This first episode of the new season of Free Rein goes in a slightly different direction as I’m chatting to award-winning fashion designer, author and TV personality, Patrick Grant.

I went to Leeds University with Patrick many years ago. We used to go clubbing together (yes, he can dance). He's always great company and good for an anecdote, as you will hopefully hear in this podcast.

There is a somewhat tenuous horsey connection... I managed to get Patrick on a horse. It was the only way I could pin him down for the interview and it proved the perfect way to chat, with no distractions. Other than staying put on an ex-racehorse.

We talked about everything from buying a struggling Savile Row tailor with no experience of the industry, to winning Celebrity Mastermind and the time Kate Moss threw crisps at Gwyneth Paltrow.

Quite the ride.

Topics covered:
– Taking chances and backing yourself
– Building a business from scratch
– Confidence, luck and imposter syndrome
– Community Clothing and British manufacturing
– Fast fashion and sustainability
– Public school, privilege and success
– Celebrity encounters with King Charles and Kate Moss

A very big thank you to Mary at Moorcroft Race Horse Welfare Centre for the loan of Ken for the afternoon. 

You can find out more about the great work this charity does here:

https://www.moorcroftracehorse.org.uk/

Thanks for listening to Free Rein.

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Free Rein is brought to you by Kinda Brilliant Psychology.

Because performance isn't just about knowing what to do. It's about being able to do it when it matters most.

Michael is one of the founding members of the famous Whitaker showjumping dynasty. He first came to fame in 1980 when he won the Hickstead Derby on his first attempt, at the age of 20. He went on to win this iconic competition another three times.

Michael has also won Olympic team silver at the 1994 Olympics, and a haul of European Championship medals, including two team gold and individual silver. However, individual gold still eludes the 60-year-old - which is still hopes to win with his top horse Valmy de Lande.

Michael talks about his future ambitions in this interview, as well as his past successes. We also talk about:

I hope you enjoy listening as much I enjoyed making it. If you do, please don't forget to 'like and subscribe'.

Happy riding!

After rather a long break (sorry, long story), Free Rein returns with a bang, featuring an interview with international dressage rider Richard Davison.

Richard is a four-times Olympian and has been involved in dressage for more than three decades – not just as a rider, but as a judge, performance manager, consultant, spokesperson and much, much more.

Richard is interesting, charming and chatty, and always has an opinion, which makes him so great to interview.

In this podcast we cover a whole range of subjects, including:

There was so much great content, which I had to whittle down into 50 mins for this podcast. I hope you enjoy listening as much I enjoyed making it. If you do, please don't forget to 'like and subscribe'.

Happy riding!

In this episode Charlotte talks to international event rider Piggy French. Piggy is one of Britain’s leading event riders, with numerous wins and placings at the top level of eventing. However, a five-star win still eluded her – until now. After 25 attempts, Piggy finally bagged a major trophy – winning the 2019 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials with Vanir Kamira.

Other successes include winning team gold at the 2018 World Championships in North Carolina and individual silver medal at the 2009 Europeans at Fontainebleau. 

Piggy talks to Charlotte about:

Trevor and Caroline Breen are the most glamorous couple in showjumping. But they're not just a pretty face. Trevor has won the Hickstead Derby twice - winning it in 2014 with Adventure de Kannan and again in 2015 with Loughnatousa WB. He has also won the Hickstead Speed Derby, the Eventing Grand Prix and the Queen Elizabeth Cup. It seems fitting that Trevor and Caroline now live just minutes from the Hickstead showground. Caroline is also a successful international showjumper, having trained with Olympic showjumper Tim Stockdale. She also runs Breen Sport Horses, while bringing up their two children Mia and Ollie. In this exclusive interview they talk about: 

• How they met - and what attracted them to each other 

• Finally winning the Hickstead Derby 

• What makes Addy the one-eyed wonder horse so special 

• Their daily routine and training their horses 

• Why Caroline swapped gymnastics for horses 

• Why Trevor nearly didn't become a showjumper And so much more...