totally stomach orientated, so as long as I have pockets of treats we manage to catch him in the end!”
It was Covid and lock down that was the real turning point for Dylan and Pepper. As much as the virus is unprecedented, the surprising positive outcomes that it has brought in it’s wake are quite extraordinary. “Dylan was off school and I suddenly had no work or childcare as I was being extra careful with Dylan as he suffers with slight asthma”, explains Jess. “I could no longer just go and ride or teach and leave Dylan with a friend so as a result, my attention moved to Pepper and Dylan as this was something we could do together.”
The partnership, now with their instructor mum’s undivided attention, went from barely being able to trot on the lead rein to quickly cantering solo unaided. “I know you shouldn’t have any regrets, but I really wish I had concentrated on Dylan and Pepper a lot earlier”, says an honest Jess. “I always thought I would have to get Dylan a more experienced pony to get him off the lead rein but I was thinking more towards the end of next year, how far they have come together in such a short space of time is simply unimaginable.”
The duo’s jumping progression is proving a viewing sensation which has not gone unnoticed by a host of highly appreciated sponsors. “Our main sponsor is Haute to Trot Equestrian, but we are also brand ambassadors for Me and P Equestrian. Both companies specialise in really fun and cool designed equestrian clothing for children and their ponies”, beams Jess. “I love the fact that their clothing range for boys is up there with the girls and the designs are so appealing to Dylan. Even the supermarkets seem to struggle with getting it right for boys, there is always a huge clothing section for girls but the boys section always appears as a tiny aſter thought, it really annoys me!”
The kids equestrian clothing market is a whole other world to what it was a few years back, from dinosaur printed numnahs to
Bespoke, fun, stylish and quality Equestrian Shop
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flamingo, pom pom and sparkle riding hats all available at a click of a button. “The fact that Dylan likes the designs so much that he wants to go riding just so he can wear them is a huge bonus”, says Jess. “Dylan’s favourite outfit from Haute to Trot at the moment is his and Pepper’s, matchy-matchy ‘Galaxy Haze’ set that resembles a seen from outer space, they also stock a range for us grown ups which I love as their designs are different but also comfy and functional; long gone are the days of the conventional jodhpur!”
Of course, horses are not just about the riding and Jess makes sure that Dylan does his fair share of daily yard jobs whilst unknowingly learning about stable management. “I fill the treat balls, do the poo picking and watering and I have a blue wheelbarrow”, says an enthusiastic Dylan. Pepper and Dylan are also new members of the Cambridge Hunt Pony Club, where they have just returned from their first junior camp. Pepper behaved surprisingly well considering it was the first time the ambitious pair had first set eyes on dressage boards or been let loose in an open space. “He can be very sharp as well as lazy”, says Jess. “Poor Dylan has to try so hard, Pepper massively over jumped a cross pole at camp and how Dylan sat it, I really don’t know.”
The future is certainly looking bright for the determined and talented duo. With mum as head coach mixed with their growing number of supporters, sponsors and increasing fan base, the adventures of Dylan and Pepper have only just begun. The journey of thrills and spills may only be in its infancy but this unique and heart warming relationship that Dylan and Pepper have for each other is so upliſting, it is viewing gold and just what the doctor ordered in these uncertain times.
As the duo continue to grow and flourish, hopefully the number of tumbles will also reduce.
Out of the mouths of babes, Dylan concludes; “I really love Pepper but falling off is disgusting!”
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crowd with an exclusive H
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September/October 2020 35
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