!

Maria is based with her father, International Rider and Trainer Ferdi Eilberg and her family in Worcestershire, England. Maria has been a member of the Pony, Junior and Young Rider Teams from 1998-2005, winning 2 silver medals with the Pony Team and 2 bronze medals with the Young Rider Team. She was travelling reserve for the World Equestrian Games with Two Sox in 2006 and National Grand Prix Freestyle Champion in 2007. Together Maria and Two Sox were also travelling reserve for the Olympic games in 2008 and went on to win the National Grand Prix and Freestyle Championship.

Maria and Two Sox have been a members of the Silver Medal winning Dressage team for the past 2 years, at the European Championships in Windsor 2009 and at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky 2010.

Rachael Claridge started Endurance riding over 20 years ago, and became an Advanced Rider in 1993. She splits her time between Bodmin in Cornwall where her family’s stud, Phoenix Field Arabians is situated, and her training centre in Badminton, Gloucestershire. In 2003 she achieved a remarkable 5th place at her first 160km FEI ride at Cirencester, England. Later that year they came 2nd in the 100km Endurance Ride at Dukeries and then won the FEI 3* 160km at Cirencester in 2004, beating the opposition by three hours.

In 2005 Rachael and Silver Mistrahl went to the World Endurance Championships in Dubai and in 2007 Prince Meliodas achieved the 160km at Dukeries after completing a Cornish Minions Moorland Endurance 80km race and coming second in the Golden Horse Shoe 80km race in 2006. 2007 also saw Rachael riding in the Uzes, Young Horse Championships in the South of France for Stephan Chazel. In 2009 she rode in the South African International Team Championships partnered with Royal Solar Matla who was South Africa’s no. 1 Endurance horse at the time, owned by Ina Bryer. The Barbarian team brought home a Bronze Medal after France pipped the UK ladies to Silver by one point.

2011 will see Maarhabi starting his FEI race riding career in preparation for WEG in 2013 and having won The Grange BEF Futurity Grading for Endurance her 100% Crabbet stallion Silver Zenif will begin his pleasure ride endurance career. Rachael hopes to ride in the World Endurance Championships in 2012 and then the World Equestrian Games in Normandy in 2013 with Prince Meliodas and Maarhabi. In addition to her already established equine partners, Rachael has some exciting prospects, bred by Phoenix Fields Arabians, who she is training and bringing on.

Charlotte was an early starter in equestrianism and at the age of four won her first leading rein class on a pony called Merrylegs, earning herself a debut media appearance in the local paper! From then on the Charlotte has notched up some impressive results including team gold and fourth individually at the Young Rider Europeans, 39th in her first ever four star event at Badminton and 5th place at Blair Castle in the International CCI***.

Charlotte recently graduated from Edinburgh University with a 2:1 in English Literature and is embarking on her first season as a full-time event rider in 2011. With this commitment to the sport she has moved from her base in Scotland to Abingdon in Oxfordshire where she hopes to gain more rides and kick start her future career. In addition to riding, Charlotte can also be spotted as the writer for local equestrian magazines and a reporter for Horse & Hound and Eventing.

Emily has been riding from a very young age, progressing up through the pony club through to BE Eventing. She started competing in British Eventing when she was 12 in the National Pony Trials and has since made a huge mark in the sport.

Emily is the only youth rider to have competed on eight consecutive Great Britain Championship Teams competing at European Championships. During those years Emily has won six Team Gold Medals, one Team Silver Medal, two Individual Bronze Medals and then one Individual Gold Medal when she won the Young Rider European Championships in 2008. She is also the only rider to have ever won the British National U16 Championships (2004), U18 Championships (2007), U21 Championships (2007) and the U25 Championships (2009).

Already in 2011 Emily has produced her fourth clear cross country round at Badminton Horse Trials on Pardon Me II. Her future targets and aims are to continue representing Great Britain on Championships teams, winning more medals in young riders. Then winning individual and team medals at senior level at Europeans and WEG. Finally her main goal is to win Olympic Individual Gold.

At the age of 21 Laura is now in her sixth year of professional eventing and has already shown to be one of the most exciting talents in the sport to date. A team gold medal winner for Great Britain at the age of 15 in the Pony European Championships, Laura has represented her country on 5 Championship teams and has won 7 Gold, 1 Silver and 1 Bronze medals. Laura's ultimate ambition is to win Gold at Olympic, World and European Championships.

In 2006 Laura 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. Laura represented Great Britain at the Junior European Championships held at Necarne Castle, Northern Ireland, winning individual Gold and team Silver. In 2007 Laura won her first Advanced class at Belton Park on Fernhil Sox, in addition 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. Laura is the first British rider ever to win consecutive Junior European Titles.

2009 saw Laura achieve both Individual and Team Gold at the Young Rider European Championships as well as wins at CCI* and CCI** level . In 2010 Laura won Team Gold at the Young Rider Europeans with Fernhill Cristal and then went on to jump double clear in his first CIC*** at Blenheim, whilst Ginger May Killinghurst gave her the best 21st birthday present when she jumped clear round her first CCI**** at Burghley.

