Michelle Lowe (aka Squid) - Yard Manager/Rider
As most young girls grow up with a love of horses, I was no different! I begged, borrowed and stole rides on people's ponies and horses whenever I could. Finally my God mother (Christine) offered me a pony, Charlie (St Crispin) who taught me more than any instructor could (i.e. how to fall off!) I started attending "Pony Club" and other local shows. Realising at the age of 28 Charlie was not going to go on forever, Christine bought a 3yo to be broken in by the famous Mrs Mac. After she had done the groundwork Mrs Mac took me under her wing and taught me how to back a pony, Minty (Bureside Mint) and I made a great partnership and we soon got asked to be on all of the Pony Club Teams. As I grew more I soon became too big for Minty but I was lucky enough to then be offered a Irish pony Joey (burnt biscuit) who was also a great pony club pony but also kick started my showing interest.
I'd now managed to beg enough and my Grandad gave in and bought me who is still my best friend, Bob (Golden Attraction - pictured) Bringing my pony club days to an end Bob and I decided showjumping was the way forward and joined the BSJA for the first time. Lemon soon joined my team and took me to my first "foxhunter" class. At this time my school days were also coming to a close and listening to others I went against my heart and went to college to study computers (very geeky). After completing two years at college the day I left was the day I started my new job....... Ride Groom at Cullinghurst Arabian stud (not geeky) Two years later I'd managed to help along the way to being awarded "HOYS supreme ridden" and numerous National Championships including becoming "National Young Rider 2005" myself. |
Deciding to move back to showjumping I left Cullinghurst stud and decided to get a "grown up" office job to pay for my horses. This is when I became a Firefighter and also self employed with my dad Geoff. Even after my attempt to be in a "normal job" I couldn't shake my desire to be a professional equine body. I finally took the plunge in 2011 to take on my own yard. Unsure if I would be successful I was soon overwhelmed at the support of what are now my "Owners", "Gibbs" (my partner who is continuously woken up in the wee hours as I clamber out of bed to start work) and also Cullinghurst Stud who asked me to return, not only to help exercise the horses while they are away on business but also to help with the youngstock that were starting their ridden career. |
In 2015 we competed at more shows than I can remember... some of the highlights were the Royal Norfolk Show (coming 5th in the Ride & Drive), the NAF British RC National Championships (Brining home 2 National Titles along with several other top 6 placing) and the BD Area Petplan Festival (finishing 6th in a strong Class)
In 2016 I was lucky enough to be selected to ride for Great Britain in Ireland and in France at the World Riding Club Championships. These are both fantastic experiences and we came home with 2 tope 10 placings (2nd In Ireland and 5th in France) My fantastic horses have racked up a few more National tiles too!
After years of BS, BD and RC the natural progression was to Event... in 2016 I took the plunge... Im absolutely hooked!! 2017 has been spent progressing with my training to enable us to do this. So far its paid off... we have moved up to BE100 and have had 3 top 10 placings to date... Who knows were there rest of this year and 2018 will take us....
Watch this space.....
Squid x