Gortfadda Diamond Owned by Maria Doel winning Blair CCI**** 2019

Emilie's love of Eventing began as a small child. Inspired by Lucinda Green, Ginny Leng and Ian Stark with their sensational XC riding, and an annual visit to Burghley Horse Trials. Emilie grew up on the family farm in the heart of good Hunting country. Her art for XC riding was born from many days hunting, crossing some great country with the Quorn and Belvoir Hunt.

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Emilie began affiliated Eventing when she was 15, with mixed results. Her first success was winning the JRN Championships at Weston Park on a nice young mare Weston Miskris. Suddenly Emilie’s hopes and dreams were becoming a reality, and her first chance to represent Team GB at the Junior European championships in 1998, winning Team Gold and Individual Silver.

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Her sights were firmly set on Eventing full time, and so Emilie was advised to go and work and train with professionals. Emilie spent 18 months at Kenneth Clawsons yard with 6 horses. (Kenneth was Senior Team Showjumping Trainer and Chef D’Equipe at the time)

Emilie's desire to learn lead her to work for Judy Bradwell who taught her so much horsemanship. Whilst working for Judy, Emilie was 1st and 2nd in the same year in the 4yr old BYEH Finals, as well as finishing 2nd in the Under 25 Championships at Bramham in 2002.

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Emilie set up on her own in 2003, and moved to her current base 'Low Woods Farm' in 2006 where she now lives with fiancee Paul Luger. Emilie has produced and sold numerous horses to make the business work. Douglas was produced to 2* by Emilie and sold for Oliver Townend to ride. Later Douglas completed several 5 stars with Simon Grieve. DHI Jetset was produced by Emilie, and is now with Alex Hua Tian who has hopes to take him to Tokyo Olympics.  ‘Alls Fair’ went on to be a 5 star horse with American rider Ashley Macvaugh. ‘Nordic Gent’ went on to 4 star level for Nigel Taylor and Tyler Cassells. ‘General Outlook’ competed in the Pan Am Games. ‘Impeccable’ was a winner at 3 star level in the USA. Emilie has also played a part in other International horses journeys including 'Denver' who was sucessfully Evented by Emilie and in 2021 was Holly Smith's Tokyo Olympic ride. The list goes on, and Emilie enjoys watching the horses she produces go on to do great things. Emilie prides herself on giving horses the most confident start in life with good basic training, and developing the equine athlete from an early age. 

 

The chance to be on a Young Rider Team eluded Emilie with untimely lameness issues for a horse called Bridgestone. However this pushed her to do her own thing, and with good 4* results, Emilie and Bridgestone took the chance to compete at their first 5* in 2003. The partnership completed three 5*’s,  with great results and invaluable experience. Little did Emilie think it would take her the next 12 years to get a chance to ride at that level again. 

In 2015 ‘Coopers Law’ owned by Nicky Dickson and Sally Williams gave Emilie a sensational ride to finish 21st at Burghley. In 2017 the combination were 14th at Pau CCI****, and in 2018 finished 20th at Badminton CCI****.

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The future is exciting with current stable star 'Gortfadda Diamond' Owned by Maria Doel. He has successfully stepped up to 5* level, finishing 6th in Luhmulen 5* 2021. He cemented that form by representing Team GB at Aachen in the Nations cup. Team GB won Gold, and Gortfadda Diamond took bronze individually and was the highest placed team GB member. Emilie is hoping to contest Badminton or Burghley with him in 2022. 

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Emilie currently trains with Gill Watson, Caroline Moore, Di Lampard and Chris Bartle. Emilie would like to compete more horses at the higher levels. She thrives at 4 and 5 star level, and loves the attention to detail of training and producing the performance. Her dream would be to be part of Team GB at a championship. 

 

Emilie qualified herself as a trainer/ coach in 2010, gaining her UKCC- Eventing- Level 3, which is the highest coaching qualification. Emilie is in demand as a coach, especially to people looking for that attention to detail, and fine tuning their performances.

 

It’s a passion for horsemanship that inspires Emilie on a day to day basis, and her attention to detail for  her horses preparation is second to none. The three phases of Eventing provide the ultimate challenge for Emilie, although XC still remains her favourite phase. 

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Emilie is supported by Fairfax Saddles, Topspec Horse Feeds, Equine Products UK and Tech Clothing.