Sophie and Stanly win the CCI*J at Houghton Hall in 2013
Sophie Beaty and Bella Innes-Ker are two young British eventers who have spent the past few months travelling Australia. From their first few days spent in Goulburn at the Baxter Boots NSW State Championships (pretty similar to English events, apart from the fact the horses weren’t stabled, they thought) they have travelled around Australia and had a wonderful time.
The girls, who met at school in England and have been firm friends ever since, are both keen eventers. Sophie had great success on the British Pony teams in 2010 and 2011, winning team gold and bronze on her pony Done and Dusted VI and now has some up and coming horses, Stanly, Pink Gin and Navigator, previously ridden by William Fox-Pitt.
Many here will remember Navigator as the ride of Laura Darvall who sold him to William through Sharon Ridgway. An off the track thoroughbred, he went on to have some great results with William, including a second place at Les Etoiles de Pau CCI4* in 2010. We very nearly saw Navigator back in Australia when William visited in 2012 and hoped to be able to ride him at the Australian International 3 Day Event but quarantine restrictions made that impossible and Sophie now enjoys the ride
Bella has also represented Britain on the Junior European Championships team in 2012 and has two horses she is looking forward to competing this year, Carolyn and Rosses Captain as well as starting her University course at Newcastle
In 2013 Sophie finished 9th in the British Eventing Goldman Cup standings (leading Under 21 Year Old Riders) and Bella was 16th.
Debbie Higgs caught up with the girls as they enjoyed their last few days in Australia and were soaking up the sun on Melbourne’s St Kilda Beach.
Sophie and Bella talk to Debbie Higgs
Bella (left) and Sophie (right) soak up the sun at St Kilda Beach
