Sisters are united in flying flag for Britain

The Thurstonland twosome certainly made the most of them – with both girls now dressage stars for Great Britain.

Emma, 20, is in her third year as a GB international with the Yorkshire star having moved up from junior to young rider level in 2012.

Stepping into her boots as a blossoming junior is 18-year-old sister Pippa with the former Wakefield Girls’ High School pupils donning GB colours side by side for the first time at Addington CDI.

Both excelled. Emma and her nine-year-old chestnut gelding Furst Diamantino netting three top-10 finishes with Pippa and 14-year-old dark bay gelding Saphier VH Overwater bagging a trio of top 15s.

Both are targeting future successes with the proud Corbett sisters placing both their family name and little Thurstonland village on the international stage.

“Addington was my first international and we had some very proud parents I think,” said rising star Pippa.

“I have watched Emma compete for Great Britain over the last three years and it was so nice to be there with her.

“It’s been hard because everyone has always expected Emma to be doing it but no-one has taken me as seriously.

“It’s been nice to do it as well and to show everyone that I am just as serious about it!”

Pippa is studying her A-levels at Greenhead College and insists her studies, which will include a university degree course at Durham University, will come first.

“I’m not wanting to do it as a career as such,” said Pippa, who earned her initial GB call in February just one day after her 18th birthday. “I just want to do really well at this level.”

But her fine showing at Addington and also at the recent Hartpury Winter Dressage Championships proves the younger Corbett sister certainly has what it takes. That’s no surprise given the success of her older sibling, who is definitely intent on fulfilling an equestrian career and is currently in the first year of a Bachleor of Equine Science degree at Hartpury College.

The older Corbett sister is learning from the best of them with coaching at Hartpury coming from Olympic gold medallist Carl Hester.

But now it is her little sister threatening to provide the opposition. Emma is both proud and precious of her younger sibling.

“I think I was more nervous watching her compete at Addington than I was myself, to be honest,” said Emma.

“As soon as she finished, I was fine. But I love it that Pip is now on the international stage and I love the competition.

“I think when she got the horse that she has got now – they are such a good pair together that I could see it happening.

“Before that, she wasn’t as confident but now they are such a good pair and I think they do really well together.”

Pippa will be concentrating on her studies though further successes on the equine front in 2013 can still be expected.

For Emma – the definite 2013 goal is qualification for the European Championships in Compiegne, France which begin on July 21 and the Hartpury student would not bet against her little sister joining her.

“I think that’s definitely her aim,” said Emma.

“She has just competed at the Hartpury nationals where she came ninth against all the professionals, which is incredible and an amazing result.

“I think that put her back on the map a little bit.”

Just as together the sisters are shouting their family name loud and clear – some 15 years on from those initial riding lessons.

Emma admits the duo have plenty to thank accountant mum Jenny and chartered surveyor dad Andrew for – not least shouldering the expense in supporting their blossoming careers.

“They have been absolutely amazing and they gave us a riding lesson each for our fourth birthday,” said Emma.

“Unfortunately for them, we have never looked back.

“If I ever have kids they are only going to ride if they are rubbish at it because it would be so much cheaper.

“But mum and dad are pretty amazing. to be fair.

“They always whinge if me and Pip get a bit whingey that they could sell everything and buy a house in France.

“But I think they secretly enjoy it quite a lot really.”

Disabled group having a ball as they celebrate special anniversary

A RUBY Ball at Wetherby Racecourse next month will be the highlight of the year for the Stockeld Park group of Riding for the Disabled, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The group was founded in 1973 by Jeanne-Marie Dickens, a Hungarian countess who was married to Christopher Dickens, great grandson of Charles Dickens.

They lived in Spofforth and following the death of her husband, Jeanne-Marie returned to live in Hungary in 2000. She will join in the celebrations at the ball on Saturday, May 11.

Many people have offered their support for the occasion, including racehorse trainer and Country Week columnist Jo Foster. Guests will be able to bid for the chance to own a racehorse for the day.

The group found a new home at nearby Sicklinghall after the riding school at Stockeld Park was converted into a ‘Winter Wonderland’.

At weekly sessions, children with physical and learning disabilities get the chance to discover the pleasure of learning to ride which in turn provides many benefits including improving their communication skills, confidence and co-ordination.

Three volunteers are needed to help each child who rides. The group holds morning and afternoon sessions on Tuesdays for children from four local schools, West Oaks and St John’s School for the Deaf in Boston Spa and The Forest School and Springwater School in Knaresborough.

Instructor Anne Dorsey was awarded the MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours list last year and founder member Liz Ogilvie recently received the ‘President’s Award’ from the RDA for her services to the charity. The group’s main fund-raiser of the year is an annual sponsored ride which is held at Bramham Park in June courtesy of the Lane Fox family. This year’s ride, which is being sponsored by law firm Irwin Mitchell, will be on Saturday, June 15.

There are a limited number of tickets (£40 each) available for the Ruby Ball and for more information about this and entry forms for the sponsored ride, email Francis Hammett, [email protected].