Fifteen-year-old Surrey-based rider Tara Moore has been selected as July’s The Howden Way Spotlight Award winner for ensuring her horse’s welfare is at the heart of everything she does, welcoming and supporting fellow riders, and celebrating development over results. Tara was nominated by British Eventing Level 3 coach Carl Belson from the South East Academy, and wins a uvex riding hat, courtesy of Zebra Products.
“Tara has worked really hard on her riding with her horse, and they have developed into a really good partnership, in particularly Tara has had to work really hard on the dressage phase, as Dunarlen, aka Copy, has never found this easy,” explained Carl. “They have also stepped up successfully from BE90 to BE100 which has resulted in a place on the under 18 squad at Bishop Burton Regional Youth Championships. Tara always turns up for her lessons come rain or shine, and always has a smile on her face. She is eager to learn and upskill, and always has Copy’s welfare in her mind. Being slightly older, he needs careful management, something Tara has embraced and researched to give Copy the best possible chance.”
Judge Laura Collett said of the winner: “Tara stands for everything we should be mindful of. She always ensures that the welfare of everyone attending the academy is a priority. She creates a welcoming and nurturing environment by showing camaraderie and support to all. She always celebrates the development of skills and knowledge over outcome and is a leading light within the academy for others to follow.”
Of her win, Tara said: “I am so grateful to receive this award and totally honoured that I have been chosen! I’ve been doing BE since I was 12 and have been lucky enough to be picked for the Regional Youth Championships at Bishop Burton at BE90 the last two years, and this year we’re going to do the BE100 to represent the South East.
“We’ve been doing lots of training with The Howden Way which has helped me prepare for the qualifiers as well as set long and short-term goals and identify what I need to work on. It’s really worked and the results have reflected that!”
Tara has had 16-year-old, 15.3hh Irish sport horse gelding Copy for nearly three years.
“He has evented up to intermediate so is showing me the ropes,” she said. “I’m hoping to do a few novices at the end of the season. He is the perfect horse – he’s very bold across country and takes everything in his stride. He loves the show jumping and his ability to put in pony strides and lengthen while turning on the spot is incredible. We’re continually working on the dressage but he tries really hard for me and is the most genuine horse you’ll ever meet.”
Each month, coaches delivering The Howden Way Regional Academies are invited to nominate a member who has championed the core values of the Academies whether it be welfare, driving for inclusivity, creating camaraderie and supporting others, celebrating development of skills and knowledge over outcomes and developing true ambassadors for the sport. The winner is then selected by Olympic Gold Medallist, Laura Collett, from a shortlist of contenders who have been nominated as deserving.
Each month, a Spotlight award will be given to the most outstanding rider. Non-members can attend up to two of any of The Howden Way training academies. For more information on The Howden Way training, visit here. For those wishing to join, there is a 40% discount for new Pony Club and Riding Club members. For information on how to join, visit here
