INTERVIEW Q&A WITH SOFIA GAMES.
What has been your inspiration? “The film‘InternationalVelvet’,andinparticular thelinespokenbyAnthonyHopkinsas TeamTrainerJohnnyJohnsontoSarah Brown(TatumO’Neal)“Onedaymy dearSarah,youwillrideforme”
.
Howdoyou balanceyour academic studies with riding? “Igetupat6amtostudy beforeschool,aswellasstudyinginthe lorryandthecaraswedrivebackwardsand forwardstotrainingandcompetitions”
.
What advicewould yougiveother young riders? “They(yourhorseorpony)give youmorewhentheyknowthatyouarewith them,andyouhavetobepreparedtoputin
alltheworkandgetthemileage.Thereisno cornercutting. Youhavetobededicated”
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What do youlikemostabout training? “Knowingthatwearemakingprogress
andspendingtime.Iliketositinhis stableandreadtohim. Heenjoysit!”
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And least? “Havingtoleavehimthere. Andthewet. However,Ihavebeentold thateverytimeyougetwetwhentraining itisanotherchampionshipwon”
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What is your favouritething about ‘Snowpo’? “He’ssoaffectionate,andloveskissingwith hispinknose.Hehasverytinyears”
. In February of 2019,with huge support from
Katie Baileyand CarolHogg of the Under 21’s, Sofiaattended the Under 21’sCamp and the journeytruly began. With Belsasser Sofiawas selectedfor the Regionals, and then the Home International at Arena UK. In Augustthey then contestedthe British Dressage Bronze Championships finishing 6th. Next to followwas the BD U25 Championships. Hereshe finished 15th in the National Elementary Championship and upgraded to Medium Level, being placed 4th. The vision of atiny11yearold aboarda14.2hh
pony,climbing the ranksamidstmatureadults on undoubtedly flash warmbloods is one that ticklesthe palateand captures the imagination. In January of 2020 the partnership was
invited to contesttheir first High Profile show at Addington wheretheyfinished 4th. Next stopwas the Premier League Team Test at Myerscough. The final stopbeforeLockdown. Maybe this wasfortuitous?Belsasser was beginning to feel abit tired and stiff,and he deserved an easier paceoflife. Throughout his competition lifehehad given his all and left an indelible stamp on some of the Dressage riders of the future. No morecould be asked of him, and another dancing partner wasrequired. Enter stage right, the joys of social media.
AFacebook postwas made by Izzy Lickleyof Kingswood in May2020. Her much adored GBR Pony Team partner ‘MisterSnowman’ needed a
newhome.The machinations were put in place. June 11th wasSofia’s12thBirthday, and on
June 10th Sofia enjoyedher first ever lesson with CharlotteDujardin at AbbeyDressage. But that wasnot all. Therewas apile of instantly recognisable personalised equipment; Rugs, boots, and bandagessitting strategically outside astable on the yard.But no head overthe door.Turning to JoJo and Katie in disbelief,Sofia ranaround the corner to whereshe found Snowman standing patiently, waiting forher.MisterSnowman washome.
What makes your heart skip abeat? “When wegetapiaffeorpassage,thatmoment liftsyou,anditalsogivesyouthegiggles”
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What is it specifically about Dressage that youlove? “Theaccuracyandprecision, andtherelationshipwithyourpartner”
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Areyou anygoodatany othersports at school? “NO! Idohowevertryto playnetball,hockeyandcricket. Onthe rareoccasionIdomakecontactwitha ballviaabatorstickIamdeadly”
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Do youhaveaheroine? Atthisjuncture therewasalongpausewithmuch throatclearinginthebackgroundfrom KatieandJoJo.Untilfinally……. Katie interjected: “Y
es.ME. HerMother!”
What do youdoinyour downtime? “Idrawandpaint”.
With your family background why have younot chosen the path of Eventing? “It’sterrifying! I’veonlybeen airborneonce. Thatwasenough”
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What is your dream? “Iwouldliketobeat thecurrentPonyEuropeanWorldrecord andregainthetitleforGreatBritain”
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SofiaandSnowyarenowbasedatKingswood inStaffordshirewiththeLickleyFamily. Sofiatravelsseveraltimesaweekinthecar withJoJoandmumKatie,whilstdoingher schoolworken-route. Sheisoneoftwelve childrentohavebeenselectedforanAcademic ScholarshipatCheltenhamCollege.
https://www.facebook.com/sofia.oliver.790693 Courtesy of Kevin Sparrow Please mention CentralHorseNewswhen responding toAdvertisements
ItiscurrentlyheldbyLucie-Anouk BaumgurtelwithNasdaqonascoreof 82.351%(Hungary2020).Previouslythe recordhadbeenheldforfouryearsbyT
eam
GBRriderPhoebePetersaboardLucciona scoreof81.39%(Malmo,Sweden2015)
And your plans for2021? “Covidallowing, IwouldliketogainsomeInternational experience,andaimforSelectionforthe EuropeanChampionshipsinPoland”
. Thankyoufor your time Sofia! WINTERSPECIAL2020 21
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