Sponsored Rider Catch Up with Abigail Gray

We are very excited to catch up with our newest sponsored rider Abigail Gray to find out all about her new horse and her exciting plans for the 2025 dressage season! 

What are your plans for the 2025 season?

We plan to campaign at Junior FEI level and do a mix of Premier Leagues down south and local shows. We had our first competition together at Vale View High Profile Show in January - the selectors were watching and we were invited on to the U21 GB International Pathway Squad so we will attend squad camps for training too.

Can you tell us a little bit about your new horse?

Empire is owned by Fenella Quinn, who competed him up to international Grand Prix. He’s very sweet and is a super schoolmaster for me to learn on. I love him, and am immensely grateful to have the opportunity to ride and compete on him!

What are your aims/goals with him?

My goal is to work towards achieving an international qualifying score at Premier Leagues. It would be amazing to be selected for an international at this new level.

What are you most excited about for the year ahead?

I’m enjoying this new chapter. I have a new horse to get to know, new dressage tests to learn, new movements to work on and now learning to ride using a double bridle as well as steering a 17hh horse! I’m loving learning it all.

What challenges have you faced building a new partnership with your new horse and do you have any advice for building a connection with a new horse?

I have my Higher Exams this year so I have a lot of homework. I’ve been spending time with Pie at Bogenraith as much as possible out with school and have online lessons with Hannah Moody and Sarah Higgins.  I love spending time with him - I’ve been teaching him to “smile” for his treats which he now does. He just loves attention.

What does it mean to you to be a Country Ways sponsored rider?

It’s a real privilege to be sponsored by my favourite country store. We were recently in the Banchory store admiring everything, I could spend hours in there! I’m so grateful to work with Country Ways!