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Gemma Stevens Equestrian

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winterGrey

Gemma's Story

Y/S Popping Candy GSE

Wow what an absolutely crazy time we are having 🤩
Firstly before anything else I want to say thank you to my incredible team. Without doubt, their unbelievable ability to leave no stone unturned together with their absolute dedication to our horses is the key to this run of success. 
A super quick turnaround from Bicton at the beginning of last week to leave for Millstreet with a VERY full truck!

I knew I was going to Ireland with pretty good fire power and horses that were on form but never did I dream of doing a double!

Cooley Park Muze owned by the Rex Syndicate was unbelievable, finishing with a showjump in hand to take the win in the 3*L. 

Chilli’s Jester owned by Chris and Lisa Stone and Chris and Clare Mathias was also brilliant, I just had to take a long route XC due to being a little green at the beginning of the course, but he grew in confidence and finished brilliantly, coming out on the last day and giving every showjump at least a foot to finish 9th. 

Both Rex and Jester are seriously exciting horses for the future.

Flash Cooley owned by Pru Dawes lead the 4*L convincingly from start to finish to take the win, putting to bed the stupid fence we had down that cost us the win 2 years ago! What a horse he is, I absolutely adore him, he always gives his all and is just such a darling little boy. 

Chilli Morning IV (the current 7yr old World Champ) owned by Chris and Lisa Stone was tackling his first 4* S. He was super if a little green in the dressage and showjumping but sadly just didn’t understand the new sunken road on the XC. I did eventually manage to persuade him to pop down it and made a huge fuss of him for doing so, but we got the big E. I’m not bothered he’s a baby and he will learn - he’s so intelligent that next time he will believe me that it’s ok! 

Long drive home! Huge love for Gaz for driving!  😴 
Got home at 7.00AM straight onto Chilli King for a flat work session and then onto Felbridge for second rounds and Grand Prix! 

Both Brendon Stud boys jumped mega but no HOYs tickets that day! 

BUT our amazing Dime Bar owned by the Dime Syndicate only went and WON the Grand Prix - jumping unbelievably and beating some VERY good combinations! Seriously chuffed with that!

We headed home for some sleep 😴and to re pack (again) and we’re now on our way to Bramham!


We did a Millstreet double!

Really great weekend at Bicton. 

Super fun to be back on a GB Nations Cup team! It’s been a while! 

Chilli King owned by Chris and Lisa Stone and Chris and Clare Mathias, made his first appearance for GB, as a very green 10yr old. He’s still very much a work in progress, but he put in a really solid performance as pathfinder for the team.

His XC is unbelievable, so scopey, fast and careful. Very excited about his future. Well done to my super teammates, was fun to have a win! 

Jalapeño re-routed to the 4*S after her rather cheeky run out early on the course at Badminton and proved she’s still up for it, with a super dressage and double clear, I could hardly hold one side of her xc which is a new one!! She by finished a great 7th even with a few time faults with me trying to slow down for the jumps! 

Huge shout out to the team at Bicton, absolutely brilliant event and the ground was unbelievable. Thank you. 

The beautiful Georgie hasn’t been out of my head at all all week, I can’t believe it’s a whole year since she left us.

We’ve had a super quick turn around and we’re already on our way to Ireland. We had less than 24 hours at home… washing done, everything re-packed, event horses jumped, jumpers jumped and back out on the road! 

