Gillian Neill

Area Manager - Scotland and North

How long have you been riding?
I have been riding since I was 4. My first pony was called Bumpy perhaps because he excelled in bucking! I joined the Pony Club at 13 and enjoyed competing in hunter trials, ODE's, show-jumping and local showing. Nowadays I am involved in Point to Point racing. My sister, Morag, trains and I help ride out and on race days provide my services as an un-paid groom!

What is your favourite horsey activity?
I no longer own my own horse, but am lucky to be able to ride regularly at my sister's yard on her lovely fit, well schooled horses. My biggest achievement to date has to be gaining my confidence back after injuring my back in a fall onto tarmac about 10 years ago. I knew I was going to be okay when I finally completed a hunter trial and went hunting for the first time about 3 years ago.

Other hobbies?
My preferred way of spending my free time, when I am not working hard for Dengie is to ride out on Saturday mornings, watch racing (National Hunt) on Saturday afternoons and then go to a point to point on Sunday! Bliss!