Tell us a little about you and your horses
My name is Emily Bradshaw and I’m a 21yr old international Dressage rider from Cheshire. I am lucky to have a lovely group of horses now, including:
Enjoy Amaris 11yr old gelding by Apache x Clint Eastwood, he is my current top horse competing internationally at young rider level and training to Grand Prix.
Genius K 9yr old gelding by Totilas x Rhodium
King D 5yr old gelding by Fairytale x Voice
Vendrago 4yr old gelding by Veneno HC x Clint Eastwood
General 4yr old stallion by Governor x San Amour
I also have some lovely horses from clients that I train in between their sessions.
How did your horses come into your life?
I have always been around horses as my grandparents had a small yard and my mum Sue Bradshaw is also an international dressage rider and trainer, I spent many years following her around shows and begging for a pony! I then spent most of my childhood cantering around fields on hairy ponies and enjoying pony club and eventing before specialising in Dressage at 16 when I began working at Van Olst Horses in the Netherlands.
How long have you been riding?
Since before I could walk!
When and where do you ride?
Having now made a career out of riding and training I ride 6-7days a week at my base Bradshaw Dressage in Cheshire where I run my business alongside my mums coaching and livery stable.
How did you start riding?
I first began like most children at a riding school as my mum didn’t have the patience to help me from the beginning! I went to Foxes riding school for 3years before getting my first pony aged 7.
What do you love about riding?
I love the relationship you build with the horses, especially when you have ridden them for a long time and have gone through so much together. Doing well at competitions is just the icing on the cake then!
What you would you like to be doing in the future and do you have any goals?
I would love to continue what I’m doing on a bigger scale with lots of lovely clients and horses to train every day.
Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding?
Normally no, at bigger competitions I have more adrenaline and excitement than nerves but it helps me rise to the occasion and ride better, I just take a breath before I enter the main arena and I’m good to go!
Your Top Tip
Work hard towards your goals but enjoy the process because you spend most of your time working!
The Final Furlong
Who would be your dream horse to ride?
I’ve been lucky enough to sit on some amazing horses already, but I would have to say Valegro (of course!) and Jameson RS2, I imagine his canter would feel like flying!
Who is your equestrian hero?
I have a lot of people I look up to ranging from friends to Olympians all for different reasons, I admire people who work hard for their success and are ambitious.
If you could have 5 people to dinner who would they be?
I can’t choose
Favourite colour horse?
I always wanted a palomino pony as a child but I’m not too fussy now!
Favourite horse event
I love going to new venues especially big championships, but my favourite so far would have to be Hagen in Germany.
Favourite food
I try to be healthy but I’m a sucker for anything sweet and pizza!
Favourite way to relax
Dinner or drinks with friends.
Favourite film
Ooh that’s a hard one! I’d have to give my top 3:
Devil wears Prada, pretty woman, and dirty dancing.
