SMART Ambassador Megan Ellingworth

I’m a freelance rider & groom with a small (or not so small) collection of my own horses. I originally worked in racing and had my apprentice licence for 4 years. When I left racing, I wanted to start retraining the 3 ex-racers I’d accumulated over the years (and not just let them join the other 4 field ornaments). I realised I needed one saddle that would work for all of them, whilst they were constantly changing shape. 

I bought my first SMART Saddle back in 2019 and fell in love with it, it worked so well for me and my wonky crew of horses. The three who are currently in work are all different shapes and sizes, so the SMART Saddle works perfectly for this.   

 

Last month, I invested in a new SMART Elite Jump saddle. I wanted the security and comfort of the Suprablocs especially as the Thoroughbreds have so little in front. 

 

Barnsdale (aka Letty)  

 An 11-year-old 15.1hh ex racehorse who I broke in when I was 16 and working in a racing yard. We did everything together and I used to race ride him. We had our first (and only) win together whilst he was also barefoot. We now enjoy going out and trying lots of new things from Working Equitation, jumping, fun rides, bitless and bridleless, liberty work and the occasional dressage test (not our forte!).  

 

Rosa P (aka Rosie)  - A 7-year-old 15.1hh ex-racehorse I used to exercise. She came home with me when I retired from racing and when she was 2 years old. Having had the last few years out in the field growing up and being a horse, last year we did some light riding and introduced her to the world. This year, I’m hoping to get her out more, seeing life and discovering what she enjoys.  

 

 

Midnight Skip and Jump (aka skippy)  

 An 11-year-old 16.3hh Irish Sports Horse. My hope with him this year is to get out to do some fun rides, with drag hunts come the winter. He’s a big old softie this lad, he just doesn’t always realise he’s as big as he is, especially when I’m only 5ft!  We’re both slowly working each other out and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for him. "