Zara Rawding

Ambassador Zara Rawding

Following the announcement of the winners of our exciting new Brand Ambassador program, we have asked them to take some time out of their busy schedules to answer a few questions.

The first of our winners, Zara, takes the Bed-down quiz!

Find out what she enjoys doing, and why she likes Bed-Down.

What do you like to be called? Do you have a nickname?
I go by Zara.

What or who inspired you to start riding?
My family have been riding for multiple generations, so I have been around horses my whole life!

Which discipline is your favorite (to watch and/or participate)?
I show jump, its what I have always done, but I do the occasional arena event where there are qualifiers for places like Hickstead.

Tell us about your current horse(s)
My main horse is a 2009 chestnut mare called Emora Karla SL, known as Maureen! She is a well bred Dutch mare out of a Harleem x Purioso mare, sired by Lord Z. I got her at the end of 2019 and have been jumping her comfortably at 1.10, I hope to get her to 1.20/5m by the end of 2022.

What daily routine do you follow to ensure your horse is always on top form?
I aim to ride my mare 4-5 times a week, jumping as little as possible at home. I tend to do flatwork once a week and hack the rest. Once or twice a fortnight I so some gallop work in the fields, and all of our horses go out for around 4 hours a day. Every night our horses come back in to get a much needed rest in their beneficial Bed-Down bed!

Can you tell us a funny story from when you have been competing?
One of my funniest, and to be honest stupidest, memory looking back is from when I was much younger. I was competing in two classes on my sisters gymkhana pony, Cobweb. I had forgotten the course in the first class, and then in the second class (with the exact same course) I messed up again in the same place! The funny/stupid thing was that the mare I was riding has already turned to go to the fence I had forgotten, but I pulled her away from what would have been the correct fence! Both times I got myself eliminated.

What is the best advice you have been given to help you prepare before an event?
The best advice I have been given to prepare for a show is just to enjoy it. If you spend your time over analysing what might happen, then you will forget to enjoy the moment before it becomes just a memory.

What Bed-Down bedding do you use and why?
I use Lavender Shavings in the stable. Being a chestnut mare, and a fit competition horse, the lavender helps to keep her calm in the stable. Since being on Lavender Shavings I’ve been able to keep her in the stable whilst the other horses are out, I have never been able to do that before. She loves to get down for a roll, chill and eat her hay!

I also use Excel, mainly for in the horsebox, it is great for long journeys and stay away shows. Not only does it smell great- which is an added bonus for when I have to stay in the back-buts its also really absorbent. It can last up to 7-8 shows before we put new bales in, making it really cost effective. We also found the Bed-Downs dust extraction process, EASY BREATHE, has helped prevent the horses from coughing while travelling.

The benefits have not only made a huge difference to my horses, but also to myself. Its made mucking out quick and easy which is great when I am at school, as it takes me five minutes, if that!

Keep up to date with Zara’s journey as a new Bed-Down Ambassador, and find out more about her by following us on Facebook and Instagram.