Introducing Kirsty Norwood

Another of our fresh new faces for 2015 is Kirsty Norwood. Read all about our new Ambassador in her debut blog!

“My name is Kirsty Norwood and I’m from Carlisle, Cumbria. I’m 20 and currently working whilst on a gap year before I start University in September 2015, to do a degree in Physical Education.”

“I have been riding since I was four years old, and I have had my current competition horse Java since September 2010. I began eventing in 2014 and I absolutely love it! Before eventing I had primarily show jumped, but I have since found the eventing bug! I am a British Eventing volunteer, volunteering whenever I can. I tend to ride one day and volunteer the other, and sometimes go back to my duties after I have finished my competition in the morning! I have done everything from jump judging to scoring, and being a secretary and part of the start team. Volunteering is great fun and I thoroughly enjoy it.”

“My main horse Jarva Green (Java), is a 15.2hh 17 year old Thoroughbred cross Appaloosa. I have had Java since he was 12. Java came to me extremely low mileage. He had only really hacked in his lifetime and hadn’t ever competed before. He only began competing with me when he was 13, so he is a very late starter! This proved fairly difficult as he was very set in his ways and stubborn! Java had never seen a cross country fence until he was 14, and wasn’t the boldest. Through hard work and a lot of patience, he is finally getting there and we picked up 4th place at Hutton-in-the-Forest Horse Trials in September 2014, one of very few double clears inside the time. Java has turned out to be a very talented chap and hopefully we can really make a mark this year.”

“Our first event of the season is Eden Valley (1) in April. We have lots to crack on with before then including lessons with Louise Smales. I started having lessons with Louise last year, and I thoroughly enjoy them. We also very excitingly have a show jumping clinic in February with Olympic Medalist Jock Paget. I am very much looking forward to that.”

“Competition-wise we are entered for one of the British Eventing Arena Eventing Series competitions. We are entered for the 90cm and 1m classes being held at Blackdyke Farm. This looks like great fun and I cannot wait to get started.”

“Finally, I am very much looking forward to working with the Horslyx team this year and I am proud to be part of it. All my horses love them and they are an essential piece of kit, particularly at competitions for Java. The mini Horslyx serve as a great distraction, particularly whilst studding up and loading. They certainly aid in taking the stress out of the day!”