‘I injured my hand during the race’: meet the rider who made her pointing debut aged 57 and is now hooked on the sport
Despite injurying herself during the race, Nikki Atkinson cannot wait to get back out racing having made her debut last year
Hannah joined the Horse & Hound team in 2013 and left to pursue other opportunities in November 2020.
Combining her passion for horses with her love of English, Hannah spent three years studying for a degree in Sport Journalism at the University of Brighton, graduating in 2012.
An avid racing fan with a background in eventing, Hannah spent two weeks on work experience at the magazine, before being offered an internship which resulted in a full-time role.
Hannah regularly contributed to the features and reports within the pages of Horse & Hound, and was often seen out and about reporting from the eventing, showjumping and point-to-point scene — both in the UK and abroad.
Some of Hannah’s reporting highlights included the 2017 European Showjumping Championships in Gothenburg, Aachen CHIO and the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead. Her international showjumping reporting has taken her to countries including Doha, Canada and Abu Dhabi.
During the winter’s National Hunt action, Hannah can often be found at weekend race meetings, while also enjoying attending the likes of Glorious Goodwood, Royal Ascot and the Derby at Epsom during the summer.
She also closely follows the sport of point-to-pointing, and has enjoyed race-riding over the fences herself. In the mornings, she could be found riding out for local racehorse trainers before heading to Horse & Hound HQ.
Despite injurying herself during the race, Nikki Atkinson cannot wait to get back out racing having made her debut last year
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