EQUINE NEWS

17th November 2005

Great Win For Nicola Russell

Nicola Russell (21) who lives near Launceston on the edge of the Cornish/Devon border was absolutely delighted to win the finals of the British Dressage Talent Spotting Young Rider Championships. The competitions aim is to find pure talent within the sport and give as much help and assistance to our up and coming young riders as possible. Which could not be done without the generous sponsorship from the British Dressage Supporters Club, Mr and Mrs Pidgley of the Berkley Group, The Worshipful Company of Saddlers, Diane Breeze and of course British Dressage itself.

Nicola first had to win a regional round to gain her place at the championships which are run over two days.

On the first day Nicola rode her own horse Osparatus Beat a 16.1hh, 11 year-old Bay Mare whom Nicola has owned for just over two years in the 'Talent Spotting' test and was judged on her performance where she finished in fifth place. She then had to answer a series of questions regarding the discipline where she gained an impressive 18/20 marks. All the time being assessed by three independent judges one from Norway, Sweden and Britain. The next day the riders were put into groups of four and were assessed by the judges on the way they rode, not only their own horses but every one else's in their group. Each rider had only ten minutes on each horse and in that time had to ride the horse to the best of the horses ability and then give their comments on each of the horses to the judges.

After all the riders had been assessed the judges had to decide on which two riders they felt had the most Pure Talent and were worthy of going head to head against each other in the final 'ride-off'. Nicola was so excited to be asked to be in the final ride-off where both horses were provided by Pammy Hutton from the Talland School of Equitation.

To win the competition meant so much to Nicola who has been riding since she was a small a child. Starting off at Pony Club with her D Test, moving up to representing her club at Area level and progressing to make a career within the horse industry. Nicola was a working pupil with Peter Storr for 21 months and admits Peter was a big influence on her. He gave her the desire for dressage and that hunger for success. Nicola then came home to work with her own horses for a year and received training from Silver Olsen Bedding who is a pyramid trainer with British Dressage, working with the grass roots competitors and riders. She also attended the Cornish group of the British Young Riders Dressage Scheme training sessions held at Tall Trees Arena, Camelford receiving tuition from regular trainers Helen Sisson, and Mary McGinley.

Nicola now works for Robert Buck who has also been an enormous help to Nicola. Robert is a coach for the British Driving Association and helps the team with the dressage element of their competitions. In winning the Talent Spotting competition Nicola received a £400 training bursary, a hand made complete double bridle, a silver trophy, a smaller bursary to share between her trainers and the chance to have Carl Hester, who has represented his country at three Olympics games.