Thornton Hough horsewoman back home after Olympic adventure

Sep 3 2008 by Carrie Catterall, Birkenhead News

louise lyons

A THORNTON Hough equestrian lover has arrived home after competing in the Beijing Olympics.

Louise Lyons, 32, flew to the Orient with her horse Watership Down earlier this month for a three-day eventing competition which included dressage, cross country and show jumping.

The riding teacher began her journey with horses when she was four and now competes in competitions all over the world.

Some of these CIC three star competitions include Barbary Castle, Wiltshire and Tattersalls, Ireland, where the duo were placed in the top ten.

Riding for the Irish Federation, Louise came 30th out of 75 in the Olympics, which she says is a good result as her horse is so young.

She said: “Watership Down, owned by Pip and Laurie March, is only 10 and was originally supposed to be a fun horse but I started riding him and he came on and on.

“We had a separate opening ceremony from the main one in Beijing as we were based in Hong Kong.

“I really loved it over there and I got a real adrenaline rush from jumping big ditches and galloping.

“The people were really great, the facilities were out of this world and the best of everything was provided.

“Now I’m home I’m working on improving our dressage to get ready for the Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire - Watership Down should improve dramatically for the 2012 London Olympics.

“I just love the challenge of trying to get the best out of horses.

“They are amazing creatures and are just like humans. You have to work each one out - it’s not like getting on a motorbike and turning the key.”

If you want to sponsor Louise in her horse competitions, call 288 7649.