We caught up with Zoe Delicata (L5) to hear about her passion for horseriding. She shared her journey so far, including the highs and lows of the sport:

"Let me introduce myself, my name Is Zoe Delicata and I’m crazy about horses.

Ever since I was a little girl I have always been in love with these beautiful beasts and dreamed of having my own pony. Whenever we went out walking the dogs and passed a field of horses, I would beg my mum to buy some carrots so we could feed them.

When we moved to Norwich I really wanted to pick up the hobby, so my parents searched for a riding school and we found Red Hall Livery. I was so excited to start! A few months passed and I was doing so well, I was jumping and doing little competitions but unfortunately, after that, we found out that the riding school was closing down.
After it closed down I still wanted to do riding, so my dad started looking for another riding school but we had no luck until he came across Brampton Equestrian Centre. Brampton was amazing but it had one condition, you needed your own pony to go there, so we took a leap of faith and decided to become horse owners. 

I got my first pony Diamond, he was Irish. He was a lovely boy but I soon outgrew his abilities. I got my next pony Tom from Ivy Fisher and her family and we were very grateful to have him. He really built my confidence and taught me to jump, I was very sad to let him go but I get to see him ever now and again, luckily he doesn’t live too far. 

I wasn’t so lucky with my next pony Rebel; he really lived up to his name. He did not prove to be very trustworthy and unfortunately one of his tantrums resulted in a terrible accident. I broke my right wrist, elbow and dislocated it at the same time. I had to undergo seven different surgeries in a very short space of time. 

It was an extremely difficult time for me as I could not see the rest of my family because we were in covid times. I was so scared because I was not sure what was going to happen to my arm and if I could do the things I loved most ever again, but even in the darkest times in the hospital I wasn’t ready to give up riding, With the help of an incredible hospital team and a lot of hard physio I have regained full mobility of my arm.

I started going to the stables as soon as I was home from hospital, and although I could not ride I could be with the horses. As soon as the doctors gave me the green light I wasted no time getting back in the saddle. I had two amazing supporting parents, my little brother and Cheryl Briscoe my trainer who was with me throughout my weakest moments, and there were plenty of them. My new horse Pin was so understanding and patient in my insecurities and helped me through the tough times when I was physically shaking because I was so scared of riding, but I was even more scared of not riding again. Many people would say Pin was not the most obvious choice as he is a strong and big horse and can be opinionated at times, but he was definitely the best choice for me.
In our first year together he helped me qualify for the British Dressage Team Quest Under 21 National Championships as a part of an Under 21 team, we did so well and placed 7th in the country but that was only the start of our journey together. 

Now we are in full work, show jumping and training, cross-country and eventing. I believe we have a full and exciting journey ahead of us...Watch this space."