There is so much choice at Strathallan, it is tough to stick to my core sports. - Kyle F
Q. When did you start riding?
I started riding when I was about 8 years old. My sister was already riding and looked like she was having fun. And I thought to myself, I can do that! I have the same instructors today as I did when I was just learning - Carly Adams Equestrian and Sandra Low Mitchell at Balcormo.
When I first started riding all I wanted to do was go fast and jump! We joined Fife Pony Club and I started concentrating on Mounted Games which was brilliant fun and my team and I ended up winning SHOYS with our ponies. A couple of years later I discovered Polocrosse which is a mix of lacrosse and rugby all on horseback! I was chosen to represent Scotland in the Mini Polocrosse section where my team and I won at the Pony Club Championships which were held in Chester that year. After Polocrosse I started to take my riding and sport, in general, a lot more seriously and moved across to Tetrathlon.
Tetrathlon is a team and individual competition organised by the Pony Club and comprises of Shooting, Swimming, Running and XC Horse Riding. It is a major recruiting ground for the Olympic sport Modern Pentathlon.
Q. What in your opinion, is the best thing about horse riding?
Horse riding gives me the biggest buzz ever. Taking part in competitions is absolutely nerve-wracking and stressful but the buzz I get from it is amazing especially now that I am jumping the bigger tracks and longer courses. Because I have started Eventing I spent a lot of time over the Summer improving my Dressage and I now understand that in order to win a One Day Event, I need to do be able to do a great test!
I’ve also made loads of friends through my riding that I wouldn’t have met otherwise.
Q. Unfortunately no tetrathlon at the moment, but what are you hopes when fixtures open up again?
When competitions start back up I hope that I will go out to the very first competition faster and stronger than I ever was before. I’ve never really stopped training even though it has been really really hard to stay motivated. I just really want to do well in whatever I do and to win!
Q. How long have you been at Strath? And how do you find balancing your training with studying?
I’ve only been at Strathallan for one term. If I’m honest I’m finding it fun as the pace has been absolutely non-stop. I'm also getting used to being a boarder and getting to know my new teachers and subjects and coaches.
Being at Strathallan is great as I’m not having to travel so much to get to all of my training like I used to. I’ve got a great tutor called Mr Wiles who has helped me loads. But probably the best thing about Strathallan is all the sport! There is so much choice it’s tough to stick to my core sports. I already pistol shoot but I have to say that I’m really keen to have a go at shooting clays too! I can’t believe the school has its very own shooting range! And at my old school, we didn’t get to play much rugby at all, but here at Strathallan I have been able to play loads and I think I have really improved in the short time I’ve been here.
Q. 2020 has been a short season for competing, what are your plans come the Spring?
2021 will be my final year of competition in the Junior section of Tetrathlon. So my ultimate goal would be to win my section at the Tetrathlon Championships which are held annually in August. Athletes from all over England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland compete at this event. Last year in my first year of Juniors I placed 10th overall as an individual and 3rd with my team. I would also like to be chosen to compete at the Windsor Horse Show. Three Pony Club Tetrathletes are selected each year to represent the whole of Scotland. This would be an amazing achievement. Finally, I would like to continue Eventing with the goal of being chosen to represent Scotland in the British Eventing Scottish Under 18 team. That would be amazing!
