Which famous rider do you aspire to and why?

Supertrooper

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You can have more than one :-)

1) Pippa Funnell - I've always admired her and like how disciplined she is and how she worked on her confidence issues.

2) Phoebe Buckley - love how calm she is with her horses, especially the ones that arn't easy and I try to think of her in my mind when I'm riding.

3) Carl Hester - who wouldn't want to ride like him! And I like his views on horse management even though they are very valuable animals.

Your turn xx
 
Carl Hester.
He is a very soft rider and he is also very human to his horses. They are hacked, turned out, jumped, taken for a gallop in the field.
 
Mary King - just love her attitude! And she always seems to be smiling

And both William FP and Ben Maher for their lovely riding - they just always seem so calm and maintain a nice relaxed position.
 
Another for Mary King, such a lovely woman and comes back from hardships stronger than ever!

Geoff Billington, funniest person I have seen in a long time, and it shows that you don't have to be a size 0 to be a top rider :p (sorry Geoff :D)
 
Frankie Dettori - I bet if he wanted to he could be ace in ANY discipline. And, he's always smiling (plus Amo il di lingua italiana). Can you imagine how much fun he'd be doing dressage????
 
Phillipe Karl - I have just read his book ' The twisted truth of modern dressage' - it makes so much sense and I wish i could sit like that!

I admire Mary King and her wonderful calm personality and superb position cross country - likewise Lucinda Green.

Mark Todd for still doing it (same age as me but 100 times fitter 100 times more guts!)

And all those at the top of their game who can always laugh at themselves!
 
Dressage = Nuno Oliviera

Show Jumping = Franke Sloothaak

XC = Mark Todd

Tootling round the countryside having a sing song = MEEEEEEEE :D
 
Frankie Dettori - I bet if he wanted to he could be ace in ANY discipline. And, he's always smiling (plus Amo il di lingua italiana). Can you imagine how much fun he'd be doing dressage????

I remember watching a Flat Jockey vs Jump Jockey Hurdle Race at Huntingdon a fair few years ago and Dettori was riding in it. He pulled up before the 3rd hurdle, came back in and apologosed to everyone - owner, trainer, stable lass in charge of the horse, the public and the stewards. His reason for pulling up so early? He freely admitted that he was scared going over the first jump, terrified by the second and couldn't face going over the third so he scooted round it and cantered home. So I'd say with Dettori so long as it didn't involve the horses feet leaving the ground he will be fine lol!

I don't really have anyone I aspire too as I do showing and 90% of producers do things to their horses and ponies that is totally and utterly shocking and I would never, ever dream of doing! I don't want to race ride as I am too heavy for flat racing and going fast over big jumps gives me the heebeejeebees so that's out of the window.

Saying that the one person who I would love to meet and work with would be Aiden O'Brian. Could you imagine the firepower of that string of horses he has? And with all those lovely bloodlines he has to draw on from Coolmoore Stud! The man is a genius and is truly The Master Of Ballydoyle.
 
It has to be Mary King - she is amazing - and such a lovely person too.

She does the whole thing too - very successful over decades and raised a family.

Love her!
 
Anja Beran- she's the most quietest, compassionate woman I've ever discovered. She doesn't compete and isn't so much 'famous', but she oozes talent. She is so gentle, skilled and just a lovely person.


Philippe Karl- He's an amazing and talented man and he has the courage to stand up for what he believes in. I love his work, I love his attitude and my friend is currently doing his U.K. training course and said he's a delight to work with and just the most inspiring man.

Luis Valenca Rodrigues- Similar reasons to PK and Anja, his love for the Lusitano is almost as enviable as his talent.

Nuno Oliveira (although long gone, his book and the remaining videos are amazing).

My friend, Heather Moffett. She's supported me, been kind to me and her work just inspires me to carry it on and spread the name. She's always been there and is a lovely, lovely lady.
 
Totally agree with this...
I don't really have anyone I aspire too as I do showing and 90% of producers do things to their horses and ponies that is totally and utterly shocking and I would never, ever dream of doing!

I don't admire any other riders/producers/trainers. I aspire to be the best rider for my each of my horses/ponies.

I know people who have admired "famous" equestrians, they only end up disappointed as the riders almost always prove themselves unworthy of respect let alone admiration.
 
I won't say 'aspire to' but those I admire are Mark Todd, Andrew Nicholson and Ruby Walsh who all seem to get great tunes out of anything they ride with the mark of a master, they all make it look so easy. Same goes for Carl Hester, love his way with his animals and Tony Warr with Coolgrange Merger, they're a great partneship and it's lovely to watch them go around a big 4* like it's a walk in the park and fun but then they have nothing to prove as much as the professionals. Sadly, there aren't many women I admire as such but that's more to do with me than that there aren't any good ones about.
 
I also would not use the word aspire and i only aspire to be me doing my best but admire now there i can do a list
Mary King
Lee Peason
Geoff Billington
Nick Skelton
Bob Champion
They have really all acheived amazing thing i their lives
 
Carl Hester- He rides nicely and treats his Horses as Horses! I met him once and he was lovely as were his Horses.

Shane Breen- he rides so quiet and calm. Love seeing him jump in the puissance! he will always give his Horse a big pat, even if they knocked the wall, Just think his a lovely rider.
 
SJ ; Marcus Ehning
XC; William Fox Pitt
DR; Carl Hester

All for the same reason that they just make it look totally effortless.
 
XC: LOVE Mary King, she's such a nice down to earth person and never without a smile on her face. Also a lot of admiration for Pippa Funnel and the sports great Mark Todd.

Showjumping: Michael and John Whitaker and Eric Lamaze (would love to own Hickstead)

Not really a dressage fan if I am entirely honest.
 
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