About Emma Thomas
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Emma is a professional rider, based in Warwickshire, focusing on producing and competing event horses, from 4-year-olds to 5* level.
Emma has been riding from an early age, taking weekly riding lessons as a child and finally, after much pestering, received her first pony at the age of nine, and was then able to join her local Pony Club. Not from a horsey family, Emma's love for horses and equestrian sport grew from watching others and watching key events. Like many, Emma found a love for eventing from watching Badminton Horse Trials, and in particular was captivated by watching Opposition Buzz go cross-country. When Emma was sixteen a rather green 5-year-old joined her, with the aim of furthering her Pony Club career, with the Warwickshire Hunt Pony Club, and potentially some Intermediates. That 5-year-old was a young The Buzz Factor, the horse who would go on to create so many firsts for Emma. Two year's later the pair went on to win the Open Show Jumping Championships at Hickstead and the Open Eventing Championships individually. For three years Emma represented team Central at the U18 National Championships and her first milestone was producing her first horse to jump clear around the Novice, Intermediate and Open championships in consecutive years. Also following her love for science Emma headed off to the Royal Veterinary College to study Biological Sciences. Not only did she achieve a 2:1 degree and offer to study for a Masters, it also gave Emma the opportunity to represent Team GB in the Student Riders events. In 2022 she became AIEC World Student Rider Show Jumping Champion. |
Completing her studies in 2021 Emma decided to put further education on hold when the opportunity arose to join the Wesko Equestrian Foundation, training with the world renowned Pippa Funnell. Emma fully embraced the opportunities the Foundation afforded her, taking onboard business advice, gaining additional knowledge about the professional equestrian world, and developing her training skills from spending time with Pippa. The programme also gave Emma experiences with A Young Rider's Academy, travelling to Lugano, Geneva and Saumur, to join further education programmes, and riding horses of Le Cadre Noir for a masterclass with Franke Sloothaak.
In 2023 Emma made her 5* eventing debut with Icarus X, the second horse she has self produced to the 4* level, completing the iconic Burghley Horse Trials in 18th place, with one of only three double clears. Emma also earned the title of best British first timer. 2024, was due to be the year that Emma made her Badminton debut, however a foot abscess saw her forced to withdraw after dressage. This season also gave Emma the opportunity to challenge for the U25 Championship at Bramham, with both Icarus and The Buzz Factor, with Buzz coming out the victor, giving the pair their first CCI4* win, and Emma her first National title, as U25 Champion. Always looking to gain further experience and support, Emma was selected to join Caroline Moore's Performance Mentoring Programme, once again benefitting from expert guidance from Caroline's team, including Nick Turner and Ros Canter. Emma also continues to train with Ian Woodhead to support her progress in the dressage phase. Away from horses Emma enjoys playing the piano, travelling, with a particular love for skiing trips, and still counts biology as one of her passions. |
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