World class training for YH readers

By Rebecca Gibson

General news

06 April 2011 10:34

Once again we’re offering two lucky readers a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a one-to-one lesson with their riding idols.

The first lesson will be a jump training session with the incredible William Fox Pitt at his yard in Dorset. The second lesson will be a flatwork session with the awe inspiring dressage rider Fiona Bigwood in West Sussex.

So, if you need to brush up on your dressage or jumping skills ready for an action packed season, email rebecca.gibson@bauermedia.co.uk. Tell us a little bit about yourself and your horse, your aims and if possible attach an image of you riding. You will also need to tell us where in the country you’re based and provide a daytime telephone number.

Each lesson will be tailored to suit the individual needs of the horse and rider combination and will take place the week beginning 9th May. There will be no charge for the lesson itself but you will be responsible for transport to the venue.

Fiona Bigwood
In 1996 Fiona was the youngest ever British rider to be selected for a Senior European Championships. She was also on the British European Championships team in 1999 and 2005. June 2010 marked a successful month for Fiona with a win at Hickstead, in the grand prix on Don Lorean with 73.30% early on, and a one/two in the grand prix at the Hickstead Premier League just weeks later with Don
Lorean, 71.06% and Wie Atlantico, 69.30%. She was also part of the silver medal winning team competing at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky.

William Fox Pitt
The King of British eventing William was the first British rider to become eventing’s World No 1, a distinction he achieved in 2002 and again in 2009 & 2010.  He has represented his country consistently over the past 15 years, winning team Silver at the 2004 Athens Olympics, team Bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, team Bronze at the 2002 World Equestrian Games in Jerez, team Silver at the 2006 World Equestrian Games in Aachen, team Gold and individual Silver at the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, seven team Gold medals at the European Championships and has been the British No 1 eight times. He is the only rider to have won four out of the five CCI****’s worldwide having won Burghley (1994, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008), Badminton (2004), Luhmulen (2008) and Rolex Kentucky (2010).