Sixth Form showjumper, Josie, has been given the amazing opportunity to participate in the well-known European Equestrian Showjumping Sunshine Tour this year. Arriving two weeks into the Tour, here she describes her experience thus far which has included being the highest placed British rider this week in the 4* (1.35m) competitions.

‘I am feeling very privileged to be here in Spain for the next five weeks. 
 
‘Our 3-day journey started last Thursday, 18 February, when we set off at 12am. We had two night stops to let the horses rest and then we set off at 3am both mornings to arrive, finally, here in Spain on the Sunshine Tour 2021.
 
‘Our original plan was to go to Portugal, as we have done for the last two years. However, I have always wanted to go on the Sunshine Tour and my plan was to do this on my year-off [between school and university] with some younger horses, too. But a space opened up to come here this year, so that is what we have done!
 
‘The tour is 7 weeks and it [Dehesa Montenmedio] is an amazing, prestigious place with 18 huge competition arenas. I am able to watch the best riders in the world, such as world number one Steve Guerdat, compete in the Olympic trials here and I am learning so much to take forward into this season.
 
‘Usually I travel with my trainer, former Olympian Tina Fletcher. However, this year we have had to go off alone due to all the difficulties of COVID-19. This is a very different experience for me and I am really looking forward to the next five weeks. 
 
‘The paperwork to be able to travel was astronomical and to leave took my parents, our travel company, and me over 3 weeks to organise. After COVID tests, 40 pages of paperwork per horse (I have brought two horses with me) and all the required permission, I was delighted to get the go-ahead from British showjumping and also the Spanish board here to travel and compete. 
 
‘For the rest of the tour my main goal is to compete in the World Ranking classes (1.45m). Doing well in these means I can gain points to be on the showjumping World Ranking list. Slowly progressing up this is very important to my future, so fingers crossed for the up and coming weeks. 
 
‘So far, my horse Qualyse BE-ST Z has already been placed 4th and 5th in the 4* competitions here, as well as being the highest placed British rider. This is beyond what I was expecting for my first week as we are still a relatively new partnership and I am excited to step her up to some new heights this week. 
 
‘I am extremely grateful to Pangbourne College and my teachers for supporting me every year and for allowing me to continue to achieve my A Levels. This backing has allowed me, hopefully, to get to my dream university whilst also pursuing my team GBR showjumping aspirations.’
 
Good luck, Josie!