Big shout out to our amazing Charlotte Overton who has worked her absolute butt off in the last few days getting organised, grooming, re-packing, cleaning out the lorry etc etc etc. all on her birthday today too! Happy birthday you absolute legend  

Back on a GB Nations Cup Team at Bicton

Badminton Horse Trials is one of the most incredible events in the world and to get one, let alone two horses fit enough, sound and with the right level of experience and training to be competitive involves so many different people. I am incredibly lucky to be surrounded by the very best team of people and am eternally grateful to each and every one of them - without them, I absolutely would not be able to do what I do. 
Having called in for a final Cross Country tune up at the amazing Rosamund Farm with Dickie Waygood (who thoroughly kicked me up the bum when my confidence started to wobble) we arrived at Badminton with Jalapeno (Jala) and Chilli Knight (Alfie). 
Both horses gave the performance of their lives in the dressage with Jala sitting in 3rd and Alfie in 10th. Saturday came and it just wasn’t Jala’s day – we had a naughty glance off early in the course and given her age and experience I decided to call it a day. Alfie however was on actual fire to come home clear, and as the first inside the time. What a special, special horse he is! This made what happened on Sunday even tougher when he went into the show jumping in 3rd place. I was under no illusion that we would win it with both Oliver Townend and Ros Canter sitting above us, but I had thought we might nab a podium place given how incredible Alfie usually is on the last day of a big one. But, it just wasn’t to be. He had a seriously uncharacteristic number of poles down meaning we dropped out of the top 10. Knowing my horses inside out, and feeling how hard he was having to try in that show jumping ring, I knew something wasn’t right with him so we rushed home and got our amazing vet out to see him straight away. He’s very happily enjoying a little holiday as my suspicions that something wasn’t quite right were confirmed. He’ll be absolutely fine and ready and raring to go again super soon!


The first of the 2025 Big B's 

I was really pleased with (most of) our dressage performances, and all 5 horses jumped the most incredible clear show jumping rounds but we only ran Chilli’s Jester around the Cross Country. Having missed out on Thoresby, he needed his 3* qualification which he got very beautifully. 
My decision not to run the others was based on the fact they had all had fantastic runs at Thoresby and my feeling was they didn’t need another run when the ground was on the firm side. Not an easy choice to make as a competitor but my owners were extremely supportive and completely in agreement. It is a little soul destroying putting that much work in over a long 4 days and not coming home with results, but my horses welfare and longevity are more important, they are very precious. 
It’s no one’s fault it hasn’t rained for weeks on end, that’s life and we have to deal with everything it throws at us. 
Thank you to Musketeer at Burnham Market for putting on a fantastic event. I’m sad I didn’t get to blast around the course. 
Straight to Pyecombe Monday for some jumping. 
I think I jumped 11 rounds! From proper babies all the way up to our top horses having a spin around the 1.40m! 
I was completely thrilled with everyone and we managed mostly clear rounds, a 2nd in the 1.30m and a WIN with our amazing Dime bar in the 1.40m beating some very good combinations. I was first in and last out of the ring! 

Serious weekend of competing starting at Burnham Market 

Some serious hard core Eventing at the Eventing Spring Carnival, Thoresby Park with 6 horses, 4 of those in the 4*
Jalapeño owned by Chris and Lisa Stone was an absolute hero and managed to separate those Olympic combinations in the 4* Grantham Cup, coming 2nd by just 0.1 behind Tom, narrowly pipping Laura and Ros! 
Such a cool achievement - it feels great to be back at the top of our game! 
Chilli Knight also owned by Chris and Lisa Stone was on fantastic form and a great path finder for me, as always I could completely rely on him XC, and he finished a very respectable 6th!
Chilli King ALSO owned by Chris and Lisa Stone along with Chris and Clare Mathias is just starting his 4* career was ridiculously cool to finish 2nd 🥈 in the other 4* section. He was just brilliant in all 3 phases, such an exciting horse for the future. 
Flash Cooley owned by Pru Dawes, lead the dressage and show jumping in the same section as Raff ^ but sadly made a little mistake XC resulting in triggering a pin so we came home with 11 penalties. 
Although I was gutted not to take the win, I think these pins and collapsing tables are a great step forward in making our sport as safe as possible, but as riders we still must take huge responsibility in riding safely and carefully and training our horses for the correct levels. 
Onto the 3*…
Cooley Park Muze owned by the Rex Syndicate, was super and showed everyone just how much he’s grown up, finishing an amazing 4th in a huge class! I was most proud of his XC, so straight and he concentrated the whole way round which is what we’ve been working hard on over the winter!
Chilli’s Jester did a super dressage and showjumping but sadly wasn’t quite 100% himself as we were getting him ready for XC so we opted not to run him.
Straight up and honest for you all, I was incredibly nervous about riding 4 horses around a 4*. I haven’t done 4 at this level for a long time (if ever), and it’s a huge deal. I actually felt great afterwards and was so pleased with how they all went! 
I’m not giving it up yet! 
Massive thank you to my whole team, it was a VERY busy weekend and the support I receive from my amazing girls, my mad husband, my family and my owners is mainly why me and the horses still do it. The fact they’re all so special helps too - obviously, I know just how lucky I am!
Quick note on Thoresby, it’s become and really fantastic event, and how nice it was for the organisers to have some sunshine and absolutely perfect going! Normally they are battling with rain/snow/wind and a LOT of mud! Such a brilliant weekend for the sport.

