Meet Urban Equestrian Programme peers Jessica & Georgia

As part of Dressage For All Week, running from 11 - 15 November 2024, we reconnected with two twin pupils who took part in the first ever BD Urban Equestrian Centre Programme.

Jessica and Georgia were two of the amazing group of young equestrians who took part in the BD Urban Equestrian Centre Programme, ran for the first time this year; both girls are students of Summerfield Stables, where they're under the tutilage of FEI Inspire award nominee Georgina Urwin. We caught up with them to ask some key questions about the experience and find out more about their thoughts on dressage and hopes for the future. 

Before taking part in the BD Urban Equestrian Centre Programme with Summerfield Stables, what were your preconceptions about dressage?

Jessica: I thought that dressage was just getting the horse to do some fancy moves and I wanted to learn more about it.

Georgia: I thought it was ‘fancy, complicated’ moves, and it was confusing to watch. I also thought you would need your own hose to be able to compete.

What was it that made you want to apply and have a go at the programme?

Jessica: I wanted to understand dressage more and wanted to learn more about it. I had recently had a non-horsey accident and been unable to ride for 12 weeks previous to applying for the programme.

Georgia: Having entered the BHS Riding School National Championships Dressage Competition and placing third in the under 12 category, I wanted to gain more experience so that I could improve both my understanding of dressage and my scores.

You’ve got a group of amazing coaches at Summerfield, and trained with Jo Swain on the programme. How important is having a good coach for the overall learning experience? And enjoyment!

Jessica: It’s important to have a good coach as if you don’t have one that encourages you then you’re not motivated to do anything. Jo was a wonderful coach and taught me to persevere even when I didn’t feel confident.

Georgia: Having a good coach is important because if you have a good coach that you like they can help you with things, and if you get along with them and they understand you and the horses - then you’re more willing to do what they ask. Jo Swain is so knowledgeable – I learnt so many little things that have helped me to improve my dressage.

What was the key lesson or skill you took away from the programme?

Jessica: The key skill was keeping the impulsion through all of the gaits. Billy (my pony!) was generally quite sluggish and I struggled to get speed into our work.

Georgia: That you need to focus on lots of smaller skills as these will build together to make the bigger, harder ones come together.

What did you learn about yourself by taking part in the programme?

Jessica: Sometimes even though you want to give up, if you keep trying you will succeed.

Georgia: That I’m impatient! I need to give time for things to improve and get done correctly.

Has the programme inspired you to have a go at more dressage, or other equestrian activities?

Jessica: I think the programme has inspired me to try lots of different equestrian activities as you don’t know if you’ll like them if you don’t try them.

Georgia: I’d love to try different dressage tests and compete at different levels now I feel secure with the fundamentals of dressage.

One of the key “Dressage For All Week” themes is how horses affect our happiness and health, what impact do horses have on you personally? 

 Jessica: Horses help my social anxiety and keep me calm. When I took part in the programme, I had only recently returned to riding after three months off as I broke both of my arms and both of my wrists. Although my mom did take me down to the stables to cuddle my favourite horse (Olaf) - looking forward to this training kept me going through the period where I wasn’t able to ride where I felt in very low mood, especially watching my sister go off to her riding lessons each week. To place second in the competition at the end of the programme made me feel so proud of myself, and my horse.

Georgia: When I ride horses it’s the best part of my day, they make me happy. There is nothing like the company of a horse, they are such gorgeous, calming animals.

Do you see horses as part of your future, if so, how?

 Jessica: I definitely do see them as part of my future! I don’t know if this will be riding, competing or what yet. I know that it’s definitely something I want. I could not live without horses.

Georgia: I would like to keep riding horses for enjoyment, possibly competing as well. I’m also interested in animal psychology and knowing how horses behave and what makes them tick will help with this.

If you could share a piece of advice for other aspiring riders out there, what would it be?

Jessica: Even if you feel like giving up, try one more time as you never know what you might achieve.

Georgia: Be positive and confident. You don’t start off the best, it takes time to improve the partnership between you and your horse.

BD Urban Equestrian Centre Programme

A core principle of British Dressage’s strategy is to ensure that the sport is accessible to all, by removing the barriers to participation and creating opportunities for riders with limited access to the sport. The Urban Equestrian Centre Programme aims to give more people the chance to experience the special bond between horse and human, whilst learning about dressage and developing new skills, both in and out of the saddle. 

Due to the scheme’s popularity and the number of applications received, a second cohort will follow at Summerfield Stables, followed by further programmes elsewhere in the country, with two centres identified through the BEF Urban Equestrian Centre Network in London and the North East.  The programme is one of the Designated Funds projects aimed at increasing the level of diversity and inclusion within the sport of dressage.