Rider biographies: Sunday
Read the full biographies of our Sunday riders, ahead of their demo rides.
Lauren Hermans and Oakingham Euro
Trains in Ireland with Katie Scott | Experienced in handling horses, riding youngsters and producing
Lauren is an avid, enthusiastic showjumper, aspiring to go professional. She got into this sport by starting at a riding school, doing one hour a week on a Saturday being led around on ponies, her parents weren’t horsey so it was something to keep her occupied! Little did they know she'd keep it up and was soon begging for her own pony.
Lauren has been training in Ireland with Katie Scott for the past five years, and also started working closely with her business this year as she runs a sales yard. This has given her so much experience in handling horses, riding youngsters and the work required to produce an animal. She spent a lot of time with Katie, whether it was working to get ponies ready for viewings, or a show day, which was sometimes 7am until 10pm at night!! But enjoyed every second of it, she did lots of stay aways last year, and competed nearly every weekend, most of which she was placed in every class, (Winnie is very consistent, and very competitive!).
Winnie is an 11 year old Anglo-European by Je’Taime Flamenco X Chacco Blue and Katie her coach was particularly impressed with her bloodlines. She came about her through her coach when she mentioned their vet was selling her horse, they laughed about how crazy it would be to own a horse like that, but when she got home she couldn’t stop thinking about Winnie. Lauren rang her coach and she agreed that it would be the right direction for her career - the only day they could do a viewing was the next day, her parents were very reluctant to the idea but she went with Katie to try her, and just fell in love. Winnie’s purchase was very quick but Lauren was always told, your heart will show you the right horse, not your head.
Session one: Developing all-round combinations
Georgia Newby-Vincent and Orchardleigh Cruise
BD Youth Foundation Academy member | Represented the S&W region at BD Youth competitions
Georgia started riding at the age of 3, competing in the show ring before moving onto Working Hunter Ponies and then Eventing. Orchardleigh Cruise was bought in July 2023 and is Georgia's first horse that she is producing from a youngster. Georgia now trains with Lisa White and aiming for the 6 year old championships at Cornbury next year. Last year Orchardleigh Cruise qualified for BYEH finals and came 5th with a double clear at Tweseldown last month at his first BE event.
Previously, Georgia has evented in FEI Pony trials, when she was 12 she came 5th indvidual at the BEu18 Championships at Frickely Park and has showjumped in Spain up to 1.20.
Georgia has competed BD up to Elementary with her other horse Casalla Z and has represented England at Home International and South West at Youth Regionals and National Championships.
Session one: Developing all-round combinations
Daniela Gomez and Lexie van Lentz Schrans
Longlisted for the Young Riders' National Team | Jumped in a world ranking class
Daniela started riding when she was four and immediately fell in love with dressage. She is currently in her third year studying Equine Sports Science. Daniela trains with Lizzzel Winter and is a big support to Daniela since she moved to England by herself.
She's had Lexie for almost five years, she originally was meant to be a sales horse that was only going to be with them a for a few months. Daniela started riding her because her other horse was injured, at first she wouldn't turn and was a very shy horse who didn't trust anyone. But slowly with a lot of work she started improving and showing how good she is. This year the duo were longlisted for the Young Riders' National Team and they also jumped their first world ranking classes. Their goal for the next season is to be more consistent and competetive at the 1,45 and 1,50 classes.
They have a very special bond, she loves carrots and she is very jealous when another horse gets nearby, she needs to be the centre of attention.
Session two: Pole work techniques
Izzy Palmer and Last Gift
World Class Programme member | Competed Internationally in Grade 4 Para Dressage competitions | Aiming toward the Paralympics in the future
Izzy is a 24 year old rider from Leeds. She started riding at the age of 2 as a form of physiotherapy, teaching her to balance and use her right hand and leg. Izzy was inspired to start Para Dressage at 12, after watching Sophie Wells competing at the London Paralympics and Sophie has been coaching, mentoring and helping Izzy to develop as a rider as well as dealing with everything that comes along with it – dealing with nerves, training, competing and growing up! Izzy is a member of the World Class programme and has competed internationally with Last Gift in Grade 4 Para Dressage competitions and they’re aiming toward the Paralympics in future.
Session two: Pole work techniques
Joe Midgley (Handler) and Remy
Remy is a western ranch and cow horse | Won the AQHA UK Ranch Horse Futurity | Qualified for the European Championship
Joe has owned Remy since he was a yearling and started him in his ridden work as a three year old. In his ridden work, Remy is a western ranch and cow horse. Ranch horses typically compete 3 main classes.
