We catch up with Feedmark Sponsored Rider, Will Furlong...
At what level are you currently competing?
I’m currently competing at 5* and hope to have my top horse, Collien P 2, at Badminton again this Spring. We have a variety of different horses on the yard, there is everything from foals right up to the top level so certainly enough to keep us busy.
Tell us about your favourite horse?
I guess I’m not really supposed to have favourites, however… I’ve always had a special bond with ‘Elstar’ who is an 11 year old mare. We’ve had her since a 6 year old and she’d only done some dressage in Holland when she arrived so it’s been great to produce her up through the grades. She has the most enormous ears and loves a cuddle! Very excitingly we have an foal out of her called Nutty, who funnily enough also has big ears!!
An average day in your life?
There’s not really a ‘typical’ day as every day varies so much. I start at 7am to do feeds and help muck out each morning. I will then try and start riding by 8.30am and will keep going until they are all worked. The girls will do the vast majority of the hacking but they will help with a bit of the schooling as well. If I have any ‘free’ time in the afternoons I will do some DIY work on the yard, fixing any fencing etc and will do some coaching as well.
When did you first start riding?
I first learnt to ride when I was around 9 or 10 and wasn’t convinced at first! I had a naughty Dartmoor pony called Moony, who is now a naughty companion and escapes into the neighbours garden…
Do you have any promising youngsters you are excited about?
I have a stunning 6 year old called Jalifia, known as Jaffa Cake to her friends. She’s very smart on the flat and a good jumper so watch this space!
What is next for you, do you have a particular goal this season or beyond?
Badminton is again the main aim for Spring of this year. I’d like to try and better my performance from the previous 2 years and maybe look for a top 25 finish. I am realistic and still only 24 so it is all about gathering as much experience as possible at this early stage in my career.
Why do you choose Feedmark?
This is my 6th year working with Feedmark and I 100% trust in their products. We put our horses through a lot of strenuous exercise in order to prepare them for competition so it’s vitally important they are receiving the correct nutrition in order to perform at their best. I like to keep things quite simple with my horses feeding so the introduction of Bespoke All-In-One™ has allowed me to get the benefits of multiple supplements in the simple form of one, easy-to-feed mix.
