Emily Philp Eventing

Event Rider riding at 5* star level on a home produced horse, currently with a fantastic team of horses at home and looking forward to the 2014 season.

I first rode at the age of two on my grandfather’s horse, Toby, Mum can remember me screaming whenever I was lifted off! It was inevitable from then that I would work with horses and I am lucky enough to now be a full time event rider based in Claverley near Wolverhampton.

I began eventing in 2000 with my first horse Silverquest, and we were chosen for the Wales and West JRN team in 2001 and 2002. At 18 I had the opportunity to be a working pupil at Lucy Wiegersma’s yard, I went with my then horse More Faithful, it was on him that I first competed at Intermediate level and whilst our Intermediate debut (his and mine) wasn’t the most successful, he helped me adjust to this new level and proved to be a talented chap.

After a year of hard work, lots of learning and the occasional partying (! ) at Lucy’s, I returned home to Shropshire to work in a racing yard, ride for a local event yard, and undertake a human massage course. I also continued to event my own horses. During this time, I was fortunate to rent Maz Gledhill’s former stud Fillets Farm which enabled ‘EP Eventing’ to start. Maz is now an integral part of day to day life on the yard, and is one of my most supportive owners, with both her homebred youngsters Hells Bells and Wizando forming a strong and exciting part of the team.

All of the event horses here have been produced from the ages of 3 or four and it seemed I was being recognised for this. So in 2009, having grown ‘EP Eventing’ through results and word of mouth, I made the daunting decision to buy my own yard and home in the form of Galatea Farm. After development on the building front and having an arena for the first time, we now have some 18 horses in for eventing, schooling, and breaking so life at Galatea is a busy one!

ducksThe driving force behind Galatea is my ambition is to ride at four star level on a horse I have produced myself. I am the first to admit that the journey so far would have been impossible without my support team, in particular Mumbo, Carol, who works tirelessly both in the yard and at events looking after owners and horses alike whilst I am riding. Dad; the former horse sceptic now turned eventing fan, owner and walking rule book is often be found at the score boards or water fence, possibly in the hope of witnessing me getting a ducking, his help and support have been invaluable. With that said Bonnie Williams is my trainer, and without her help at home and calming influence at the bigger events I can honestly say that neither I nor the horses would have got to where we are so far.

Eventing is a sport full of ups and downs, and the backup from my owners and sponsors Blaze Clothing, ARC Equine and Woody Wood Products is enormously appreciated. Remaining focussed, determined and dedicated is the only way to tackle this sport. However, good results, an improving horse, happy owners and a proud team gives you the adrenaline buzz to ensure all the hard work is worth it. Fingers Crossed.