Next up in our interview series we are talking to Sasha Hargreaves, a 4* event rider from Henley-on-Thames who rides for Rocky Lane Eventing.
How long have you been riding and how did you get into it?
I have been riding for as long as I can remember. My mum grew up riding and even had her own yard for a short time when she was 19/20, and my Dad learnt to ride by spending his childhood summers with relatives in America who had a yard so they were both quite horsey. Our house was up on the ridgeway and they decided it would be easier, and more fun, to go on walks with a pony than a pushchair so that is how it began! We had a shared pony between 4 families who lived in our garden and I then went to a local riding school for several years to learn to ride.
What does a typical week for you and the horses look like?
Every week is so different and that is one of the things I love about my job! But generally the 4yos will be exercised 4 or 5 times a week and this will ideally be made up of 3 hacks, 1 school and 1 jump. The older horses generally get exercised 6 days a week, this includes a lunge, a trip to the water treadmill, a hack, a jump and 2 schooling sessions. Now we are getting close to the season I do also try and add in one outing a week, whether this is for XC schooling, a lesson or a competition really depends on the week but I find the more I can get the horses out the more relaxed they stay when we go competing.
What is your favourite achievement in your career so far?
I think it would have to be finishing 3rd in the U25 4* Championships at Bramham in 2023. It was by far the biggest and scariest XC course I had ever faced but the horse I was doing it on made it feel like a walk in the park. I think I was most proud of the bond that myself and Des had built over the 7 years leading up to this as it was such a challenge for both of us but I really felt like we worked as a team.
What’s your next goal you’re working towards?
My main goal this year is to get the three 4yos really happy and confident in their work. If I can qualify Storm for the BYEH finals that would be amazing. I would also love to get back up to 3* level this year after having a couple quieter years due to horses being sold/injured.
Please can you introduce your horses?
We currently have 7 horses in work ranging from 4yo to 11yo.
4yo Storm who I broke in last year and am hoping to do some 4yo classes on this year. My owner bred him and he is showing so much class and potential so we are very excited about his future.
4yo Kali who I also broke in last year and was also bred by my owner. She is the gem of the yard, a really lovely character who just wants to be everyone's friend. She is still growing so she will do lots of hacking this summer to slowly get her stronger.
4yo Quincey who we bought from the Gorsebridge sales in November. I am currently in the process of breaking him in. He can be quite a character but is hugely talented so we are really excited to see what he can do once he is up and running.
Ava who is a yard favourite and everyone's first choice for a hacking partner (especially if it is a hack to the pub!). She has the kindest heart around and does a very good job at nannying the young horses out hacking.
Jack who loves to hunt but also has a super jump. I am hoping to get him out to some BS shows this summer.
Flo who is our yard pocket rocket. She is the smallest one here but has the biggest personality! She is super game for anything and everything and is just so much fun to ride. She hasn’t previously done a lot of eventing so the plan this year is to get her out and slowly take her up the levels.
Apollo who is the newest member of the team. He has had a couple of quieter years but is more experienced so we will aim to get him out eventing and hopefully aim for an autumn 3*.
A huge thank you to Sasha for taking part in our interview series, we loved hearing all about her riding journey. You can follow her on instagram @sasha.hargreaves.eventing
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