Meet our Sponsored Riders

Lottie Gardner - Eventing

@lottiegardner.eq

I’m a cambridgeshire based event rider. Currently I am working full time on an event yard and am based on site. As much as I love being full time with horses I do often find I need to go for a walk with my dog and relax for a moment. At the moment I’m competing Athena at BE 100 and BS 105 and Lucci at BE 90 and BS 90. I’d like to step up with Athena to Novice and Newcomers this season and Lucci to 100 and Discovery, with the hopes of some international events next season on Athena.

With a Level 2 equine groom qualification I’m now working through my Level 3 and my Pony Club B test before I start studying for BHS exams.I started my horse riding journey playing polo! Lucci’s named after an Italian mob leader, his show name it Lucky Luciano but his nickname is Poo Stain as despite being washed every day he always ends up the next morning 70% bay! Athena’s nickname is chicken as she can be a little bit flighty

Ben James - Dressage

@ben_s_james_dressage

Hi, I’m Ben, a 33-year-old equestrian based just south of Bath. My equestrian journey began with my pony Tango and evolved into years of showjumping. For the past three years, I’ve focused on British Dressage, producing my horses from scratch. This dedication led me to become the Elementary Bronze Champion at the Hartpury Petplan Championships, winning overall at Inter-County competitions and Inter-Regionals.

Most recently, I won the Medium Bronze Petplan Championship at the nationals. I'm currently training and competing with Diva, whom I bought as a 9-year-old field companion. I also have Cara, a loving older mare I rescued from an unfortunate situation.

I'm a true believer in hard work paying off, and I dedicate countless hours to my horses. Outside of riding, I enjoy spending time by the sea. A fun fact about me is that I don’t act my age and can eat lots without gaining weight!

My success stems from dedication and effort, not from having things handed to me. Everything I’ve achieved with my horses is a result of hard work and passion.

Lucy Boultbee-Brooks - Eventing

@lbb.equestrian

I am an event rider based on our family yard in Herefordshire, with an exciting string of 4 horses competing up to BE Novice/2* level and BS Newcomers. My horses are called Quality Blue, Silver Rock, Geordie B and Dalcotes Trerice. Our goals this year is to complete a few novices and 2*s - maybe even an intermediate! A fun fact about me, is that I have a 100% strike rate with winning charity races

Craig Messenger - Dressage

@craig_mess

@asterhorses

Craig is Based at Aster Horses in Kent. Craig has been riding horses since the age of eight years old. He qualified as a professional jockey at the age of seventeen. Craig followed his dream and raced professionally for ten years but had to retire due to a shattered left leg at the age of twenty six. Craig then travelled to Australia after recovering and worked for the famous Gai Waterhouse in Sydney. Gaining valuable experience as a horseman and riding some of the best race horses in the world. Whilst in Australia Craig also worked on a ranch, breaking in over 100 horses over a three month period and then producing the horses for the polo market. An experience Craig will never forget and he still uses these methods today.

After returning from Australia, Craig set up his own yard in Cranbrook, Kent. A small yard of fifteen horses dealing with problem horses and young ones. Craig soon gained a respectable and trustworthy reputation for himself. His kind and gentle approach began to work on a lot of horses and soon clients came flooding in.

In 2017 Craig met Daniel Watson, Daniel rides for GBR in dressage. Their relationship began in February 2017. Soon after, they decided to work together. Combining Daniels and his skills together was a unique opportunity for them both. Craig and Daniel are still working closely with one another today. Their relationship has become even stronger which shows from their continued success.

Craig enjoys all disciplines of the Equestrian Sport. He enjoys training the young horses and seeing them develop, but also has a real passion for breeding. He has been very successful at Dressage, riding homebred Aster Berlin and representing his Region at the Home International, with his team finishing second overall. He has also competed Aster Disney WS for his region last year 2019. Craig has since ridden at National Chamionships and now rides up to PSG level. He has many trusted clients which he has been very successful in Dressage. Craig will continue to do what he loves and train horses. He is willing to work with anyone of any discipline and likes to see clients succeed. Craig created teams for team quest in 2018 and his base team were very successful in a top ten placing at the Nationals which he is very proud of. Craig and Daniel have a top breeding and training yard in Kent Aster Horses.

www.asterhorses.co.uk