Sarah Holmes BHSAI, has been riding horses since she could walk. Her first love is eventing and she is extremely passionate and dedicated to this sport. 

 

Sarah is based at Lake Farm Equitation Centre, which is a family run competition and livery yard. Sarah manages the yard on a day to day basis with a team of dedicated staff. Lake Farm is the Island's largest competition venue for horse events and the only venue able to hold British Dressage competitions. In early 2016, work began on the cross country training field and when completed will boast a range of fences, a water combination, ditches and steps which have been built by accredited British Eventing course builder, Richard Burke of Top Jump. 

 

Sarah is a supportive member of the Isle of Wight Riding and first began representing the club at national championships at eight years of age. She was part of the junior dressage team which dominated national riding club dressage championships for many years, winning numerous individual and team titles. In addition, she has also won numerous team and jumping titles.

 

It was through Sarah's support and link of the British Riding Clubs that she and her top horse, Lowhill Clover were selected to ride for Team GB at the 2* European Eventing Championships, held in Helvoirt (The Netherlands) in August 2015. This was an incredible achievement which took over two years of training to make the final team shortlist. To date, Sarah the first person from the Isle of Wight to ride and compete for Team GB. The championships in Helvoirt were testing and with the support of a large group of family and friends who made the journey and stayed for the duration of the competition, Sarah and the team achieved a silver medal! 

 

In addition to her top horse, Lowhill Clover, Sarah has a string of exciting prospects for the coming season. At British Eventing, she rides at novice through to 2* level. 

 

Through the winter, Sarah and her horses compete in British Dressage and British Showjumping competitions, locally on the Island and on the mainland. She is taught by Nicola Buchanan (nee Jourdain), Richard Waygood MBE and Carl Belson.

 

When she is not competing herself, Sarah has a large client base of pupils whom she teaches. Many of her pupils have gone on themselves to achieve local and national successes and Sarah is immensely proud of each one. No matter what their goal be it dressage or jumping or just to feel more confident, Sarah gives each person her support and attention. She can also be frequently heard at competitions supporting people from the sidelines and rarely finishes teaching until the late evening despite early starts!

 

As well as holding clinics for riding club members from the Isle of Wight Riding Club and Vectis Equestrian Club, Sarah runs a residential camp for riders. This three day camp is great fun and along with the serious side of riding and teaching, stable management and horse care, Sarah gets stuck in with the social side. The ghost walk has become infamous and children and parents alike enjoy being scared! She is always highly amused when children with their faces and hair covered in flour, soaked clothes head home after a busy few days!