Biography

British rider Dee Hankey (40), from Crowton in Cheshire, last competed at Badminton in 2016 – she gained her first completion in 2009.

Dee comes from a non-horsey background. She persuaded her mother to let her have riding lessons and Dee then rode other peoples’ ponies on the show jumping circuit until she was 15. She then pursued a brief career as a member of the three-girl band ‘Paperdolls’ and following the end of their contract with MCA records, in 2000, went back to horses and started eventing with Big El a 17hh gelding bought from Carol Gee . Even though the pair was new to eventing they gained second place in their first event which ensured Dee was hooked on the sport. The pair competed to four-star, gaining one Badminton and two Burghley completions.

Following Big El’s retirement in 2009, Dee began competing up and coming rides including Chequers Playboy who she has brought through the grades to four-star. Dee has also  competed in FEI showjumping.

In 2010 Dee married former showing rider turned eventer and show jumper Haydn Hankey who she met out hunting. Hayden and Dee run a busy yard producing and competing event horses, showjumpers, show horses and hunters, as well as teaching. Haydn has also whipped-in and been a field master for the Cheshire Forest.

Chequers Playboy, (aka Kenny) is a 16-year-old Dutch-bred gelding. He is by Kennedy (a son of Ferro) out of a mare by Flemmingh. He was sourced from Holland by Astrid Bolton and acquired by Dee as a 4-year-old.