What a weekend at Thoresby Park...

A good trip to Lier Belgium! 
It would seem that we are now not just playing at the showjumping, we’re actually starting to take it quite seriously! 
A HUGE WIN in the 7/8yr old Grand Prix for 7yo stallion Ashent Go Ballistic owned by the Brendon Stud.
He beat no less than 116 competitors in a very fast jump off having not touched a pole all week. He’s an incredibly special young horse!
10yo stallion Pandito Merelsnest Z also owned by the Brendon stud, had a brilliant 8th in a very competitive world ranking speed class - he jumped his little socks off. 
Our very own Dime (Envoy Merelsnest Z) owned by the Dime Syndicate was 7th on his first day jumping and then made a couple of mistakes in the Grand Prix Sunday - we are both definitely dusting off some rust at this level!
We are also extremely proud of Kanndy’s Lollipop 🍭  who at 6yrs old is just starting her career - the talent she is showing is pretty impressive! She is extremely green and had never even been out of West Sussex until this week so this is a big step up for her! She’s bred by us and Isabel Fox and is out of that special little MGH Candy Girl pony!

Two weeks Show Jumping in Lier 

We’ve been out eventing for 4 out of the last 8 days and it’s been sunny on every single of them. In MARCH! I’ve been more grateful than anyone can imagine but I do feel like we are all going to be punished for it!!! 😬☀️ 
After our fantastic start to the season at Poplar, Chilli King and Cooley Park Muze made the trip to Oasby last Thursday for an Open Intermediate run each. Both went absolutely beautifully with an 8th and 2nd respectively. These two are the real deal no doubt about it. 🫶 what a future. 
Then we headed to Costa Del Tweseldown at the weekend with Jalapeño and Flash Cooley in the Open Intermediate and Chilli’s Jester in the Open Novice.
Jala did a 26 dressage and a super steady double clear, and Flash Cooley smashed it for a 20.9 dressage and added nothing for a fab win🥇 
Jester’s tiny touch of a showjump cost us the win but he was felt amazing and so much more grown up. A very exciting start with all our event horses. 
We are now trucking to Belgium 🇧🇪 for two weeks showjumping with the jumpers - we’ll be back on 🇬🇧 soil in time for Thoresby - don’t worry!

Chilli King (Raff)

01. Gemma Stevens

Cooley Park Muze (Rex)

Chilli's Jester (Jester)

Flash Cooley (Casper)

Jalapeno III (Jala)

A sunny start to 2025 with the eventers!

