Rosie Woodfield has been chosen as October’s The Howden Way Spotlight Award winner for ensuring welfare of all is at the heart of the Regional Academy and being a great role model and ambassador for the sport. As part of her award, Rosie wins a uvex exxential II riding helmet, courtesy of Zebra Products.
Rosie (14) rides 12-year-old Welsh cross Wolfie (Whisperwood Sir Dumbledore) who she has had for two years. They started British Eventing (BE) this season and have amazingly had a win at BE80, a win at BE90, been part of the winning Youth Regional team and qualified for the BE90 regional championships.
Coach Maddy Moffett put Rosie forward for the award on behalf of the East Midlands academy. She said: “Rosie has worked very hard in her first season BE and was selected to represent her regions BE80 U18 team, and also qualified and completed her first grassroots regional at BE90. Rosie is hard working and diligent and really tries to take on board what she is taught in her sessions so is a pleasure to coach.”
Laura Collett, who has the pleasure of selecting the winning candidate, said: “I’m very impressed with just how much Rosie has achieved in her first season with BE. To be selected to represent her region and qualify and compete at her first grassroots regional at BE90 level which serves to highlight how hard she works in her training sessions. She clearly applies herself to The Howden Way training programme and her desire to learn is inspiring to other riders of her age.”
Of her award, Rosie’s mum Kirsty commented: “Wolfie was loaned for the first year, and despite being so much fun show jumping and arena eventing, we nearly didn’t buy him as he would grind to a halt with his eyes on stalks on the cross-country course!
“Thank goodness we did as with the help of our knowledgeable, experienced The Howden Way and BE regional youth trainers, Rosie and Wolfie have smashed all of their goals this season and are now thriving on the challenge of the trickier tracks! Big thanks to Maddy Moffett, Lisa Morris and Sam York.
“Rosie became home educated due to severe anxiety and horses are a huge part of her life. The BE training and the friendships, camaraderie and support that comes from that are so important as she strives to continually develop her skills and is working hard towards a future as a rider and trainer.
“Next year, Rosie and Wolfie are aiming to qualify for the Badminton Grassroots Championship and would love to do Pony Trials, but she may have to wait and try for Juniors instead as she just won’t stop growing!
“Rosie is so proud to have won this award, especially as it was chosen by Laura Collett who is one of her eventing idols after she watched her win at Badminton in 2022, and of course she can’t wait for her new UVEX hat to arrive.”
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. For more information, visit here
A Spotlight award is given every month 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
