Equestrian is an economically demanding sport. Only those who can afford the cost either through their own pocket or funding pursue their dream. Equestrian enthusiasts and fans are usually unaware of the background circumstances of the successful equestrian. But, every equestrian has a story and so does Laura Collett.

The  Olympic gold medalist recently reflected on her humble beginning and shared astonishing events that happened during her equestrian journey. The struggling story of an athlete is always an inspiring one and has a message. Laura’s story does contain a message of perseverance, desire, and hard work.

Humble start of an equestrian prodigy

About more than eight million dollar worth Laura’s career started when she participated in the Supreme Pony championship at the Horse of the Year show in the year 2003. She rode a Welsh section A named Penwayn Ryan. She had an opportunity to pursue it further in the showing circuit but she changed her mind and decided to participate in jumping and eventing. Speaking on the decision she said, “I got bored, basically, I wanted to do something more exciting“.

To continue with what she decided she has to have money. With a lack of actual funding, Laura and her mother Tracey decided to earn it through training and selling Ponies. Laura would take them to the Welsh mountains for grazing and when they get strong, she would sell them. The time came when she wanted a pony to compete in events. She went to buy one and brought Noble Springbok which was over height then.  But luck was on her side and within a couple of years they won gold and bronze medals at the Pony European Championships.

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In 2005 she had to buy a horse because she entered that age group. The first horse she bought was Rayef who was two inches taller than her. With him, she won four gold medals at Junior and Young Rider Europeans and was in the top ten in her first badminton. She also made it to the senior European team. She continued to compete in many senior competitions with her funding model and also rode owner’s horses. But all that changed in 2013, when at Tweseldown Horse Trials her horse fell on her leaving her in an induced coma, with broken ribs, shoulder, and damaged kidney and lungs.

Equestrian career after accident

This time also the luck was on her side and recovered successfully from the injuries. But, now her priorities changed. She had to have a good horse. She bought a horse named Kauto Star with whom she was very impressed. She said, “He was a pleasure to have and had certain traits where you could see why he’d been such an amazing racehorse“.  After that, she never looked back. She won various competitions including the 2022 Badminton Horse Trials. She went on to win gold in the team eventing competition at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Laura’s humble being and career are an inspiration and testimony to her undying spirit and passion.

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