Just before Christmas, I invited local equestrians to apply to be a VEP Sponsored Rider for 2020. I was overwhelmed by the number and calibre of applications, and my plans to pick only one soon went out the window. Team VEP now consists of 5 amazing local riders, and their first sessions are underway!

Mairi + Wally are first up, and I was super excited to join them at their fantastic base for an ‘at home’ session. January brought its best game face to the proceedings with some glorious sunshine, and Wally brought bags of character and mischief to give Mairi and I a super fun morning! With each rider taking part in 4 sessions across the year, I think that my Wally outtakes archive is going to be quite substantial!

Here’s just a wee selection of images from our session, and I’ll hand you over to Mairi to introduce herself and the handsome W!

A little bit about us....Wally is an eight year old IDxTB bright bay gelding. I’m originally from Crieff in Perthshire and have ridden from a young age, but Wally is the first horse I bought and brought on entirely myself. He came to me as a very green 5 year old from Ireland and I only had to sit on him once to know he was for me. He couldn’t canter a circle without falling over and had two speeds-fast or very fast...but he honestly has the biggest heart of gold and over the 3 years I’ve had him, this has never faltered! Our main discipline is eventing, although we do dabble in a bit of showjumping, dressage and the odd working hunter class. Last year was Wally’s first season eventing as I’ve really taken our time to get him fit and capable. Our highlights were placing at Glamis and completing his first BE90 with a clear XC. We’ve picked up a few other red rossers and trophies here and there too! I’m hoping to continue competing at BE90 in the 2020 season and perhaps a few more Working Hunters (as Wally is an Irish hunter at heart after all!!) It can be tricky working full time and trying to event/keep a horse fit, especially as Wally is a ‘worker’ and loves having a job to do. His latest hobby is jumping out of the field when he’s bored! I couldn’t imagine doing anything else with any other horse though, and can’t wait for our first season as part of the VEP team! We’ve got loads planned so follow our journey on our instagram account - @scottisheventer! We’re always out and about! See you all very soon 🦄

You can find out more about my equine sessions here or you can pop me an email on hello@vivienneelizabethphotography.co.uk