Rebekah Adshead is a freelance groom, rider and coach based in Shropshire. Rebekah has five horses, some of which are competed on a regular basis.
Twig is Rebekah’s Dartmoor Hill pony, who came from ’Wild to Wonderful’, a charity who rescues wild ponies, and matches them with loving homes. She says “He came to me very feral, scared of life and you could barely touch him to now he has his first BD competition coming up this month”. He will also be attending Gaynor Colburn’s Dressage to Music demo in March 2025. Rebekah describes Twig as “a loving, sweet boy with a lot of personality. His favourite things are licking people, sleeping and playing with his toys”.
Rebekah has a fell pony stallion who she got as a six-month old from Germany having previously ridden both his mum and dad. Rebekah and Peanut competed up to BD advanced medium, Inter B in working equitation and dabbled in some showjumping and eventing. Peanut was her main competition pony up to this point, however, unfortunately he had to retire earlier this year due to injury. He is in the process of being turned away and seeing where they go from there. Rebekah says “Peanut knows how amazing he is. He has a large head, physically and metaphorically, but is so sweet and kind”.
Lilly came to Rebekah to be produced and was backed last summer at eight-years-old, and now the pair are aiming for BE80/90 this season. “As a mare, she knows her own mind but absolutely loves her jumping. She is so easy going and just tries so hard” says Rebekah.
Dante, also known as Dan, is “the best horse I have ever owned”. Rebekah recounts their story “He turned me from a useless teenager, to competing BE100, team chasing to intermediate level and competing BD advanced medium. He really made me the rider I am today. We even managed to complete an Advanced before retirement. He exceeded everyone’s expectations in everything he did. He wasn’t exceptionally talented nor brave. But just gave anything his best go. I brought him as a safe and sane pony to learn on… well he certainly wasn’t that! He was a nightmare to hack and enjoyed frequently doing ‘the wall of death’ whilst schooling. However, as we progressed through our partnership together, one of our best achievements were that we managed to gallop tack-less on the beach. This really showed how he had transformed”.
Cracker is her newest addition. At six-months-old he has just started the weaning process. His breeding is out of a KWPN mare that goes back to ‘Tinker’s Boy’ and a thoroughbred stallion. “He’s definitely one of the most athletically bred horses I have bought, and I am really looking forward to the future with him”, says Rebekah.
Andrew Murphy. I have trained with him for ten years now, having lessons every two months when he comes up from Kent. He is incredibly knowledgeable and sympathetic. He is willing to work with any horse and rider combination. I love his passion for educating horse and rider to be correct and harmonious in their partnership, rather than teaching ‘how to win’.
Competing Peanut at Someford High Profile Show. Getting Dan to advanced medium BD. Training Peanut to piaffe independently, both in hand and under saddle.
Rebekah has a fell pony stallion who she got as a six-month old from Germany having previously ridden both his mum and dad. Rebekah and Peanut competed up to BD advanced medium, Inter B in working equitation and dabbled in some showjumping and eventing. Peanut was her main competition pony up to this point, however, unfortunately he had to retire earlier this year due to injury. He is in the process of being turned away and seeing where they go from there. Rebekah says “Peanut knows how amazing he is. He has a large head, physically and metaphorically, but is so sweet and kind”.
Lilly came to Rebekah to be produced and was backed last summer at eight-years-old, and now the pair are aiming for BE80/90 this season. “As a mare, she knows her own mind but absolutely loves her jumping. She is so easy going and just tries so hard” says Rebekah.
Dante, also known as Dan, is “the best horse I have ever owned”. Rebekah recounts their story “He turned me from a useless teenager, to competing BE100, team chasing to intermediate level and competing BD advanced medium. He really made me the rider I am today. We even managed to complete an Advanced before retirement. He exceeded everyone’s expectations in everything he did. He wasn’t exceptionally talented nor brave. But just gave anything his best go. I brought him as a safe and sane pony to learn on… well he certainly wasn’t that! He was a nightmare to hack and enjoyed frequently doing ‘the wall of death’ whilst schooling. However, as we progressed through our partnership together, one of our best achievements were that we managed to gallop tack-less on the beach. This really showed how he had transformed”.
Cracker is her newest addition. At six-months-old he has just started the weaning process. His breeding is out of a KWPN mare that goes back to ‘Tinker’s Boy’ and a thoroughbred stallion. “He’s definitely one of the most athletically bred horses I have bought, and I am really looking forward to the future with him”, says Rebekah.
Where did it all start?
I don’t remember ever not wanting to ride. My mum rode when she was younger, but not significantly to any level. I once rode my rocking horse down the stairs, and from that day my dad suggested they got me some riding lessons. I started at my local riding school. I always wanted to work with horses, from aspiring to be a jockey, showjumper or riding instructor. A pivotal moment for me was when watching the 2006 World Equestrian Games and thinking ‘dressage looks snazzy’. I threw myself at any opportunity that was available. I found yards that did dressage, had lessons and trained hard. I had the attitude of ‘nobody is going to stop me’.Who do you train with?
Andrew Murphy. I have trained with him for ten years now, having lessons every two months when he comes up from Kent. He is incredibly knowledgeable and sympathetic. He is willing to work with any horse and rider combination. I love his passion for educating horse and rider to be correct and harmonious in their partnership, rather than teaching ‘how to win’.
What would you like to be doing in the future?
I would love to train a horse to Grand Prix British Dressage. I would also love to do more dressage specific coaching. Non dressage goals consist of: more eventing, team chasing and working equitation, potentially moving up to advanced level. Overall, I just want to enjoy my ponies.It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
Absolutely, my team consists of Rob (my partner) who helps with general yard work and allows me to keep so many ponies. Caitlin (assistant) keeps me focused and on track with admin and planning. Andrew Murphy and Fran Turner (trainers) support me and my horses and keep expanding my knowledge. Denise O’Reilly also helps with my rider training. Smart saddles have believed in me, and I have been a brand ambassador for almost a year now. Gaynor Colburn has always been very supportive of me and my diverse range of ponies! Last but not least, of course all my friends, who have been fantastic cheerleaders.What have been some highlights of your dressage journey to date?
Competing Peanut at Someford High Profile Show. Getting Dan to advanced medium BD. Training Peanut to piaffe independently, both in hand and under saddle.
