Breeder backs call for North horse riders to be helped

Sep 8 2008 by Richard Fletcher, The Journal

A HORSE breeder has backed calls for more money to turn the North’s talented young riders into world beaters.

Karen Thompson, who runs Knitsley Sports Horses, near Consett, County Durham, believes the region has the ability to go all the way in Olympic showjumping thanks to the ability of its riders. But, echoing calls in The Journal last week from Stephen Gair, who runs Bowes Manor Equestrian Centre, she says both local authorities and Sport England now need to make the most of the dedication of trainers and the talent of children in the North East.

Karen, who previously ran Townhead Stud, also near Consett, said: “The North East has the expertise to find and train horses and riders.

“We’ve got plenty of middle level riding establishments but we’ve got very little at the top level. There are children in the North East that could be world class, given the right horses and facilities. It needs a push and the determination to bring it up here. At Townhead we had some fantastic horses but the majority were sold out of the area.”

Having driven round the country going to competitions herself in the 1980s, she jointly ran Townhead Stud until 1993, where she trained Genesis, a horse shortlisted for the Olympic Games.

She then had daughter Katie, now 11, in 1997 and left training horses.

Three years ago she set up her current venture and has two promising horses including Knitsley Star for whom she has high hopes. A new barn will make room for six more.

As a single mother, Karen is running the centre herself with only the help of her daughter and occasionally a friend, and would love help to make it better.

She said: “Being a single mother has its rewards. But it’s very hard work because you have to do everything. You’re the mother and the housekeeper. I also help my parents at the farm with paperwork.

“I would love help. If I had now what I had at Townhead with the facilities and backing, it would be unbelievable for me.”

She would even avoid selling the horses outside the region and would make them available to promising young riders so that they can reach the top of their sport.

But she believes that without a top class arena for each district in the North East, the talent will be lost with competitions held elsewhere and youngsters having to travel out of the region to compete.