Organic Horse Start Squad member: Katherine Soley

Katherine Soley has three horses and competes in affiliated dressage. Challenger II (Ralph) is a 17.2hh Hanoverian X who is competing at Advanced Medium, Penrith Ryhme (Bobbie) is a 16.2hh Thoroughbred at Medium level and Bullaford Fool’s Gold (Harry) is an 18.2hh Dutch Warmblood also competing at Medium level.

All of Katherine's horses have been given to her, as they have been deemed dangerous/naughty/un- rideable. Bob was deemed by “professionals” as extremely dangerous and she was told she would never be able to ride him. "My greatest achievement so far has been when I got on Bob with no saddle and only a rope head collar and could half pass, piaffe, and passage in a relaxed manner – he is well known for rearing and throwing himself over backwards- and still will do, with an arrogant rider!" Katherine aims to continue her progress with the horses training, all of the horses advancing through the tests and would like to see the two Warmbloods eventually go on to Prix St Georges and beyond.

Why horses? "At 3.30 in the morning, when I’m called out to a suspected colic I ask the same question myself! Thankfully it doesn’t happen often. Horses have taught me so much, most importantly to listen and watch, and take the time it takes so that it doesn’t take any more time. It doesn’t pay to rush!"
Biggest horsey bug bear? "Those riders who won’t listen to what their horse is trying to tell them."
Worst horsey habit? "Spending too much time drinking tea and chatting to friends, only to find that I am then running late and have to muck out 10 stables in 20 minutes."
If not horses what? "Sailing a yacht with my partner Jon. We are taking part in the 2010 round the Island Yacht Race in June next year and can often be found (when I’m not mucking out) floating about on the Solent or South Coast – occasionally on the river Avon, in Chippenham!!"
What could you not live without? "Chocolate. Jon, my beloved partner/groom/stable hand/exercise rider/cook and PA. Chocolate. My mother, without her help I wouldn’t be able to keep the horses at all. Red wine, and sausage and Chips… oh and did I mention the chocolate."