Dream Come True: An Interview with Country Ways Sponsored Rider & Gold Medalist Abigail Gray

Country Ways newest sponsored rider is FEI European Dressage Champion, British Dressage National Champion, and World Number 1, Abigail Gray. WORLD. NUMBER. ONE. I felt like I needed to say that again in capitals! It’s a phenomenal achievement, all the more so when you consider that Abigail is still only 16 years old! When I meet her and Mum Karen at Bogenraith Equestrian, where they livery superstar pony George Clooney B. S. (so called because of his handsome looks!), Abigail has brought her medals along for me to look at. They are heavier than you would expect, and I try to imagine what it might feel like to win one. For most of us, it will be just that, an exercise in imagination. It is very rare to reach the pinnacle of any sport, let alone when you are so young. When I ask Abigail if it’s possible to put into words what it means to her, she replies “not really! It’s quite unbelievable, it’s my dream come true. I’m so proud of George. It’s still quite hard to comprehend. I’m really grateful for George and the whole team behind me”. This is a sentiment which permeates our whole chat, that the achievement is very much a shared one, the majority of the credit of which Abigail gives over and over again to George. This is perhaps not surprising to people who know Abigail. She is shy, quiet and incredibly modest. Indeed she tells me that giving interviews is far more nerve wracking to her than riding a dressage test on the biggest stage! Her modesty is borne out in full when I ask her what qualities she thinks makes her so successful and she immediately credits other people! It is heartening to meet someone so young and successful, who is also just such a lovely person 😊 Over some good old hearty macaroni and cheese (who doesn’t love macaroni and cheese), we sit down for a chat…

Can you tell me a little bit about your riding journey and how it started?

I started riding at Aberdeen Riding Club and had weekly lessons from Sally and Martin (Sally McCarthy, ARC Manager and Chairperson of BHS, Martin Dargie, ARC Assistant Manager). I got my first pony when I was 8 and I joined Deeside Pony Club and did all the rallies and fun events. I had lots of fun with eventing, and then when I got my dressage pony Rascal, I started competing in Pony Club dressage regionals, BD regionals and then got to the LeMieux Nationals. Hannah Moody came to Scotland when I was 10 and I got a lesson from her who encouraged me to do pony FEI - she’s still my trainer, along with Sarah Higgins who trains me too.

Abigail having fun eventing on her pony Brewster

Did you always like dressage? What is it about it that you like so much?

When I did Pony Club, I realised I was quite good at dressage. I got quite interested in it when I got Rascal, my first dressage pony, and we formed a really strong partnership and I loved going through movements with him.

Abigail and her first dressage pony Rascal

You’ve competed on the biggest stages in the world, do you get nervous before you compete?

I do in the morning, I’ll struggle to eat my breakfast. But as soon as I am on George I feel fine. I focus on the test and my pony. I get distracted by the scores, so I don’t look at them and Mum isn’t allowed to tell me any of them!

Do you have any advice for people who might get really nervous?

Relax and focus on you and your horse and you will be fine!

Focused and in the zone at the Nations Cup 

Do you feel pressure? Or maybe I should put it another way, do you put pressure on yourself?

Yeah, I am quite bad at putting pressure on myself, but I am learning not to think like that. At the Europeans there was lots of pressure because I was the last one to go for the team.

How did you deal with that pressure?

I focused on myself and George and just told myself to try my hardest.

Did it feel different the day you were doing it on a team as opposed to an individual?

There was a lot more pressure for the individual test because we had won the team test and we hadn’t expected to win at the Europeans. So when I realised we were actually quite competitive and that we had a chance of winning an individual medal, there was a lot more pressure.

Is the music as important as the floor plan?

Yes, it has to match your horse’s rhythm, complement the floorplan and suit the horse and rider.

Is it difficult to choose music?

Very difficult! I had two options and I decided on the music 3 days before riding the test in Belgium! I just really could not decide, but in the end I preferred the canter music which was quite Scottish and made it more emotional. It was very atmospheric.

Do you feel like it’s important to have an emotional connection to the music?

If you enjoy the music, then you ride a lot better and you’ll look forward to it a lot more.

Karen – the comments from the International Judges said they could tell she was really feeling her music, that they were a very charming combination.

Are you going to keep that test sheet forever?

Definitely! I’ll print it out and frame it and put it up in my bedroom!

It must have been the most incredible feeling getting a medal put round your neck?

Yeah I never ever thought I would get one! When I was about to go into the prize giving, George’s previous owner came up to us and started hugging me and crying and that’s when I got really emotional, I was like argh I am going into a prizegiving, I can’t be crying!

That gold medal feeling on the podium!

Does George like a prizegiving?

Yeah he is such a showman! He has a big personality and he loves competing!

George enjoying showing off in the prizegiving

Did you gel with each other quickly?

As soon as I could sit to his canter, it all started working out!

Do you find it difficult to balance your school commitments with your riding?

I wouldn’t say I am the best at studying, I get distracted really easily at home! I’ve learnt when I am at competitions, ‘right, I need to do this homework and take on these things’ or I won’t get the results I want.

I can’t imagine what it’s like to go competing and having to take your homework with you?

Karen – this was a particularly difficult year because it was NAT5 exam year.  We had to get the season started earlier, which is why we travelled to France in February, so she wasn’t having to chase qualifications and take exams at the same time.

How far ahead do you have to plan in advance?

Karen – we had to plan 6 months in advance because of the exam year.

