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#HeadstrongHeroes - Tamsin Drew, making 'plan B' a success when your horse is on the injured list

1/19/2015

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Essex based Tamsin Drew is an amateur rider who started competing at British Eventing in 2010. Her eventing partner since mid way through 2011 has been her tall, dark and handsome 16.2 gelding named Ferndale Captain (pictured above). Together they have campaigned from BE100 right up to CIC one-star.

Then Tamsin suffered every rider's nightmare - her beloved Captain picked up an injury. With the horse's welfare a priority, she opted to give Captain the whole of the 2014 season off to recover fully. Unlike professional riders who have a yard of other horses to fall back on, this left Tamsin without  a ride and no option to compete. Rather than rest on her laurels and curse bad luck, Tamsin made her own luck riding for an Olympian and four-star rider, and forming a new partnership with a white steed which earned her several BE placings in 2014. For overcoming adversity with one hell of a 'Plan B', Tamsin in my next #HeadstrongHero. Read her interview below...

Headstrong Equestrian - Following Captain's injury and the prospect of no competing in 2014, you went on to record eight BE completions riding Voyau Van Berkenbroeck (Brook to his friends!) including three top five finishes. Tell me about the horse and how you came to ride him – did you actively seek another ride or did it come about by chance?

Tamsin: "Deciding to give Captain the year off work was a very difficult decision. Upsetting as it was, I knew he would come back even stronger after the summer out in the field. I found myself with plenty of time and soon decided to advertise on a couple of websites for an event horse on loan for the season or longer. I did find a couple of horses but after going to try them, neither worked out!  

PictureTamsin & Brook at Firle Place
"Just as I was starting to think about giving up on finding a horse, I advertised on Facebook and I was contacted by a friend, Sue who lives in my village. Sue had just had a baby and didn’t have time to ride both her own youngster as well as Brook, in addition to being a mum! Sue has had some very successful seasons with Brook including qualifying for the Intermediate Championships. Although Brook had only competed lightly in the last three years Sue and her Mum, Brenda both felt Brook wasn’t quite ready to retire so asked me to ride and event him for the summer! He was based in my village at Brenda's yard which isn’t even a minute from my house so it couldn’t have worked out any better!"

Headstrong Equestrian - Why was it important to you to carry on competing and riding whilst Captain was out of action?
Tamsin: "Riding and eventing isn’t just a hobby to me it’s a lifestyle, I find the day to day training routine especially riding in the evenings after a busy day at work very refreshing and relaxing; I can completely switch off from work and focus on the horse! 

"It’s so rewarding to see how goals (big or small) & ambitions are achieved by the hard work put in through the working week. I wanted to build on my partnership with Captain and develop my riding by continuing with a new horse as well as enjoying the sport overall."

Headstrong Equestrian – Knowing Captain so well, what was it like riding a different horse and developing a new partnership?
Tamsin: "I have owned Captain for nearly four years now, and before Captain I had a 14 year riding break so I didn’t have any experience of riding other horses. Captain and Brook are very different to ride; Brook has plenty of energy and is very forward going & strong cross country. Brook had only been competed by Sue and ridden by Brenda so it was very different and new for both of us.  

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"It did take us a long time to build a partnership, we even had a little incident out hacking when I got a bit lost which upset Brook, who then wouldn’t go forward, leaped and spun, leaving us both upset standing in a ditch and having to ask Brenda to come to collect us in the horsebox! We took it easy after that and had a few weeks in the arena building our confidence back up before going out hacking again, with Brenda coming out with us on her bike! As the weeks passed I got to know Brook and our confidence grew. Showjumping was always our weakness as Brook got overly excited and bouncy and then I lost the nice forward rhythm. At our first BE we had two down which I wasn’t too disappointed with as our round was a bit messy. I was delighted when I went clear SJ in our second BE especially after our 27 dressage and went on to finish fourth!"    

Headstrong Equestrian – How did the arrangement work and why was it so successful? Would you recommend this to others?
Tamsin; "I rode Brook most evenings after work and in return helped Brenda to feed, hay and put her other two horses to bed, clean tack and help out where I could. Although there wasn’t any financial arrangement I looked after Brook like he was mine, keeping him clean and tidy, giving him plenty of baths!  I would spend most afternoons prior to an event getting him ready and bring my lorry up the morning of an event to load him. Brenda came to events with me but she was as happy for him to go out by himself as she knew he would be really well looked after. 

"Thankfully he was superbly behaved at events and so easy to manage which made it so worthwhile.  I was very lucky to find such a good arrangement and a lovely horse to event. I would definitely recommend looking into riding other horses, only if the arrangement works for both parties." 

