Celebrity Horse Rider: Tara Palmer Tomkinson

The Interview

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

My father got me a pony from a local circus. He was very difficult to ride as all he wanted to do was play football. The pony even came complete with a donkey who was his best friend. I used to ride the pony through my home when I was 5.

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

My funniest moment was when I painted my white horse with pony paint to make him look like a zebra. I then dressed up in a grass skirt and some coconuts and galloped through the courtyard of the stately home where a fancy dress party was being held. I won the prize for best dressed that day!

3. Who is your horse related hero?

My horse related hero is Pegasus the winged horse.

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

The best advice to be a good rider is to always get back on the horse if you fall off and be brave.

5. Do you have any particular equestrian ambitions?

My one ambition was to win the Grand National but having competed recently at the Eventing Cup on the icy course, I think riding round Trafalgar Square like Lady Godiva might be more my thing.

6. What are the most important things about being involved with horses and horse riding for you.

It is great to be at one with an animal. There is a fine line between man and beast and being so close with horses is always a rewarding challenge.

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 children would get into sport if they knew more about it. If books like Black Beauty and International Velvet were on the curriculum then children would want to be a part of this fantasy world and so would want to start having horse riding lessons.

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