MEETING Becky Whitcombe you are immediately struck by her enthusiasm for life and bright outlook on everything equestrian.

Becky lives in an underground house in Herefordshire. It has a grass roof like a Hobbit house, though thankfully the doors are arched not round.

Her partner Phil Woof, is a dressage rider and trainer who breeds dressage horses to train and produce as competition horses.  Becky has two children who have flown the nest, one at University the other working in a Ski resort.

She has nearly always worked with horses from running a big eventing yard in Norfolk, then had a Stud near Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

Following this she moved to Herefordshire and ran an independent wine business for a few years, before coming back in to the horse world.

Becky has had two great horses, both chestnuts with white blazes and very dear to her.

Sweet Afton was her best eventer, and she is still proud to say they jumped round Burghley Horse Trials a couple of times as well as competing at other international horse trials back in the 80s.

Blondie (Desiderata) is her current top horse, there highlight so far has been third in the British Dressage Advanced Medium Championships, she went on to win two Regional PSG Championships and in 2008 were fourth in the Hickstead Masters Grand Prix Championships. Both horses Becky has trained since they were young and she says she feels very lucky to have them. 

Top trainer and rider Peter Storr rode Blondie at the National Dressage Championships in 2006 to win the Intermediaire I Freestyle, take second in the Intermediaire 1 and third in the Prix St George.

Talking about her busy work schedule as a saddle fitter with Sue Carson Saddles says Becky: “The best thing about fitting Sue Carson Saddles is the benefit to the horses. The right saddle correctly fitted makes such a difference.

“I joined the Sue Carson team having just bought a new saddle from Sue. I had been trying for months to find what I was looking for. Sue coming into my yard with her saddles was a life changing day.

“A balanced saddle is a pleasure to horse and rider. Unbalanced saddles do not do horse or rider any good!>

We need to make sure everyone regularly checks that there saddle is fitting correctly and to understand that horses can change shape, even quite subtly, which will unbalance the saddle.”

Becky’s Busy Day

“My day starts with porridge. The only thing that keeps me going all day with out having to resort to Mars Bars! I ride my horse Blondie at the start of the day, she still always feels wonderful. We can do all the Grand Prix work but we are still a bit untidy in the test.  There is still so much to work on and learn.

“The day then starts, driving to customers to fit and re-fit saddles. On my travels I see every sort of horse and rider, which makes every day different and interesting. The aim is to get the saddle and rider in balance. The first thing is to make sure that the tree is the correct fit for the horse, not too wide and not too narrow. After that, whether it is a dressage or a jumping saddle, the balancing of the saddle is what makes the difference between a good feel on the horse and a great feel, keeping the saddles regularly checked is the way to keep that great feel.

“Some days I will fit several saddles in one yard. I am amazed at how many big livery yards there are around London and in every county. I also go to a variety of small private yards, like the livery yards, everyone has good arenas which is essential to try the saddles. The English country side, despite the media, is still so beautiful, and I do enjoy travelling through loads of interesting places.

“Back into the car and off to the next horse, rider and saddle. I don’t know what I would do without my sat nav. I love maps, but with the nice Australian young man directing the way, it really takes the stress out of the day, not having to keep stopping to read a map.

“Every month or so, I find the time to have a lesson with Carl Hester. He is so enthusiastic and helpful; he knows my horse well and gives me exercises to make the work feel easier. Blondie puts her heart and soul into the lesson and we both finish rather damp and pink in the face, but hopefully having done some one time changes that do cover some ground, and pirouettes that don’t have the turning space of an articulated lorry.

“I have to admit that if I get home in time I do watch Eastenders as I do the paper work, cook supper and make calls. Very often Phil will do the cooking.  In the summer we have many shows with trade stands to go to and being away from home is part of the job. At the end of the day, bath, bed and going over the plans for tomorrow while falling asleep. Never a dull moment.”

For further information contact Sue Carson Saddles on 01629 540343 or visit www.suecarsonsaddles.co.uk