US rider Tiana Coudray isn’t fazed by the large crowd that Mars Badminton Horse Trials attracts, because she travelled the world as a child competing in Irish dancing, including five world championships.
“I travelled the world dancing and it gave me huge experience with competitions and nerves and pressure,” said Tiana, who is contesting her fourth Badminton.
“I’m not Irish and I have no connection to it whatsoever, but it was exciting and energetic and bright and loud. We spent so much time in Ireland, England, Scotland, and all over North America.
“It was a great start. I very much moved into horses when I gave up dancing and I hit the ground running.”
Tiana grew up in America and began eventing in 2003 while a pupil at Ojai Valley School in California, where students were allowed to ride after lessons.
She trained with Bea and Derek De Grazia and won team gold at the North American Young Rider’s Championships on two occasions — in 2004 and 2008 — as well as winning the individual title in 2004.
Damage control
Tiana relocated to the UK in order to target the London 2012 Olympics, where she represented her home nation aboard Ringwood Magister.
At Badminton she rides Cancara’s Girl, a 15-year-old Holsteiner mare by Cancara (the stallion is grey unlike the black namesake who once appeared in Lloyds Bank adverts).
They produced a personal best in the dressage here last year and jumped clear across country.
However, the first phase didn’t quite go their way this time.
“It’s a test that doesn’t really suit her so you know it’s a matter of damage control,” said Tiana.
“The whole beginning of that test is ‘look how pretty my horse can trot’ and we can’t. So you spend the first five movements showing the judges what you can’t do, and it’s really hard to then get them to give points,” she explained.
“But it is what it is and, you know, they didn’t consult with me as to which test to use. So all things considered I’m happy enough.”
Main image by Tim Wilkinson
