( SLADE LAYS FARM EQUESTRIAN )


rode in Austria earlier this year as part of the Young Rider Nations Cup for Great Britain. I rode as an individual and Kellie was selected as part of the team. Kellie and Gruppello Z have jumped twice now on the YR Nations Cup teams and were short listed for the Europeans.” says Abbie proudly of her sister. “I hope to step Mill River who is owned by myself, Kellie and mum and dad up to ranking classes by the end of the year.” Gruppello Z (Owned by the twins’ parents) is testament to the girls’ talents at producing and spotting good horses. “We bought him out of the field aſter he had been turned away due to no fault of his own”, explains Abbie. “He was a bit of a tricky character but with lots of time and work he started to relax and seemed to like us! He was just slightly misunderstood I think.” Other exciting prospects in the girl’s string include Jupiter N (5) by Big Star JR x Corland who is successfully jumping at Newcomers and Foxhunters/1m 30’s, and Here I am SQBS (7) who is also out jumping 1m 30’s.


During their childhood and through to adulthood, the twins gratefully


received lots of training and support from British Showjumping. Abbie and Kellie are also Level 2 BS coaches and are available for lessons. “Both of us get snd have had a lot of training through the BS including their Step up to Gold and Talent Excel programmes”, says Abbie. “We are very lucky to have a great support system around us for not only us, but for the horses including our great veterinary physiotherapist, Annabelle Galt and our farrier John Benfield whom without, we wouldn’t have achieved what we have.” The girls are very business minded and know that they need to


keep buying, producing and selling good horses and ponies to be able to grow and continue what they love and enjoy “Kellie is very good with the admin side”, says Abbie. “Dad is a businessman so both him and mum will point us in the right direction. We are always looking for more owners and sponsors and everything is always for sale if the price is right!” The buying and selling of quality produced ponies and horses is something that the twins pride themselves on. “There is no point lying about anything”, states Abbie. “We are very transparent when


Kellie Taylor and Grupello Z photo by: Pegasus Creations


Sophie Taylor and Jocoba Red Shamrock Photo by: Showground Photography


it comes to a sale as it will only come back and bite you if you’re not. We want to keep our good reputation. It is a business at the end of the day, and we need the sales to make it work. I used to find it harder when I was younger when a pony was sold but now, I find it a compliment to us when a one leaves the yard, plus it’s one less to muck out in the morning!” Through their time on ponies and young riders the girls have been


regulars at the Horse of the Year Show. “Kellie and I have been to HOYS since 2010 right up until 2018, it has never really been a lucky show for us”, says Abbie. “All our horses on our yard now are either too green for HOYS or have moved on. We are too old for Young Riders next year so we’re both aiming to compete at a 3* Senior Nations Cup next season.” Looking to the future as the girls step up to senior level, the sky seems to be the limit. “There can be a lot of pressure at team events, but you have to think you are riding for yourself”, concludes Abbie. “We just want to try our best and if our horses jump well, whatever the result then we are happy.”


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SUMMER SPECIAL 2019


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