Rider biographies: Sunday
Read the full biographies of our Sunday riders, ahead of their demo rides.
Skylar Wagner and Rhodiamant Roxanne
Compete in the 7 year old classes | 8 years on the hunter/jumper/equitation circuit in the states
Skylar spent eight years on the hunter/jumper/equitation circuit back in the states, following this she switched fully to the ‘jumpers’ (showjumping) about four years ago. Her horses name is Roxy aka Rhodiamant Roxanne (Diamant de Semilly x Cannonball) and she purchased her a few months ago in late July after moving here from the states. Since then the pair have been competing up to the 7 year old classes with successful results in the open 1.30m division. Their flat work is something they've worked on a lot and improved a lot since the start.
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
Alastair Gibbs (owner) and Dottie
BD List 3 Judge | Purchased Dottie as a rising 5 year old
Alastair works full time as an IT and CCTV engineer in Lincolnshire, working long hours, so riding and competing have to fit around work. He has competed his older horse up to PSG and he is now enjoying a quieter life doing some gentle work. Alastair is a BD List 3 judge and FEI eventing judge and enjoys judging everything from grassroots dressage, with the Quest Championships, up to some prestigious International Horse Trials such as Blair and Cornbury 3*.
Dottie was purchased as a rising 5 year old after she was imported from Holland as a 2 year old, she was backed and turned away at 4. Dottie is now 7 and moved to live at Sophie’s full time at the end of March this year, where Sophie’s rider, Ryan worked with her initially to establish her basic ridden work, then after Sophie returned from Paris in September she took over riding. Dottie is now working at Medium level and will hopefully be out competing soon with Sophie. Alastair describes Dottie as the sweetest and most kind mare to handle and do anything with. She just loves attention, and everyone working on the yard loves her!
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.
Session seven: Journey to Paralympic success – Diana’s career so far from young horse to Paris
Kelly Jewell and Juno Watt
Progressed through the levels | Freestyle music producer | Registered trainee judge
Kelly started competitive dressage when she joined Equidance full time, she felt it was time to put her money where her mouth was and start doing freestyle. During her first test in 2019 she had to retire as she felt she wasn't good enough to get the horse round. She worked really hard to improve and that same horse was at Medium the following year when Anna Ross and Bainbridge took over training.
One of the best pieces of advice Kelly has been given was by Alex Harrison “if your half halt lasts longer than a stride…you’re pulling!” She keeps that in her head every time she rides.
Boris was gifted to Kelly when he was 2 and came to live with her as a 3yr old. When he was backed she didn’t have anyone on the ground so she used to put my phone on the fence and call Tony….so if anything crazy happened he knew to come and get her. Boris was the easiest horse…her mare she sent away for 2 weeks hacking and their only instruction was to “Don’t fuss with her mouth and do not come off!”
Kelly firmly believes in Freedom Forage Friends – her horses live out in all weathers, rain, storm, they are all barefoot, have 24/7 access to forage and they are kept together – she believes it's our job to ensure they are content above all else and our convenience should not impact negatively upon them.
Kelly started working with Tony at Equidance in 2019 – she is now full time with Equidance, chose 99% of the music, run the clinics and design floorplans from Prelim up to International FEI level. She is also a registered trainee judge which she hopes to get her teeth into in 2025.