Robyn and Jack of Clubs win the BE100 at Shelford Manor (1) 2022
Robyn Gray only started eventing at the age of 22, after spending time in the racing industry, and nearly 10 years later, she landed her dream job – working for the 2020 European Eventing Champion and British team stalwart, Nicola Wilson in North Yorkshire
Having moved to Nicola’s yard from her previous base with Vicki Irlam in December 2021, Robyn had no idea of what was coming up in 2022, which turned out to be a tumultuous year with Nicola sustaining serious injuries at Badminton Horse Trials in May 2022
Following Nicola’s accident, Robyn took over the rides on some of Nicola’s talented up and coming horses, and, with Nicola’s help during her recovery, Robyn enjoyed great success in 2022.
Burghley Young Event Horse Champion
Jack of Clubs, a five-year-old by Nicola’s former 5* mare Annie Clover, bred and owned by Nicola’s mother Mary Tweddle, was the star of the stable, winning the BE100 at Shelford Manor (2) before becoming the Burghley Young Event Horse Five-Year-Old Champion in September.
“He was brilliant, I can't fault him,” said Robyn at the time “There's a big atmosphere in there and he rose to the occasion. We just came to have a fun and for the horse to enjoy it. The more people watching him the more he likes it - he's got quite an ego so his head will be even bigger now.
“Top 10 would have been amazing so to win is incredible – and it's great to be able to bring some good news to Nicola who has been so supportive throughout. The young horses I am currently riding are a credit to her – she produced them as four-year-olds and I feel very privileged to be sitting on them.”
In 2021, before Robyn moved to Nicola’s yard, Louie Atkinson joined videographer Ruth Gregory to film an interview with Robyn, which gives a great insight into her background and how racing ‘gave me a pretty good seat’ – perfect for working with talented young horses!
