Equestrian Life April 2018 Issue

INTERVIEW
Charlotte Dun
AS TOLD TO DAISY SMITH
Charlotte Dun is 22 years old, from the
Scottish Borders/Midlothian border
line, is in her final year at University
studying economics and accountancy and
working part time at an accountancy firm.
She competed in Pony Club events as well
as top level showing with placings at RIHS
and HOYS but has now broken into the
world of point to pointing.
What attracted you to point to point
Mum and Dad P2P and Dad had a permit
so we always had horses and I spent most
weekends at the races or point to points
meetings. From a very early age, I wanted to
be a jockey but was told my education must
come first.
How do you fit point to point around
your studying and working?
A lot of early mornings and late library
nights plus a very helpful mother!
Did jumping around Hickstead set you
up for attacking your first
point to point course?
My years of WHPs and pony
club taught me so much. I
still do plenty of flatwork and
gymnastic jumping with my
pointers. I would always get
more nervous going into a
workers arena than galloping
into a P2P fence because I’d
be more worried about having
a fence down than falling off!
When was your first point
to point success?
March 2015 on board Rolecarr
who was the naughtiest but
best schoolmaster I could
have ever wished for. He
taught me so much and gave
me so much confidence. I rode my second
winner in the next race on Farm Pixie,
owned by my Aunt. It was a very special
day.
Tell us about your current rides.
I’ve been very lucky to pick up a couple
of spare rides this year, I have had two
winners on Shantou Magic for his owner
Will Ramsay, who is now hoping to take
him to the Cheltenham Foxhunters. I have
been riding Whisperdale for the past couple
of seasons who is a fantastic, consistent
little horse who jumps his socks off for
three miles and always puts a smile on your
face. I’ll also be riding Roderick Random
who is again full of character, and our new
horse Nine Altars, who had his first run in
a hunters chase round Musselburgh at the
beginning of February, and will hopefully
to run in ladies races and hunter chases for
the remainder of the season.
What are your plans for 2018?
Keep riding nice horses, keep learning,
ABOVE: RIVER ALDER
LEFT: WHISPERDALE KELO. PHOTOS
COURTESY OF GROSSICK PHOTOGRAPHY
and a few winners would be nice. Oh, and
passing my uni finals would be good!
For anyone thinking about point to
point riding, what advice would you give
them?
Ride out for as many people as you can,
you learn so much from riding anything
from yearlings to big old handicappers. And
don’t be afraid to ask for help, everyone is
always really helpful.
What’s your must have piece of
equipment?
My neckstrap. It doesn’t matter if I’m on
the best jumper in the country, it never
hurts to have a lifeline.
What horse would you love to ride?
Altior. He looks pretty special, but I think
I’d need my neckstrap for some of his
spectacular jumps.
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