Ranch riding - similar to a dressage test. The ‘pattern’ is available before the show. Horses are judged on their lightness, and willingness to navigate the pattern along with the quality of the manoeuvres.
Ranch trail - an obstacle course based on ranch tasks. The horse demonstrates an ability to open gates, drag logs, back or side pass narrow spaces, walk over a bridge and more
Working western rail - similar to a showing class. All entries compete together and walk, trot and canter when instructed. The horse is judged on their movement and responsiveness.
Out of competition, Remy loves to work cattle. There are a variety of classes all simulating day to day tasks on a working cattle ranch. These include moving a group or individual cow from one pen to another. Going into a herd and bringing one out etc. Next year he will start competing in cow classes. He won the AQHA UK Ranch horse Futurity this year and qualified for the European Championship. He loves a bum scratch, taking people’s hats off and bananas!
Session three: Harmonious partnership – working with your horse from the ground
Lisa Marriott and Ghost
Represented Great Britain at Junior, Young Rider and Senior level | Trained at Academy Bartels
Lisa is an international dressage rider from Lancashire, she’s represented Great Britain at Junior and Young Rider, as well as Senior level. Lisa has trained at Academy Bartels with both Tineke and Imke Schellekens and is now training with Carl Hester.
Lisa is riding 4-year-old Ghost at BD Presents, demonstrating the training and development of the young horse alongside Anna Burns and Ashley Jenkins. Ghost is a 4-year-old by Secret, bred out of Lisa’s own mare Paris who featured at the National Convention as a 6-year-old in 2011.
Session four: Dressage beginnings – adapting training techniques for a young horse
Anna Burns and San Isidro
BD Youth Inter Regionals wverall winner of the A Squad section | Final year of BD Youth
Anna Burns is a 24 year old rider in her final year of BD Youth. Anna rides for Becky, having joined the Moody Dressage team in 2020. Anna helps Becky and Hannah produce the young horses and will compete them at the start of their career. Anna was overall winner of the A Squad section at both the 2023 and 2024 BD Youth Inter Regionals, riding the A Squad Young Horse Test on Becky's 5 year old San Isidro in 2024.
Session four: Dressage beginnings – adapting training techniques for a young horse
Ashley Jenkins and Noerremoellehoej’s Touch Down
Young Horse 5-year-old title | Young Horse 4-year-old title in 2023
Ashley runs a small training yard in the Cotswolds with 10 lovely horses and owners, at the home of Lady Inchcape former list 1 judge. He regularly takes inspiration from Serena Pincus & Andreas Hausberger and is fortunate to have drawn knowledge from many people.
He has been riding Forest who is owned by Mette Assouline for year now and has tested Ashley's ability but when they get it right the feeling is incredible. Ashley is a frequent feature in the Young Horse classes, this year taking 5-year-old title with Game On II, following on from taking the 4-year-old title in 2023. He’s joining us at BD Presents with his own 6-year-old Noerremoellehoej’s Touch Down by Tuschinski, riding alongside Anna Burns and Lisa Marriott to show the development of the young horse and training through the levels.
Session four: Dressage beginnings – adapting training techniques for a young horse
Eve Corrigan and Winning Belle
Success at Inter Regionals 2023 | Podium place at Youth Home Nations 2024
Eve rode her first dressage test aged nine and has been an active member of BD Youth, enjoying winning team success at the Inter Regionals last year and a podium place at the Youth Home Nations this year with her own Clontumpher Dream. She is lucky to ride for Alice Elliott too on her national award winning legend Chatsworth Chieftain.
Session five: Test riding tactics – developing accuracy and presentation
Becky Moody and Jagerbomb
Bronze medal winner at Paris 2024 | Won over 30 National titles | Homebred Jagerbomb from a foal to Grand Prix
Session six: Freestyle for all – using music to match personality
Sophie Wells and LJT Egebjerggards Samoa
European, World and Paralympic medalist
Sophie Wells OBE is a world-class rider and coach, with European, World and Paralympic medals to her name.
Sophie’s skill in the saddle has seen her earn success in both non-disabled and para sport, whilst building her reputation as an outstanding horsewoman, people person and coach – bringing two riders to championship medal standard, along with many other happy clients and horses. Sophie’s ethos sees her seek to build special connections with every horse she encounters, and this speaks volumes in both her training and results.