“From Gang Crimes to Olympic Games”

Sam Martin is a British Dressage Rider; he is hoping to compete for Team GB in the 2012 Olympic Games.

His first experience of riding was on a donkey called, Jacko, at Vauxhall City Farm.

Growing up in South London was tough, but, for Sam horse riding was an escapism.

Now Sam competes in dressage competitions throughout the UK and has won Open Mediums with his advanced horse.

He has been training with Emile Faurie (International dressage rider and trainer. Emile has represented Great Britain at World and Olympic level) in the Cotswolds and has benefitted from Emile’s expertise and knowledge.

Sam’s profile and image were used by the BEF (British Equestrian Federation) to help launch their Olympic Legacy Project at Burghley Horse Trials.

British team selector and Olympic Dressage judge, Jane Kidd, interviewed Sam for a feature in British Dressage magazine.

Sam takes his horses into inner London Schools to demonstrate the skills needed to ride and how to get started. He feels that his horses are a great way to engage with young people and has also worked with serial offenders through projects set up with the Metropolitan Police.

Sam is a positive role model for young people from all backgrounds and is proof that horse riding and the equine industry is diverse.

The Interview

1. What are your first memories of horses or horseriding? How old were you when you started?

My first memories of riding are of being led round the green spaces and quieter lanes near Vauxhall City Farm in South London on board the farms Donkey Jacko. I was 8yrs old and we would go round Lambeth Walk and then cut back across spring gardens where I eventually had my first canter.

2. What was your funniest moment on (or off!) a horse?

My funniest horse related moment was watching on as a friend got trapped and electrocuted on a horse walker. No horses were involved and she was fine!

3. Who is your horse related hero?

Q3. My horse related hero is Tracey Allen my first riding instructor who taught me from the age of 11. She is my hero because of the confidence she instils in the horses she produces.

Over many years I have seen every horse Tracey has worked with become more brave, bold and extrovert in personality and movement. Instead of draw reins Tracey used the Turn on the Forehand.

An inspirational natural horse woman with empathy and clear views whose ability to communicate with the horse crosses the divide into art.

4. What advice would you give to someone who is considering horseriding?

Horse riding is one of the few sports that involves more than muscle to brain co ordination. It’s thrilling because eventually your legs and your balance becomes the horse. You can ride to relax or to keep fit, it’s more interactive than going to the gym.

Learning to ride in the city adds a contrast to city life; horse riding will take you out into green open spaces, and give you a unique view of the urban landscape, a great way to unwind after a long day in the hustle and bustle of the capital.

5. Do you have any particular equestrian ambitions?

My Equestrian ambition is to ride at the London Olympics as an Individual for Nigeria in the Dressage.

6. What are the most important things about being involved with horses and horse riding for you (eg out in open air, at one with an animal etc)?

The way of life appeals to me, I like being outside in the Sun in the summer and the frosty cold mornings and yard at night in the winter.

I feel a sense of achievement and contentment from seeing my horses relaxed and looking good. I enjoy building the relationships I have with my horses and the feeling of them trusting me.

7. Do you feel more opportunities to ride should be offered to children – either through schools programmes or other incentives? What do you think would get more children into the sport?

I think more riding programmes with Inner-city and sub urban schools will really help.

Horse riding needs to become more appealing. Perhaps in the way that cricket has over the last 10 years by creating a more modern image. Horse riding is not a popular sport amongst young people.

I think because they see it as old school and a sport mainly for Tweedy Types from the country. For horse riding to have more appeal it needs aspirational sporting personalities that young people see as real and in touch with the world they come from.

8. Please add any anecdotes or comments you feel would enhance the case study.

“The thrill of moving a muscle and getting the required response from the horse is what makes Dressage exhilarating”