What famous rider do you look up to and why?

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NIKKI1974

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because im big into showing i would say Lynn Russell is someone who i inspire to be like a true master in her game .Who do you look up to and why?
 
Carl Hester - love his way of riding and letting the horse really stretch and supple to warm up. Have loved him and his horses in every demo I've seen and he always makes it look effortless.
 
Ludger Beerbaum - the guy is simply amazing. Such light hands, and such agility in the saddle.

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Both Lucinda Green and Mark Todd. Pure masters on several different horses; fantastic jockeys. Two others if allowed would be John Francombe, so in balance with his horses and Andrew Thornton, another class horseman who doesn't give up in a race; I'd certainly want him to ride mine (as if!)
There are so many good riders it's hard to choose!
 
Mary King - amazing talent and seems to be the loveliest, smiliest rider around! What i'd give to have a lesson with her, or even just meet her!
 
Always admired Mary King and when I was lucky enough to meet her she really did come across as being a genuinely lovely person.
 
Mary King - determination, ability, partnerships with her horses - how it's alway we and not I, consistancy and general niceness. Oh and taking the time out to chat or write to her suppoters. Her hand written postcard to me takes pride of place on my noticeboard

Really do think she's the face of BE, oh and she's always smiling
 
ruth edge because she manages to be on the dressage pages and eventing pages of horse and hound! i also love the way she rides...
also pippa funnel because she is amazing...the grand slam is something exceptional!
 
I have always admired Tim Stockdale and think he has done wonders for the profile of showjumping.
Mary King and Lucinda Fredericks are also legends.
I am going to see Jessica Kurten's demo tomorrow night and am keen to see how she comes across in person - she's a very tough competitor!
 
There are many in my case including most of the national hunt jockeys for their sheer determination, hard working attitude and a constant display of excellent horseman and sportsmanship.
I used to admire Richard Dunwoody as a jockey and when I met him in person I was equally impressed by his very down to earth and approachable persona.
However for me personally it has to be Tony McCoy. Never have I seen a jockey so determined to win. At times he may come across a bit aloof when being interviewed and he certainly doesn't look you in the eye very often when speaking ( have discovered that myself). However I don't believe it is because he is acting in an elusive manner. As a rider he has been crowned champion jockey no less than 12 times. He became the fastest jockey to reach the 1000th winner mark. Then on August 27th 2002 at Uttoxeter McCoy rode 2 winners that day to become the most successful ever winning jockey in national hunt racing in reaching the 1,700th winner mark beating the previous record of 1,699 set by former rider Richard Dunwoody.
That day was to be the proudest day of my life as a journalist as I managed to snare Tony away from the onslaught of journalists mainly the tabloid press and become the first person to interview him after his achievement. Yeah I know I may be boasting but it was some bloody achievement for a local rag journalist - who was also a woman - beating the male hacks at their own game lol.
Tony was so gracious and to be honest very self depreciating about his achievement. I really don't think he knows just how good he is and that day he seemed to be in total awe of the attention lavished on him by racegoers and the press alike.
I think they are very admirable qualities in anyone.
Long may his assocation with the sport continue and I know I for one will miss him greatly when he eventually hangs up his boots
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In the showjumping world it has to be Geoff Billington. Down to earth and gets on with the job in hand very well. Excellent rider and for a rider on the larger side ( meant as a compliment not nasty btw) who often seems to ride equally tall and strong types he does very well with his jumpers even on the speed rounds. I loved It's Otto and I thought they seemed to bring out the best in each other. I didn't see Geoff's win at Hickstead this year but I was very happy for him
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Caroline
 
Carl Hester, Richard Davison, William Fox-Pitt and Pippa Funnell spring to mind immediately. Why? Because I like their horsemanship.
 
Well I guess every discipline will have it's own heroes, but for me one person sits head and shoulders above everybody else in the world of showjumping. He's been at the top of his sport for the last 30 years and even now at the tender age of fifty and a few years has (
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) has just regained the top spot in the BSJA rider rankings. He has won pretty much everything there is to win and done so on so many different horses and different types of horse too.

There is only one John Whitaker
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Ruth Edge, for being amazing in two disciplines.
Gareth Hughes, for being a consummate professional and a fabulous rider.
Jessica Kurten, for really pulling herself up the ladder and being bloody good at what she does.
Kyra Kyrklund, for being a legend in her own time!!!
 
Anna Ross Davies - for what she's achieved, her amazing position and effectiveness, I really look up to her and how she rides. Would love to be that good one day!
 
SJ - Franke Sloothak for great style, amazing feel for the horses and for the best eye for distance. And for his amazing blue eyed mare Weihaiwej
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XC - Mary King for her everhappy attitude, 'going for it' and her lovely relationship with her horses. Ingrid Klimke for style.

Dressage - Anky Van Grunsven in all dressage to music. Absolutely amazing. Reiner Klimke for everything that matters in dressage.
 
Dr Klimke
Harvey Smith...
John Francome

...and not a rider, but the greatest trainer of NH Horses...
Fred Winter.
 
Pippa Funnel for admitting to overwhelming nerves and battling to overcome them at a time when sports psych was not huge in the horse world.
JW - there are just no words to describe his brilliance but also a mention for Nick Skelton who overcame amazing odds and came right back to the top of his sport.
Any para rider because everytime I moan about my physical inabilities I think about the amazing way that they overcome their real restrictions to communicate with a horse in ways I probably never will despite millions of lessons !
 
Jos Lansink- Not only a fantastic rider (to see him warm up horses is an education) but I have also seen him handle and get involved with foals and youngstock. Great horseman.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Well I guess every discipline will have it's own heroes, but for me one person sits head and shoulders above everybody else in the world of showjumping. He's been at the top of his sport for the last 30 years and even now at the tender age of fifty and a few years has ( ) has just regained the top spot in the BSJA rider rankings. He has won pretty much everything there is to win and done so on so many different horses and different types of horse too.

There is only one John Whitaker

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I actually prefer Michael Whitaker, I feel he is a more versatile rider as he also gets a tune out of mares, something that John struggles with. Saying that, they are a hugely talented family and it would be difficult to say who is best.
 
My childhood heroes were Pat Smythe and David Broome. Like John Whitaker they rode all sorts of horses to great success. They rode and managed their horses with sympathy and most of them had long careers. A mention too for Caroline Bradley for much the same reasons. A life cut tragically short. In eventing, Richard Meade, like Mark Todd, always seemed in balance and could get great results with catch rides.
 
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