Was it all fun?! Definitely not! A 2.00AM alarm clock, dressage in minus temperatures (I think my toes have only just thawed out 🥶 and a VERY long day. 
BUT 4 horses & 4 double clears with one winner made it absolutely worth it. Do I feel knackered today ?! Definitely!! 
Cooley Couture, Flash Cooley and Chilli King were all in the OI and just went for steady double clears while their very out of practice jockey remembered how to ride XC! 
It’s amazing to have little Flash Cooley 👻 - back he feels so good and was his usual gorgeous run self all day🫶🏻 🥰 
The ground and courses were absolutely fantastic. Pretty impressive considering the winter we have had! 
Cooley Park Muse came along for a nice sweetener to start his season in the ON and managed a lovely win finishing on a 23 dressage! Good boy Rex! - Huge thank you to some of his syndicate for the cheerleading 🥳 
Thank you, as always to Charlotte and Gaz all the help. What a ridiculous sport we all love so much! 🤣🙈

Cooley Couture (Penny)

Poplar Park Horse Trials - First 2025 event under our belts! 😮‍💨

HONG KONG 🇭🇰 genuinely feels like this big puff of the most amazingly cool dream cloud!! ☁️ 

What a week. What a horse. What a team we have. 

We went at 100mph the first few days, seeing as much as we could of the incredible country, it’s like living in the future, we loved every minute of it! 

From cable cars, to the races, to Chinese food in the city, to boat rides, to more cable cars, to Pandas. All shared with the most crazy but brilliant humans!! It was AWESOME! 

Then the competition, well Dime was just unbelievable all 3 days!

Day 1 - was our first 6 bar class out there and we made it to round 4 of 5 with just one tiny mistake, but we still managed a super 4th place finish, in the money and prize giving! 

The second of the two 6 bar classes came and he was simply unbelievable! We  made it through to the 5th round and only went and WON it.

I thought London was maybe a fluke but Dime says no way Mum I’m good at this! I was beyond chuffed and seriously, seriously proud of our boy 🖤

The last and final day was The Puissance 😱 (it really isn’t my favourite!) But I pulled on the big girl pants and again made it to round 4 and finished a creditable 5th, in the prize giving and money again!

What a horse, so consistent and he really did give his absolute all. I’m so unbelievably grateful to him for taking us all to these unreal shows and smashing it!! 

I cannot thank all the people around me enough, physically and at home… it’s been an absolute blast and you were all awesome support! 

So much fun and sooooo much banter! It really was a dream week. 

We headed off to Tweseldown today to XC school 10 horses! Straight back to it 😴

Envoy Merelsnest Z (Dime Bar)

02. Gary Stevens

03. Charlotte Overton

Dime shines in Hong Kong!

Envoy Merelsnest Z (Dime) was on fire today at The London International Horse Show, winning The Cavago Six Bar, jumping 1.95m!!

I don’t think it was a dream? Was it?! Genuinely cannot believe it… 

Thank you to our wonderful Horse, Dime you’re my hero. Thank you to all the Dime syndicate what a day we had! It’s a bit of a blur! 

Thank you to Shirley Light and Gary Stevens for everything and keeping me on track.  
Charlotte Overton for having Dime looking unbelievable. 

We WON in LONDON!!!!!!! 

You can read the full Horse&Hound article here: https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/gemma-stevens-pips-john-whitaker-london-six-bar-880914

Photo Credit: London International Horse Show / Peter Nixon

Envoy Merelsnest Z takes the win in the Cavago Six Bar at The London International Horse Show!

Brooke, Action For Working Horses and Donkeys, is an international charity that protects and improves the lives of horses, donkeys and mules which give people in the developing world the opportunity to work their way out of poverty.

Gemma is very proud to be an ambassador for this fantastic charity and support the work they do around the world.



Ambassador for Brooke, Action For Working Horses and Donkeys

Charles Owen

Childéric Saddles UK are proud to support Gemma. Tricia Bracegirdle, Childéric Saddles Specialist is also an integral part of Gemma’s team. A former event rider, Tricia is not only approved by Luc Childéric to fit and sell their bespoke saddles here in the UK but has also added significant design input into their range of saddles and accessories.

Childéric Saddles

The Coldstream range, like the horse, reflects high quality and performance, delivering innovative, technical, and on trend pieces.

Coldstream

EcoVoltz

equimi has made equestrian websites super easy to build and update.

There is no upfront fee, and no need for costly designers or developers.

