It’s been fairly some 12 months for Evelina Shrieve, who took house two superior medium titles on the NAF 5 Star Winter Dressage Championships on Insist TC – or Terry as he’s recognized at house.
“I at all times knew that Terry was greater than able to reaching this, however the actuality of it really occurring was one thing completely aside,” Evelina stated. “This, mixed with the truth that each my courses fell on the identical day, added to the surrealism of the entire expertise!”
Although the compact 11-year-old gelding could also be small in stature, he greater than makes up for it along with his character, and in simply over three years collectively, the pair have risen from novice to inter I.
It’s all of the extra spectacular provided that Evelina solely started her dressage journey whereas working for the Thurman-Bakers throughout a summer season break from her psychology diploma at Loughborough College, in alternate for some driving time.
“I used to be an avid Pony Clubber all through my childhood and into my teenagers however I didn’t totally catch the dressage bug till then,” she explains. “I used to be simply so determined to journey that I contacted a neighborhood yard through the summer season holidays and it simply so occurred that the Thurman-Bakers have been proper on my doorstep!
“I purchased Terry a 12 months later, joined British Dressage (BD) for the primary time a month after that, and the remainder is historical past. Terry is, and at all times will probably be, an extremely particular horse.”
Evelina now trains with Samantha Thurman-Pickett and has her sights set on grand prix. “That and presumably doing a global could be absolutely the dream,” she provides. “Nonetheless, I’m slightly superstitious and to say that aloud is kind of terrifying as who is aware of what’s across the nook!
“I additionally suppose that whereas purpose setting has its advantages, it may typically be haphazard and I additionally wish to take every day because it comes.”
Taking that leap of religion one summer season proved to be life-changing in additional methods than one. Not solely did it kickstart her skilled driving profession, but it surely additionally led her to satisfy former Horse & Hound blogger – and a champion at this 12 months’s winter championships herself – Joanna Thurman-Baker.
The duo has since gone on to launch That’s Lame – a “good mucking out podcast” which goals to foster a way of group and encourage mutual assist amongst riders in a sport that always leans towards introspection, isolation, and self-criticism, particularly amongst youthful riders and professionals.
“The podcast has been a implausible artistic outlet for us each and has led to so many different alternatives that will not have come about via driving alone, like collaborations with BD Youth and Horse & Nation TV,” Evelina, who has additionally taken half in British Equestrian’s Younger Professionals Programme – a scheme designed to assist younger athletes transition from the expertise pathway into the broader equestrian sport community – explains.
“It’s no hidden secret {that a} profession with horses shouldn’t be at all times a gentle one. That’s why I imagine it’s paramount for younger professionals at present to diversify their careers and take into account different choices alongside driving – whether or not that be via teaching, content material creation or one thing else.
“My recommendation to different younger professionals could be to contemplate your pursuits and talent set outdoors of driving and to observe it via.”
Rider’s psychological well being can be a matter near Evelina’s coronary heart. “I’ve at all times had a eager curiosity in areas surrounding human psychology as I imagine they’re elementary to our very existence,” she says.
“Actually, I had initially thought-about changing into a baby psychologist earlier than working with horses and that’s why I selected to check psychology. I’ve since grow to be a psychological well being and wellbeing assist mentor for BD.
“Moreover, with equine welfare being such a urgent subject as of late, I feel you will need to take into account this in relation to rider psychological well being – a connection which I feel is commonly ignored.”
On what she plans to do sooner or later, Evelina provides: “I’d like to run my very own yard at some point and produce different horses. For now, although, I’m simply so grateful to have an exquisite horse, in addition to an unbelievable assist community each at house and on the yard.”
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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.
