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January 09, 2023
Though EquiFit is based stateside in Dedham, Massachusetts, we are lucky to work with some of the best riders in the world. Included in that list is Sienna Charles, a twenty-year-old International Show Jumper based in South East England.
Sienna & her two older siblings (Harry & Scarlett) train out of Heathcroft Farm. The family business is led by their father, Olympic Gold Medalist & European Champion Peter Charles.
Growing up surrounded by horses, Sienna has captured a name for herself in the recent years with impressive results to date including: National U21 Champion, Winning the U25 Championships at Royal Windsor Horse Show, 2nd in the 3* Grand Prix with new ride Stardust in Olivia Nova, & jumping double clear on the Seniors Nations Cup of Madrid for Team GBR.
Between her successes, Sienna sat down to talk with us about her goals for the upcoming show year, how she initially got started in the sport, & about the horse that left a forever mark on her showing career.
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Q: Introduce yourself to the EquiFit audience.
A: My name is Sienna Charles & I’m 20 years of age. I am an International Showjumper for GBR & represent the team at Heathcroft Farm!
Q: How did you get started in riding?
A: I have been riding for as long as I can remember. It’s always been a family thing; I think it was inevitable that I would fall in love with the sport & horses since I grew up surrounded by it. My dad Peter had a very successful career & both my older siblings Harry & Scarlett ride, so it was quite natural for me to follow in their footsteps & their success definitely inspired me to dream of my own!
Q: What would you say has been the most pivotal moment of your riding career so far?
A: For me this moment would have to be in this summer jumping double clear for Team GBR on Ornellaia in the Seniors Nations Cup of Madrid. It felt like a dream start to the next chapter of my career in the senior division, among some of the riders I look up to the most in the sport.
Q: What are your short term and long term goals for the sport?
A: This year I would like to really continue to work hard & learn as much as I can. I would like to focus on developing my string of talented horses & to progress my way up the world rankings. Long term, the dream is to of course win at the highest level of the sport & represent GBR at the Olympic Games in years to come ,but also to build a strong, successful business & breeding program & to make my parents & owners proud as they’ve given me so much.
Q: Tell us about a horse that has made a lasting impact personally and/or professionally.
A: A very special horse to me I will never forget is Ornellaia. I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to ride Nelly at the end of her long but successful career; she became my best friend! I’ve never loved a horse as much as I love her, she was a quirky ride, but taught me so much & gave everything every time she went in the ring! With her incredible mentality she is the kindest, sweetest person. She is now enjoying a very well deserved & happy retirement at Heathcroft!
Q: If you could ride any horse, who would it be?
A: Sorry I can’t pick just one… H&M Indiana & Vertigo du Desert.
Q: What's your funniest horse show moment?
A: Jumping the wrong number 1 & then getting eliminated before I had even begun!
Q: What is your favorite go-to EquiFit product?
A: My favourite EquiFit product would definitely be the D-Teq Front Boots! They provide me with great comfort knowing that my horses are wearing the very best & they’re conveniently very stylish!
Photos courtesy of Sienna Charles & MDB Photography.