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Katie Scott dressage rider
Wirral based dressage rider and coach Katie Alexander Scott has achieved remarkable things having come from a non-horsey background to having her own successful business based at a yard which she built herself and also finding time to ride and compete with incredible success including winning two national titles last year. Katie currently rides ten to twelve horses a day, some of them are for clients but most are owned by herself along with her owners. She says “I probably have too many which I never thought I would say but all the work and effort we put in is well worth it when you see the rewards”.
Katie Scott dressage rider
Katie and Junior (Liverpool KS) Winning the Novice National title in 2023

One of her talented horses is Junior, an eight-year-old Foundation gelding as well as a 2 * National Champion and a yard favourite. Knight (Owned by Annabel Davies) is a five-year-old Chameur gelding, he is another incredibly talented horse. This summer he won a young horse qualification class with 84% (one of the highest scores in the country) he also came third in a very hot Prelim Gold regional’s class with 72%. Katie says “Knight has been an incredibly tricky horse to work with, especially as a four-year-old but I have given him the time he needs and we are starting to see the benefits”. Katie has her own stallion, Power KS who is a 4-year-old Spielberg who really has the wow factor.  Katie already has people who are wanting to use him for their mares, but at the moment she just want to focus on training him over the winter and see what next year brings.

Another four-year-old stallion at the yard is Phoenix KS (Owned and bred by Tracey Price). Katie is very excited about him and says “He really melts my heart. He is also one of the most beautiful horses I have ever seen and has such an amazing brain”. Other four-year-olds at the yard include Platinum KS and Milan. For next year Katie has two three-year-olds, Rhodium KS (Mozart M filly) and Dark Skies KS (Negro stallion) who are currently with GSH (Greg and Stena at Tremorfa farm) and going very nicely. Katie enjoys having such talent around her and is careful to ensure that she has the best possible team around her, She say “The start of the horses ridden career is probably the biggest part and there is no one more I would trust than Greg with my horse. He really is incredibly talented”.  

 

How did horses come into your life?

Katie and five-year-old Knight (On Fire KS)
My next-door neighbour had a pony and one ride on Moorag and I was never going to do anything else. I used to be a show jumper until I had the opportunity to ride an advanced level dressage (which was given to me by Rebecca Greenwood) his name Dreamboat. Dreamboat by name, Dreamboat by nature. During this time, I managed to secure a lesson with the legend Stephen Clarke, he said I had very good natural feel and should do more dressage, so I listened to him.

 

When and where do you ride?

I am based at my own stables in Greasby, Wirral. We are very lucky to have great facilities including an indoor which really helps during these dark winter months. I bought the land in 2009 and started building the stable and arena in 2011. I did most of the work mostly myself on my digger, it was long days and during that time I didn’t get much riding done, so I am making up for it now. I ride my horses on a Monday/Tuesday they then have an in-hand session/hacking/water fitness day on Wednesday. Then back in School Thursday and Friday (apart from the 4-year-olds they will have another day in the water and hacking). Then unless we have competitions, at the weekends the horses have 2 full days off. We are very lucky to have turnout paddocks in which the horses get to wind down in and be horses.

Who do you train with?

Katie and Junior (Liverpool KS) Winning the Elementary National title in 2023
I train every other month with Stephen Clarke; he visits and points me in the right direction. He is a legend. I also have some lessons with Hayley Watson Greeves (over teams) they are invaluable, and she really pushes me especially with exercises for my horses. I have also recently started having Hannah Moody visit our stables to give me a helping hand. She is incredibly quick and spots things before they have happened. It’s only been a couple of clinics so far but looking forward to more in 2025 with her.

What are you and your horses currently working on?

Junior is really coming along nicely; we have recently been playing with Tempi changes with him rocking out 4s and 3s (greenly) but they were definitely there. So, we are super excited about this. Our aim is to do the Young Horse PSG next year. Knight is currently competing Elementary level and is really enjoying it but with eyes on the 6-year-old international classes next year. We have started working on his flying changes. Power and Jackson have been doing a lot of fitness training. The 4-year-olds don’t do as much in the school, but I do a lot of in hand training with them. My in-hand training comes from many things I have learned over the years from different specialists but mostly from Tristan Tucker (TRT). I absolutely love it as much as I do riding. I always say if you can’t do it in hand how do you expect to be able to on top.

What do you love about riding?

Katie and her stallion, Power KS. image courtesy of Dobbin Photography
Building such a strong bond with and animal that trusts you implicitly. Its quite a responsibility.

What are your future goals?

Young horse PSG with Junior. I would also love to do the Young horse champs in Germany with one of our young horses that we have bred.

   

Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding? 

I don’t really struggle with nerves as such I’ve always tried my best not to let that take over as it’s our responsibility to give the horse a good time, however, if I don’t feel prepared for a competition or lesson then I can sometimes feel overwhelmed.

How do you deal with them?

Katie and five-year-old Knight (On Fire KS)
Put the hours in so I know I am showing us at our best. Take your time training the horses so you really know each other, do things slowly and don’t rush.

Do you have any rituals before competing?

Before every test I spend time on my own and cancel out all noises and distractions and focus on what I want to achieve

 

It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?

It really does take a village.  I am very grateful to my Sponsors Charles Owen and Horse Bit Shop. The support they have given me over the last eighteen months has been invaluable. I also have to thank Jamie Reed Farrier/Suzanne Cottriall Physiotherapy and Freedom Saddlery as they have played a huge role in the last two years and have supported me every step of the way. I also have incredible family and friends who have supported me along the way. Tracey Price and Annabell Davies have always believed in me even when sometimes I haven’t always believed in myself. As well as Dressage I also run a successful Full Livery competition centre and without the help of my amazing team. I would not be able to do both. And of course, my dad, who has been my one constant throughout my life. I would not be here without him.

 

Your Top Tip

Say yes to every opportunity and believe you CAN.

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?

Give 100%…don’t have any regrets!

 

Down the Centre Line

 

Who would be your dream horse to ride?

Valegro and Freestyle

Who is your equestrian hero?

Isabel Werth

If you could have five people for dinner, who would they be?

Carl Hester, Isabel Werth, Jurgen Klopp, Gordan Ramsay and My Dad

Favourite colour horse?

Bright bay with white socks…cough* cough* Junior…

 

Favourite horse event?

Le Mieux National Champioships

 

Favourite food?

Currently, Jaffa cake tiffin

Want More?

If you enjoyed meeting Katie you might like to view more dressage rider “chatting with” interviews here.  You can keep up with Katie’s progress and visit her instagram page here        
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Sharon Howe

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