Anna Ross-Davies is an International grand prix dressage rider and freelance trainer.
Former British Dressage Personality of the Year, Anna will this year be hosting a freestyle explained demo on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 September as part of the Espayo National Dressage Championships at Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire.
She has represented Great Britain all over the world, including on the 2007 European Championship team, during World Cup Qualifiers in ’08, ’10, ’11 and ’13.
Anna was selected to compete in the Aachen leg of this year’s World Cup Series, with her current grand prix horse Pegasus MK, a 16 year old Dutch gelding who is owned by Jane Sewell.
Her biggest professional successes, including several international freestyle wins, were with her former ride Liebling; a 16.2hh German gelding who went on to be competed by Carl Hester between 2008 and 2010.
Known for her infectious and down to earth personality Anna is sure to engage the crowds and we caught up with her to pose a few freestyle questions…
Tell us a little bit about what you’ve been up to lately
I've been out competing internationally all year. Pegasus and I have been placed in the top 5 of four international grands prix this year and then on the team at Aachen CDIO which was fab. I've also been appointed the dressage coach to the Brazilian eventing team so have travelled over there to teach some clinics as well as all my clients here. It's pretty full on.
Can you tell us what your typical day is like?
I don't have one thank goodness - I love the variety in my life
Lots of people think that dressage is an elitist sport, but you came to it from humble beginnings. Can you tell us your story?
I learnt to ride at the riding school and took a circuitous route to dressage via some hunting and riding lots of ill-behaved horses, I funded my training by selling sandwiches and working in a nightclub.
I went for training towards my BHS exams at Talland, where Adam Kemp and Pammy Hutton were kind enough to give me a free place. I rode my first dressage test when I was 23 on a horse that had broken both its owners’ arms.
On returning to London, due to my prowess at riding tricky horses, I was offered the ride on an errant four year old called Liebling and several years (and trips to Watford General) later, we found ourselves on the British Team.
At the Nationals you will be hosting a ‘freestyle explained’ demo. Can you tell us a little bit about what to expect during your demo?
I'll be trying to demystify the freestyle and enable the crowd to enjoy the performances of the afternoon armed with some new found knowledge and thoughts on the performances.
What do you think makes a good freestyle?
Originality and a 'feeling' for the music combined with the ability to improvise!
What was your own most memorable freestyle?
Olympia with Pegasus in 2010. He was a star and the crowd was amazing.
What is the best freestyle you have ever seen?
I loved Blue Hors Matinee at WEG in Aachen 2006 - to Lady Marmalade
If you could ride to any music at all, what would it be and why?
I frequently ride to radio one at home so all sorts, but worryingly, I did catch myself telling the girls that I couldn't understand the words the other day!
Do you have any tips for people starting out in freestyle?
Find music you like - you are going to hear it a lot.
What advice would you give to people riding at grassroots levels keep their freestyles interesting?
Try riding the walk or canter first. Everybody trots.
If you could pick your dancing partner (horse) who would it be and why?
The lovely Pegasus MK would be my choice. I wouldn't swap him. He rocks.
If you could pick your dancing partner (human) who would it be and why?
I'm not much of a dancer so I'd need someone slow. Maybe Robbie Coltrane? Or the Hunny Monster?
Are you more of a waltz or a tango girl?
I'd like to think I'm a Tango but I'm probably a waltz!
Sequins or pearls?
Definitely sequins all the way.
Sparkly high heels or flat ballet pumps?
Sparkly high heels (until I fall over).
And finally, your favourite sandwich filling?
Cheese and pickle. I like to keep it real!
Advanced ticket sales for the Espayo National Championships have now closed, but you can still catch all the action, including Anna's freestyle expalined demo, by purchasing a general admission ticket on the gate from as little as £15.
For more information visit the National Championships website.