Stunt-performing show rider

From performing at HOYS to doubling in Disney films, Hannah Miller-Burton on dealing with challenges and rewiring her brain to learn to fall off

- As told to Jennifer Donald

I rode before I could walk and I’m happiest and most comfortable on a horse.

We couldn’t afford a ready-made Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) pony, so we used to buy ponies that ticked the boxes for conformation and type, but were unbroken, unhandled or too difficult for other people.

We had no arena, just a bumpy field. Between that and the feral, naughty ponies, it taught me to ride properly, learn to stay on and how to read the ponies and work with them; it’s all second nature now.

Showing is what I grew up in and I really enjoy getting the horses ready for the ring and performing with them. But I love nothing more than galloping in a big, open space and that feeling of letting off some steam.

I’ve been lucky to have brilliant equestrians around me to learn from. I spent time with Katy Marriott-Payne, who rode our pony Springbourne Crusader to some great titles. I also worked with Laura Collett, who was just starting eventing after a hugely successful showing career.

I broke “difficult” ponies with my stepdad Philip Ward-Burton and worked with the Mettlewood Stud backing and producing Arabians. My godparents, Martin and Barbra Surman of Ryehall Stud, also taught me the world.

My first stunt job was for season three of TV series Britannia