EQUESTRIAN
“I don’t come from a horsey
background. My Dad’s a builder
and would struggle to even hold a
horse.
“But that’s one of the things I
wanted to demonstrate when I did
programmes like Faking It.
“There are a lot of people in
this sport with money and they
struggle in it because once they’ve
spent all their money on the
top horses and bought all the
infrastructure they still struggle to
beat the top riders.”
Tim sees the pinnacle of his
career as making it to the Olympic
Games.
“I want to do an Olympic Games
before I finish riding.
“I’ve been measured for my suit
three times and I’ve never gone
because I’ve been the reserve.
“It’s not a nice place to be as
you have to go through all the
nonsense, form-filling and checks
but you don’t get to go.
“Realistically I think I’ve got a
good chance for Beijing. I’ve got a
very good horse going very well for
me at the moment and honestly
and truthfully I think if they
were picking the team tomorrow
we’d be there, so I’ve just got to
consolidate my place.
- life
Tim Stockdale in full
swing at Brickfields
“London would be lovely but I’ll
be 47 by then so in fairness I think
everything would be against me.
I’d really have to be doing double
wins.”
Away from horses, Tim believes
the biggest achievement in his life
have been his two sons, Joseph, 7
and Mark, 3.
“Mark’s just sitting on a pony at
the moment but Joseph’s quite
keen. He’s an active member of the
Pony Club and is just starting to
jump and is really enjoying it.
“I’m not going to push him into
the sport, he’s got to tell me he
wants to do it.
“ I’ve seen a lot of kids doing
all the competitive stuff and it’s
almost a bit too professional too
early.
“I enjoyed my ponies. I didn’t
do any of that competitive pony
showjumping and I think I’ve
benefited from that.”
Part Two of this article in the
June/July issue.
Tim Stockdale riding
Fresh Direct Glenwood Springs
Sponsored by Froghill and Brickfields
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