Biography

It will be a first Badminton for British rider Emily Parker (29) who is based in Northumberland.

Emily, a former British Young rider team medallist, made her four-star debut aged 21 at Burghley. In 2018 she completed Pau on Harelaw Wizard entered for Badminton with Ben Hobday. Last year with Badminton entry Cyptonite she was second in the CCI3* at Ballindenisk.

Emily from Market Rasen in Lincolnshire was given her first pony at the age of seven.

She began riding in the Pony Club and with her former ride Treefers went through the ranks from Pony Club to four-star during which time she managed to make ponies and horses her non-horsey family’s hobby. In 2009 with Treefers, acquired as an unruly six-year-old, she was a member of the British Young Rider team that won European gold and the following year the pair repeated the feat adding individual gold to its tally as well

In 2011 she graduated from Nottingham Trent university with a degree in real estate management and at the end of the year relocated to Ian Stark’s yard in the borders to give eventing full time a go.

Emily trains with Chris Bartle, David Harland and Jane Rutherford and Harry Payne. She enjoys walking her two working cocker spaniels Pumpkin and Popcorn, assisting her partner Nick Orpwood with his string of point-to-point horses and skiing when possible.

This year Emily will wear the colours of the George Crawford Legacy Trust set up by Cryptonite’s owner Cameron Crawford in memory of his son George who died after being hit by a car.  The trust that supports several causes including Riding for the Disabled, has been set up to provide bursaries to assist those who need help to achieve their passion – whether music sport riding or art.

Cryptonite (aka Choppy) is a 13-year-old Irish-bred gelding. He is by Creevagh Ferro (sire of Cillnabradden Evo) out of a mare by the thoroughbred Zero Watt. Cryptonite was acquired ostensibly as a hunter, by his owners in Ireland as a nine year old where he had been a hunter hireling with no eventing experience. Having shown some promise after being ridden by his owner at the lower levels the ride was passed to Emily who took him from novice to three-star in three seasons. Badminton is Choppy’s first three-day at the level.