MEET BADMINTON GRASS ROOTS RIDER | EMILY DUNSTAN

As part of our mission to empower riders to feel and look great, we'd like to introduce you to some of the amazing amateur and professional riders that showcase our technical and stylish Equi-leisurewear.

Meet Emily Dunstan, or you may know her as @emd_eventing, or one of the dynamic eventing vlogger duo EmTeeEventures. Emily has already ridden at Badminton as a successful Grassroots rider and has 3 regional final qualifications this year to secure her a place to Badminton 2020! Meet Em and find out why she is a true Huffer!

Describe yourself in 3 words

Dedicated, Motivated, Committed

Tell us a bit about yourself

I have always been passionate about horses. When left school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do but I knew I wanted to continue horses as a hobby. This made me determined to get an apprenticeship so I didn’t have to leave Cornwall and the horses. I’ve worked my way up from an apprentice to my current position over the last 7 years. I currently also work part time as a waitress to help fund my expensive hobby. I literally enjoy every aspect of horses, all the grooming side, show prep and of course the competing. I’ve never know which phase I liked the most so this is why I love eventing being able to do all 3. I am also fortune to have found a best friend who loves eventing which just adds to the fun to the whole experience.

Tell us a bit about your horses

Sprite is now my goldie oldie who at 24 is still super fit and loving life. She’s the reason I love eventing and we learnt everything together. We do take it a bit steadier now a days but still enjoy our schooling and we’re part of our riding clubs quadrille team later this year. Sprite has taken me places I could only dream off such as Olympia and Badminton grassroots. She is most definitely my horse of a lifetime, she owes me nothing and I owe her everything. Lola is now a 9 year old British Sports horse and I have owned her since she was an unbroken 3 year old. The whole journey to be honest has been rather challenging but I think this has helped make our partnership strong as we have overcome issues. Perseverance has most certainly become my favourite word! I believe she’s super talented and we are definitely getting there with 3 regional final tickets to get to Badminton next year so fingers firmly crossed we can get there.

Describe them in 3 words

Lola : Intelligent, Hormonal, Agile

Spritey: Wise, knowledgable & understanding

Favourite ‘on horse’ exercise

Not sure I have a favourite as I like so many and they all work on a different areas. A new one that I recently did for the first time was 3 jumps in a row but jumping them on angles in figure of eights. Really got you tuned in with your horse and great for stimulating cross country type questions.

Favourite ‘off horse’ exercise

I love circuit training at the moment as I feel it tones you all over working all muscles. I do try to run to the gym too if I can... admittedly doesn’t happen as much as it should. It’s only just under a mile each way but just a nice bit of cardio to go with the circuits.

Proudest moment

Qualifying and riding at Badminton with my best friend even at the age of 21. Bless her heart.

The quote that keeps you going when the chips are down

'A river cuts through a rock not because of its power, but its persistence'.

But I do also love, 'Perseverance is stubbornness with a purpose'.

Follow Emily's adventures on instagram @emd_eventing