Plenty of lorry time to do homework!

Only when we aren’t travelling otherwise my writing would be all over the place!

How did you get on in your recent exams?

Good thanks, I got straight A’s.

You are obviously very good at balancing your school commitments with competing then! Clearly a pro at lorry homework! Do you know what you want to do after school?

I would like to maybe work on a dressage yard. But I’m not really sure yet.

Do you have a favourite subject at school?

I really enjoy art.

Is it nice to have an outlet that is totally different from the horses?

Yes I would say painting is quite relaxing, it just takes a lot of time!

What do you think are the qualities that make you so successful?

I have physio with Caroline Frew at Perform Physio. I have to do physio every week. Before I get on George, I do a routine every time when I get on the mounting block to activate my hips.

Karen - lots of no stirrups too!

What sort of support do you get from BD?

Part of their camps is sports psychology and also lessons from the British team trainers. There were also vet talks, talks on horse welfare, talks on mental wellbeing, how to look after your body and mind.

Karen - and interview techniques!

You are going to have to get used that being number 1!

I was thinking, ‘oh it’s ok, I won’t get interviewed…’

I don’t think you were going to get away with that!

It took a lot of takes! (laughing)

It’s funny what makes people nervous. Some people could never go and do what you did!

I would much rather do a test than an interview!

Do you have any advice for any aspiring dressage riders?

I’ll try and think of something different to what everyone says! Lots of times when things have been really difficult, it may not seem fun but keep focusing and you’ll get the results.

That’s great advice because it can be really tough!

With horses you are always fixing things, it’s two steps back, one step forward.

What are your plans for George now?

Just to enjoy time with him with no pressure and to enjoy the time we have left together because I would like to move onto juniors, so I have to think about moving onto a horse.

Karen – we are so grateful to be here at Bogenraith Equestrian where George’s every need is catered to and we couldn’t ask for better facilities for Abigail to enjoy George and spend time with him.

How long will you have to cement a new partnership?

By start of next year I will hopefully be on a horse. I will have to start from the bottom again and work my way up by learning. George’s canter is so big, when I first got him, I would come off him exhausted because it was such a workout!  It takes time, there is no rush.

Can you tell me about your lessons and how it works undertaking them virtually when your coach is based so far away?

I use PIXEM, do you know what that is?

No (I reply laughing and explain about being a boomer when it comes to technology and Abigail giggles as though she had a feeling this might be the case)

So, it’s your mobile phone on a Pixem tripod, you have a watch on your wrist so that the Pixem can follow you and your horse – it’s like a zoom call for me and George. I wear air pods when Hannah talks to me. It’s like she is sitting in the arena.

Are you ever tempted to chuck them out?

Hahahaha, no!

It’s amazing that technology can facilitate that kind of training now!

Karen – it became popular during Covid when people couldn’t travel for lessons. The good thing is when we go and see Hannah in person before a competition, she knows exactly where Abigail is in her training because she has been teaching her.  

Training with the PIXEM

How did you feel seeing Becky Moody at the Olympics with her and sister Hannah being so involved in your own training?

I watched all Becky’s tests live and it was just so inspiring!

Would that be a dream of yours to ride in the Olympics?

Definitely, but it would take a lot of hard work and commitment.

Will you grant me an interview then?

Hahaha, yes of course! You have to support local.

Why did you choose to align yourself with CW? Why was it important for you to work with us?

I think supporting a local retailer is really important. And Country Ways supply my sponsor’s products as well which is important because then everything works together.

George looking every inch the superstar in his Country Ways saddle pad

You’ve shopped with us for a long time now as I remember fitting you and your brother for body protectors years ago when you were both tiny!

Karen - Abigail got her first hat, pair of jodhpur boots and body protector at Country Ways!

With a bag of some goodies from Country Ways 

How does it feel for you Karen? You must just be bursting with pride?

I was so nervous the whole time.

Do you think you get more nervous than Abigail?

Absolutely! The individual test day, because we knew they were competitive having won the previous day in the team competition, that day was so nerve wracking. And then I started crying during the freestyle - it was their first time competing with their new floorplan and with new music too, and so it was special.

Karen hugging George after she just found out he and Abigail had won gold

You are a superstar Mum! You make it all happen literally trucking around the world!

We weren’t a horsey family, so we’ve all had to learn on this journey together. We are so lucky to have Hannah (Moody) and Sarah (Higgins) who have both been absolutely fantastic at building Abigail’s confidence and making her believe in herself.  We are really grateful to everyone that has supported her over the years.

Abigail - I really enjoy still going to ARC to jump the riding school ponies, it’s really fun and I still get to see my friends and get to see my old ponies Brewster and Sherbet. Sally always tells me to throw my reins forward and not to take a contact but I always want to!

On that note I wrap up the interview as poor Abigail has barely had a chance to make a dent in her macaroni and cheese! Karen asks if I want to meet the main man himself and I don’t hesitate to say yes please! We head to the beautiful stables and I am shocked to see George is much bigger than I realised! He is every inch the showman and is delighted when Abigail gives him some of the treats I took along. It was quite a bit of pressure thinking what a superstar diva like George Clooney might like to eat! But he was happy with his NAF Blueberry treats, phew! 😊 I take my leave as another admirer (the vet, though as far as George is concerned I am sure he thinks it’s another one of his fan club) arrives. I head back to the car and can almost imagine him signing autographs, if only he had opposable hooves….

What a haul! (photo courtesy of Sigrid Zimaro)