Tina Kavanagh | Heath and Reach | Senior | Eventing | Jumping Team Member
When did you start riding?
I started riding at about 4 years old but had a 15 year break when I moved to the UK from Galway, Ireland
When did you join AGDRC and why?
I joined in September 2018, so that I could meet other people to ride and train with
What horse(s) do you currently own or ride?
One purebred Arabian called Gosh who is retired but she never liked to work and would not jump, a 7 year old British Warmblood called CVS Dixie Chick who I have had since she was 4 years old, and the cutest Shetland pony you have ever seen called Peggy!
What equestrian activities do you do?
I enjoy Cross Country most out of all the disciplines but I like to make sure I do everything else as well including Dressage, Show Jumping, Hacking and In-Hand work. I feel that Dixie enjoys doing different things as it keeps her mind occupied
Do you have a horsey goal or aspiration?
I try to set myself a goal each year and this year my goals are to compete in at least one British Show Jumping Discovery and to compete at BE90. My biggest goal is to enjoy everything I do with my horses
What are you most excited about with regards to being a member of the club?
I love competing as part of a team and I feel it pushes me to want to do well as I don't want to let the team down. I have also met some great people through the club and am looking forward to our many outings planned for 2019. In particular, I would love to be selected for the team that goes to Blenheim, so fingers crossed!!
What riders influence you?
I really like Natural Horsemanship and have been on a Tik Maynard camp which was brilliant. He is a 3 star eventer from Canada, but trains horses in a very different way. From a Dressage point of view it would have to be Carl Hester and for Show Jumping I really like Trevor Breen.
Do you have any "pre-game" rituals?
I always carry a lucky charm when competing. Being Irish, this is a given as I am very superstitious
What do you consider to be your equestrian career highlight?
I started to compete in Eventing in 2018 and I am proud to say that I completed the Wobbleberry Challenge over a BE80 ODE in June. I also had a goal in 2018 to go clear British Show Jumping at British Novice. We managed this in December so my goals for 2018 were met
Anything else we should know about you/your horse(s)?
Nothing I can think of, but if you ask some of the other Jumping Team Members they may be able to answer this one, haha!
