“I enjoy better courses abroad”

Sarah Lewis, young horse producer and trainer of amateur riders, says...

NICK mentioned the number of riders travelling to European shows and I am one of them. I buy and produce youngsters and I find they progress best by competing at international young horse shows. The number one reason is the courses.

We usually start five-yearolds with a clear round on the day we arrive. This costs €10. On the first day of competition, the course might be 1.05m throughout, but straightforward with no water tray.

On day two, the water tray is included as the last fence, then on the final day you have an upto-height grand prix, with maybe a combination and a tray. Every day is slightly bigger and more technical, so horses learn and improve over the show.

The mindset at these shows is that everyone should enjoy themselves, go well and that the best round will win. I’ve learned so much because everyone is supportive. No young horse producer is in it to win prize money – neither in Britain nor Europe.

Nick’s idea of bursaries to improve British centres is excellent. We have many good venues that, with extra investment and help, could match European venues and encourage more riders to stay on home soil.

However, I do wish showjumping in Britain was more cohesive. Maybe amateur riders could be categorised better, so that whatever the height of their comfort zone they are competing against their true peer group.

There is so much in our sport to be proud of, not least because our riders have won gold medals at the past two

Olympics. We just need to pull together.

“We have many good venues that

could match those overseas”