PictureTamsin getting some tips from Sharon Hunt
Headstrong Equestrian –You have also spent time riding out for four star eventer and Olympic medallist Sharon Hunt; describe your experience of helping out at a professional event yard and what did you gain from it?
Tamsin: "I am trained by Sharon Hunt and without her support and coaching I definitely wouldn’t have had such a successful season on Brook. Over the winter months I’ve helped out Sharon by riding some of her horses and recently taking Captain over for the day or a couple of days to get the most of out of my visits. 

"I have definitely gained valuable experience riding a variety of different horses, watching Sharon work and seeing how a professional yard is run, gaining extra tips on yard management too. Over my Christmas break I even met Sharon at a BSJ show, this was really good fun but also saw how she got the best out of her horses at a show, watching her warm up, walking the courses with Sharon and gaining lots of knowledge on lines and turns!  I learn as much from the ground as I do from my ridden training."      

Headstrong Equestrian – You have brought Captain slowly back into work, and already had a very successful dressage outing winning both classes and scoring over 77%. How much do you think giving him the time off and working so hard in his absence will help you both this coming season?
Tamsin: "I’m sure the break did wonders for Captain, giving him lots of time to relax and unwind and giving all his muscles a total rest. Captain feels better then he has done in years, he is much more balanced and much lighter in my hand.  I have brought him back into work really slowly, not asking too much from him over the last 4 months and not putting any pressure on him in our flat work sessions. I've been building his strength by using lots of pole exercises in both trot and canter before introducing jumping. 

"The rehab programme was very time consuming and did take many months but it was definitely worth the wait when Captain is schooling and jumping better now than he has in years!  I’m sure my summer riding Brook and my winter flatwork sessions with Sharon Hunt helped with our recent dressage results." 

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Headstrong Equestrian – What are your aims for 2015, and will you continue to ride other horses or are you now a one horse woman?!
Tamsin: "2015 is a year for having fun and ensuring Captain is enjoying his work programme. I’m aiming on bringing Captain back out eventing in March or April depending on the ground and building his confidence back up before making any longer term plans. I would like to go to the Hickstead Derby Meeting in June for a bit of a holiday but also to compete in some of the smaller classes. 

"I would love to have another horse to compete so the pressure is off Captain but with working full time in London it’s difficult to find the time to ride two in the evening. If I got offered a ride on another horse I would definitely consider it, if the arrangement worked for both the owner and myself!"


To follow Tamsin's 2015 season and track Captain's comeback, check out Tamsin Drew Eventing on Facebook or follow her on Twitter.

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#HeadstrongHeroes - Boffie Brown, from car crash to eventing comeback in eight months

1/7/2015

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PictureBoffie riding Schumann aka Steve in their first Intermediate at Little Downham, 2012
Bethany 'Boffie' Brown is a promising young event rider based 20 minutes from Cambridge. 

She had her first taste of eventing in 2007, and in 2012 she tackled her first Intermediate. Then in 2014, Boffie's life was quite literally rocked when she was involved in a serious car accident which left her future hanging in the balance. 

She was given 30 minutes to live...and yet, just eight months later she was back in the saddle eventing.

For that reason, Boffie is my next #HeadstrongHero. Read her story here...

Headstrong Equestrian – Tell me a little about you and your eventing experience prior to the accident? 
Boffie: "My name is Boffie Brown and I am 21 years old. I have been riding since I was six years old and have been hooked ever since. I first started eventing when a BE day ticket was bought for my 14th birthday present! To start with I competed on my Mum's horse, Magic Roundabout and I was on such a huge learning curve. Together we competed up to BE100 level. In the background, I was building up a partnership with my own horse Steve (Schumann). He is an ex-racer and so has always been a handful! Steve has been such an awesome horse and reached the dizzy heights of 1* level when I was just 17. A year later, he made my dreams come true when we completed our first intermediate with a clear XC!" 

Headstrong Equestrian - In 2014, you were involved in a car accident and given 30 minutes to live. What happened, and what were your injuries? 
Boffie: "On my way to work in February 2014, I was involved in a very serious car accident. I have absolutely no memory of the accident or the entire day. I believe I was at a junction and an oncoming car smashed into the drivers side of my car. I suffered a minor brain bleed, three broken vertebrae and my pelvis broke in three places. In addition, my kidneys were described as 'shattered'." 
PictureSeeing her horses from her wheelchair
Headstrong Equestrian - What was involved in your treatment and rehab? 
Boffie: "I was in hospital for three weeks and then there was a LOT of sitting still to follow! For the months to follow, there were plenty of visits back to both kidney and fracture clinics. I was so lucky to have such incredible treatment after my accident and I have no doubt that they saved my life. I was absolutely determined to get riding my horses again and to go eventing. I got hold of an exercise bike and used this for 90 mins a day and cycled 40km. The bike was great because, firstly, it gave me something to fill my day! It is also a non-weight bearing form of exercise so my pelvic consultants couldn't tell me off!" 


