Oli Lawrence mainly competes in eventing but does show jumping and dressage through the winter. He has a two horses he competes:Lacken Chebel Novice BE, 17h, 8yo, Rich Rebel x Newtown Duchess.
Watchmacallit Novice BE, 12yo, 16.2hh, Creggan Diamond x Grange lucy 7th.
Oli got to the PC intermediate championships in 2007 before spending the season of 2008 in Ireland. This year placings include 9th Firle Place Open Novice, 6th Mattingley PN and 7th Keysoe PN. Oli aims to do a CCI* in the first half of next year and to be competitive in Open Intermediate Under 21 classes - the junior trials. Later on in the year perhaps a CIC**. Long term Oli has high hopes, "Get onto junior, young rider and senior teams and event professionally, then win Badminton, the Olympics, etc... the sky's the limit!"
Why horses? "Well are there really any other sports quite like eventing? Plus, there's something quite special about competing on an animal that in essence wasn't born to compete but will do so because it wants to. It really is something to produce a horse to do what you want not because it has to but because it wants to please."
Biggest horsey bug bear? "Seeing people ride cross country dangerously, especially at the lower level. The vast majority of riders can and do ride safely and sensibly but I suppose they'll always be those few who have to show us 'how not to do it'."
Worst horsey habit? "Over analyzing things - I find it quite hard to leave certain things alone and accept that sometimes things just happen and horses being horses sometimes you can't get a reason for everything. I'd much rather analysis everything down to the last movement."
If not horses what? "Windsurfing, climbing, downhill mountain biking, tennis, hockey... the list is endless - I wouldn't find it difficult to fill any spare time to the point of bursting."
What could you not live without? "Family! I'd be absolutely no where without the support they give me each day. Oh, and my short jumping stick which I'm rather fond of....I got pretty wet trying to fish it out of the water when we went XC schooling!"
Find out more about Oli at http://www.olilawrence.co.uk/ or check out his video links at http://www.youtube.com/user/oalawrence
