From a very early age it was obvious that Anna had a great enthusiasm and talent for horse riding. Her mother, a keen horsewoman and her father saw her potential and purchased a super pony which Anna would ride through her childhood and teenage years, gaining every bit of confidence she naturally possess today. Charlie taught Anna the basics doing everything from dressage to hunter trials. It was Charlie who inspired her love for eventing.

As soon as she could, Anna left school and set up a yard with her mother. Anna looked after liveries and schooled horses in her care which gave her the knowledge and understanding to be able to freelance, teaching in yards and developing good relationships with colleagues and pupils who, in some instances went on to become owners for the horses Anna competes today.

I asked her how hard it was to ride someone else's horse and have them watching, on good days and bad. "Eventing's what it is and you have highs and lows. I am very lucky with the owners and horses I compete now. My main aim is to make sure that the horses I ride have a good round and if that is on a young horse or one who has had an issue with something, then as long as I feel he's done his best I'm happy. That's why I love the younger horses. I only ever take youngsters out when they are well and truly ready to compete. Take them slowly and they'll do their best, and if I've trained them properly, hopefully then they’ll be good enough to win. I have some great owners and some super horses at the moment," smiled Anna. "I've competed to CCI** level on a super big mare called ‘One of a Kind’. I also compete a cracking little horse ‘The Stockbroker’ on which I have enormous fun. He's like a big pony and always gives me a great ride. His owner Nicky is great - she's really supportive and a very keen owner." Many of Anna's owners aren't in a position to compete their horses and get tremendous joy watching them in action.

As the winter draws in and the eventing season has finished, Anna's horses will do some dressage and indoor showjumping should they need to polish-up on anything. "I'm excited about a new ride this year, a lovely grade B showjumper owned by my good friend Lou. She bought ‘Wunathose Daze’ six months ago and with her schooling and hacking him during the week I compete him at the weekends. It's really nice to have him to jump and it gives me a chance to do some big tracks."

Anna enjoys her lessons and has trained with some experienced riders. Regular lessons with Terry Allen and Sally Price have been beneficial to her competition results. “I've learned so much from my trainers and I hope that the people I train feel the same way about me.I really enjoy teaching and when my pupils compete I want to know how they have done and when I can I go along to give help and advice or just a bit of moral support.”

As well as her slightly older, retired Charlie, Anna has two other great horses co-owned with her supportive parents. ‘Falcon's Flight’ (Troy) has had a very good career. “Over the years he has done really well and with the help of Ricky Gaché my farrier and Viki Edmondson my vet we have managed to keep him sound. My proudest moment was riding him at Chepstow CCI* this year and coming 8th. I didn't realise he had so much scope." Anna's latest project is her new horse ‘Reuben's Choice,’ full of enthusiasm and with a good brain for eventing. Anna is very excited about the six
year old.

Finally Anna told me of her aspirations for the future. "Like all eventers my aim is Badminton and Burghley, whether that’s a dream or reality who knows, but I won’t stop trying! I also want to continue to train young horses in a sympathetic way so they want to do well for me and not because I make them.”

Anna is based in Claygate, Surrey. She can be contacted for training or riding on 07990 915602.