Equestrian Life April 2018 Issue

dressage
riderp r o fi l e
Joanne Dagley
WHEN DID YOU FIRST START RIDING?
I started riding lessons with my sister when
I was about 5 years old, and have ridden ever
since!
I worked at a riding school at the weekends
in exchange for lessons from around the age
of 10. I got my first horse around the age of
13, at which point I learnt to jump. I kept
her at a riding school so continued helping,
trading for lessons!
At around 18, I moved yards to a friend’s
yard. I decided not to go to university, so I
could continue with horses so took a part
time job whilst doing an Open University
degree. I also studied separately and passed
BHS AI exams.
Aged 20 I got a job as Head Girl at a riding
school and worked there for a couple of
years before I realised that I needed a ‘proper
job’ so aged 22 I started working in a more
corporate environment.
Over the next 20 years I continued to
compete initially in Eventing, and then
more towards Dressage as I wasn’t very
brave in cross-country! I never had any huge
competition success as my horses where
always fairly tricky!
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO DRESSAGE?
Its really only since my surgery, and not
being able to jump that I’ve concentrated
on dressage. Before that I’d enjoyed all
disciplines.
However since joining BD I must say that the
community is great - I’ve attended camps
and training, and been part of the teams.
You’re always made to feel welcome and I’ve
made some great friends.
WHAT HORSES ARE YOU RIDING THIS
SEASON AND AT WHAT LEVEL?
I only have one horse that I’m competing
at the moment – Michael Angelo (Stable
name Miko) who I bought in February 2017.
We complete in able-bodied Novice and are
about to start at Elementary. In Paras, I’m
now concentrating on the Grade 5 Silver
Novice level.
Unfortunately para shows are few and far
between, so they can involve lots of travel.
• March 2018 -Appointed to the Para
Technical Committee for BD Dressage
• February 2018 -Moulton College 1st & 2nd
in Novice classes with 74.48% & 70.81%
• January 2018 - Moulton College 1st & 2nd
in Novice classes with 66.6% & 65.52
*Keysoe PARA Grade 5 Intro - 1st 70.71%
• September 2017 - Short Listed to represent
#Teamlikit as 2017 ambassador
• August 2017 - 3rd Place at the Para Grade 5
National Bronze Championships
• July 2017 - Represented Cambridgeshire
at the British Dressage Inter-Regional
competition. Placed 5th as a team. 4th
Placed highest rider in my section.
• June 2017 - Competed at Pet Plan Area
festival final at Codham Park Farm at
Novice. Placed 8th with 69.79%
• May 2017 - Bluegate Hall placed 1st in
18 April 2018 Equestrian Life