An elegant, impressive, and breath-taking sport, show jumping requires an incredible level of skill, and 13-year-old Florence has mastered it.

Year 8 student Florence Bonser Rearden always had a love for horses, she would tune in to watch them on television and spend her free time around the magnificent animals.

Aged 6, she was desperate to begin riding, and so the search for a pony began.

“We looked for a loan pony and I was able to ride that a few days a week. Then, we started doing more and getting more ponies that I could do different things on.

“I worked my way through the stages, and it all progressed from there,” she said.

Fast forward seven years and now Florence is a show jumping star, working her way through various competitions, and proving just how incredible the sport is.

Most recently, she competed at an NSEA event, an inter-school equestrian competition which sees some of the best youngsters face off head-to-head.

“No one at St Philip Howard was registered to compete at the NSEA event, so I went down to compete as an individual.

“We went to a venue in Tarporley, and all different competitions were taking place,” Florence said.

As a junior, she competed against young people as old as 18. Nevertheless, her talent shone through, and she won her class.

“I didn’t expect to win out of 70 people, it was really surprising when they called my name out of the placings.

“It felt so good to win such a big thing, and I managed to qualify for the UK Championships too.

“It’s also so nice watching other people go round, it gives you a good idea of what you’re doing, and everyone supports each other, no matter what school you’re from.”

Having jumped for years, Florence no longer feels any fear when taking on 80cm, 90cm and 1m heights.

Her sport requires high level of commitment, travelling across the country to compete and train.

“My pony is called Beau and I ride him 5 times a week, I also do some flat work and hacking. We travel to Shropshire where I am coached by a great instructor, Mark McCourt.

“It’s a big commitment to travel all the time but I’ve learnt so much and it’s worth it in the long run.

“I balance my sport alongside my school, but I never want it to get in the way of my education,” she said.

With big goals ahead of her, Florence aims to have a great experience at the UK Championships.

She also dreams of qualifying for the Horse of the Year Show, the biggest week of the year for equestrian entertainment.

“There’s a family called the Whitaker’s and they compete at Horse of the Year, they are excellent show jumpers.

“It’s so good to have people to look up to that you can aim to be like one day.”

For adrenaline junkie Florence, show jumping is an exciting hobby. But, for mum Nicola, it can often feel a bit frightening.

“I try to make sure that I’m sat down when she competes, otherwise I’m doing every jump with her as she jumps.

“She’s got a very good pony and she hardly ever falls off, but she’s very speedy and it does make me nervous.

“But all I want is for her to do well and to enjoy herself,” she said.

The family would encourage anyone to get into horse riding, even if it’s just spending time with the creatures.

“You can give it a go at all different levels, you can start at a riding school and if that takes off then there are options to part loan a pony, it’s a good way to get into it.

“There are also riding clubs that offer sessions for people, spending time with a horse is amazing, they are lovely animals."

Aside from the incredible achievements and the exciting competitions, Florence has been lucky enough to make some wonderful friends through her sport.

“You make a lot of friends who will stay with you for life as you move up the levels, it’s so great to hang out with them doing something you love.

“I go to the farm most days, even if I’m not riding, just because I love being around horses and getting fresh air.”

Do you know an inspirational sporting woman in Tameside or Glossop?

Women in Sport is a weekly column which shares the incredible stories of ladies involved in sport across the area. We are always on the lookout for fresh stories to tell. To nominate someone for the column or get involved yourself, please email Katie on katie.catherall@questmedianetwork.co.uk. 

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