How many hours does riding take out of your week?
We definitely take the title of the least hardcore Blues team! We try to cram all our training into the last few weeks before the competitions, particularly before our home match as we can work with the horses before hand. Training is very difficult with cost and travelling and it doesn’t make a great deal of difference since you never know what type of horse you will draw until the day. Horse riding is like riding a bike, you can not train for weeks and jump back on and it’ll not make a massive difference.
How is the season shaping up so far for the Blues?
The season hasn’t kicked off yet; the final teams have just been selected and are chomping at the bit ready to go. We have three teams competing in the BUCS championship and trophy leagues, hopefully this will be our year to make it to the nationals in both. Our first competition is on December the 3rd at Warwick and then they start coming thick and fast at the beginning of Hilary – wish us luck.
How is morale in the camp these days?
Team spirit is pretty high at the minute, but wait until it gets to those cold February mornings when, trust me, the last thing you fancy doing is going outside and sitting on a horse until your bum is numb and your fingers have turned a nasty shade of blue and are on the verge of dropping off – the freshers don’t know what they’ve let themselves in for. Then it’ll be up to this year’s team captain, Kat, to raise the spirits.
Have any great freshers stepped up to the team?
We have 6 freshers joining a team of 12 riders, so yes definitely. In particular Imogen Peck, St. Hilda’s fresher, who spent her gap year eventing with Australian rider Bill Levitt. Next term she plans to bring her horses closer to Oxford in time for the up and coming season.
Are you ever worried about the dangers of your sport?
Horses are very unpredictable and seriously strong and they also make mistakes which makes riding a very dangerous sport but I think it’s also what most of us love about it and makes it so exhilarating. I think it’s always in the back of your mind, but we definitely don’t let it stop us.
How do you fancy your Varsity chances?
Although I hate to admit it, Oxford has never won Varsity on record and Cambridge always has a very strong team. That said, we came frustratingly close last year with Oxford taking 1st and 4th places individually. I am feeling very optimistic about our chances this year; we have a really excellent team. I think this is probably the best Oxford team I have seen in the past 3 years, so fingers crossed!
