Former showing and side-saddle rider Ally Kelly from Essex turned to competing at British Dressage and hasn’t looked back. Ally is not only enjoying success as a dressage rider, she is also a trainee judge and full-time transport administrator. Her wonderful horse is the rising eleven-year-old Irish Cob Strandhill Serenade AKA Mags.
How did Mags come into your life?
Ally and Mags at the 2024 Associated Championships where they competed novice and prelim in the part bred cob classes
Mags came into my life when I was actually looking for a showing horse. My background is predominantly showing and side-saddle. Back in 2021 we were training with a local showing producer, and it became apparent Mags had grown too tall; we had missed the boat in terms of having him measured as a heavyweight cob and he would’ve been too small build-wise to be a successful maxi cob, despite being over 15.2hh. So the producer advised me this; shows are now opening up again after the pandemic so get him out to see the world and get some dressage and local showing experience under his belt, then bring him back and we can side saddle him, so we went out unaffiliated dressage and we loved it. Mags just comes into his own in the whiteboards; and now we are beginning our third year of British Dressage and still loving it, and we haven’t gone back to showing, maybe side saddle one day.
Who do you train with?
I am lucky to have Amy Williams close by to give us to give us lessons regularly, fitting them in around my hectic work shifts. Amy has been with us since 2020 so has seen us at our best and at our worst – my worst being beside myself with nerves following a nasty fall in 2019. As well as Amy, I am lucky to train with Maddi Burchell; Maddi was introduced to me via a friend and comes to train us once or twice a month. She also runs the ‘Dressage Coach’ app and the popular camps; we went to a camp of hers last year at The Unicorn Trust and it was epic. Then to top it off, every few months we have Pippa El Derby (previously Hutton) come to Essex, and we love our lessons with her. I feel like Pippa, and I have the kind of rapport where I can say to her “that was rubbish, shall I do it again?” and she’ll agree. I can’t have instructors be too fluffy and nice to me, these three ladies keep me in check.
What does a typical day for you look like?
Ally during her showing days riding Lenté Le Duc, owned by Julia Wood
I work 12hr shifts so on a day shift I get up at half 4, get to North East London to begin work at 6, then finish work at 6. I go to the stables after work and either ride or lunge under floodlights (I’m lucky to have my mum do my stable chores while I work.). On a nightshift I will juggle all of this with sleeping. On a day off I get to the stables for half 8/9 as the stables are conveniently less than a 5-minute drive away, then I try to ride first thing before doing my stable chores whilst Mags is turned out for the day. I usually get home for about midday, have some lunch, do some social media admin then return back to the stables early afternoon – if its Spring/Summer time I may ride again to keep his fitness up (unless his morning ride was a heavy one or a lesson) then he’s usually in bed with his dinner by 5 o’clock and I get to go home. Coronation Street is a guilty pleasure of mine, but I also love a good drama or box set binge of an evening.
What are you and your horse currently working on?
Right, so currently I am recovering from spinal surgery. I lifted a box that was too heavy which resulted in a slipped disc, so I’m currently on box rest. But Mags is still in light work with my friend Keira O’Neill, who competed Juniors Advanced Medium so is really putting him through his paces. Mags and I are hoping to get back out later this year to hopefully get our Associated Championship scores in prelim and novice, and Keira is schooling Mags confidently at Novice whilst starting to introduce some Elementary movements to keep things fresh and exciting.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
Ally and Mags after their first BD win at Beechwood Equestrian Centre in Essex
My mum, she is my biggest supporter and has also become a dressage fan. I am very fortunate to have the support also of some great brands; Westgate Labs, Haysoft, Dublin Clothing, Weatherbeeta, Saracen Horse Feeds, Eglove, Bliss of London, Equisafety and KBIS. They not only support my social media but also my dressage journey too, and I am so grateful.
What do you love about riding?
The partnership and freedom. As a late diagnosed autistic woman, I never really understood what my draw was to horses, but now having spoken to my therapist it completely makes sense why many of us take such comfort in riding and being around horses; it’s a beautiful silent language where you can feel how the other is feeling with no words exchanged. Making the smallest of aid in the saddle and your horse just performing for you, there’s nothing quite like it. I’ve probably driven my consultant and physio mad by me asking “can I pick my horse’s feet out yet?”, “when can I ride?”, “what about riding a mechanical horse? Would that be allowed?” haha! But I can’t help it, I love everything about riding and being around horses.
What would you like to be doing in the future, and do you have any goals?
I would love to try Freestyle to music one day with Mags, either at Novice or maybe Elementary. Though to be honest, making it to Elementary Bronze would be the dream in itself. I would also love a second horse to run alongside Mags in the next 4 or 5 years, that’s the dream.
Do you have any rituals before competing?
I like to have a bit of time to myself prior to leaving the yard where I put my numbers on my saddlecloth in the lorry on my own; this is my time to compose myself and get my head into that space. I try to take my mum with me to shows, not only for company but for help and of course my good luck charm.
What have been some highlights of your dressage journey to date?
Our first BD win was very special, as it was a big class at our local venue Beechwood, so that was very cool! And of course, last year’s Associated Championships were a really big highlight, as our first stay away show. Mags settled so well and performed like the little champ he is. Everyone there, the stewards, judges and other competitors were so encouraging and lovely, I honestly can’t wait to go back.
What challenges have you faced on your dressage journey?
Being autistic means I can take things very literally and struggle to read people; so unaffiliated was hard for me with the skullduggery of the local scene, whilst British Dressage couldn’t have been more welcoming; everyone is competing for their own reasons whether it’s to get their qualifying scores for a championship or even just to beat their previous score. And since they introduced the Sunflower armbands at BD I’ve found warmups a lot easier, as I struggle to hear when my name is called due to ‘hyper focus’. I also struggle to remember my tests when my nerves kick in, something I’m sure many of us can relate with.
Your Top Tip
I live by my phone! I have so much on there, with reminders on my calendar for everything like lessons, farrier appointments etc. and I set the timer for filling up hay soaking container. Interval apps are also great for riding interval training to improve your horse’s fitness – I have my entire interval workout set up, so the voice tells me when to trot, canter, change the rein etc.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
You make your own luck in life – I can’t remember who told me that but it’s something I live by!
