Well-known for producing non-traditional dressage horses, with a particular penchant for Clydesdale crosses, Jane Lavington has successfully competed up to Grand Prix level. In early 2023 she moved from Kent to North Cornwall and (luckily for us) is now sharing her knowledge with local riders. We asked Jane to tell us a little more about herself.
Where did your love of horses come from?
I'm not actually sure as I come from a completely non-horsey family! I did live next door to a riding school until I was 4 years old so maybe it stemmed from there.
Who was your first pony?
I didn't have my own horse until I was 20 when I bought Serenade, a 6-year-old thoroughbred cross, who came from the equestrian centre on Bodmin Moor where I lived and worked for a while.
Tell us about your early experiences with ponies and/or horses?
I started riding at a riding school when I was 8, though I had already acquired a fair amount of theoretical knowledge by then as I was an avid reader and wanted to learn all I could. My Mum always said the first book I ever read was ‘Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners’! I had shelves full of books on riding and horse management. I gained a lot of experience on loads of different ponies and horses over the years at that riding school. I became a Saturday helper as soon as I was old enough, and starting teaching and taking rides at 16.
Did equestrianism become a career or remain a hobby?
It has been a lifetime career apart from a short spell as a Civil Servant but that didn't last long! At the time I was eventing successfully on Serenade and being asked by a few people to ride their horses and/or teach them, so I gave up my ‘proper’ job and became a full-time rider/trainer.
What made you specialise in dressage?
After eventing for a few years at Advanced level on Serenade I decided she had done enough, and we were both at the limit of our ability and nerve! I therefore needed to find another sport that we could do together, so we started competing in pure dressage. She was very good at it and, as we progressed up through the levels, I got more and more fascinated by the training involved. She became my first Prix St George horse and I then got involved in judging as well.
Why the focus on non-traditional dressage horses?
Basically, they were the horses I got to ride as I wasn't enough of a name to be offered the rides on really fancy horses! To be honest, from my experience as a trainer, I just found so many issues in either the temperament or the soundness and longevity of the purpose-bred warmbloods that I never seemed to have with the non-traditional horses I was working with. I have a particular fondness for draught crosses, especially Clydesdales, and find their work ethic and willingness to work with the rider so rewarding. I was achieving consistent results at decent levels on horses that were easy to ride and stayed sound, so I stayed with them!
Tell us about your competitive and teaching experience?
My first competitive experiences were at the riding school where I learned to ride. I was fiercely competitive in the gymkhanas there, coming home with six firsts and two seconds from the first show I ever did! As an Eventer I competed in both 1 and 3-day events up to Advanced level then turned to pure dressage which is my main area of expertise. I have competed at many Regional Championships, Area Festival Finals and the National Championships and taught alongside competing for over 45 years. Similarly, I have mentored several trainee dressage judges, helping them achieve Listed Status. I'm honoured to be invited to judge at the British Dressage Winter Championships in April 2025 which I'm really looking forward to.
What is your methodology?
As a teacher it's to make it fun and interesting whilst making sure people understand how developing and understanding the basics will help them progress more quickly and realise whatever potential their horse has. That’s whether their aims are to compete or just to have a fun, well-schooled hack.
As a rider/trainer it's to build a relationship with my horse that makes them want to keep trying when things get harder. An in-depth knowledge of biomechanics, to help horses that aren't naturally athletic learn how to use themselves better, is really important when working with the types of horses I have. The basics have to be spot on because I can't depend on flashy paces and looks to cover up any holes in my training! I also like to give horses time to mature and develop strength – I never back mine until they are 4 and then spend the first year mainly hacking. I'm very against young horse classes and doing too much too soon.
Which horses have you had the most success with?
The most well-known of my horses is without doubt Boston Deluxe, my three-quarter Clydesdale cross who came as a five-year-old from a dealer called Clip Clop Traders. I knew from the moment I put my foot in the stirrup that he was special and his successes started as a Novice, winning his first Area Festival, and continued through the levels up to Grand Prix with a few highlights being:
- Reserve Champion Prix St George Hickstead Masters Finals 2017
- 3rd Prix St George and 2nd Intermediaire 1 at Petplan Finals 2018
- 7th Grand Prix and 3rd Grand Prix Music at Midway Championship 2018
We even featured on the front cover of Horse and Hound together! Other than Serenade, my other most notable horses have been Celtic Legend, a Suffolk Punch x TB, who was my first horse to get to the National Championships back in 2000 and Idlecombe Georgia, a 15.1hh Welsh x Irish Draft ex-driving pony who also went to the Nationals twice and won the Medium Level Individual Championship at the Senior Home International.
Tell us about your current equine partners and what you hope to achieve with them
I still have Boston who is now in his twenties and enjoying being a dressage schoolmaster for Becky Kennen as well as doing some jumping with her, which he’s loving. I also have my Clydesdale/Hackney mare Madi who has been with me since a foal - she's a bit tricky at shows being rather spooky but is at Advanced Medium level and will hopefully go to the Area Festivals 2025. She also enjoys jumping. Then I have Mac who is only 4 so will start this year - he’s Clydesdale/ Cob/Irish Sports Horse and I'm very excited about him.
What’s life like for you now in Cornwall?
It's wonderful to be back after so many years in a much busier South East! I'm loving having the horses at home with such amazing hacking on my doorstep and I've actually got more competition venues nearby than I had when I was in Kent. When my best friend decided to move down here as well it was the icing on the cake.
Any final words?
I've really loved having the opportunity to become involved in Camel Valley Riding Club, both as a member and as a trainer. It's one of the friendliest clubs I've come across and offers so much for all types of riders, no matter what level you are or what your aims might be. The take-up for the training sessions is brilliant and I love working alongside Becky to help and encourage members to have as much fun as possible with their horses whilst learning and improving their skills. I also enjoy representing the club on my own horses at the Qualifiers, individually or as part of a team with other members.