2011 has started in fine form for Laura with an 8th placing at her first ever Badminton CCI**** riding Rayef and to top it off she was awarded a prize for best under 25, best British first timer and best local rider, whilst Rayef was given an accolade for being the youngest British owned and ridden horse in the top 12.

In a career spanning over 20 years Mary King has become one of British Eventing’s icons and a regular member of the British team. The risks of riding were brought home to her in 2001 when she broke her neck in a fall, from which she fortunately fully recovered and fought her way back to fitness and back into the British squad for the World Championships in 2002. Mary earned her a place as a reserve in the squad for Athens in 2004 and, due to another member’s withdrawal from the team, got the call she’d been waiting for and even better, the Olympic medal she’d dreamed of for years.

2006 continued the run of success when Mary was part of the silver medal winning team at the World Championships, Aachen and 2007 brought both individual and team success in Pratoni when Mary won well earned individual silver and team gold medals at the European Championships with Call Again Cavalier. Her glittering career has brought six team gold medals at World and European Championships and the title of British Champion a record four times. She has also represented Britain at the last five Olympic Games, in 2008 Mary won team bronze at the Beijing Olympics.

2011 has been an amazing year so far for Mary. A successful third placing at Badminton CCI**** riding Imperial Cavalier proved to be just a warm up for the talented rider after she she jetted off to Rolex Kentucky and secured first and second place riding Kings Temptress and Fernhill Urco in the prestigious American CCI**** event. Mary is aiming for a successful season before hoping to secure her place on team GB in the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Growing up with all things equine certainly set Nicola on the right path to succeed in her chosen career of eventing. In a small space of time Nicola went from a thirteen year old owning her first horse Mr Bumble, to competing for Great Britain at the Young Rider European Championships in 1997 at Pratoni and then being placed 10th in her first ever CCI**** at Burghley in 1998.

Despite her equestrian successes Nicola studied at university and gained a 2:1 degree in Sport Studies and Business Management before focusing on eventing and began to build a loyal band of owners. In 2004 Rosemary Search, who owns Opposition Buzz, asked her to compete him and Nicola produced the 16.1hh gelding by Fleetwater Opposition from Novice level to the horse he is today. Amongst many successes over the years, including a European Team Gold medal at Fontainbleu in 2009, her recent 2010 accolades include winning Barbury CIC***, finishing 8th at Badminton CCI****, retaining the title of Scottish Open Champion at Blair Castle CIC*** and being part of the Gold medal winning team at the Alltech World Equestrian Games.

Sharon’s passion for horses and riding was ignited at an early age following a holiday with her grandparents and a donkey ride on along the beach. This enthusiasm was quickly followed by her first pony and her passion for eventing began on board Parkmore Bal when they successfully completed their first Pre-Novice.

In 1996, an ambitious Sharon went to train with Ruth McMullen in Norfolk, taking along four Intermediate level horses. It was from here that Sharon’s professional career and talent was developed and the purchase of Good Sport II saw them win the Burghley Young Event Horse 5 year old Championships the following year. A string of successes saw Sharon make her debut in the British Eventing team as an individual at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen. In 2008, Sharon and Tankers Town were an influential combination in Team GB during the Beijing Olympic Games and their impressive performance helped secure the teams bronze medals.

2010 was filled with incredible highs and lows, Sharon and Tankers Town secured another major win at Chatsworth and two weeks later the combination also won HSBC FEI Classics Luhmuhlen. However later that year at Pau, Tankers Town suffered an injury and has had to take time off to recover. Sharon is confident that Jaspers rehabilitation is going well and hopes to have him fit again soon.

Currently based in the South East, Sharon is enjoying 2011 with a busy competition schedule and full yard. Her string of horses range from Novice through to Advanced and she feels lucky that potential stars of the future are shining through. Wining at Barocca CCI ** with Azeb and coming fifth with Red Amber have been an encouraging way to start the season.

Sharon also travels throughout the UK and beyond delivering keynote speeches, teaching and giving mounted demonstrations at a variety of equestrian and corporate events.

With her father a Champion jockey and her mother an international show jumper, you could say that horses were in the blood for Tina! At sixteen years old Tina was already eventing full-time and at twenty she won a Land Rover scholarship to be based at Gatcombe with Captain Mark Phllips where she trained for a year. From then onwards Tina established herself as a regular British team member and produced a number of horses to four star level, including her current ride, Miners Frolic.

Amongst many major achievements spanning her eventing career, her most notable accolades to date include individual bronze medal at the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and individual gold at the European Championships in Fontainbleau in 2009. This followed with a successful year in 2010, finished off by being on the gold medal winning British Team at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

Having parents who had both completed Badminton and Burghley, meant that William was always destined to be an eventing star! After beginning his equestrian career at the tender age of 15, he represented Great Britain throughout his teenage years and completed his first Badminton at the age of 20.

