RIDER PROFILES

Visit the official Andrew Gould & Priory Dressage website

One of the countries up and coming dressage riders and part of the World Class Potential Squad for the last two years, Andrew Gould has already made a name for himself in the UK and is working towards making it internationally as well. At only 26 he has already won 3 National Titles, winning 2 of them at the Horse & Hound Winter Dressage Championships in 2006, and places at the Summer Nationals.  

 

With his wife, Polly, Andrew runs Priory Dressage, based near Hickstead in West Sussex, and offers full and training livery as well as lessons and clinics. Their facilities include both indoor and outdoor schools as well as gallops and a horse walker. With so much teaching to fit in along with the education and exercise of 13 horses, Andrew’s day has to start early. Woken by the most reliable of alarm clocks, his son Oliver at 6am each morning, he often manages to teach before he gets to his yard around 8.30 to 9am to start riding. He then rides until 1pm before heading off to get more teaching in – usually eating his lunch en route – and often does not get until about 8pm!  With so much to fit in each day Andrew loves nothing more than to crash out in front of a good movie in the evening and making the most of his time with his family. 

 

‘I started riding when I was about 8 when my Mum & Auntie had their own horses.  My brother and cousins and I were given a Shetland pony called Miss Ellie to ride, we all fell off her and I was the only one who continued!!’

 

‘Working every day with such amazing animals is truly fantastic and I love building up a relationship with each horse and training them through the levels. Each of my horses has their own personality and quirks and I enjoy working with them, most of the time!  The hours are long and in all weathers but whether I am out travelling and competing or at home it’s great – although good results are always the best bits.’

 

‘I dread to think! I left school at 15 without any qualifications so I could go and work for one of the UK’s top trainers so the only things I know are riding and teaching it!  In hindsight I should have studied more so I would have something to fall back on.’

 

‘Numero Uno must be my all time favourite. He has tried his heart out all season for me with great success. Being 18’1” he finds some of the advanced movements quite hard but he has the biggest heart and kindest personality. Another new horse this year is Korenbloem Renaissance who although only 6 has talent and quality so I would love take him all the way to the highest levels.’

 

‘I couldn’t live without the excellent feed and nutritional advice from Baileys. My horses always look fantastic and are happy eaters! Also Prestige saddles, they are so comfy and I find the horses go well in them. In the bad weather my Musto jacket is invaluable, especially when I am out teaching and riding.

 

‘Yes several! I once did an entire test with my flies undone. I wondered why the judge gave me a massive grin when I halted at the end – maybe it helped me win the class –who knows!!  At another competition, at the Premier League Gala Evening, my horse, Koffee Break, entered the arena to do a Prix St. George to music and he stopped at X to do a big wee! Every time we came down the centre line he jumped the puddle he had left, much to the amusement of the whole crowd but not to the benefit of my marks!!’