Picture3 days after getting back on a horse, Boffie was competing at a local dressage competition
Headstrong Equestrian - How long after your accident were you back in the saddle and out competing again? 
Boffie: "I was back riding just 13 weeks after my accident. During my hospital stay, it was predicted that I wouldn't be riding until Autumn at the earliest, so this was such a huge boost! 

"I had my first sit on my horse on 21st May and I was at a local dressage show on 24th May. Apparently it absolutely poured with rain that day but I was totally oblivious... I was in my own little bubble up on cloud nine!" 

Headstrong Equestrian - Tell me about your eventing comeback? 
Boffie: "My comeback has been a long road to recovery. There is no way this would have been possible without the incredible care of all of my doctors, consultants and paramedics- they were all amazing and don't get enough praise! My awesome family have been my emotional (and physical) crutch too!

"My comeback to eventing was at Lt. Downham in October. This venue is my local and so I had been schooling a few times in the months leading up to the event itself to gain as much confidence as I possibly could. I know the course pretty well there too, which is always nice when you are anxious! I wasn't nervous at all in the run up to the event. I had waited for so long and I just kept thinking how lucky I was to be fit, strong and healthy enough so that I could do what I loved. It must sound crazy but it's true!

"How it went: my dressage and show jumping were completely respectable- we got a 36 and knocked a pole SJ. My mare is so capable but I was unbelievably rusty and a tad short of match practice. I remember finishing my test- I don't think I've ever enjoyed this phase as much as I did that day! And XC, well.... it was amazing. I can't really put it into words! Even though it was only a BE90, I had the most incredible round. Coming through the finish line one second over the optimum time, was one of the best moments of my life.

"Mabel was the horse I rode at LD. She is a beautiful 16.1 by Welton Ambassador ex Welton Vivat (Welton Crackerjack.) We bought her just two weeks before I had my accident- typical! She is such a sweet natured horse. She was the horse that reintroduced me to riding this year- what a star. She had never done any eventing before living with me- she hadn't even seen coloured poles before! Mabel has had a hugely educational year and is proving to be very special. Roll on Season 2015!" 

Headstrong Equestrian - Are you back to full fitness now or are there any ongoing ailments you have to cope with? 
Boffie: "I would say I've made a full physical recovery really. My pelvic fractures have all mended nicely and my kidneys have healed well too. I do suffer with minor aches and pains in my back sometimes, but nothing too major!" 

Headstrong Equestrian – What are your aims for next season?
Boffie: "My aims for next season are pretty simple: I want to go eventing more than once! 

"If my accident taught me anything, it is to make the most of life and enjoy every second. I believe I have been given a second chance and I feel so lucky now." 
"I have a beautiful horse who is new to eventing; we will start at BE90 and see how it goes- fingers crossed!" 

Headstrong Equestrian - I understand you have also been fundraising for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, who saved your life. How have you been raising money and why was it important to you?
Boffie: "Fundraising for EAAA has been such a team effort between my wonderful family and myself. I really wanted to give something back to them because I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them. My brothers and I took part in the Colour Run at the Olympic Park in September 2014, which kicked my campaign off the day after my 21st birthday. 

"I also organised a charity showjumping show in October which raised over £700! Next year, there are a few plans in the pipeline including doing Tough Mudder- a terrifying prospect! I have already had masses of fun raising money for this brilliant charity and hope it continues. For anyone interested in my fundraising adventure please visit my Just Giving page here."

Keep up to date with Boffie's progress with her new horse Templar Tribute (Mabel) by 'liking' Pink and Blue Eventing on Facebook, or following on Twitter. 
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Boffie's return to eventing in October 2014, 8 months after her accident
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Headstrong Equestrian - 2014 in review, the vlog!

1/2/2015

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2014 is the year I achieved my ambition to compete British Eventing completing all of our 5 events successfully, moved Blue up the grades from 80cm to over 1m with multiple wins, Monty returned home and we placed third in both our outings since, Ruby finally got a diagnosis and the treatment she needed, and I got to work at events such as Badminton Horse Trials, Hickstead, and interviewed eventing heroes such as Harry Meade, William Fox-Pitt, Pippa Funnell and Zara Phillips. Needless to say, I will look back fondly on it! 

A picture can speak a thousand words, so I've compiled a few photo and video highlights into a short film which I hope you will enjoy. Before signing off, I just wanted to say a big thank you to my fantastic sponsors and supporters without whom none of this would have been possible. Special thanks to Horslyx, Viovet, FMBs Therapy Systems and Helmet Ears, and to all friends (old and new) who have encouraged and helped me along the way. I hope you all had a successful year, and I look forward to seeing you all in 2015!    
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