Who you are and location – Jemimah Adams, Dorset
• Your occupation – I was a Post-Doc researching leukaemia for 5 years following my PhD but I have worked full time with horses, training, teaching etc for around 10 years.
• How long you have been riding – I started riding normal horses when I was about 6, but we got our first Icelandic’s over 30 years ago!
• How you became interested and involved with Icelandic horses – My parents bought from Mic Rushen and Nick Foot on suggestion from a friend and the 3 of us shared them!
• Your horses – Past and present – I have been very fortunate to have the chance to ride many horses, including starting some lovely horses – but the ones that have had the biggest influence on my riding include my first ‘competition horse’ was a gelding called Hlynur (who I bought from Smari Slater) and he took me to my first WC in 1999. He sadly passed away from Colic a few years ago at 29 years of age. I then rode a 6 year old 4 gaited gelding, Draupnir, who I rode competitively for 13 years including a WC. He was followed by the talented and lovely 4 gaiter called Kraftur, with whom I competed at several WCs. Kraftur very sadly got injured in the field, meaning I had to pass the role of competition horse to my then young stallion Kolbeinn, who at the time was rising 6. Kolbeinn has since been sold to Denmark, and now I mainly ride my mum’s stallion, Skirnir, who has the best temperament, as well as some new interesting mares and they are currently my main horses.
• What you most enjoy doing with your horses – I enjoy training the horses to be the best I can try to help them be whilst having fun, whether that is starting youngsters or training older horses. I do a variety of work with them; schoolwork, riding out, lunging, sometimes jumping etc.
• Any goals/ambitions you have – It would be a dream to reach a final at a WC one day, but to try and develop the horses and myself is always an ambition.
• What other interests you have (assuming there is any time left in your life!) – If I have any time available, after horses, sheep and jobs 😉 I tend to spend time with my other animals (Dog and Cats), seeing friends, or going to the beach if the weather is warm enough!
