Introducing Cara Shardlow

Here we introduce the lovely Cara Shardlow as one of the Horslyx Ambassadors for 2014!

“Hello, my name is Cara Shardlow, I am 36 and live near Whitby. I am absolutely thrilled to have been chosen as one of the Horslyx ambassadors. Having used their fantastic licks for a number of years, first winning one at a BE event, it will be brilliant to promote their products and have their generous support.”

“I originally started out riding at Intermediate and CCI* but due to horse injuries and finances I switched to dressage about 4yrs ago, now only eventing as a hobby. I first got the bug for dressage after taking 4 months out from working at eventer Paddy Muir’s yard, and went as a working pupil to Olympic dressage rider Laura Fry’s. She was very inspiring and allowed me to ride some of her horses and gain a feel for the more advanced movements.”

“I have run my own livery yard since 1999 after finishing my HND and BHS AI at Bishop Burton College. Three years ago I took my Equine Sports massage qualifications with Mary Bromiley, so with teaching running the yard and competing life is quite busy.”

“Let me introduce you to my current competition horses. Detonator II is an 8 year old gelding by Demonstrator, just starting to compete at Advanced Medium. I bought him as a newly broken 3 year old and to start with he lived up to his name, depositing me, my saddle and my Mum, who was holding him, on the floor! After some interesting times he is now my most talented horse and has had some great successes. For the last 3yrs he has been selected to compete for England and the Northern region at the BD Inter Regionals and Home Internationals. In 2012 he was individual champion at the Inter Regionals and a member of the winning team. And last year he became the Medium champion at the Home International and won a trophy for the highest scoring northern horse. Also in 2013 he was reserve champion at the BD winter national championships area festival final and also won the area festival at medium level. He has a busy year ahead with the BD winter regionals in February; the BD winter national championships in April and we are busy trying to gain qualification for the summer regionals and for team selection.”

“Rhythmic Times is a homebred 15 year old gelding by Va Tout competing at advanced level. Jake originally evented successfully to novice level before turning his hoof to dressage. He is the first horse I have trained to advanced and I have learnt so much with him. For the last two years he has been selected to compete for the northern region at the inter regionals gaining top ten placings. He was off injured for most of 2013, but is just back competing and will contest the winter regionals as well, which will probably be quite exciting due to lack of competition outings! I am aiming to do our first Prix St George later this year.”

“Sandonista is a rising 4 year old gelding by Sarkozy. He was bought as a yearling and is currently being broken; I am hoping he will follow in Detonator’s footsteps. He is huge so I will have to take my time with him but he is an exciting prospect. There are also two homebreds, rising 5 years old who are half brother and sister. I hope to get out and do a little Eventing with them this year, but unfortunately one will have to be sold to finance the running of the others.”

“I am so excited about 2014 after the success of last, with some lovely horses and the support of the Horslyx team. Oh one other small thing happening this year is my marriage to Brian Reed in April!”