Meet John Partridge Correspondent: Abi Boulton | Partridge People

I am an 18 year old event rider, living in Staffordshire. I am currently in my first year of Young Riders (U21); competing at FEI 2* level with my main horse Tilston Tic Toc. Before eventing (on Tic Toc) I competed in the showing world in working hunter pony classes; in which my highlight was winning the Supreme working hunter pony championship at the Royal International Horse Show 2010. I then made history by becoming the first working hunter pony to win the Dick Saunders Supreme Championship.
 
I started eventing on my working hunter pony in 2009 (Pebbly Pipe Dream) and competed up to Pony Trial level and in the second half of 2010 we purchased Tilston Tic Toc (Ben) who had competed up to novice level at that time. Ben and I got to know each other during 2011 and competed at the Junior Championships (which were at CCI* level); and then we were invited to compete in France at Haras du Pin. This was very exciting and was topped off by achieving a decent dressage (which is not Ben’s strong point) and a double clear (show jumping and cross country) and gaining 12th place. The class was not for juniors and there were over 100 starters so we were really pleased with how things turned out.
 
In 2012 we gained some good results and were long listed for the Junior Europeans. Unfortunately our dressage let us down and we did not make the team. However, the experience we gained was invaluable and we ended the season by competing at Weston Park Horse Trials in the U21 Championships which were at FEI2* level – we came 10th which we were thrilled with and as a result we were one of the few invited to attend winter training for the U21’s.
 
Unfortunately 2013 has been my A Level year and this would have meant missing several days off school so we decided to use this year to focus on consolidating the partnership and moving up the levels ad at Aston le Walls. I did my first advanced and was placed 6th in the U25 section. We are due to leave for Ireland any day now for my first CIC*** which is a big step in level so fingers crossed for a good completion. I will be sporting my new John Partridge jackets and I will let you know how I get on in my next journal post!