Foxxy Champions

David Britnell

Discussing career options pre A Levels my Mum said to me, “ Son, whatever you do don’t work with kids, don’t work with animals and for goodness sake don’t be self-employed or you will never get any holidays!” Upholding the fine tradition of never paying any attention to parental advice I am now a self-employed British Horse Society Intermediate Instructor who has just passed my Senior Equitation Exam. I spend a great deal of my time coaching Pony Club children and the rest of it teaching adults, riding for clients and eventing to BE Advanced level with my first ever CIC3* entered! Sorry, Mum! But I am happy to spend my “holidays” at events, ecstatic to have a job I love and to get up every day excited to teach a horse or a rider a new skill. Late to start riding at 13 and even later to discover that dressage wasn’t terminally boring and far inferior to going at maximum speed across the country, my family were resigned to my being a “petrol head” like my father and Grandfather. I do fuel that passion and have a Jensen to do up when I get the time and money. “Bertha” is my topless Defender transport on a daily basis with a Fiesta for when she is on box rest. But my real “horse power” is Brad! Continuity is a 12yr old, 16.3hh muscle pack by Contender (damsire Heraldik) with a brain from heaven and a heart from the same venue. He has taken me from Pony Club 90 competitions when he was a “failed show jumper” aged 5 through 5th place at Badminton Grassroots 100, via the European 2* Squad shortlist, to winning at Hambleden International OI and Rockingham International CIC2* and a 3rd place behind WFP at Barbury International CIC2*. I can honestly say I worship this horse and can’t wait to see what more we can achieve together.

And the rest of the vital statistics?
Age : 24
Height : 5ft 11
Status : Single
Yard : Own 8 box yard with 20x60 all weather, grass gallops, horse walker, all year turnout
Horsebox : 4 horse called Patsy
Trainers : Dawn Britnell dressage, John Whinnett, show jumping
Needs : more event horses to ride!

More coming soon…