British Dressage National Champion Hayley Watson-Greaves isn’t your average dressage rider. She owns all her top horses, and didn’t even have a groom until two years ago.
We spoke to Hayley to find out how she made it to the top of her sport – and why she has Rubins Nite (aka Squeaky) to thank for her success.
You own all your own horses, which is very in unusual dressage. How do you fund them?
I don’t come from a lot of money. My mum and dad had their own business and worked very hard when I was growing up, but we were always a bit strapped for cash. When I moved onto horses I took out a loan to buy my first four-year-old, to get me started. Then I sold him to fund the next one.
I purchased all my current horses when they were two or three, and unbacked.
I also bought my family’s printing business six years ago, which I run with my fiancée, Paul. I always loved that the business has been in family for years, so I said to Paul, ‘If I get it, can you run it for me?’ He works there every day and I come in once a week for meetings.
How did you find Squeaky?
I bought him off a field as a two-year-old. His owner needed to sell him, so I paid his livery bill, which was £3,000, and he was mine.
I’m not going to guess how much he’s worth now. He will be with me forever, so it doesn’t really matter, but I think he’s worth a bit more than £3,000!
What did you think of him when you first got him?
I knew he was going to be a mummy’s boy. When we first met he was a bit nervy and the owner told me I wouldn’t be able to get him on the trailer. But I spent five minutes blowing up his nose and then he walked on with me.
I had another horse at the time, and couldn’t afford to keep both. So after I backed Squeaks I put him up for sale as an eventer, because his movement was OK, but not amazing.
A couple of people tried him out, but I turned them away as he was too sharp for them. So I ended up selling the other one and keeping Squeaky.
When did you realise he had dressage potential?
When he was six I was playing around with him in the school. He’s too sensitive for a stick, so I squeezed with my legs and got bit of passage. I shouted to my mum to come and have a look and asked if it looked as good as it felt! She said, yes, he had some elevation – and his dressage career started from that day.
I took my time with him, though. He is such a quick learner, so it would have been very easy to rush him, but he’s also a very big horse. He was 16.1hh when I bought him and a year later he was 17.2hh, so he had a big growth spurt!
What is he like at home?
He’s a big mummy’s boy and a diva! He knows he is one of the top horses on the yard and can be quite demanding.
He has set routines that he likes to stick to and is very particular about his bed. He goes to the toilet in one area and sleeps in the other, and he likes it to be clean in the morning, so he can go for a wee.
He also has a mascot, Kevin the carrot (bought from Aldi!), who has been all around the world with us.
Does he like a cuddle?
He likes attention, but he lets me know when he has had enough. He gets cranky and needs ‘Squeak time out’, a bit like a young child!
He loves his scratches, though, and would let me do it for hours. I’m allergic to horses, which can be a bit challenging sometimes.
It’s got better over the years, but I take antihistamine if I need it. I wear gloves to bath the horses, otherwise I get bumps all over my hands.
Don’t you have grooms for that sort of thing?!
Up until a couple of years ago I didn’t have a groom. It was just me – and my mum and dad helped out when they could. They came to shows with me, but it got to the point where I needed a groom. I still do all the driving, though.
How important has Squeaky been to your career?
Squeaks is my horse of a lifetime – he changed my life completely. He was my first international horse, we did the Small Tour at Hartpury in 2014 and things just went from there.
Isn’t there another man in your life that helped you reach the top?
Yes, I’ve been taught by Carl Hester for around 10 years. I was training with the late Jane Gregory, but she moved too far away, so I needed to find a new trainer.
I won a lesson with Carl years ago, when I was on ponies, so my dad texted him and asked if he would take me on. Carl said he’d give me one lesson and see how it goes. At the end of our lesson he said ‘when can we book you in next?’ and I knew I was in!
I try to see him once a month or more and he helps me when I see him at shows.
You were a reserve for Rio. Did you ever think you’d make it onto the Olympic squad?
When I was young I used to event and I had a dream about getting to Badminton. Then when I got into dressage I dreamt of getting to the Olympics. Ever since I bought my first four-year-old horse I had a plan to get there. It’s taken drive and dedication and I know I’m going to get to ride in the Olympics one day. I am very determined.
You can watch Hayley competing in the World Cup with Rubins Nite. FEI World Cup Dressage: Lyon is available to watch online NOW via H&C Play or Amazon Video.