Forest Farmacy sponsored rider and Organic Horse Elite Squad member: Jo Barry

Jo started riding at the local riding school at the age of 4. Weekly lessons soon became whole weekends and then on as many evenings after school as were possible. Jo got her first pony, a stroppy chestnut mare, when she was 8. She taught Jo how to stay on and they took part in Pony Club, Side Saddle and ventured in to the world of showing. During the next few years Jo rode at many of the major shows, the RIHS, HOYS and Olympia riding in SHP, WHP and M&M classes.

With her 14hh SHP, Jo tried a few dressage tests and within a short period of time showing was left behind and British Pony Team selection was firmly in their sights! In 1993 selection was achieved and dressage started to become an addiction. On leaving school Jo was offered a job with Carl Hester to fill in the few months of her gap year. A few months turned into 5yrs and University has never happened! During her time with Carl she was head girl, rode many of Carl's horses and rode to PSG competitively. In 1997 she won the National Talent Spotting and in 1998 headed the Young Rider Rankings. 2000 saw her head to the Sydney Olympics to groom for Carl..an experience of a lifetime.

In early 2001 she returned to her home just outside Edinburgh to run a livery, training and competition yard. It is from here that she is still based. The yard is run by Jo and her mother, Flora. Ormiston is ideally positioned being only 10 minutes from the Edinburgh city bypass, M8 (junction 3), M9 (Newbridge interchange) and Edinburgh airport.

Jo travels throughout the UK to take clinics, she holds her EFI Level 1 & 2 certificates and is an EFI qualified Tutor. She is accredited to The Scottish Equestrian Association, SportsScotland, British Dressage and The British Horse Society and has the appropriate insurance, first aid and child protection cover. In 2009 she was awarded the Pat Smallwood Training Award by the BHS. This award is to help nominated Instructors further their own training with a view to pass their increased knowledge onto their pupils.

Jo travels to train with Carl Hester and Stephen Clarke and competes throughout the UK. She has won 7 National and numerous Scottish Championships, qualifying many horses for Winter, Summer and Scottish Championships. During her dressage career, Jo has had the opportunity to receive training from some of the greatest riders and judges while participating on clinics and conventions taken by people such as Reiner Klimke, Nicole Uphoff, Hubertus Schmidt and Christoph Hess and has been noted by these prominent figures to have the required talent. With her top horse Vivaldi V, whom she owns with Lady Hope, she aims to achieve her lifelong goal of riding Internationally at Senior level..if all things go well maybe even with a place on a Senior Team!

Rider History
GB Pony Team 1993
GB Junior Team Shortlist 1994
Worked for Carl Hester 1996-2001
GB Talent Spotting Winner 1997
GB Young Rider Team Shortlist 1998
No 1 Ranked Young Rider 1998
AON Dressage Rider of the Year 2002
Pat Smallwood Training Award 2009

Number of Titles Won
7 British Championship Titles
11 Scottish Championship Titles

Number of Horses Qualified
14 for the British Winter Championships
18 for the British National Championships

About Jo's horses

Vivaldi V (Freddie) born in 2002. 17hh KWPN, black, gelding by Rilke, out of Donabel (byDonnerhall). Owned by Lady Hope and Jo Barry.

Successes
Scottish Sports Horse Champion 2006
Potential International Young Horse Champion, British Summer Championships 2007
2nd 5yo International, British Young Horse Championships 2007
1st Novice Freestyle, British Winter Championships 2007
2nd Novice Open, British Summer Championships 2007
1st Elementary Open, British Summer Championships 2007
2nd Medium Open, British Summer Championships 2009
Scottish Novice Champion 2007
Scottish Elementary Champion 2007
Scottish Medium Champion 2009

2010 Qualifications
Elementary Freestyle Scottish Semi-finals
Medium Freestyle Scottish Semi-finals
Medium Open Scottish Semi-finals

Rameau II (Rafa) born in 2004. 16.2hh, brown Oldenburg gelding by Rosario, out of Stutbuch (by Rohdiamant). Owned by Lady Hope and Jo Barry.

Successes
Qualified 5yo Final, British Young Horse Championships 2009
Qualified Novice Open Scottish Regional Championships 2009
Qualified Novice Scottish Championships 2009

2010 Qualifications
Novice Freestyle Scottish Semi-finals