Event rider Laura Collett has fast become a household name both in eventing circles and within the equestrian world.
One of the most medaled under-21 riders in the history of the sport, Laura, who was born in 1989, has made the headlines on countless occasions with her performances at Pony, Junior and Young Rider level.
Laura has never been a stranger to success. Before switching to eventing in 2004 she competed at the highest levels in the show ring, winning the Supreme Pony Championship at the Horse of the Year Show in 2003.
Laura quickly cemented her reputation as an event rider with world class potential, winning individual bronze and team gold at the 2005 Pony European Championships with Noble Springbok. This earned her selection on to the Lottery Funded British Equestrian Federation World Class Development Programme and in 2006 she became the youngest rider ever to win an International CCI** when she steered Fernhill Sox to victory at Tweseldown. The duo capped a memorable year by helping the British Junior team secure a team silver medal and topping the individual podium at the Junior European Championships. Laura successfully defended her title the following year in Switzerland on her new horse Rayef, becoming the first British rider to win consecutive Junior European titles. She was also a member of the British team that won Gold.
Young Rider success came in 2009 when she pocketed another team Gold with Rayef. Later in the year she also won the U21 Championship at Weston Park with Noble Bestman. In 2010 Laura collected another team Gold with Fernhill Cristal at the Young Rider European Championships.
Laura made her much-anticipated Badminton debut in 2011 where she finished eighth on Rayef. This performance earned her selection for the Senior European Championships in Luhmühlen, where she rode as an individual. A blood disorder meant Rayef ran below par, but the pair were nevertheless selected as reserves for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Laura rode as part of Team GBR at the European Championships 2015 held at Blair Castle where she finished 13th with Grand Manoeuvre, and also took the Le Lion D'Angers 7yo World Champion title 2015 with Mr Bass.
In 2016, Laura was long listed for the Rio Olympics, and she gained Team gold at Strzegom CIC*** FEI Team GB Nations Cup and Team silver at Waregem CIC*** FEI Team GB Nations Cup.
Laura’s has taken part in the Event Rider Masters series over the last two seasons and has taken the CCI*** title at both Ballindenisk International Horse Trials and Burgham International Horse Trials in 2017.
Finishing 2nd at Luhmuhlen on Mr Bass in his first CCI****, Laura has had a very successful 2018. Laura also placed 2nd in the CCI*** at Boekelo, 1st in the CIC*** 8/9yo at Blenheim, 1st in the CIC*** at Houghton, 2nd in the CIC*** ERM at Arville, 3rd in the CIC*** at Haras, 4th in the CIC*** ERM at Chatsworth and 2nd in the CIC** at Barbury, to name but a few. Laura hopes to continue from where all the horses finished in 2018, improving their results in 2019. Laura aims to take Mr Bass to Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials and hopefully be selected to represent Team GB at the Europeans in Rotterdam.