Posted: 20th November 2014 | Back to news feed
The RS-tor rider safety aid has announced a new ambassador rider to its ranks. South Lanarkshire-based Dot Still has been chosen due to her success within and commitment to the discipline of TREC, whose prestigious winter series of indoor competitions is sponsored by RS-tor. Dot says that after a recent bad fall, keeping safe is a priority, for her own riding ambitions and for the sake of her family; hence she recommends the RS-tor whenever riding.
Dot hunted, evented, show jumped, and competed in dressage and working hunter classes before taking up TREC in 2008. “My 17hh hunter, Max, and I were hooked. We competed at level one and two, including at the British Championships, and were selected for the Scottish Nations Cup TREC team. I wondered why I hadn't taken up TREC before!” Dot states.
In 2010, Dot was competing at the British Championships in North Wales at level two, and watching the level four (top level) riders doing their obstacle course (PTV) round; inspirationally, Dot decided she wanted to get into the British team for the prestigious World Championships in Portugal 2012, and ‘hunted down’ the Chef d'Equip for advice. Having set this goal, the training and hard work began. “I moved up to level three, and then straight up to level four at the first qualifying competition in 2011. With Max in light work due to injury, a new ride, the diminutive Arthur, a former hunting pony, was drafted in and helped me gain selection - I rode for Team GBR at the World Championships in 2012, albeit on a loaned horse in Portugal,” Dot proudly explains.
Next, with Max still out of action, and Arthur finding a new ’forever’ home with a friend, Dot found 15.2hh youngster, Wahiki. “We were selected for Team GBR for the European Championships in Italy, in 2014,” Dot continues. However, this is where her fairy-tale ends, as in a show-jumping fall, she broke five ribs, puncturing her lung and badly damaging her shoulder. “I sadly withdrew from the TREC squad. I am sure that if I’d had an RS-tor attached to my saddle, I would not have fallen!” Dot says.
Going forward, Dot hopes to be back in the saddle by January 2015 to get fit for the 2016 TREC World Championship selection process. “I can honestly say the most horsey fun I have had has been when competing in TREC. I only wish I had found TREC sooner!” Dot concludes.
The RS tor Rider Safety Aid TREC GB Winter league runs nationwide from October 1st until March 31st; visit www.rstor.co.uk / www.trecgb.com
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