Ellis Grierson is a rider on a roll. The 30-year-old novice running hunter competitor and local specialist completed her 2023 season with a 2nd position on the Horse of the 12 months Display (HOYS) after racking up a tally of spectacular effects over the summer time.
Additionally a willing tournament rider, Ellis Grierson has been fascinated about appearing for 9 years.
“I were given into appearing after shifting into our first house that had land and stables,” Ellis explains. “I didn’t journey right through college, and my tournament horse was once semi-retired, so I used to be slightly caught on what course to head down subsequent. On the time, we had 3 horses, and 4 stables. It was once a easy case of equestrian maths — the numbers didn’t upload up for us!
“My sister noticed a gorgeous little Welsh mare on the market part an hour away. She was once my formative years dream come true; liver chestnut with a flaxen mane and tail — without equal Barbie pony. We didn’t have the faintest clue about appearing, however we quickly began venturing out to a couple native displays. We began making nice buddies at the circuit and the fun of aggressive outings turned into addictive, as did the purchasing of very lovable local ponies to compete with.”
Ellis has loved good fortune on some good ponies, one in every of her maximum a hit being Dunally Jane (Jenka) who she credit for placing her at the map.
“She helped me get to the place I’m now,” Ellis says. “My sister purchased her unseen as a feral two-year-old. I’ll by no means omit the sensation of dread when the transporter known as to warn us to brace ourselves as she was once slightly wild! To suppose, we took her from that loopy child pony to being a Badminton Grassroots contender. She’s had numerous wins and best placings within the display ring in staff, some highlights being profitable the Scottish Horse display in 2021 and qualifying for the Royal World Horse Display (RIHS) this 12 months.”
Ellis’ journey of 2023 was once indisputably her Welsh phase D Derradda Rummy (Hummy) who completed as runner up within the exceeding 143cm M&M running hunter pony ultimate at HOYS.
“It takes an ideal pony to qualify for HOYS, and a fair higher one to complete 2nd on their first consult with there,” Ellis says. “I by no means concept I’d be competing at HOYS, let by myself leaping transparent round a 1.10m direction there. I don’t suppose I’ll ever recover from the surprise of them pronouncing my quantity in entrance of that vast crowd!
“He has additionally led me to dipping my toe into the arena of British Dressage, qualifying for the Iciness Champs at Hartpury previous this 12 months. We’re very a lot winging it in terms of dressage, however we’re taking a look ahead to stepping up the degrees over iciness. He’s one in 1,000,000 and he provides the rest a move with a grin on his face.”
Ellis helps to keep her ponies at house in Scotland. Her set-up boasts an indoor barn with 8 stables and indoor and out of doors colleges.
“I depend my fortunate stars,” she says. “Once we first moved to this house seven years in the past there have been no equestrian amenities. We had brief stables publish subsequent to my space whilst the backyard was once constructed. I in reality liked our little set-up again then however I don’t leave out the heavy Scottish rain bursting throughout the brief roofs frequently!
“My circle of relatives all are living round me and we paintings as an excellent staff. Everybody chips in as and after they wish to and we’re at all times there for every different once we want that further enhance.”
Ellis Grierson — “I am hoping I will be able to tick some off in 2024”
Ellis has additionally accrued a robust following on social media. She started her Instagram web page 5 years in the past.
“Once I labored for the equestrian corporate Eqclusive I began taking footage and movies the use of the goods for their very own Instagram and it simply went from there,” she explains. “I’ve met such a lot of like-minded buddies and I’ve been ready to satisfy loads of those folks head to head at displays and occasions after years chatting on-line.”
Including any other string to her bow, Ellis is gearing as much as proceed her eventing occupation in 2024: “I lately compete at BE90 and was once fortunate sufficient to compete at Badminton this 12 months. Sadly the collection of BE venues in Scotland is relatively low now so we have now struggled to get to many occasions this 12 months, then again I’ve a in reality thrilling up-and-coming pony that I’m making plans to tournament subsequent 12 months and in reality hope he would be the one to get me ticking off my BE100 function! I ignored out on Badminton 2024 through one position so possibly we will be able to purpose to get a 2025 qualification subsequent 12 months.”
Appearing smart, Ellis is eager to go back to the RIHS: “I went there for the primary time ever this 12 months and completely liked the ambience, so I’d in reality love to return with a few ponies subsequent 12 months!
“For dressage, I’m hoping Hummy and I will be able to qualify for the Iciness Championships once more at a better stage.
“An final function of mine is to step as much as the pony running hunter categories sooner or later, however I’m nonetheless ready to seek out that particular unicorn horse to take on the ones classes. A non-competitive function is to paintings against my UKCC training {qualifications}. I in reality loved coaching for my degree one and would really like to get to my degree two and get started performing some training. I’ve such a lot of concepts in my head for 2024, and I am hoping I will be able to tick a few of them off.”
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