If you've always wondered what life is like on the yard of a four-star eventer, wonder no more. We visit Piggy French, in association with Animalife, to talk routines, young horses and what keeps her going
7am — the time that things kick off on Piggy’s yard
“The guys start in the yard at 7am when the horses have their breakfast and hay,” says Piggy. “And I start to ride after that. I have a work list that I go through with staff either the night before or generally in the morning.
“We make a plan for the horses for the day, whether I school them at home, we go cross-country schooling, ride on the gallops, hack some or teach my working pupils on some.”
6-12 — the number of horses Piggy rides each day
“Being an event rider is very busy and there’s a lot of variation within the day. Every day is different and I ride between six and 12 horses a day,” she says.
Continued below…
Event horse heaven at Piggy French’s yard — can we move in, please? *PICTURES*
Take a virtual tour round event rider Piggy French’s beautiful Leicestershire base
24 — the number of horses on Piggy’s yard
“We have 24 horses in the yard at the moment and it’s very much a team effort. We all work together throughout the day to achieve the same things — which is getting the horses to the competitions as fit and ready as we can to enjoy ourselves and hopefully have some success,” says Piggy.
“What makes me keep doing this every day and what makes me love it as much as I do? Horses are great levellers. We have fantastic days which is what I think keeps us all doing it — and a lot of bad days that bring us back to reality.”
2 — the number of horses Piggy has going to Blenheim Horse Trials
“The event that I’m most looking forward to at the end of this year is Blenheim (17-20 September),” she says. “I have two horses going for the CCI3* — Seapatrick Dark Cruise and a new ride to me this year called Obos Cooley who is a very exciting addition to the team.”
1-4 October — when Piggy will be heading to Osberton Horse Trials with her young horses
“A lot of the horses on my yard at the moment are young because I’m rebuilding the team for the future,” says Piggy. “So Osberton Horse Trials at the beginning of October is a busy time for us because we’ve qualified a few four-and-five-year-olds for that. It’s all about the future with those guys.”