Will Furlong - international hockey payer as well as international eventer
At the Windrush Equestrian Foundation we’re supporting, and working with, a team of seriously talented young riders. Many of whom have successfully competed at some of the biggest 5* events in the world, and others who are looking at making the step up from 4* to 5* very soon.
But aside from the headline results, who are the riders and what are you most and least likely to know about them?
Will Furlong
Young Rider European Champion 2015, Young Rider National Champion 2014 & 2016, U25 National Champion 2017, a roster of results that speaks for themselves.
Like make equestrian athletes, eventing isn’t the only sport that has taken Will’s fancy. As well as winning numerous Young Rider gold medals, Will also played Hockey for England at U16 level, winning nine caps and playing against the likes of Germany, Spain and Holland.
Will is now aiming for a third CCI5* at Badminton, with top ride Collien P 2.
Alicia Hawker - it's all down to cheeseburgers ....
Alicia Hawker
Alicia has a secret tactic when it comes to CCI5* events, at which she’s jumped clear at both Badminton and Burghley, and it’s all down to cheeseburgers. The lack of cheeseburgers would be more accurate. As a focused athlete Alicia puts increased focus on her fitness and diet in the run up to a 5* fixture and therefore gives up her favourite cheeseburgers.
Another little-known fact about this young rider; her dairy farmer grandfather trained racehorses on the family farm as a hobby. He produced a Cheltenham Festival winner in 1980, Lacson, and their 15hh Farmer finished second the day after. Alicia’s eventing horses now occupy those stables.
Max, the no-cheese man
Max Warburton
Whereas cheese is a go-to favourite for Alicia, Max doesn’t eat any form of cheese! He often says that it makes ordering a pizza rather entertaining.
Max is an established 4* rider with an exciting string of horses for the 2021 season, including Call Me Maggie May, the former 5* rider of Izzy Taylor, and the 11-year-old former ride of Laura Collett.
The ambidextrous Connie Copestake
Connie Copestake
Based in the UK but representing France, Constance ‘Connie’ Copestake has produced a number of impressive 4* results including fifth places at both the U25 Championships at Bramham and Chatsworth 4*S.
Connie is ambidextrous meaning she can write, and clearly ride, both left and right-handed! She says it neither helps nor hinders her riding ability but does sometimes leave her a little tighter down one side.
The start of the 2021 has been challenging for the Windrush riders, like everyone else having to deal with lockdowns and coronavirus restrictions, with the inability to travel to their group training with Pippa Funnell and the uncertainties of when competition will resume. They’re all remaining positive and are looking forward to getting back out as soon as possible.