Update your own website instantly, even from your phone.

Start building your own website now at equimi.com

equimi

Equitex

EQU StreamZ fetlock bands are part of the StreamZ product range; specifically developed for the equine market. Deploying a completely new technique in ‘magnetic therapy’ StreamZ have proven to support a variety of health issues within horses and provide an ongoing tool for managing competing horses. We use the bands to keep our horses in the best condition possible; naturally.

EQU StreamZ

More than luxury.  Excellence

Since 1924, “FABBRI Boots” have maintained the system of handmade-working with times of 20/25 days for the manufacturing.

The principal technical characteristic that distinguishes these boots from the others is the adaptability: they perfectly and immediately settle and model at the foot and at the leg of the rider. A particular attention directs to the choice of the material of working: some kinds of hides tan only for our production. All parts of “FABBRI boots” are absolutely natural; these are not plastic or synthetic materials that could cause a weariness with an enduring use. We produce a high level of hygiene and freshness, representing a style, class and elegance.

Fabbri Boots

Established in 2013 by childhood friends, Marcus Fairfax Fountaine and Felix Favor Parker, Fairfax & Favor has descended upon the footwear industry as a luxury, British-born lifestyle brand. Designed as a line of footwear and accessories with a commitment to innovation in craftsmanship and design, Fairfax & Favor aims to create a timeless, fashion investment in every piece.

Fairfax & Favor

FLAIR® Equine Nasal Strips are drug-free, self-adhesive nasal strips that support horse’s nasal passages and promote optimum respiratory health of equine athletes.
The spring-like action supports the soft tissues over the nasal passages, the narrowest part of the upper airway, so horses can breathe easier and perform their best in training and competition.

FLAIR Equine Nasal Strips

Flying Changes 

Gain Equine Nutrition is the equine feed arm of Glanbia PLC, the global nutritional solutions and cheese group. While Glanbia PLC has a strong focus on human nutrition, Gain focuses solely on equine nutrition. Manufactured in Co. Wexford in Ireland, Gain prides itself on producing consistent, palatable, dust free feeds of the highest nutritional content to cater for all sectors of the equine industry. They support Gemma and keep the horses looking and feeling on top form.

GAIN Equine Nutrition

Green Mile Bedding is made from corrugated cardboard cut into fine strips, as a result creating a unique design which helps to increase absorbency.

Green Mile Cardboard Bedding has many features you won’t find in other types of horse bedding. Not only is it scientifically proven to be the most absorbent on the market but also it contains almost no dust so highly recommended for all animals, especially those suffering from COPD.

Green Mile Bedding 

JM Horseboxes

NAF is one of the most respected and well known supplement manufacturers in the UK. They use natural ingredients to create an extensive range of products offering something for every horses needs. They support Gemma and provide supplements for the horses which keep them on top form.

NAF 

An Italian based company producing beautiful lightweight stirrups. Made from aluminium and combining safety with style, their range of stirrups and accessories is a great addition to any riders kit list.

Tech Stirrups are conceived for all those riders who are looking for exceptional performance thanks to their unique design and features.
Tech Stirrups are patented horse-riding gears, made in Italy. They are made from aluminium billet and fitted with stainless-steel screws.
The treads and the rings are undergo a 20-micron anodization process to enhance their aesthetic quality and resistance to scratch.

Tech Stirrups

Treehouse Sporting Colours

Veredus Horse Equipment

Weatherbeeta are a very well known and longstanding equestrian brand who have been producing top quality horsewear around the world for over 35 years. They have a fantastic range of rugs and can provide your horse with a stylish outfit whatever the weather!

Through the use of only the most advanced design and materials, we’ve been setting the trends since the very beginning.
In fact, our experience, technology, design and sheer quality have made us the world’s leading equestrian brand!
Whatever the weather — there’s bound to be a WeatherBeeta rug for your horse.

Y/S Popping Candy GSE

Showjumping

Pedigree