Top horsewoman, Romilly Simmons (16) from Taunton, is not only set to receive top marks in her GCSEs, she is also a stunning show jumper and horse trainer and is aiming for future Olympic Games.
Romilly, who buys horses from Ireland, trains and then sells them on to fund her riding, qualified two horses for the Horse of the Year Show last year which she bought as youngsters.
“I don’t come from a horsey family and am the first person really to ride seriously so have to find a way to fund my riding myself” said Romilly. “I bought the youngsters from Ireland and brought them on to qualify with lots of training in the arena and running on the Quantocks, near to where I live. The horses were only 1.48m in height and they were jumping 1.40m – nearly their own height! I like them to have lots of spark and personality and to enjoy their flat work and jumping.”
Romilly has jumped at the British Open at the NEC and come second in the Scope Festival in Staffordshire and has qualified for Scope again this year. She won speed classes at the Blue Chip Finals where riders come from all over Europe and won both of her classes at The Royal Bath and West Show. Her challenge this year is to jump her current horses, Godzilla, Fionn and Echo at the Royal International at Hickstead and to compete abroad.
Romilly who is staying on at Queen’s College Sixth Form to study Art, Ethics and Philosophy, Psychology and
Biology says she will not be going onto university yet and hopes to base herself abroad, riding in some of the top European and US championships and gaining experience by working in a yard, riding and training horses. In addition, Romilly, is currently sponsored by Griffin NuuMed (who also sponsor Zara Phillips and Debbie Criddle) and Condor Cases who support her greatly.
Said Romilly: “I have been very fortunate that Queen’s College has been so supportive and allowed me to take time off school to go to events. I often have to leave at Friday lunchtime and my teachers have given me work to catch up which I do either in the lorry going up the motorway or between classes”.
Said Queen’s College Headmaster, Chris Alcock: “We are very proud of Romilly who has worked exceptionally
hard, often getting up very early in the morning and working late at night to look after her three horses, and achieving tremendous success in the arena. Much of her riding she funds herself and has shown great determination and focus in training her horses. She deserves these great GCSE results and I look forward to watching her on television competing in future Olympic Games!”