Interview with Kelly West Skegness 2008 Speed over Land Champion.

Interviewer – Hi Kelly thanks for taking the time to do this interview with Horse Boarder Magazine. Could you tell our readers a little bit about yourself.

Kelly -  I am 21 in July. I am currently studying a degree in performing arts, this includes physical theatre which I specialise in. we also take other performances out touring with the two dance companies I am in, motley and progressive dance theatre.

Interviewer – So how did you get in to Horse Riding?

Kelly -   My mother put me on a horse before I was a year old, before I could even walk. I was brought up in a world of horses and stunt shows. At 4 years old I did my first show for the Devils horsemen riding my trusty hobby horse.

Interviewer – So you have always been around horses with a life times experience behind you. Tell me a little bit about your horse.

Kelly - hurricane is the horse I ride during the boarding competitions. He is a full bred  Andalusian gelding. He used to perform for the Horsemen of the Apocalypse and is an ace trick riding horse.

   I was thrilled when hurricane won the speed over land competition particularly as it was the first time at horse boarding for both of us.

Interviewer – How did hurricane take to horse boarding?

  Kelly - hurricane was very nervous when he was introduced to horse boarding, he was wary of the rope and the man on the board behind but after a few trial runs he became quite confident. Its best to take your time when introducing any horse to something new however most horses take to this very easily.

Interviewer – Tell me a bit about the competition and Speed over Land.  

Kelly – Well because it was the first ever competition in the UK not all the horses had board riders and we had board riders with our horses so it was decided that all the board riders would be picked out of a hat. I was fortunate enough to have a skilled boarder.

Interviewer – What would you say is the most important this for the horse rider to do when aiming to win a horse boarding competition?

 Kelly – I would say the most important thing is not to accelerate too quickly off the mark as you are likely to loose your boarder. It is better to accelerate gradually, keep your horse straight and build up to maximum speed once you have felt the tension in the rope. You cant win if you cant get off the start line.

Interviewer – You won the Speed over Land and then pulled our of the speed over water which Charlie Spence and Tosca from Hilton horses Went on to win. In the speed over land Tosca never got off the start line do you think if Tosca could have got off the line and kept his boarder for the whole run Do you think he could have beaten Hurricane?

 Kelly – I think there is more to horse boarding than what first meets the eye. Its not just about going as fast as you can, you have to work with your boarder to get down the lane as fast as you can together there is no point finishing the race on your own. At the same time taking in to account what is going on in the lane next to you. Tosca is a powerful fast little horse who I think if he gets his start right could of course challenge Hurricane. However its perfectly feasible for one of the slower more dependable horses to win under the right conditions. Only next season will tell.

Interviewer – What’s in the future for you and horse boarding?

Kelly -  Well , I would really like to get a sponsor so I could take up horse boarding seriously and they should make it into an international sport.

Interviewer – I think that’s in the pipe line. What would you say to anyone thinking of getting involved with horse boarding

Kelly - I would advise anyone who can to have a go, its great!