If you’d asked three-year-old Holly Coles what she wanted to do when she grew up, she would have said horse riding. In fact, she was already sat in the saddle.
“It was always going to happen to me, I think.” said Gloucestershire-based Coles. “I had a few really nice ponies and horses and I thought there is nothing else in this world that I want to do apart from this.”
This was not a pipe dream for Coles, now 25-years-old, as she was selected for the Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence as part of 30 future stars of showjumping.
“I was 16 at the time, it was surreal. All the people on it were people I grew up watching and thinking it would be cool if I could do something like that. It was a real ‘I made it’ moment.”
At this time, Coles insisted she wasn’t interested in going to university, because there was no point when she knew the career path she wanted to trot towards. But some good A-Level grades began to change her decision.
“I thought maybe I should have a backup plan,” admitted Coles. “It’s an expensive sport. It’s not just keeping yourself fit, it’s keeping horses fit.
“I did have a few top five international placings, but I haven’t gone on to do it as my job. My backup plan has become my main plan.
“I still enjoy horses, of course and it doesn’t mean it was all for nothing.”
After graduating she was indeed able to transfer her experience in the world of showjumping into her next venture; working in marketing for youth charity The Pony Club.
“I enjoyed the marketing aspect of the sport, building a brand and actually connecting with people through fan engagement. I love to bring an event to life for everybody who isn’t there in person.”
“I was giving back to something that gave me so much growing up. Hopefully making it better for the next generation of kids that love ponies.”
Now working at the University of Gloucestershire as their Social Media Officer, no day is the same for Coles. But she’s still using skills she learnt as a teenager and embracing a spirit of fun that shines throughout our interview. Her favourite story of her time in showjumping brought out the biggest smile of our chat.
Photography by Daisy Kent (@daisykentphoto on Instagram).
“I qualified for a final at Hickstead once, in the main arena, and ended up coming sixth. Someone next to my mum cheered when I knocked a fence down, only because her daughter was in the lead and had never won before!” laughed Coles.
“But I did get to do a whole lap of honour at the same place as the Royal International. That was a seriously good day.”
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