Q&A with Ellie Turner
Quick fire questions by a young rider, skilfully guiding Basil, a super 15.1 hands bay gelding, through the challenging intricacies of Eventing.
When did you get Basil and what’s the most special thing about him?
“We bought Basil as a 5 year old late in 2023, after only sitting on him once very briefly, we knew he was the horse for us and was vetted and home in just a couple of days. We (myself, family and trainers) all think very much of Basil-it’s hard to think what the most special thing about him is! He is a very smart and clever jumper, but I’d probably say his attitude towards work is one of the most special things about him, he is a real trier who only wants to do his best to please. I also love his personality to bits, we often describe him as a puppy, he loves to follow you around; although he’s quite timid and quite reserved at first, once he gets to know you, he loves giving kisses and making you laugh which is really sweet. ”
Tell us about your weekly routine at the yard.
“I try and get up to the yard as much as possible, unfortunately as I am in my GCSE year revision and riding has to go hand in hand meaning I’m not up nearly as much as I’d like! Usually I head straight from school back to the yard where I swiftly groom, tack up and ride Basil. Luckily, as I only have one horse to ride and focus all my attention on. I try to vary his routine, especially as he is young; I think that hacking is the most important thing both physically and mentally and I try to get him out as much as possible- we are really lucky to have lots of woodlands around us meaning we can hack around for hours! I also will combine a mix of pole work, stretchy sessions and test riding into his weekly routine and one weekend day jumping, usually this is out training or competing away from home. I really enjoy the process of training and watching improvement so it’s really nice to treat the balance of school and revision with riding. ”
What are your plans with Basil for 2024?
“My plans with Basil are quite flexible, as he is young it’s hard to tell where he will be in a weeks’ time, let alone a year! My main aim this year is to keep him really happy and consolidate his foundation eventing, I’d love to step him up to BE100 providing he is confident after a few more runs and see where we go from there. I took him out to Larkhill GOBE recently which I think he really enjoyed, and eventing is definitely his favourite...I can feel it all clicking inside his little head! In the future, I’d love him to be eventing at 2* level when we feel he is ready. I have always had aspirations of competing at Cornbury International Horse Trials and I would love to do the Junior class with Basil in later years to come. ”
Tell us about being a Cool Ridings Member
“Being a member of Cool Ridings has been so much fun, although my twin sister and I joined the team a year ago and are still relatively new, there has been such an overwhelming sense of community, and it is such a positive family-like environment. There is so much support and advice available and given by all members and it is so lovely to be able to follow on everybody’s different journeys with their horses and careers. I love it as I know the equestrian community can feel a bit daunting when you stand out from the crowd but being part of Cool Ridings has made me aware that there are many, many other people in exactly the same boat and I’m really proud to be part of an initiative which encourages more people from ethnic backgrounds to join and engage in this amazing sport.”
