Rider Biographies

Laura Collett

Country: Great Britain

Age: 22

Britain’s rising star, Laura took eighth place at her first Badminton this year with Rayef, a feat that earned her a first senior Union Jack. Burghley will be the 22-year-old’s third four-star start – she completed here 12 months ago with the former Andrew Nicholson ride Ginger May Killinghurst, who she will ride again this year.  Her other ride is Noble Bestman, who she has produced through the ranks from a novice and with whom she won the Under-21 National Championships at Weston Park last autumn.

Laura started eventing six years ago, before which she successfully competed show ponies and working hunter ponies, a highlight being winning the Supreme Pony Championship at the Horse of the Year Show in 2003.

In 2005 Laura won team gold and individual silver at the Pony European Championships with Noble Springbok. Plenty more medals followed with both Fernhill Sox and Rayef. In 2006 Laura became the youngest rider ever to win an international event – she won the CCI** at Tweseldown with Fernhill Sox aged 16. Laura is on the World Class programme.

Notable results

• 2011 – Barbury CIC*** 3rd Rayef
• 2011 – Badminton CCI**** 8th Rayef
• 2011 – Hartpury CIC*** 9th Noble Bestman
• 2011 – Saumur CCI*** 12th Ginger May Killinghurst
• 2010 – Pardubice YR Europeans 8th Fernhill Cristal, team gold
• 2010 – Burgie CCI** 4th Fernhill Cristal
• 2009 – Waregem YR Europeans 1st Rayef, team gold
• 2009 – Hartpury CCI* 1st Vancouver
• 2009 – Burgie CCI** 1st Kachemire Le Beau
• 2009 – Belton CIC*** 2nd Rayef
• 2008 – Weston Park CCI** 1st Fernhill Sox
• 2007 - Gatcombe CIC** 1st Rayef
• 2007 – Avenches Junior Europeans 1st Rayef, team gold
• 2006 – Necarne Junior Europeans 1st Fernhill Sox, team gold
• 2006 – Tweseldown CCI** 1st Fernhill Sox
• 2005 – Weston Park CCIJ* 1st Walnut, CCI* 1st Fernhill Sox
• 2005 – Pratoni CH-EU-P 3rd Noble Springbok
• 2004 – Weston Park CCIJ* 1st Walnut