Alexandra Coats - Showjumper

About Alexandra Coats

Alexandra Coats, 30, starting riding at her local riding school at the age of 5. She was born in Wiltshire and has lived in Germany, Cyprus and the Czech Republic. She is now based in Bridgwater, Somerset

Through the Pony Club she developed her competitive riding as a member of Eventing, Showjumping, Dressage, Mounted Games and Tetrathlon teams.She was a regular member of the Equestrian Team at Bryanston School Dorset before going to University in Plymouth, where she founded and captained the Equestrian Team. In 2000 she worked as a Showjumping groom in New Zealand basednear Auckland. She gained invaluable experience that led her to focus on competitive Showjumping. She is currently competing three horses 6-8yrs oldthroughout the UK. They are owned and produced by Alexandra and compete in British Showjumping Classes: Newcomer(1.10m) - 1.40m.

Alexandra works full time at East Bridgwater Community School Somerset. Juggling work, training and competition schedules is challenging and she is very grateful for the full support she receives from the School. Although she is allowed 5 competition days off school duties per year and uses school holidays to best effect, Alexandra has to plan her competition schedule very carefully and has to forego some opportunities. On the plus side this allows preparation time for the next show and ensures that her horses are well rested and fresh every time out.

In October 2010 Alexandra and her stallion Quisto Van de Helle Z were selected for the British Showjumping World Class Equine Pathway. Her Equine Pathway horse Quisto Van de Helle Z (Quisto) is a dark bay 8yr old, 16.2hh, Stallion by Quistello (Quinar Z) and Out of a Zeus mare was bought in October 2007 as a newly backed 3.5yr old from SummerLees Sport Horses over the phone!

He was placed consistently as a 4yr old, scoring 9.5 for scope and carefulness at the Zangersheide judged Quainton Origins show 2008 and jumping all four  British Novice and Discovery double clears over 4 days.  Following a stable accident resulting in 10 months box rest, he returned to the ring in July 2010 after much care and attention. His return to competition resulting in double clears, placing’s or wins at nearly every show he jumped at. Quisto was Licensed into the AES and SIES Studbooks at the end of 2010. 

Quisto is currently on the British Showjumping World Class Equine Pathway and Alexandra says “The training received through the Equine Pathway has been invaluable and has really helped me improve my horses’ way of going, my riding and my understanding of long term aims and how to achieve them; Both Corrine Bracken and Commandant John Ledingham have been a fantastic support, are exceptionally approachable during training and at shows. Their coaching has filled Quisto and myself with confidence”.

In 2011 Quisto was placed in the top 5 of the Newcomer 2nd Round twice, narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 7yr old final at HOYS, jumped 4 Foxhunter double clears, won the B&C Blue Chip Qualifier and won the Sport Horse Classic Blue Riband Qualifier.

In 2012 Quisto came 3rd in the Foxhunter 2nd Round at Weston Lawns at the end of June just missing out on a HOYS place by less than 100th of a second, jumped numerous double clears at 1.30m-1.35m, won the Bath & West Open Qualifier, jumped his first 1.40m with ease and has jumped 4 Foxhunter double clears for 2013. 

Our Aims for 2012/2013 - Top 5 finish in Foxhunter 2nd Round. Top 10 finish in the Foxhunter Masters at Scope, 2 double clears in the National 1.30m classes. 4 double clears in the National 1.40m classes. Gain a place on the Evolution Squad and Selection onto a 3* Nation Cup Team.  

Her passion for competitive riding is matched by her determination and commitment to working with children and young people and improving their lives. She is in the process of setting up Horizon Equestrian, a not-for-profit company that will deliver Equine Related Learning (ERL) programmes designed to advance the education of persons under the age of 25 years who are identified as being affected by one or more of the following:

·         Special Educational Needs (SEN)

·         Learning Difficulties

·         Excluded or at risk from exclusion from mainstream school

·         Behavioural, Emotional or Social difficulties (BESD)

·         Disadvantaged backgrounds

·         Looked after/In Care

·         Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET)

ERL programmes specifically tailored to each individual’s needs, aid personal development, achievement and qualification and enhance employability. In addition the programmes will focus on the development of the intellectual, physical and emotional capabilities of children and young people in the local community.

With Thanks to:

Stuart Blake Dip WCF – Fiancée and Registered Farrier, Somerset

Kazia Jawdoszak BSc Hons– Mc Timoney/ Equine and Human Sports Science, Somerset

Mike BerryBSc.Ost, Cert OC –Osteopath, Vine Cottage, Somerset.

Davina Hardiman - Allen & Page Representative.

Trinity Consultants - Equine nutrition consultancy.