NAME: Demelza Taylor.   AGE:  12

My Ambition:  Professional Show Jumper

I have been riding since I was six years old and I have owned my own ponies for a few years and to date I have had 7 ponies and currently have two (138cm) 13.2 ponies and a 14h pony

Why do you have ponies?

I have my ponies because I loving competing and especially show jumping

What do you do with your horses?

Show Jump with the Ludlow Pony Club and I am a member of the BSJA Area 25 Junior Academy and I also train with the area 33 BSJA, which is closer for me

What are your ambitions as a horseman?

To jump at Olympia and make a career at show jumping and to become and instructor

How many horses do you have/look after?

At the moment I have three but the two 13.2 ponies are for sale

Are your horse/s at home or at livery?

At home

If at home do you have a groom?

My Dad is the groom, manager and sorts out all of my schedules

How much time do you put in?

I work with them a few times a week, sometime mid week show jumping; I then have pony club, BSJA and lessons with my main instructor

How often do you see your horse/s?

Every Day, I can see them from my bedroom window

What time do you get to the yard?

My dad goes out every morning at 7.30am before he starts work and if he is travelling my mum helps me

What is the first thing you do for your horse?( each day or whenever you go)

First thing is breakfast and then, change of rugs and turned out for the day

How much time do you spend each morning/evening on your horse?

In the morning my Dad spends about an hour with them on a school day and at weekends I help

Do you do most of the work or does one of your parents?

My Dad, sorts out their routine and feed and I help

Is there any particular need/habit/quirk that your horse has?

Rocky is not that keen on rugs being put on or taken off, but he is just being silly

Do you spend more time at weekends doing horsy activities?

At weekends it is Pony Club, BSJA, private lessons and competitions

Do you compete regularly and if so, at what and how often?

I try and compete as often as I can, mid week in the evening and at weekends for Pony Club or Local Shows and with the Junior BSJA

Is it easier in the summer - perhaps when your horse is mainly out?  Or in the winter when he is probably mainly in?

We use them so much, but the summer is best as there are more things to do

What are the main advantages of how you look after your horse/s?

My Dad helps me a lot because I am only 12

What are the main disadvantages?

I will have to help more as I get older