Going places
PONY-MAD children often have lofty aspirations. Alas, for many of us, these never come to fruition – or certainly not at the precocious age we dream of. But there are some riders who do climb to the top of their discipline at an early stage, be it competing at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS), representing their country or riding at one of the greatest festival meetings. H&H meets five young riders flying high, to hear about their early success, the horses and ponies who’ve made them, and their continuing ambition.
Rex Dingle
“I kept chipping away”
CONDITIONAL jump jockey Rex Dingle, 22, chuckles as he explains he used to fall off “a lot” in his early days – but the jockey showed hard work can pay off with a win at the Cheltenham Festival this year.
Starting his competition career in Pony Club, and days out hunting with his family, led Rex to pony racing.
“I started riding out for point-to-point trainer David Phelan when I was 14 and it was probably one of the biggest learning
