Lewis Robertson-Service and his greater than a-decade-long companion, Diego V (Spielberg x Welt Hit II) have been topped nationwide dressage champions on the 2024 LeMieux Nationwide Dressage Championships, after scoring a private greatest within the grand prix.
It was a whirlwind week for Lewis, who was driving down the centre line simply over per week after tying the know together with his now-wife Olivia (Liv) Robertson-Service.
We meet up with Lewis to seek out out about his profession up to now…
1. He doesn’t come from a horsey background
“I obtained into dressage a bit randomly, my household aren’t horsey however there was an area driving faculty again in Norfolk the place I grew up and a woman from faculty went there so I additionally started driving there,” Lewis says on episode 151 of The Horse & Hound podcast.
“Then all of a sudden someday my mum mentioned ‘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 in all probability wasn’t the appropriate pony for me to have,” he laughs. “We’d hack and he or she’d bomb off at one million miles an hour throughout stubble fields. She very a lot taught me keep on and be an all-round rider.”
2. He’s come up by the degrees with Diego
Lewis obtained Diego 12 years in the past, when he was 15 years previous and Diego simply 4. He was discovered on the market at Dan Greenwood’s yard by his coach on the time, Diana Fisher, who was appearing on a tip-off from Carl Hester.
They debuted collectively in 2013 at Keysoe scoring 73.45% within the novice restricted part. From there they debuted collectively at each degree from medium to grand prix.
“Once I had Diego again then my purpose was simply to maintain going by the degrees, I wasn’t occupied with grand prix,” Lewis says. “At first, it was simply to go from novice to elementary, after which to younger riders, then under-25s, and now grand prix.
“It reveals with time, effort and a number of luck all of it pays off and I’ve been extremely fortunate with Diego.”
Decide Isobel Wessels tells H&H that what was most spectacular concerning the mixture was their journey collectively.
“You don’t get many horses going from younger riders to under-25s to senior grand prix and I hope their instance evokes others to comply with of their footsteps,” she says.
3. Diego had his characterful moments rising up
“Diego was my first horse, so he was massive in comparison with the ponies that I used to be used to,” Lewis explains.
“On the time he was an lively character who was all the time making an attempt to get into mischief whether or not within the discipline, steady or underneath saddle. He was largely enjoyable to trip, however he might be very difficult.”
Actually, one such difficult second left Lewis needing a visit to A&E and a few stitches again in 2013.
“We’ve positively had some ups and downs over time, however he has continued to progress up by the degrees and he’s a horse that by no means ceases to shock me.”
4. They received their first nationwide title collectively in 2015
Their first nationwide title was on the 2015 winter championships at elementary on 68.23%.
The Horse & Hound present report from that day by Alice Collins reads: “Lewis Service goes locations. His fierce ambition and steely competitiveness are cloaked in a gentle, well mannered method.”
On the time Lewis was a working pupil on the Eilbergs’, whom he sought out throughout his Easter break from Hartpury School. “He’s obtained really feel, and guided in the appropriate manner, he’s obtained shot for the longer term,” Micheal Eilberg predicted on the time.
“Micheal’s taught me a lot about refining my expertise, not solely as a rider, but in addition an individual going from being a child to a younger grownup,” says Lewis.
5. He’s labored with a few of the high professionals within the nation
Lewis labored for the Eilberg household for over 4 years, beginning as an apprentice earlier than transitioning into extra of a driving function. Throughout that point he obtained to trip a number of high horses like Woodlander Farouche and introduced Diego as much as younger rider degree.
He then went on to work for Anna Ross for just below a 12 months earlier than organising by himself.
“I feel you’ll want to achieve a number of expertise earlier than you leap into doing it your self,” he says. “Lots of people – definitely myself – need to department off on their very own and also you don’t realise that you simply want all of that have you achieve from working at skilled yards, being within the surroundings and watching and studying.
“As a result of as quickly as you step out into the massive extensive world, it’s fairly scary and in the event you don’t have that have behind you it’s actually, actually tough.”
He now trains with Carl Hester and Kyra Kyrklund, and likewise colleges a few of Harry Meade’s occasion horses on the flat.
6. However his profession may have gone in a really totally different course
“I used to do a number of appearing all through my faculty years,” Lewis advised Horse & Hound in 2021.
“I had a few auditions for roles in films and was supplied the function of Oliver Twist in London’s West Finish as a baby. Once I left faculty, I needed to resolve if I used to be going to go to drama faculty in London, or do dressage.
“That was after we discovered Diego, in order that led me down the equestrian route. I do suppose my appearing background offers me confidence within the ring – when it’s you and your horse competing in entrance of judges and crowds, it’s like being on stage, however I don’t actually get nervous competing.”
7. Lewis and Liv’s first date was on the Nationwide Championships
“Our first date after assembly at a present in Hagen was right here on the nationals,” Liv explains. “I’d come as much as work and Lewis was within the inter II and as traditional he didn’t have a groom so I stayed for the day to assist out – and that was like our first correct day collectively.
“So, it’s particular for us there after which we obtained married on the identical day we met there three years later.”
To learn our unique interview with Lewis Robertson-Service in full, decide up subsequent week’s challenge of Horse & Hound journal, in outlets from 3 October.
You may additionally be curious about:
Lewis Robertson-Service and Diego V are topped nationwide champions on the 2024 Nationwide Dressage Championships.
Credit score: Kevin Sparrow Pictures
Lewis Service and Diego V on the 2023 Royal Windsor Horse Present.
Credit score: Daydream Equine Artwork
Lewis Service driving Diego V throughout the under-25 grand prix on the 2021 European Championships.
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Future
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H&H dressage and sport horse editor
Oscar graduated from York St John College with a grasp’s diploma in Literature in 2021 and joined Horse & Hound in October 2023. Oscar labored for high dressage rider Emile Faurie for 4 years after ending an equine administration course at school. Below Emile’s tutelage, Oscar competed on the 2015 Nationwide Dressage Championships and travelled with Emile’s horses to CDIs at Aachen, Vidauban, Saumur and Achlieiten. Oscar continues to compete in dressage, alongside his day job.