International Event Rider

Ben is twenty two and very ambitious and determined to become a successful horseman and a world class athlete in the sport of Eventing. Ben has been on the World Class Development Programme for four years. The world class programme is a Lottery funded organisation which identifies world class talent, and helps to produce performance on the world stage.

Ben's goals for 2007 were to represent Great Britain at the Young Rider European Championships, which he achieved. This was a very high profile event with riders from across Europe competing for the top honours. He performed very well to achieve a respectable test of 57.8 and jumped a double clear He was selected for the team that won gold but as the competition was about to begin a change in team tactics saw him ride as an individual. Disappointed but determined still to do well, he completed, one of only four to finish on their dressage score, to leave him in 6th place.

2008 Ben came 7th in the CIC*** at Chatsworth International a big event with a very strong field of horses and riders, later in the year he secured his place on the young rider team after a very successful run of events. Ben won individual Bronze and Team gold at Young Rider European championship in Kreuth Germany.

How it all started

For Ben, the road to becoming a event rider began as an enthusiastic six year old, although Ben began riding at 4 years old. A partnership with a cheeky little dun pony known as Rabbit brought him his first lot of success, winning at most of the local shows and including a bigger win at the first ridden championships at Ponies UK.

At Lancashire’s Holcombe Hunt pony club Ben’s talent became visible, qualifying for the Pony Club championships in all three phases; the first to do so in his pony club for 25 years.
 
After starting as a working pupil for Cheshire based Hannah Bate, he went on to seize the chance to work for acclaimed rider, William Funnell. Gaining valuable experience in the world of show jumping as well as gaining invaluable knowledge from William's wife; top international three day event rider Pippa Funnell MBE. It was there that the first inklings of a special riding skill were acknowledged. Ben’s talent began to be encouraged and then refined, to the point where he would win the U21 National championships and then go on to be selected for the World Class Start Programme, followed with selection for Britain’s young rider squad, giving him the chance to compete with the very best in the Europe.