But where does she keep that lucky charm?!
Laura Collett’s sights are firmly set on the Olympics, and the other contenders had better watch out.
Aged just 22, she has taken the eventing world by storm, with an individual gold and team silver for the British Young Rider team under her belt as well as, in 2006, becoming the youngest winner of a two star. She was also Junior European Champion with Fernhill Sox and in 2011 finished eighth place at her first Badminton Horse Trials.
Eventing Worldwide caught up with Laura, mother Tracey and head girl Felicity (who she has been friends with since school) at their stunning purpose built yard in Wiltshire:
Do you feel there is a lot more pressure to get to the Olympic Games because you are so young?
Laura: No, for me the pressure was taken off after the Europeans, having already been part of that Team GBR set up. There is probably more pressure on the older riders, as this could be their Olympics last whilst I have many more to come!
Will you train any differently this year with the Olympics in your sights?
Laura: I’ll just be training as if it was any other eventing season coming up. There’s a lot going on before the Olympics and my priority at the moment is Badminton. I’ll be entering Rayef and Noble Bestman and they’ll do their pre-seasons runs as any other year.
What are your nerves like before a big event, and how do you calm them?
Laura: I think it’s only natural that anyone would get nervous, and I have my own way of dealing with that. I like to be left alone to listen to my ipod or watch DVD’s. Bridget Jones is a favourite and gets me right into the zone!
Tracey adds: She goes as white as a sheet and I just don’t talk to her!
How do you pick yourself up after a big disappointed?
Laura: I always try and look at the positives and move on from it, I have lots going on and life is busy – tomorrow’s another day.
How did the Pony Club background contribute to Laura’s success?
Tracey: Massively! At aged 12 it was the Pony Club that introduced Laura to eventing and she went on to win the Pony Club Eventing Championships.
If you had the choice of any horse, which would you most like to take round a four star track?
Laura: It would definitely have to be La Biosthetique Sam who won the World and European Championships with Michael Jung
How old was Laura when she started riding and who introduced her?
Tracey: I think it must have been me! She was about two year when we started her off, and her first pony was called Genie. Her Grandfather bought her a hardback book of coloured horses when she was young and she was that obsessed even then that she use to open the book up and use it as a pillow to sleep on.
Who would be in your dream multi-national Olympic Eventing Team?
Laura: Me! Michael Jung, Mark Todd, William Fox-Pitt and Nicolas Touzaint.
If you weren’t a professional event rider, what would be your choice of career?
Laura: I think I’d probably be a Jump Jockey
Which event would you most like to win and why?
Laura: Badminton. It’s the big one, and the one to aim for.
When did you last fall off?
Tracey: She fell off about six weeks ago out hacking at walk! She was going down a steep hill, the horse slipped and they both sat on the floor with Laura going out the back door.
Do you have any luck charms or superstitions?
Tracey: She has a golden horseshoe she was given before the Junior Europeans that she tucks into her bra and a lucky pair of socks. Someone gave her another pair of socks to wear cross-country the following day and so as to not disappoint she wore both pairs, even in the 30 degrees heat.
Laura’s purpose built yard was constructed for her by Phillip Walker, on his own estate, in 2009. She has the luxury of a huge indoor sand school so, whatever the weather, training can continue, and also has a barn of loose boxes, tackroom, office, an equine spa, turn out paddocks, a sand surfaced post and railed play pen and a covered horse walker.
We couldn’t resist the opportunity to grab some pictures whilst we where there. You can view the gallery below….
Report, interview and images: Lucy Hall
