the recent dressage expertise with a head for enterprise

Jessica McConkey admits that she “took a punt” two months earlier than the younger rider European Championships in 2022. Having secured a task as rider for Amy Woodhead in Could, the 20-year-old moved her horses to Amy’s base and adjusted her coaching routine to suit her new job.

“It’s not at all times the best thought to modify up your coaching system two months earlier than a giant occasion, however I took a punt and it labored out. I don’t suppose I’d have gotten the scores I obtained on the Europeans with out Amy’s assist in the lead up,” says Jessie.

And so they have been some scores. A hat-trick of non-public bests driving the 13-year-old Quatarback mare Woman Gaga II culminated in a 77.38% freestyle for particular person fifth, lower than 1.6% off the rostrum.

“2022 has been considered one of my finest ever years. The Euros is a type of exhibits you at all times goal for however can’t at all times obtain your finest at, so to get a private finest on all three days was actually cool,” she provides.

Jessie now has each Woman Gaga and the 12-year-old gelding Wilson Stensvang at Amy’s, and he or she says that every one three of them can really feel the distinction.

“Wilson was fairly weak and regardless that he had the expertise, I struggled to assist him construct the muscle. However now he has bulked out and might maintain himself within the collected work,” she explains. “I’ve a behavior of overriding as a result of I need it a lot, however I’m now studying to showcase the horses’ expertise by letting them carry out.”

Most of all although, Jessie is absorbing the chance to learn the way a profitable UK dressage enterprise works.

“I’ve learnt lots about horsemanship, and what goes on behind the scenes, in seeing Amy run her enterprise. I’m attempting to study as a lot as I can and Amy’s taken me beneath her wing.”

Jessica McConkey: ‘I want to determine myself in Britain’

Having a correct profession technique for her personal future within the sport has at all times been essential to Jessie, who hasn’t come from a horsey household, and might’t actually pinpoint the place her ardour for dressage began.

“I used to be at all times obsessive about horses and I’d nag my mum to take me to the driving faculty, however then be too scared to get on a pony,” she remembers. “However ultimately we purchased my first pony from the driving faculty and every part snowballed from there. I did a little bit of every part after I was youthful, however I bear in mind saying to my mum aged 14 that I didn’t see myself ever going spherical Badminton so it must be dressage. If I used to be going to do it, I needed to do it correctly.”

She’s definitely thrown herself into the game, with 4 junior and younger rider Europeans now beneath her belt, in addition to a placement at Van Olst Horses within the Netherlands in 2021.

2023 will probably be her closing yr of younger riders and he or she is eager to benefit from it, whereas additionally stepping each horses as much as inter II.

“I’d wish to concentrate on extra nationwide exhibits in 2023, which I believe is essential from a profession perspective” she says. “I’ve at all times targeted on [youth] CDIs however nationwide exhibits have gotten bugger and extra essential, and if I wish to create a profession for myself I want to determine myself in Britain.

“In future, I’d love to supply and promote younger horses, however I’d additionally like to make the British senior crew in the future.”

You may also be desirous about…

Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is filled with all the newest information and experiences, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can get pleasure from the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and experiences in addition to different advantages.