Jo Gubb & Zinidan
Qualified for: SEIB Search for a Star -Riding Club Show Horse
It was October 2006, 6 weeks after I had my second son Archie by C-Section that I went up to ride my horse. Within 10 minutes I had hit the floor & I was in agony. After driving home in floods of tears, my husband Jamie had said enough was enough and I was to think of my children. I agreed that an injured mummy was no good but the thought of not riding was torture. We both came to the decision that I would find a horse that was talented but without the “quirks”! I rung my good friend Kim up who had a yard full of amazing horses and she suggested Zinidan, stable name Zed. I knew I would never be able to afford him but she suggested going to try him, which I did and so the story begins.
I arranged to jump Zed at a show as it was a test for me & Zed because usually prior to jumping I would be sick with nerves & shaking with fear. After galloping round a pairs class with Emma Jo & coming 3rd, the realisation set in, I actually loved every minute of it & came home smiling. All I had to do now was convince my husband Jamie. The answer was NO!
Devastated, I rung Kim who totally understood and said she would look out for something else. It was approaching Xmas so I had decided to wait until after to continue my search for my star. It was when I was at Wembley the former home of HOYS, watching CBeebies Live with my children that Kim rung. “I know what you’ve got for Xmas” she said, “really” I replied, “how”? The next sentence would have me screaming and embarrassing my kids forever.
Zed is my horse of a lifetime & in so many ways my best friend too. I have competed him at shows I only ever watched my friends competing at. I go to a show excited, not sick with nerves, because Zed looks after me! From the minute I load to the second I finish my class, he has given it his all. I have drag hunted him, showjumped, shown & it has been an amazing 3 year journey. On days I have had little or no sleep with a 6, 3 & 1yr old all taking up my energy, it’s a simple hack with Zed, even a quick pop up to say hello and some polos that makes me feel a thousand times better and ready to tackle the bedtime routine. No person can ever give me that willingly without hesitation.
It was the final walk round at Wellington, SEIB Riding Club Show Horse Class that I qualified. I was just so pleased on how the class had gone, I was walking around in my own world when I heard the words “the lady on the chestnut”. I was really pleased and gave him a huge pat as I thought I had been pulled in 4th, it was the moment when I realised that we had in fact won that I will never ever forget. I just burst into tears & haven’t really stopped since, even the photographer & stewards welled up! The thing is, I’m a mum of 3 from a non-horsey background who lives in North London who does “this” for fun, to ride at HOYS has always been a dream but one I thought I would never fulfil & I will never be able to thank Zed enough.
I always knew he was a star but to have it acknowledged by winning the qualifier was amazing.
None of this would have been possible without Jamie buying him, my parents for childcare, Lee my showing guru, Nicola who rides zed if I run out of time & Kerry for looking after him as if he’s her own.
I can’t wait for the final & to see my friends & family in the stands cheering me on and I plan to enjoy & savour every moment as this is truly a lifetime ambition.
Thanks again to SEIB for sponsoring such an amazing series that actually gives true amateurs a stage to shine.
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