April 4, 2018
PRESS RELEASE – For immediate release
North Somerset: Alexander Whewall, 30 from Easton-in-Gordano in North Somerset, is set to make his debut appearance at the world famous Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials in May. Riding Lisa Coward’s Chakiris Star the local rider has sights set on a strong Badminton completion following a top-twenty finish at Les Etoiles De Pau in October 2017, their first CCI**** competition.
“I first went [to Badminton Horse Trials] at the age of 13 and dreamt of riding there, so it’s really exciting to be riding around the world famous Badminton Horse Trials, especially as it’s so local!” Alexander Whewall
The former British Eventing Intermediate Champions from 2016 have their final preparations underway, despite numerous cancellations and abandonments of eventing fixtures due to the weather. Like many of the Badminton field, Alexander had his preparation runs carefully planned to ensure that himself and Chakiris Star were at competing at peak performance. With local event Aldon International abandoned due to bad weather the pair were reliant on a good run at Burnham Market International before heading to Belton International, 3-weeks before the main event.
“We decided to run Chakiris Star in the Advanced which was a good decision on our lead up to Badminton, as the CIC3* was cancelled due to heavy rain and would of meant, like a lot of people, we would miss a crucial run in the build-up.”
Alex only started riding at age twelve when a chance riding lesson with his cousin saw him take up the reins. It was the idea of jumping and riding at speed around a cross-country course that thrilled Alex with him completing his first event at the age of sixteen.
With the support of his parents, hard work and determination and a leg-up from New Zealand international, 4 star winner and Olympian, Sir Mark Todd, through the Bridging The Gap Scholarship, Alex has forged himself a successful career as a professional event rider.
“I was lucky enough to win the Mark Todd Bridging The Gap Scholarship in 2016 and this really helped my career, receiving guidance from Sir Mark Todd along with my long term trainer Lizzel Winter. It’s been a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to this exciting point in my career.”
Alex will make his final competitive appearance on the run up to Badminton Horse Trials at the Belton International Horse Trials, Lincolnshire, from the 13th-15th April.
Followers can follow his CCI**** journey via Alex Whewall Eventing on Facebook and via the official Badminton Horse Trials Instagram channel.
Recent Comments