Having a parent who has ridden around Badminton or trained a Cheltenham Festival winner is always going to give you a head start when it comes to your prowess in the saddle. But these top riders are leaving nothing to chance with their children...
Eventer Harry Meade with his son Charlie
“He was literally roaring with laughter, whereas my daughter wouldn’t be quite as daring!” says Harry, recalling a time when he had Charlie in front of him in the saddle. “There have been days when we have had to literally peel Charlie out of the saddle after hunting.”
Olympic dressage rider Laura Tomlinson with daughter Annalisa
Two-year-old Annalisa doesn’t seem to be fazed by her company working in the school behind her… We wonder if her new brother Wilfred will be so at ease in the saddle?
National Hunt trainer Ben Pauling with his daughter Tillia
New stable jockey getting to grips with her ride on @barters_hill 2 weeks today, as always he is happy to oblige! pic.twitter.com/UB5DMlBjew
— Ben Pauling Racing (@benpauling1) March 4, 2016
Gloucestershire-based Ben Pauling’s daughter seemed to be happy getting to grips with something a little bigger than a Shetland last year.
Showing producer Sarah Parker‘s son Owen
“The main thing for children under five is to make riding fun,” says showing producer Sarah Parker.
William Fox-Pitt’s daughter gets familiar with the hounds
Smartly turned out and ready to go: would you expect any less from William and Alice Fox-Pitt’s offspring?
Son of H&H’s showing columnist Simon Reynolds, Luke
“Instead of the show ring, I’d much rather Luke goes to Pony Club where he can have a more relaxed introduction to riding that isn’t based on winning or losing — somewhere where fun and games and camaraderie are high on the agenda,” says Luke’s mother Natalie.
Eventer Nick Gauntlett with his son Henry
Great morning @horse_play with Henry & most of the yard! Thanks @georgetapner pic.twitter.com/A8BmWH61mH
— Nick Gauntlett FBHS (@nick_gauntlett) January 9, 2017
Henry Gauntlett looks at home alongside his dad cross-country schooling
