Welcome to our feature, 10 minutes in the tackroom. This is a regular feature where we ask riders, businesses and charities 12 questions and they have a maximum of 10 minutes to answer them.

This week in the saddle we have Alison Kenward, You can follow Alison on Twitter, Instagram and her Website.

 Tell us about your horse!

Alison Kenward dressage

Lowmoor Neptune 13years 16.2 gelding by USA TB Jumbo Hirst kind talented generous & athletic great work ethic in arena hates hacking, open spaces, things only he can see! Owned by Rachel Crook competing Elementary / Medium Dressage learning to enjoy flying changes.

Tell us a horse joke!

Alison Kenward horse joke

What do you do when you aren’t with your horse?

I enjoy reading, listening to music, watching sport especially Rugby and I'm very interested in fashion and home design.

What do you love about the horsey community?

When I first started I was told you will never stop learning about horses AND don't be afraid to ask for help or advice. I love that our horse community is like a family and you can always ask for advice.

What do you dislike about the horsey community?

It's not really about the community rather the need to plait, whilst it looks fabulous and I hate competing unplaited there are many mornings when my stress levels reach critical because of the need for plaits !!

Do your family share your passion of horses?

My Mum introduced me to horses before I could walk and has supported me throughout my career. Mum has looked after horses for me alongside working full time when I have disappeared to NZ to compete and train. These days Mum is still caring for Neptune and comes to every competition & training session.

Tell us your funniest horse related story!

I was lucky to ride a horse I loved in New Zealand called Ace and my favourite moments with him where at the end of the day when we swam in Lake Taupo and stood in the thermals and in the shallows to cool their legs. It was often a ride and lead scenario. Ace was full of character and mischief not unlike Neptune. One day he began to paw the ground and he realised he could splash his friends. He thought about this for a moment before a look of intent crossed his face and he soaked the horses around him. They tried to reciprocate but he won the Water Fight and as soaked as I was I couldn't stop laughing.

Who is your favourite famous horse rider?

Sir Mark Todd has been my hero and I owe my confidence over fences and in test situations to the hours I watched his video series. Sir a Mark explained his system in those videos and I'm convinced they helped me pass my exams. Whenever I was scared cross country or hunting in New Zealand I visualise following Mark over the fence and ask myself what canter would Mark have? Imagine my fan girl moments when I actually did get to follow him over a fence in New Zealand whilst hunting!

Read more about Sir Mark Todd here.

Who is your favourite famous horse?

Arakai an event Horse ridden by Sir Ian Stark is a Horse I always admired and would have loved to have sat on! When I was small long before I had my first pony I had a book about the horse breeds of the world and the Quarter Horse on page 113 was my absolute favourite. How cool that fast forward several years I would own and work with some special Quarter Horses whilst I was focussing in my polocrosse career.

Read more about Arakai here

How many times have you fallen off?

Definitely in double figures last time I came off I was riding Roughway Jack with no stirrups and a blessed pigeon flew into him, he spooked I forgot I had no stirrups and instinctively stepped into one to save myself finishing up in the sand. Jack was mortified and was wary of pigeons from then on.

What horsey product can’t you live without?

Turnout Chaps help me sleep at night. Neptune had been going through a phase of knocking himself and I was added fear of injury to fear of losing shoes... these chaps are fantastic and have solved the problem of field injury.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself!

I was lucky to go to Pattison's College prep school where I learnt how to dance and perform on the stage. One of my happiest memories is of performing in Finnian's Rainbow with the Coventry Operatic Society. Richard Armitage was also in the cast. 

Alison Kenward photo

Well done Alison! you have completed the 10 minutes in the tackroom challenge. If you would like to take part in the challenge, email info@equissimo.co.uk.

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