Our picks for the most inspiring equestrian women

On International Women's Day, we honour some of the inspirational women in equestrian sports. There are so many!

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we have compiled a list of inspiring equestrian women; our personal favourites, and some of our followers’ suggestions, in no particular order. Have we missed anyone out? Feel free to let us know.

Equestrian sport is one of the few where women and men compete equally and we therefore have a rich history of women who have achieved so much in our sport. There are many others who have in their own way been inspirational, whether it be riding, officiating, volunteering, grooming, running the administration or just making sure their daughters (and sons) can get out there and ride their horses!

Ingrid Klimke

Ingrid Klimke, seen here riding Horseware Hale Bob OLD to win individual and team gold at the 2017 European Eventing Championship, Poland, not only combines equestrian pursuits at the highest level, but also writes books and is a wife and mother. She’s also won two team golds and a silver Olympic medal.  (Image: Libby Law Photography)

Jonelle Price

Jonelle Price is always the professional; one of the most determined, gritty and delightful women you could meet on the international eventing circuit. She was a member of the NZ team who won a bronze medal in eventing at the London Olympics (Image: Libby Law)

Julie Brougham 

Julie Brougham vom Feinsten, Rio Olympics dressage
Julie claimed the honour of being the oldest-ever New Zealand Olympian when she represented New Zealand at the Rio Olympics in 2016, and inspires us with the fact that you are never too old to realise your dreams. (Image: Libby Law)

Beezie Madden

Madden
USA’s Beezie Madden, seen here riding Simon, has made a huge mark on the international show jumping scene. The 55-year-old New Yorker became the first woman ever to pass the $1 million mark in show jumping earnings back in 2004, has won two golds, one silver and one bronze Olympic medals.  (Image: FEI/Arnd Bronkhorst)

Kirstin Kelly

Kirstin Kelly, on the cover of the NZ Horse & Pony Magazine’s February 1999 issue. Kirsten, from Pukekohe, holds her British Horse Society Intermediate Instructors Certificate, and has represented New Zealand numerous times. She has produced a huge number of horses that have gone on to international levels and does a great job of teaching here in New Zealand.

Catriona Williams

Catriona Williams (centre) is pictured here with Anna Bone and Charlotte Inglis at the Rio Eventing Dressage. She competed at both Grand Prix show jumping and Advanced eventing, until a fall in 2002 left her with spinal cord injuries – a C6-7 tetraplegic. While the accident may have changed her mobility, it definitely has not altered her drive and determination. She set up the Cat Walk Trust to support SCI research and has been a finalist in the New Zealander of the Year.

Kate Lambie

Kate Lambie, pictured here with one of the many trophies she won, has represented NZ in Young Rider Teams, Trans-Tasman teams and at the World Equestrian Games 2002 where she finished 18th. She was also fifth at Badminton in 2002. She now coaches and also sells a range of safety gear for riders, including air vests. 

Tiny White

Tiny White, seen here with Princess Anne, has inspired countless people, including when she was riding Rigoletto (above) – the pair were the picture of elegance in the dressage and show arenas for so many years. She has been a Patron for ESNZ, and of course has produced a line of accomplished daughters and granddaughters!
The Wilson sisters – all three of them – are inspirational to people of every generation.

Others who our followers have mentioned as being inspirational include Lucinda Green, Vicki Latta, Ginny Holgate, Judith McEwen, Charlotte Dujardin, Donna Edwards-Smith, Kary Robertson, Sally Clark, Trudy Boyce, Linda Jones, Merrain Hain, Vicky Roycroft… and the list goes on!

 

 

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