Ellie Roberts is a twenty-two year old British international dressage rider based in North Lincolnshire. Ellie juggles riding with her work at a local Equine Vets as a Veterinary Technician having completed her degree in Sport and Exercise Science a year ago.
Ellie has two horses of her own, Zante, aged 21, who is semi-retired. She says “I was lucky enough to get him when he was 15 and he is my absolute heart horse. He took me from medium to Inter 1 and earned me my GB badges at Junior and Young Rider level as well as too many championships wins and placings to count. He is now enjoying an easier life away from the dressage arena now he is older however he is still in work and loving life doing a bit of everything”. Ellie’s current main competition horse is Lyon HK. He is a 9yo KWPN and we didn’t have the straightest start together. He was particularly tricky to mount and dismount as well as being exceptionally sharp. Although we have mainly overcome this now, we still work hard to manage the anxiety he can sometimes experience as he is genuinely a kind horse. Lyon HK came to Ellie as a five-year-old, three and a half years ago and during this time, Ellie has trained him from Novice to PSG. Earlier this year, the pair were selected for the Sport England National Academy, and Lyon HK won his first regional title at Medium Gold. Last week they attended three nationals in three classes, and the standout result was becoming reserve champion in the Advanced Medium Silver Freestyle with 70%.
Ellie also has the ride on Koning Sports Horses’ stallion Koning Albert. Ellie say’s “I have ridden him for his owner for over two years now. He is primarily a showjumper, and his main job is jumping 1.40m. Previously he hadn’t really done any dressage and now we are preparing him for his first Advanced Medium soon. He is a really clever but kind boy.” Other standout highlights for Ellie include representing team GB at Junior and Young Rider level. “Something I’d love to do again one day”, she says.
How did horses come into your life?
Ellie and Lyon coming 2nd at the nationals this year
I have always been around horses. My mum had horses from a young age, so I was bought up around them. Although she was more of a leisure rider, I picked up the love of horses through her and started at a riding school when I was around seven. From there I had numerous ponies and was encouraged to give everything ago, but it wasn’t until I got a pony called Bertie, who threw me off twice in a jumping lesson, that I was put off jumping so dressage became the obvious route. And from there my love of dressage grew.
How do you balance work and dressage life?
I often get asked a lot how I balance it all and it is hard, but when you love something enough you make it work. Since starting full time work, I have got a part loaner for Zante, which has helped ease the workload of mucking out and exercising whilst ensuring he is still getting all the love he deserves. I am often up early riding before or after work depending on my hours that day. I always ensure to fill plenty of haynets, make feeds and organise the week well in advance ensuring the relevant people who help me are aware of what help I need.
Who has helped with your training?
Ellie Lyon’s first PSG earlier this year
I have trained with numerous people over the years, but I always struggled to find someone I really clicked with. When we first got Lyon, he needed some training as he wasn’t quite what we expected from when we bought him. A good friend of ours recommended Jezz Palmer and although in Southampton, a long way from Lincolnshire we sent him there. From then on, we have trained with him ever since through local clinics and virtual lessons. He really understands us both well and can understand when to push me and when I needed the confidence, as this is something I previously struggled with. I always get so much from his lessons, and he always seems to work magic.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
There is a huge team of professional behind me who help me, and my horses perform at their best. A special mention must go to my mum, she comes with me to all shows, drives the lorry and helps out with the horses most evenings whilst I’m still at work, I couldn’t do it without her. My sister-in-law, Abbie Denham, has played a huge part in my success with Lyon, especially on the days I had zero self-belief and confidence, she always made me do it even if I felt like I couldn’t and that helped us progress. Rachel, who part loans Zante is a massive help, having someone who takes care of him and exercises him a few times a week really helps reduce the workload around work. My sponsor, SJB Performance Training has played a huge part in my rider fitness. As someone who has always struggled with sitting trot, her at home workouts have made a big difference to me.
What are you and your horses working on?
Ellie riding Koning Albert at the stallion show earlier this year
Currently with Lyon I am working on his thoroughness. This is something he can struggle with in the competition arena as he can get tight and tense, so I am spending a lot of time in training working on exercises to aid this. With Koning Albert, we are working on the flying changes. They can be quite expressive at times, so we are working on taming them.
What are your future aspirations?
Ellie and Zante, now competition retired, at Wellington CDIYR in 2022
At the minute I am not aiming for anything to ambitious. Having just finished university last year, it is a slightly strange time of change and adjusting to full time working. My partner and I are aiming to save for a house by the end of this year. However, I would like to aim to get Lyon to Grand Prix as that would be pretty cool.
I had a lot of pressure on when I was chasing U21 international scores a few years ago so have enjoyed taking the pressure off the past few years a little. Plus having a slightly trickier horse has taught me to enjoy the journey more, rather than always chasing for more.
Your Top Tip
Don’t be intimidated in the warmup arena! Ride it like you stole it!
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
To always look back on how far you have come because once you dreamt of being able to do what you can now.
Want More?
If you enjoyed meeting Ellie you might like to view more dressage rider “chatting with” interviews here. You can keep up with Ellie’s progress and visit her instagram page here