Jay and Paige Buxton

Riders who are making a living form the backbone of our sport and some face big challenges every day. Jennifer Donald meets an inspirational couple

- Jennifer Donald

“WE need to make a living before we go chasing dreams,” states showjumper Jay (Jonathon) Buxton. He and his wife Paige are making waves supporting the best of British horses through their Warrington-based business Strides Equestrian.

Because for every Ben Maher or Scott Brash reaching the heights where they can enjoy life in the five-star fast lane, there are a dozen equally talented riders who, as Jay says, have to prioritise making ends meet. It can be a real struggle. But this hugely likeable husband-and-wife duo started the business in 2011 and have found their niche buying, selling and producing quality British stock, with a novel sideline in leasing quality showjumpers to riders who otherwise couldn’t afford the price tag.

They have capacity for 19 horses in their picturesque Cheshire surroundings.

“That’s a mixture of our own horses, some for clients who are based here for training and a few who are here primarily for us to compete for owners, or a lot of the time to produce and sell,” explains Jay, 32, who only learnt to ride after his parents sent him to a riding school “to keep me out of trouble”.

“We’re growing all the time but we’re quite selective on the horses we bring in these days. They have to be quality – not always in that they’re absolute grand prix horses, but that they’re going to do a very nice job for somebody.”