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Rider of one-eyed horse chosen for dressage scheme

Alanna Clarke Dressage Dressage rider Alanna Clarke, riding her horse, in motion, in a paddock. The dark brown horse wears a white saddle. The rider wears dressage uniform; white trousers, a black riding jacket with purple trimmings, and a purple black riding helmet. In the background are white caravans and a blue horse box.Alanna Clarke Dressage
Alanna Clark and her horse Ella have been selected for the British Dressage National Academy programme

An equestrian said she was "honoured and excited" to have been selected for a competitive academy programme together with her "one-eyed wonder pony".

Alanna Clarke, from Elsecar, in Barnsley, is one of just 12 UK riders to have been chosen for the British Dressage (BD) National Academy programme in 2025, which is funded by Sport England.

The 22-year-old, who works full-time at a Leeds law firm, said her journey to success had consisted of early mornings and late nights, sacrifices and commitment to the sport.

Speaking to BBC Radio Sheffield on Friday, she said receiving the support and recognition for her and horse Ella's hard work had been "so incredible".

The National Academy provides athletes with nine months of training activity and support from British Dressage and external industry professionals.

Athletes like Ms Clarke were granted their places only after proving their ability in the area of dressage and a commitment to improvement during gruelling training camps last autumn.

Alanna Clarke Dressage Alanna Clarke standing beside her horse Ella, in the snow. Alanna wears furry hat and a tan padded jacket, she is wearing her auburn hair down under the hat, and holds the horse's bridle. The horse wears an ornate headdress and in the background are green snow covered branches.Alanna Clarke Dressage
Ms Clarke said the vision loss had not impacted riding Ella

"I've come from a single-parent family in what is perceived to be a deprived area with my little one-eyed horse," Ms Clarke, who started competing in dressage as a teenager, said.

"We've been trying really, really hard, so to receive that support and recognition has been so incredible."

She added: "So many people think it's such an elitist sport, but I'm a local girl from Barnsley, I'm here on a shoestring, with a passion and love for my animals."

Horse Ella, also known as Golden Girl, gradually lost the vision in the left eye after being diagnosed with uveitis, a painful eye inflammation, in 2019.

The horse's eye had to be removed in 2022, but despite the medical setback, Ms Clarke said Ella had been "brilliant" and had shown an "incredible amount of trust in me".

Ms Clarke said her horse, a 15-year-old Trakehner, was also the "least spooky of my three horses" despite the impaired vision.

"I'm really proud of my little mare," Ms Clarke said.

"I am looking forward to showing how awesome my horse is."

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