TEN MINUTES WITH ...
13.08.09 - 14:01 -
NEW RANGE. Katie will be in Sotogrande next week to launch her riding wear collection. / kpequestrian.com
1. What was it like to compete at the HOYS?
It was amazing. A dream come true. I was very nervous but I was so pleased with the way it went and I was so proud of my horse, ‘Jordan’s Glamour Girl’.
2. Are you planning to compete this year and is dressage your favourite part?
I am but I’m a bit slow in starting this year. I had such a great time last year but with the divorce and everything, this year has been a bit topsy turvy. However, it’s all beginning to quieten down now and life is getting back to normal so I’m finally training regularly again and will be planning my competition schedule for the rest of the year. And, absolutely, dressage is now my great passion. I just love the way the horses move, they look so beautiful.
3. Do you look after your own horses or are they kept at livery?
I used to until I started taking my dressage seriously and bought some highly trained dressage horses. These have to have proper training every day to keep them in top condition so I now keep them with my trainer, Andrew Gould. And to be honest, I don’t have the time any more but I do miss it. It’s great exercise and I used to get a real kick out of keeping the beds just so.
4. Did you find traditional riding gear boring?
I most certainly did. I know it’s not as bad as it used to be, but basically it’s still mainly earthy colours which just aren’t my thing at all. So I thought I’d start my own range. Everyone knows I like a bit of bling so I wanted to add a bit of glamour to the yard and to have good quality affordable clothing. I’m really pleased with what we’ve achieved in such a short space of time and I’m looking forward to doing lots more.
5. At what age did you start to ride?
I’ve been riding since I was seven, when I used to ride a 12’2 grey pony called Echo. He used to bomb off with me all the time, and I fell off nearly every time I rode.
6. Why are girls either horse-mad or ballet mad?
They say that, don’t they? I was definitely horse-mad but I do know of people who are both.
7. You have a daughter, will you encourage her to start riding?
Princess is only two but she has already started riding. I got the children a pony - a lovely piebald called Harvey (yes, another Harvey!) - and it’s great fun introducing them to it all. I reckon Junior is the keenest of them all at the moment but it will be interesting to see what happens when Princess is a little older.
8. What do you like most about Spain?
The same as everyone, I’m sure - the weather!
9. Name three people you’d like to invite to a dinner party …
Well as we are talking about horses, I’d say Andrew Davies, Oliver Townend and Andrew Gould. I shot the front cover of my equestrian catalogue with them last week. They are all at the top of their disciplines - Andrew Davies in showjumping, Oliver Townend in eventing and Andrew Gould in dressage - so it would be a great dinner party with lots of horsey talk.
10. What makes you angry?
At the moment, the British tabloids. I feel as if I’m going through a tsunami with them. They are printing horrible stories about me nearly every day. I don’t know why, I really haven’t done anything wrong. I’m just going through a tough divorce like thousands of people do. It’s just that mine is a very public one.
11. Tell us something not many people know about you …
That I’m actually very shy. People think I’m the opposite but I’m actually not!
12. Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?
Happily married with lots of kids and lots of horses!
