Badminton Experience

Cool Ridings Members attended Badminton Horse Trials courtesy of our long standing supporters Hiho Silver & Ariat. Jason Christopher hopped on a train from London to join a Cool Ridings event for the first time, below he shared some insight on the day:

“Hey everyone, my name is Jason Christopher, I was invited by Cool Ridings to the Badminton Horse Trails and to say the least it was the best thing ever! I was lucky enough to meet some of the other Cool Ridings Members, we exchanged contacts and got to know one another. Lydia Heywood is a person I had looked up to for so many years and meeting her for the first time was definitely an emotional experience. Having a community and knowing everyone in the environment has the same goals and interests as you is something indescribable and I’m so grateful Cool Ridings has given me the opportunity to experience it.

I started my riding journey at the age of 7 and since then I’ve fallen in love with the sport. My journey hasn’t been an easy one but through family and friends I’ve made it work and have made the best memories ever through riding. Teamforeverequestrian are a family run business who support and coach me not only physically when it comes to riding but also mentally. They have been my main support network and backbone, enabling me to dip my feet into places and crowds I never thought I would be able to mix in. I’m extremely grateful for the love, support, and encouragement they continue to give me.

Being a black male riding horses is something nearly unheard of, and growing up it was difficult for me to find inspiration from people who looked like me. Of course I looked up to amazing figures like Joe Stockdale and Jack Whitaker but sometimes looking up to a person that looks like you means so so much more internally and that is something I did not experience or have till I came across Cool Ridings in 2021.

I hadn’t heard of any black equestrians till then, but looking through the Cool Ridings page I felt a sense of comfort and major encouragement knowing there a people out there that look like me doing extremely well in such a unique sport, and 4 years down the line I am ecstatic to say I am a proud Cool Ridings Member!!”