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09:00 - 12 September 2003 Just two years ago George Forrest took up dressage but already he is a force to be reckoned with.
The 19-year-old from Truro was recently placed sixth at the Pony Club's National Championships at Sandown Park, adding to a string of competition successes ,including selection as reserve member to the British Dressage U21's British Team at Blarney Castle this year.
But so quietly spoken is the teenager that his talents have gone largely unnoticed and when questioned about his successes he hands the plaudits to his trainers and horses, attributing his success to his eight-year-old grey Irish Draught cross mare Ballyskittles and her former owner Pat Opie. He said: "Pat has given me a lot of help and encouragement. We originally got Skittles with the intention of eventing her, but at Talland, she showed a real flair in her paces and attitude for dressage, so we just kept on with that instead."
He added: "Winning is very important to me but I always enjoy having something new to learn, which is probably why I enjoy bringing on young horses, and helping other riders to achieve their riding ambitions too."
George started riding when he was nine and soon became involved in Pony Club and Riding Club activities and competitions, as well as going hunting. Last year he went to the Talland School of Equitation as part of his BHSAI training. While there he received much instruction and encouragement from Molly Sievewright and Pammy Hutton who soon recognised the potential he had. It was there George got bitten by the dressage bug, and from then on, has never looked back. He still returns to Talland for instruction and although his forte is dressage, he is proving to be very talented in showjumping and cross country, too.
Two years in dressage is a remarkably short time, but George's successes already include: first at the South West Regional Talent Spotting Competition (British Dressage); third in the National Trailblazers Championships and sixth National Pony Club Championships.
For the second year running, he won the individual competition at the Area Pony Club Dressage with the best score of the day of 74.4 per cent, he was seventh British Dressage Regional Final Championships at Kingston Mauward; fourth U21 BYRDS National Dressage Championships. Addington Manor; second British Dressage Area Festival Final Championships at Solihull and selected as reserve member to the BDU21 National Team at Blarney Castle Dressage Festival.
Joan Miller, a breeder of Irish Draughts, employs George to ride her horses.She said: "George has backed and brought on two of my youngsters for me,and I have been impressed by his quiet effectiveness with them. One in particular has a great natural talent in jumping as well as lovely paces, a future eventer if ever there was one, but she is a big, sensitive horse. That combination requires a very special rider, and George has proven himself to be just that." George combines his competition career with running a yard near Truro where he teaches and takes horses for schooling and/or livery.
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