![]() ![]() I can now see how crazy it was riding 2 completely different horses over 2 completely different jumps and to do it on the same day was extremely ambitious to say the least.6 weeks ago out of the blue I was contacted by The Guinness World Records to say they would like to verify and recognise my record as it had recieved so much support & attention worldwide. I had to dig deep mentally but my trusty steed had to do so much more!Hindsight. To date this is the most difficult thing so far in my life I have ever attempted. The horse threw his heart over, followed by his body and all I had to do was give him encouragement and hang on.Then I mounted SIEC Oberon to attempt 6'5ft over the triple bar. The relief of landing clear over 6'8ft was and still is indescribable. We jumped a few walls before the big one. ![]() He fed me confidence and I fed him bravery. I needed a saddle that was short and light so my horses could release behind and for me I needed a saddle that had not much support as I was relying on my balance and core to keep me in the plate, a real balancing act!On the day I rode SIEC Atlas over the wall, this horse had jumped to the top level internationally and was the ultimate schoolmaster. I had only got the right side saddle 2 weeks before, finding the right saddle was a major struggle. On the 24th October 2013 I had videographer, photographers, FEI officials, HSI officials & personal friends present to witness my attempts. ![]() The news was disappointing but at this stage I was to involved in my vision to back out. The Record is still held today by Captain Alberto Larraguibel on Huaso in Chile in 1949. The attempt was scheduled for the 24th Oct 2013, I was at the bottom of the barrel mentally, physically and financially.In 2012 I contacted the Guinness World Records to see if they would verify my record but unfortunately they only had a category for The Horse that jumps the highest, whether is ridden by man woman or child, frontwards or backwards. Well the reality was very different, 2 yrs training, 5 days a week, many horses, many life lessons, over 40 side saddles later. I was then a blank canvas, no showjumping horse, no showjumping trainer, only a Dream.In reflection I thought how hard could this be…, I'll have this achieved in a few months. I am proud to announce that I am the official Guinness World Records Title Holder for the highest jump by a horse ridden side saddle.Back in 2011 I decided to try beat an unofficial record of jumping 6'6ft by a Australian lady after seeing a pic of her jumping. ![]()
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