Lewis Robertson-Service and his greater than a-decade-long spouse, Diego V (Spielberg x Welt Hit II) had been topped nationwide dressage champions on the 2024 LeMieux Nationwide Dressage Championships, after scoring a non-public very best within the grand prix.
It was once a whirlwind week for Lewis, who was once driving down the centre line simply over every week after tying the know together with his now-wife Olivia (Liv) Robertson-Service.
We meet up with Lewis to know about his occupation to this point…
1. He doesn’t come from a horsey background
“I were given into dressage slightly randomly, my circle of relatives aren’t horsey however there was once an area driving faculty again in Norfolk the place I grew up and a lady from faculty went there so I additionally started driving there,” Lewis says on episode 151 of The Horse & Hound podcast.
“Then abruptly sooner or later my mum stated ‘Why don’t we get a pony?’ and it began from there.”
Lewis describes that first pony – Bella – as “an actual firecracker”.
“In hindsight, she most probably wasn’t the proper pony for me to have,” he laughs. “We’d hack and she or he’d bomb off at 1,000,000 miles an hour throughout stubble fields. She very a lot taught me the best way to keep on and the best way to be an all-round rider.”
2. He’s arise throughout the ranges with Diego
Lewis were given Diego 12 years in the past, when he was once 15 years previous and Diego simply 4. He was once discovered on the market at Dan Greenwood’s backyard through his instructor on the time, Diana Fisher, who was once performing on a tip-off from Carl Hester.
They debuted in combination in 2013 at Keysoe scoring 73.45% within the newbie limited phase. From there they debuted in combination at each and every degree from medium to grand prix.
“Once I had Diego again then my goal was once simply to stay going throughout the ranges, I wasn’t fascinated about grand prix,” Lewis says. “In the beginning, it was once simply to head from newbie to basic, after which to younger riders, then under-25s, and now grand prix.
“It displays with time, effort and numerous success all of it will pay off and I’ve been extremely fortunate with Diego.”
Pass judgement on Isobel Wessels tells H&H that what was once maximum spectacular concerning the aggregate was once their adventure in combination.
“You don’t get many horses going from younger riders to under-25s to senior grand prix and I am hoping their instance evokes others to practice of their footsteps,” she says.
3. Diego had his characterful moments rising up
“Diego was once my first horse, so he was once large in comparison to the ponies that I used to be used to,” Lewis explains.
“On the time he was once an full of life personality who was once at all times looking to get into mischief whether or not within the box, solid or below saddle. He was once most commonly amusing to experience, however he may well be very difficult.”
If truth be told, one such difficult second left Lewis wanting a go back and forth to A&E and a few stitches again in 2013.
“We’ve unquestionably had some ups and downs over time, however he has endured to growth up throughout the ranges and he’s a horse that by no means ceases to marvel me.”
4. They gained their first nationwide name in combination in 2015
Their first nationwide name was once on the 2015 wintry weather championships at basic on 68.23%.
The Horse & Hound display document from that day through Alice Collins reads: “Lewis Service goes puts. His fierce ambition and steely competitiveness are cloaked in a cushy, well mannered approach.”
On the time Lewis was once a running student on the Eilbergs’, whom he sought out all the way through his Easter ruin from Hartpury School. “He’s were given really feel, and guided in the proper method, he’s were given a excellent shot for the longer term,” Micheal Eilberg predicted on the time.
“Micheal’s taught me such a lot about refining my talents, now not most effective as a rider, but additionally an individual going from being a child to a tender grownup,” says Lewis.
5. He’s labored with one of the vital most sensible execs within the nation
Lewis labored for the Eilberg circle of relatives for over 4 years, beginning as an apprentice sooner than transitioning into extra of a driving position. All over that point he were given to experience a number of most sensible horses like Woodlander Farouche and taken Diego as much as younger rider degree.
He then went directly to paintings for Anna Ross for just below a 12 months sooner than putting in through himself.
“I believe you wish to have to realize numerous enjoy sooner than you soar into doing it your self,” he says. “A large number of folks – without a doubt myself – wish to department off on their very own and also you don’t realise that you wish to have all of that have you acquire from running at skilled yards, being within the setting and observing and finding out.
“As a result of once you step out into the massive vast global, it’s lovely horrifying and in case you don’t have that have at the back of you it’s in reality, in reality tricky.”
He now trains with Carl Hester and Kyra Kyrklund, and in addition faculties a few of Harry Meade’s tournament horses at the flat.
6. However his occupation will have long past in an overly other path
“I used to do numerous appearing all through my faculty years,” Lewis instructed Horse & Hound in 2021.
“I had a few auditions for roles in films and was once presented the position of Oliver Twist in London’s West Finish as a kid. Once I left faculty, I needed to come to a decision if I used to be going to visit drama faculty in London, or do dressage.
“That was once after we discovered Diego, in order that led me down the equestrian direction. I do assume my appearing background provides me self belief within the ring – when it’s you and your horse competing in entrance of judges and crowds, it’s like being on level, however I don’t in reality get fearful competing.”
7. Lewis and Liv’s first date was once on the Nationwide Championships
“Our first date after assembly at a display in Hagen was once right here on the nationals,” Liv explains. “I’d come as much as paintings and Lewis was once within the inter II and as same old he didn’t have a groom so I stayed for the day to lend a hand out – and that was once like our first correct day in combination.
“So, it’s particular for us there after which we were given married at the similar day we met there 3 years later.”
To learn our unique interview with Lewis Robertson-Service in complete, pick out up subsequent week’s factor of Horse & Hound mag, in stores from 3 October.
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