Laura Collett – Bringing Glamour and Style to the Eventing world.
Laura is in her 13th year of her professional riding career with some amazing achievements to date that some of us could only dream about. Watching Laura grow from strength to strength leaves us in awe of her determination and talent. Alongside this, Laura also brings some amazing style to the eventing world too!
To name but a few: Being placed 8th at her first outing at Badminton. During selections at Barbury CIC*** Laura finished 3rd place behind her idol Pippa Funnell and the great Piggy French. Plus being nominated for the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Throughout her years of riding Laura has experienced some real highs and lows. During 2013 Laura experienced an extremely traumatic fall which left her in a coma for a week, punctured lung and lascerated liver. Within 7 weeks Laura got herself back to full fitness with the help from Oaksey House, returning to compete and win the Open Intermediate with Noble Bestman.
In 2015 Laura and her yard experience the saddening heartbreak of the loss of the legend Kauto Star
After bringing home several FEI medals including a fair few gold for both team and individual performances we only can but admire Laura for her outstanding riding.
Laura is based in Gloucestershire surrounded by a fantastic support team. Plus brilliant owners and not forgetting the team of 12 stunning horses she competes.
Throughout Laura’s career in event riding she looks amazing and brings an element of style to each of her competitions.
We spare five minutes of her time to discuss her style and her highlights so far.
JC: We love your style particularly in the trot ups! What are your favourite brands and what inspires you for these outfits?
LC: I’m very lucky to be sponsored by Holland Cooper Clothing so my great friend Jade Holland Cooper send me outfits to wear for the trot ups!
JC: Do you have any must-have items in your grooming kit to keep your horses looking so smart?
LC: We use the NAF “pimp my pony” shampoo which makes sure the horses are nice and clean when they go eventing!
JC: You have achieved some amazing titles in your riding career so far, what has been the best highlight for you?
LC: I’d say winning back to back Junior European Championships with 2 horses I’d produced from the beginning was a special moment!
What an achievement, we second that as a brilliant highlight. Something special about being able to compete on something you have produced yourself.
JC: All the riding you do must keep you extremely fit, do you have any exercise routines that help to keep up your fitness?
LC: I try to do some core strength work but in the season I find it tricky to fit extra gym work in!
That’s a good enough reason not to fit in the extra gym work!
JC: How do you tackle any show nerves when you are competing at such high profile events?
LC: I like to have a clear plan going into a big competition. When I’m at the events if I start to get nervous I like to take myself off and be alone to go through things in my head!
JC: Do you have any tips for amateur event riders looking to take the next step in their careers?
LC: Always have long and short term goals and make clear plans as to how you’re going to achieve those goals! Always remember there will be lots of lows but keep aiming to achieve the goals because when you do it’s worth all the hard times!
Brilliant advice, its super important to set goals. It can be challenging at times and having short and long term goals helps to reflect back on how far you have come.
JC: After a very sensible and I imagine a particularly hard decision to make of withdrawing from Badminton Horse Trials, what are your plans for your horses this season?
LC: I plan to run Mr Bass in a few CIC*** and then to take him to Luhmuhlen CCI****
JC: With horses we have many highs and lows we face, what keeps you motivated to keep going?
LC: Thinking back to days when things have gone right and remembering how good it felt to have those highs … it makes me keep going through the lows to achieve more highs!
Thanks so much Laura, it’s an honour feature you on Just Caballo!
We hope you enjoyed reading. Make sure you check out Laura’s website and keep an eye out for her and Mr Bass this year. Be sure to check out her sponsor Holland Cooper to shop her style. Laura is of course on all social media channels too – go follow her there
Photo credit to the lovely Holland Cooper
