WHEN Katie Bailey went on holiday to the south of France in 2009, she never expected to receive a message that would transform her dressage career.
“My mum texted me to say she’d just seen an advert in Horse & Hound for a job at Carl Hester’s yard, and had applied on my behalf,” says Katie, now 32 and one of Britain’s most exciting up-and-coming dressage riders.
“At the time I was doing a six-month scholarship at Talland, and I had a very intense lesson without stirrups the night before the interview, to help prepare,” remembers Katie. “Carl put me on Super Nova II [Neville, who went on to be Spencer Wilton’s Olympic horse]. I trotted around his beautiful arena on Neville, sat up tall and tried to smile, and just did the best I could.”
Carl spotted Katie’s potential, and so it was that she found herself living every dressage lover’s dream, riding and caring for some of the most famous horses in the world.
“Sometimes I can’t believe that I got to hack out Valegro!” laughs Katie. “He really is as amazing as everyone says; such a genuine horse and so powerful. I only had to think of the aid for something and he would do it. “Carl’s Nip Tuck [Barney] was also one of my favourites,” adds Katie, who competed the Olympic silver medallist during the early stages of his career up to prix st georges, finishing advanced medium reserve winter champion in 2013. “I hadn’t ridden a horse like Barney before – very big and sharp – and he taught me a lot.
“I feel privileged to have ridden horses like these. During the Rio Olympics, where Valegro, Nip Tuck and Super Nova were on the team together, I remember thinking how cool it was that I had ridden them all.
This story is from the August 06, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 06, 2020 edition of Horse & Hound.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Tanking over the Plain
The Royal Artillery are out in force for their closing meet a fun and fast day out on Salisbury Plain
Sweet dreams
Whether you're looking to smarten up an existing yard or build a new one from scratch, there's a growing range of kit to add comfort and quality, finds Stephanie Bateman
'I didn't think I'd win it from the front'
Jamie Wingove claims an unexpected grand prix victory and a super-versatile 15hh working hunter comes away crowned a showjumping champion
The pick of the picnics
Sport is the main part of an equestrian day out, but good food enhances it. Netia Walker finds out about picnics that will beat the burger van if it ever stops raining
To the bone
Are you searching for a complete guide to joint injections? The hunt is over. Thijs de Bont MRCVS demystifies their contents, application and use in pain and performance management
Deadlock
A deadly disease characterised by lockjaw, tetanus is fatal in the majority of cases. Karen Coumbe MRCVS explains how a vaccine protects your horse
Ready to roll
A lot goes into ensuring safe road travel for horses, be it training, vehicle safety or on-the-day measures. Kieran O’Brien MRCVS explains
Carl Hester's PA
Claudine Bichard on alleviating the enormous paperwork burden, working alongside Valegro and why you mustn’t tell Carl he’s lucky to have her
Robbie Llewellyn
Covid chicken sales and working on Hollywood blockbusters might be an unlikely route to National Hunt success, but Robbie Llewellyn is forging an entrepreneurial path. Gemma Redrup meets him
'No atmosphere was lost'
Ronnie Lee Jones on the importance of good sportsmanship