RACHEAL KNELLER -
Website, social Media and Team Manager for: Show Jumping.
Racheal and her ex-racehorse Poppy at our Camp at Lincomb in 2024.
Racheal joined the Riding Club as a Junior member in 2002 with her superstar pony Jem, but had a break from us when she pursued a career in racing. She rejoined us back in 2015 along with her two ex-racehorses Titan & Roo, who she won 3 races on and joined the committee in 2021.
Racheal sadly lost Titan in 2022, but she now has a young ex-racehorse Poppy who she is enjoying bringing along and likes to attend our rallies and shows on. She focuses her veteran Roo on Hunting, Dressage and Showing and occasionally her partner Ben allows her to ‘borrow’ his pride and joy-multiple Grade 1 winning ex-racehorse Yorkhill, for the Area Jumping events who has recently been doing very well in our Dressage League too.
Racheal alongside her mom Chris (also on the committee) organise our fun social events at the club, including our popular Quiz Nights and Barn Dance. She also organises our Christmas Show and keeps our social media accounts up to date, so you will often see her filming and collecting content at all of our events. She also keeps the website up to date and manages our Show Jumping teams.
Racheal sadly lost Titan in 2022, but she now has a young ex-racehorse Poppy who she is enjoying bringing along and likes to attend our rallies and shows on. She focuses her veteran Roo on Hunting, Dressage and Showing and occasionally her partner Ben allows her to ‘borrow’ his pride and joy-multiple Grade 1 winning ex-racehorse Yorkhill, for the Area Jumping events who has recently been doing very well in our Dressage League too.
Racheal alongside her mom Chris (also on the committee) organise our fun social events at the club, including our popular Quiz Nights and Barn Dance. She also organises our Christmas Show and keeps our social media accounts up to date, so you will often see her filming and collecting content at all of our events. She also keeps the website up to date and manages our Show Jumping teams.
Racheal and her beloved Titan, competing at Dallas Burston Arena Eventing where the team won and qualified for the Championships.
M“You’ll be wanting to know what I had for breakfast next!”
Q- How long have you been riding?
A- Since I could walk! My mom used to pick me up from nursery on her pony Pepper and lead me home. I’d get straight off the rocking horse onto a real one!
Q- When did you join ESRC?
A- I was a Junior member and then I rejoined in 2015 after taking time away to concentrate on my career as a flat jockey.
Q- Who inspires you in the equine world?
A- I have a few. I grew up looking upto Pippa Funnell, William Fox Pitt, Mary King and Tim Stockdale. Then when I moved into the racing world I looked up to Silvestre DeSousa. He was so strong and tidy and always full of great advice. But now i'm more focused on Eventing, I currently follow Bubby Upton. She sits so still and makes it all look so smooth and easy….but of everyone my mom is my main hero. She is a great horse woman and has the patience of a saint!
Q- What’s your favourite horse discipline?
A- It was Flat Racing when I was a jockey, but I dabble in everything now as Roo loves Hunting, Mounted Games, & Showing, and Poppy loves Jumping. I’m most interesting in Eventing myself, or XC in particular.
Q- If you could own any horse past or present who would it be?
A- Nereo. He made Badminton look like an 80cm round of show jumps! Absolute superstar. Or Wiston Bridget of Tim Stockdales. The Shire X mare who jumped the Hickstead Derby with ease.
Q- What’s your silliest horse related injury?
A- I’ve broken most of my bones at some point riding fresh young racehorses, but the silliest injury was when I jumped off (set off cantering) on the gallops on a young horse and she threw her head back in my face. I went a few strides and couldn’t see a thing through all the blood. She caught me on my eye brow with the bridle and it bled so much. I managed to pull up safely at the top of the gallops even though I couldn’t see anything and I was absolutely fine, but it needed gluing at A&E. It has left a lovely natural curve to my eye brow now!
Q- TB or Cob?
A- TB’s all day long. All my horses are ex-racehorses. They are so trainable and eager to learn. They also have more manners than most cobs and eat less!
Q- HOYS or Olympia?
A- Olympia always gets me in the Christmas spirit.
Q- Mare or Gelding?
A- I have both and love both so I’m not really fussed. I find mares try harder for me, but geldings are more cuddly.
Q- What’s your horsey pet hate?
A- Messy horses! Horses with long manes, tails on the floor, fluffy beard's, thick muddy feathers, when people tidy their mane and don’t touch the forelock-the list goes on lol….I like a horse to look trimmed and neat and tidy, which is probably just as well since I run my own freelance groom service RK Equine.
Q- How long have you been riding?
A- Since I could walk! My mom used to pick me up from nursery on her pony Pepper and lead me home. I’d get straight off the rocking horse onto a real one!
Q- When did you join ESRC?
A- I was a Junior member and then I rejoined in 2015 after taking time away to concentrate on my career as a flat jockey.
Q- Who inspires you in the equine world?
A- I have a few. I grew up looking upto Pippa Funnell, William Fox Pitt, Mary King and Tim Stockdale. Then when I moved into the racing world I looked up to Silvestre DeSousa. He was so strong and tidy and always full of great advice. But now i'm more focused on Eventing, I currently follow Bubby Upton. She sits so still and makes it all look so smooth and easy….but of everyone my mom is my main hero. She is a great horse woman and has the patience of a saint!
Q- What’s your favourite horse discipline?
A- It was Flat Racing when I was a jockey, but I dabble in everything now as Roo loves Hunting, Mounted Games, & Showing, and Poppy loves Jumping. I’m most interesting in Eventing myself, or XC in particular.
Q- If you could own any horse past or present who would it be?
A- Nereo. He made Badminton look like an 80cm round of show jumps! Absolute superstar. Or Wiston Bridget of Tim Stockdales. The Shire X mare who jumped the Hickstead Derby with ease.
Q- What’s your silliest horse related injury?
A- I’ve broken most of my bones at some point riding fresh young racehorses, but the silliest injury was when I jumped off (set off cantering) on the gallops on a young horse and she threw her head back in my face. I went a few strides and couldn’t see a thing through all the blood. She caught me on my eye brow with the bridle and it bled so much. I managed to pull up safely at the top of the gallops even though I couldn’t see anything and I was absolutely fine, but it needed gluing at A&E. It has left a lovely natural curve to my eye brow now!
Q- TB or Cob?
A- TB’s all day long. All my horses are ex-racehorses. They are so trainable and eager to learn. They also have more manners than most cobs and eat less!
Q- HOYS or Olympia?
A- Olympia always gets me in the Christmas spirit.
Q- Mare or Gelding?
A- I have both and love both so I’m not really fussed. I find mares try harder for me, but geldings are more cuddly.
Q- What’s your horsey pet hate?
A- Messy horses! Horses with long manes, tails on the floor, fluffy beard's, thick muddy feathers, when people tidy their mane and don’t touch the forelock-the list goes on lol….I like a horse to look trimmed and neat and tidy, which is probably just as well since I run my own freelance groom service RK Equine.
Racheal and her ex-racehorse Roo competing for ESRC at the Area winter Dressage competition at Moreton Morrell.