A former head girl of top eventer Paul Tapner has won the 2014/15 Mark Todd Bridging the Gap (MTBTG) Scholarship.
High standard
Zoe Wilkinson, who is based in Oxfordshire, was one of seven to make it through to the final selection day, judged by Sir Mark Todd, British Eventing accredited coaches Lizzel Winter and Gill Watson and representatives from MTBTG sponsors, Keyflow Feeds and the Mark Todd Collection.
The riders had to work their horses on the flat,buildand walk a showjumping course with Mark and then ride the courseunder the scrutiny ofall three judges.They also had individual interviews with representatives from the sponsors.
“The standard today was extremely high which made the selection process exceptionally difficult but after much deliberation Zoe was a unanimous choice,” said Mark.
Great success
Zoe began eventing when she was just 14-years-old with an ex-racehorse that she retrained herself. She then worked for Australian international event riderPaul Tapner as head girl and yard rider for before setting up EZ Equestrian with Emma Owenin 2011.
The 24-year-old has enjoyed great success producing young horses, winning the Burghley Young Event Horse Finals in 2012 and 2013 with Parkfield Quintessential.
Her top horse GHS Calvaruise was injured from for a year, but this year completed his first Advanced. Zoe’s aim for next year aim is to ride him in the Bramham Under 25’s or the Blenheim Palace CCI3*.
Amazing opportunity
“I am so surprised as I’d been watching everyone ride and the standard was really high,” said Zoe. “To be mentored by Mark Todd is an amazing opportunity; every part of the scholarship will be important to me. Getting feed and advice from Keyflow and products from the Mark Todd Collection will all prove invaluable.”
Zoe will receive support and training for the 2015 competition season including three private training sessions and mentoring from Mark. She also wins £1500 worth of Keyflow Feed and £1500 worth of clothing, tack and horse wear from the Mark Todd Collection.
Second and third placed riders Kat Raybould and Tyler Cassells won BE training vouchers. All the finalists were given with a rug, jacket and saddlepad as well as receive feed and nutritional advice.