With a string of accolades behind his name – too many to list – William was the first British rider to become eventing’s World Number 1 in 2002, then subsequently regained that title in 2009 and 2010. In his eventing career, William has been British Number 1 eight times and has played a key role in Great Britain’s eventing successes having been on two medal winning Olympic teams, three medal winning World Equestrian Games teams and six gold medal winning European Championship teams! His individual results include 40 wins at CCI Three Day events, and 20 CIC events including winning Burghley five times, Luhmuhlen twice, Badminton once and Rolex once, making him the only rider in the world to have won four of the five CCI**** three day events.

William is now based at his 28 stable yard in Dorset with his wife Alice Plunkett and their two sons. After one of his best ever seasons in 2010, all eyes are now on the 2011 European Championships and of course London 2012!

Following a successful career in young riders, which included victory in the Under 25 Championship at Bramham and an individual silver medal in the European Young Riders Championship in 2002, the daughter of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips really established herself at senior level in 2003 by finishing second at Burghley three day event with Toytown. Following that performance, Zara was long listed for Athens in 2004 but her hopes of competing with the British event team at an Olympic Games were dashed by an injury to Toytown that ruled him out for the rest of the year.

In June 2005, Zara put that disappointment behind her with a great performance at the newly upgraded four star event in Luhmuhlen. At the European Championships at Blenheim in September Zara rode into the history books by taking two gold medals on her senior debut, exceeding achievement of her mother, who won the individual title at the European Championships in 1971.
2006 brought the prospect of the World Equestrian Games in Aachen, Germany – Zara’s first four star Championship after a fantastic performance the gold was hers and silver for the British team.

Following in his father’s footsteps David Deptford began Western riding when he was just 8 years old. A successful breeder of some of the greatest show ponies, David’s father was inspired by an article in a national newspaper and soon converted to the western way of riding. David met his partner, Sarah who soon converted to western riding and has been doing so for around 20 years. David and Sarah have two daughters, Amy and Eleanor, who both ride and compete successfully in the western disciplines.

David has represented Great Britain three times to date in nations cup events and is currently on the shortlist for the 2006 World Equestrian Games. This year he represented British Reining at the Dubai International Horse Show in a demonstration of all seven FEI disciplines.

Graham Fletcher is a world-class international showjumper, being involved in the sport at the highest level for over 30 years. Graham’s successes include an Olympic Silver medal, team member for three Olympic games, twice British National Champion, Leading Show jumper of the Year and winner of many International Grand Prix’s. Graham no longer competes, due to injury, but he continues to train both horse and rider, in addition to supporting his wife's showjumping career. Graham commentates on the sport regularly for major TV companies and in Britain’s leading equestrian magazine “Horse and Hound”.

Many Ariat riders have worked their way up through the ranks of their chosen discipline having started riding at a very young age. Junior show jumper Jessica Mendoza is no exception, and at only 15 is already at the top of her sport.

Jessica started riding not long after she could walk, when her parents bought her a Shetland pony named Molly, and it has all gone on from there. At first she tried showing but it wasn’t long before the jumping bug caught her! Luckily however, her mum Sarah helps to exercise the horses and ponies so Jessica can still concentrate on her studies.

In 2007 Jessica was the leading Rider at Pony of the Year Show, Individual Champion at the Hickstead Schools Final and achieved 1st & 2nd places in 128cm Championships at Horse of the Year Show. The next year she opened her account by winning nearly every Hickstead qualifier, a feat recognized by the BSJA as she was voted the youngest ever Show Jumper of the Month. She continued throughout 2008 to claim nearly every major class and later that year she won at Hickstead in the final and returned there to claim her second successive National Schools Championship. She also made the move into 138cms and won five Horse of the Year Show qualifiers on her two 138cms ponies - Creative Dancer and Dooneens Future Star. Her record of victories in the small pony scene will prove hard to emulate in the future.

Throughout 2009 the Ariat saddlecloths and badge on her trade mark red jacket was carried to major 148cms Grand Prix victories in Europe by Tixylix and Razorlite winning over 10 European Grand Prix`s in 3 years. In addition to these Grand Prix wins Jessica has won both gold and silver medals at Nations Cup events across Europe and is one of Britain’s major hopes for future medals.

In the 148s she has broken records winning Olympia, POYS three times, the John Whittaker Final, the British Open Final and Horse of the Year back to back. She has been formally recognized by the British Show Jumping Association as the Leading Pony Rider in 2009 and 2010. Her target now is the European Gold Medal.

Tina has enjoyed a glittering International showjumping career and still competes at top level in the UK. Her most recent success was winning the Hickstead Derby riding Promised Land which also made her the first woman to win the class since 1973! In addition, Tina has won the Queen Elizabeth cup twice, been reserve rider in the Barcelona Olympics, won Britain’s Leading lady rider, the Toronto Volvo World Cup qualifier and numerous International and UK competitions. As one of a handful of BSJA Elite trainers, Tina concentrates much of her time training horse and rider.