Another win for ‘top tier’ showjumper Darlene at Aintree!
Young showjumper Darlene Lee, aged nine, has scored another big victory at the Aintree Spring PoP show, coming first in the Mini Championship on her pony Princess.
Darlene has had Princess for a year and half now and has just stepped up to jumping springboards 85cm.
The Travellers Times talked to Darlene’s professional trainer Jodi Randall, who told us that Princess was “a bit of a problem pony” for the first 6-12 months.
“Princess and Darlene have matching top tier attitudes,” laughs Jodi, “but with resilience and determination she did not give up and we seem to be achieving her dreams!”
“Winning the championships at Aintree is a huge achievement,” says Jodi.
“At nine years old, to come out on top when competing against other riders up to age 12 with a lot more experience, is incredible.”
“The class was very fast, and we knew she really had to give it her all to be in with a chance, and it paid off,” adds Jodi.
Jodi has trained Darlene since she was a “teeny-tiny 4-year-old”.
“Watching her grow in both ability and confidence over the years has made me extremely proud to be part of her journey,” says Jodi.
“From winning at Hickstead to now winning at Aintree, it’s not been a smooth or easy journey at all, and Darlene has to work very hard with her ponies to get them where they need to be, but we have had so much fun along the way and days like this make it all worth it!”
The Travellers Times asked Jodi what was next for Darlene in her showjumping career.
“We are now looking to continue progressing stepping up the levels slowly and confidently,” said Jodi. “So, we will be jumping springboards more consistently and heading towards discovery classes.”
“We have qualified and will be jumping the Stepping Stones Championship at the National Championships in August along with the Bronze League Final if we qualify in time.”
“Next year we will aim to step up to Silver League which is 95cm - 1.05.”
"As parents, we could not be any prouder of Darlene, she has had to work extremely hard to get where she is today, she’s never once given up, and is always believing in what she wanted,” Darlene's mum, Emily Lee-Rossiter, told the Travellers Times.
“We look forward to where they will go next and are already try to find Darlene’s next pony,” said Emily.
Darlene’s family has been around horses for generations, and showjumping is in the blood – Emily’s mum competed as a child and Darlene has three cousins who also compete. Darlene’s ponies are usually brought from horse fairs, but Venus was brought over from Ireland.
“Not many Traveller children compete in showjumping,” adds Emily. “But more probably would if it was seen as a Traveller way of competing with horses. You need to be gutsy to take those jumps and Darlene is very gutsy. Falling off and then getting back on is all part of it.”
TT News
(Lead photo and video courtesy of Emily Lee-Rossiter)