Exeter rider jumping for joy

Last year Victoria won Exeter’s first medal in inter-university British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) equestrian competition when she beat off fierce competition to win bronze in the individual event.

The winter training consists of 25 British riders that have demonstrated consistent and exceptional performance over the 2009 season and have the potential to represent Great Britain’s Young Rider Team.

The 2009 season has been Victoria’s best so far as she qualified to compete at the highest international level at the Blenheim International Three Day Event. Another highlight of Victoria’s season was completing a clear round in the World Cup Qualifiers at the National Open Championships at Gatcombe.

On her successful season, Victoria commented “It has always been a dream of mine to ride at Gatcombe as it’s my local course and is where I first became interested in riding. To achieve a clear round was a massive boost for me. I’m delighted to have performed so consistently this year and the selection for the Great Britain Young Rider Programme is the icing on the cake.”

Victoria is part of the University of Exeter’s Riding Club which is renowned as a leading University Riding Club for fostering talented riders in the UK. The club train at Budleigh Salterton Stables in Devon. One of the trainers at the Stables is Lisa White who has been an integral contributor to Victoria’s recent success.  Lisa’s support is much appreciated by Victoria who said, “Lisa has been a big inspiration for me and her coaching has been such a big part of my development as a rider.”

Victoria also trains at the University’s Sports Park where she receives specialised Strength and Conditioning from the University’s High Performance Unit. She is part of the University’s Sports Scholarship Scheme and as such receives specialist training from a variety of dedicated professionals.

Nick Beasant, Exeter's Assistant Director of Sport (Performance and Competitions) is delighted with Victoria’s progress since joining the Scholarship Programme earlier this year.  He said “Victoria joined the Scheme this year in recognition of her past achievements and obvious potential. Her selection for the Great Britain Young Rider Programme is therefore excellent news. It’s very encouraging to see our Sports Scholars realising their dreams and this is an important stepping-stone for Victoria on her way to the top.”

He added, “Victoria is another example of the success of our Scholarship Scheme and we are glad that the University can offer her access to the top facilities and first-class Sports Science delivery required to support her in her training. We wish Victoria the very best of luck for the GB Training Programme and look forward to sharing in her future successes.”

Victoria’s ultimate goal is to represent the Great Britain Equestrian team at the London 2012 Olympics.