Name: Bonnie Fishburn
Location: Shropshire, UK
Discipline: Eventing
We chatted with Bonnie to find out more about her horses, career and ambitions…
Beginnings
From an early age, Bonnie was at home in the saddle. She had the occasional riding lesson as a young child before getting more involved over the years by competing ponies for friends. At eighteen, she bought a horse of her own and got a taste for competing. She produced horses for a number of years before making the move to Shropshire where she now has her own yard. Bonnie has had numerous great results along the way, often turning tricky horses into accomplished ones.
What is the highlight of your career to date?
My career highlight would have to be winning the British Riding Clubs Open Horse Trials National Championship in 2010 and 2012 with San Francisco II. I was also 16th out of 120 riders in the 2011 Houghton International Trials in a hot field of team and Olympic riders.
Can you share your best advice with us?
If you want something really bad you need to work hard to chase it and make it happen, things don’t tend to just fall into your lap.
What are your goals for the future?
I’d love to have ago at some more International Horse Trials as there is such an incredible atmosphere.
Tell us about your horses
I have a total of six horses including a few homebreds.
San Francisco II (Frankie): a 16.3hh Dutch Warmblood that has competed to BE Intermediate and CIC2*.
Direct Flo (Florence): a 15.1hh TB/Trakehner/Hanoverian who has competed to BE Novice and is one of my homebreds.
Mr Precision (Percy): a 16.1hh TB/Trakehner/Selle Francais that has competed to BE Novice and is another of my homebreds.
Find out more about Bonnie’s horses here…
What’s most important to you when you’re buying a horse?
Three of my horses are homebred but when buying a horse, I look for something with a lovely attitude. Conformation and breeding play a part in the decision making process but the horse must have the right attitude. It could be beautifully bred and put together but if it doesn’t have the right head for the job then it’s quite likely to be the wrong decision.
What are your favourite Shires Equestrian products?
Performance Cambridge Breeches – these are really hard wearing, comfortable and come in a great range of colours.
Team Winter Chaps – I wouldn’t be without these in winter as they keep me warm and dry.
Sweet Itch Combo Fly Rugs – not only are these super to keep the flies at bay but they also keep horses clean before competitions.
Shires leather work – I’m a huge fan of all the leather work, Shires make some really beautiful bridles. I’m a particular fan of the Avignon Breastplate and Salisbury Five Point Breastplate.