I am Theo, 14 and from Shropshire. I started riding horses at 8, and now compete in Dressage, Showing and Carriage Driving! I am also a lover of all things music, play the flute and love to create my own dressage freestyle music!

I have a real passion for adopting and training RSPCA Ponies, showing people that they are every bit as capable in competition as those bred for the sport.

• Your riding journey

Starting at 8, I backed my first pony RSPCA George, and went on to win 26 dressage championships, and rode for England. When I outgrew George, we retrained him to drive, and have already won 3 championships with his as well as winning out first FEI International this year!

My second RSPCA pony Jerry, competes in showing and dressage. He has already won numerous showing championships. He was reserve CHAPS Champion, winner at the Royal Three Counties and qualified for Your Horse Live!

Elvis, my third RSPCA Pony is already doing fantastically. He has won at Betley Show, Hope Show amongst others and has just started under saddle

• Your competition highlights

George gets lots of attention having won so much! My favourite first memory was winning the Trailblazers Championships on an 83% and winning my Rowen Barbary Rug! The Following year we rode at the British Dressage National Convention in a demo with Becky Moody which was very cool! Our highlight for this year was becoming the only RSPCA pony registered with the FEI to win an International Carriage Driving Championship!

Jerry and Elvis has also had so many highlights, with the main one being winning at the Royal Three Counties Show last year!

• Anything you’d love people to know

I am a huge believer that every pony, regardless of their breeding has the ability to excel in competition, whatever level or discipline that is – you just need to adapt your plans to suit the discipline they like and train hard – partnerships are everything!

QUESTIONS

1. Where are you based?

I live in Shropshire and I am lucky enough to have a yard to ourselves with plenty of hacking for fitness!

2. When did your riding journey begin?

I was 8 when I started riding, backing George my first pony that year!

3. What discipline(s) do you compete in?

Dressage, Showing, Carriage Driving

4. What has been your proudest achievement so far?

George gets lots of attention having won so much! My favourite first memory was winning the Trailblazers Championships on an 83% and winning my Rowen Barbary Rug! The Following year we rode at the British Dressage National Convention in a demo with Becky Moody which was very cool! Our highlight for this year was becoming the only RSPCA pony registered with the FEI to win an International Carriage Driving Championship!

Jerry and Elvis has also had so many highlights, with the main one being winning at the Royal Three Counties Show last year!

5. Tell us about your top horse!

George, Jerry and Elvis are all so special in their own ways – George is competing as an FEI International Pony, but I have no doubt Jerry and Elvis will soon follow in his hoof steps!

6. What does a typical day look like for you?

Busy busy busy!! Yard, School, Yard repeat! We compete every weekend from March to October with one of my ponies, so life if always very busy!

7. What are your goals for the future?

We are off to compete in Europe with George this year both in France and Romania. Jerry and Elvis will be competing in Dressage and Showing, with both eventually transitioning to carriage driving.

8. Do you have any top riding tips or advice?

Find what your pony is good at and adapt yourselves! It is easier for you to understand and adapt rather than your pony. Patience and training are everything.

9. Do you have any pre-competition rituals or lucky habits?

In dressage, I talk my ponies through the dressage test – it helps me remember, and I am sure they listen! Music wise, we listen to ‘The Score – Unstoppable’ just before we go in!

10. Favourite post-ride snack or treat?

I’m 14 – Haribo! Oh and Chips of course

For the ponies, it’s Polos – they sniff them from miles away!

11. What’s your favourite Rowen Barbary product and why?

Tell us what you love using most!

QUICK FIRE ROUND ⚡

• Bay or Grey? – Sorry neither – coloured all day!
• Mare or Gelding? – Gelding 100%!
• Dressage or Showjumping? Dressage
• Hacking or Flatwork? Hacking (whilst schooling!)
• Matchy sets or Classic colours? I’m a 14yo boy, matchy matchy and bling is yuk!
• Indoor arena or Riding outside? Outside always! Prepare for the worst!
• Tea or Coffee? Hot Chocolate
• Sweet or Savoury? Sweet
• Dream horse? My Own, sorry, none compare!
• Favourite thing about competing? Showing people how special my ponies are win or lose