Spotlight on a Member: Rachel Walker

Tuscany Athena & Rachel - Click on picture to see full size photos

I have owned Tuscany Athena (JJ) for coming up to 2 years, this June; I enjoy competing at local level with her in Hunter Trials, Show Jumping, dressage etc. We also take part in sponsored rides and are hoping to try Jumpcross in the near future. We also regularly enjoy long hacks on Ashdown Forest; basically we go out and have as much fun together as we can!

1. Can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Rachel walker, I am 19 years old, I work with horses, having completed 3 years at Plumpton College, doing a National Diploma in Horse Management, and I have been working on a Welsh Pony stud on Ashdown Forest in Sussex.

2. How did you first get involved with Appaloosa horses?

I first got involved with appaloosa horses when I brought JJ 2 years ago and joined the club after being given a joining form from her previous owner and breeder Karen Sands.

3. What horses do you have and what is their breeding?

I own one horse, Tuscany Athena a 15.1hh 6 year old, part bred appaloosa, she is by Tuscany Appolo out of Honeybee, she is a solid bay with occasional white flecking in the summer.

4. What is your favourite type of Appaloosa and why?

I like all types of Appaloosa, as I think they all look very smart and eyecatching, you can never miss a spotted horse, but I have to say I also like the solid colour appaloosas as well!!

5. What is your proudest moment?

So far my proudest moment has been just being able to go out and ride and compete. JJ as she had to have almost a year off due to lameness and I wasn't sure whether I would ever be able to ride her again let alone compete her. My best day with her so far has been a day's Hunting with the Old Surrey, Burstow and West Kent Hunt and a clear round at a local hunter trial.

6. What are your future goals?

My future goals are to get out and compete as much as I can over the summer, taking part in as much as I can, show jumping, dressage, hunter trials etc. Also to hunt as much as I can next season, whilst we still can!

7. When did you join the ApHC UK?

I joined the APHC UK at the end of last year.

8. What do you hope to gain from being a member of the ApHC UK?

From being a member of the club I hope to learn as much as I can about the breed and to learn about other people's horses and their interests with their horses.

9. How do you think we can make the club even better?!

I think the club is very good at the moment Maybe you could try and promote it a bit more at the county shows and also smaller local shows. Perhaps you could send out fliers, joining forms etc to your members to distribute at their local shows, when they go?

10. What sort of articles would you like to see in the Newsletter?

I would like to see more show reports from the newsletters

11. What are your other interests? (if you have time for any!)

My only interests are horses really!. I enjoy showing and breeding. Maybe in the future I might be able to do a bit of both!

From The Editor:

Thank you Rachel for completing our 'Spotlight on a member' questionnaire. I am sure our members will enjoy reading your story.