Quickfire Questions with Niamh Richardson

 A locket that belonged to my Nana.

2. What is your favourite and least favourite food?

Favourite is definitely meatballs!! Least favourite would be Macaroni cheese.

3. If you compared yourself to an animal, which one would you pick and why?

A tiger!! Strong willed and fiery.

4. What is your least favourite horsey job?

Cleaning the lorry out after you’ve had a long day competing.

5. Who do you use as your trainer?

Melissa Chapman for my dressage. Heidi Woodhead for Jumping.

6. Which rider do you admire most and why?

 Piggy March. She has an undeniable class in her riding. I love that she’s a great sportswoman too.

7. Do you have any amazing time saving tips to share?

I actually swapped bedding to Wood Pellets this year. This has totally changed my winter, it takes me no more than 2 minutes to muck out every morning!!

8. What is your favourite model of saddle?

It would have to be an equal tie between my Xpression Dressage and Velocity Jump. They are fit me like a glove and I’ve certainly needed that security on a sassy young horse!!

9. If you could pick any horse (not one of your own) to do one competition on, which one and why?

Vanir Kamira. I love her grit and the fire in her tummy. She looks like the type of horse that would dig deep for you when you needed it most.

10. If you didn’t work with horses, what profession would you do?

Digital Marketing

11. Who would you have as four dinner party guests?

Adele

Tyson Fury

Nick Grimshaw

Jordan North

12. List three things on your bucket list?

Sky Diving

Backpacking across the world

A helicopter ride

13. Whats your favourite show?

To visit would definitely be Badminton - especially on XC day!!

My favourite to compete at would be Burgham International Horse Trials. It’s local and everyone I know is always there. It’s always a pleasure to catch up with friends whilst we are there, especially the ones I don’t see often.

14. Most memorable moment in your career?

My current horse ‘Cartown Bonny Bell’ having her first BE win. She had been quite tricky when I bought her as a rising 5 year old. It was a huge buzz to know we had worked through the tougher moments and come out on top.

15. How old were you when you started riding?

9… It would have been earlier, but Mum was too terrified to let me near a pony sooner!!

16. Have you always evented or have you tried different disciplines?

I used to show jump until I bought a horse that was more suited to eventing. He sparked my love for everything eventing. I could definitely see myself turning to BD in the future too… I’m an out and out diva at heart!!