I live in Warwickshire and work for Avonvale Equine Vets Monday to Friday and work for Horsequest at the weekends. I have two working springer spaniels who keep me on my toes and an ex racehorse called ‘Fagan’ who really keeps me on my toes, although retired from racing he is as fresh and fit as he was when he last ran a year ago!!

I am not from a riding background I started riding when I was about 7, I had a friend who had riding lessons when we were based in Germany and I wanted to learn. My parents said I could when we were posted back to England and they stuck to their promise. I started in riding schools and following my father being posted to Larkhill in Wiltshire to command 14 regiment, I moved to the Royal Artillery Saddle Club and I began to ride more and more during school holidays and weekends when I was home from school. This then lead to begging and borrowing any ponies that I could. A friend kindly lent me a very smart pony for Pony Club and that was that, my parents would take me all over the place for pony club rallies and competitions. Following this, my parents leased my first pony ‘Pixie’. My mother is very allergic to horses and probably should have taken out shares in Piriton! She learnt to ride and care for my pony as I was away at school as did my brother. My father had learnt during his time at Sandhurst so he was a step ahead and we would ride together when he had time. My father hunted with the Royal Artillery and I quickly followed. I have been lucky enough to hunt with several packs on several horses some my own and others I had begged and borrowed!

The first racehorse I ever sat on was ‘Brave Highlander’ I was around 12 years old at the time and we were doing a school fundraiser for the Bob Champion Cancer Trust. As part of the fundraiser I got to hack out ‘Brave Highlander’, it shows how versatile these thoroughbreds can be, running in the Grand National one minute then hacking about with a 12 year old the next.

A few years ago I moved to Warwickshire where I kept my horses with Ex Jockey and Point to Point trainer Fred Hutsby and his wife Caroline, I was allowed to hack around the farm and use the gallop where I would try my hardest to dodge Fred’s and Station Yard lots.

I started riding out for Fran and Charlie Poste at Station Yard following a few drinks at a point to point and Fran saying I should come and ride out, initially I said no, then I took part in a 100km walk for charity and had become much fitter so thought I would give it a go! I would ride out most Saturday mornings where I was kindly put on the older pointers before progressing onto the pre-trainers and breakers, It was always interesting following the young horses from their maiden point to points to the sales.

I heard about the Macmillan Ride of their Lives race through a gentleman called Thomas Drewry, who had taken part in the event a few years ago and had caught the racing bug and bought himself a pointer based at Station Yard with Fran and Charlie. I said to him that I wanted to take on another challenge and raise funds for a cancer charity and he told me I should apply and have a go! So here I am!!

Macmillan are an amazing charity that help people in so many different ways and I wanted to do what I could to help raise funds. Cancer effects so many people either directly or indirectly I sadly lost my Grandpop Richard Mattson and my aunt Andra Bishop to cancer. When my father was diagnosed last year it gave me even more drive to do what I could to support Macmillan Cancer Support.

Training for an event like this is like nothing I have done before, I have had the great support of my personal trainer who himself is receiving treatment for 2 types of brain cancer . Russ Kelf is an incredible human whenever I am struggling mentally or physically I know I can drop him a message and he always says something that puts it all into perspective. Alongside Russ I have Charlie Poste as my jockey coach and Personal Trainer Conor Shoemark who has been helping me with 121 sessions while Russ goes through treatment. I am not your natural build for a jockey and so far have managed to lose 2 stone in preparation for race day all thanks to my support team.

I cannot thank Alex Hales enough, I moved from Station Yard to Alex’ 2 seasons ago where I have increased from just Saturdays to Tuesdays as well, I normally ride 3 or 4 lots, often trying to fit lots in on a Saturday before rushing out of the yard to go and play hockey. I approached Alex with a ‘silly idea’ and said I wanted to apply to ride, without hesitation Alex agreed it was a silly idea but he would support me all the way, but was I ready to come off the lead rein yet?!!!

Alex lost his father to cancer which brings the cause so much closer to home. Alex has kindly offered to source me a horse for the race, at the moment we have the choice of two. I am getting more and more competitive, so keeping the names of my possible rides under wraps for now!!

The blood, sweat and tears that make up the challenge to be a jockey will all be worth it when all 12 riders are out on the track having raised a substantial amount of money and hopefully I will be able to be in the placings as well!

Donate to Pippa’s Just Giving Page.

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