EAST Lancashire rider Joanna Jackson (pictured right), has been shortlisted to represent Britain in the Olympic dressage team in Atlanta. Now she is set to undergo intensive training in the hope of making sure her Olympic dream comes true

THE grace, elegance and discipline of the Olympic dressage arena in Atlanta is the goal for Ribble Valley horsewoman Joanna Jackson.

The 26-year-old Chatburn girl is in training in her bid for a place in the Games team.

She said: "It has always been my dream to ride in the Olympics. I couldn't believe it when I was shortlisted. I've got to stick to a strict training programme. You have to be exceptionally fit to cope with it all - especially with the heat."

Competing in the big time is nothing new for Joanna, from The Royds, who has already clinched a number of titles in Britain and has represented her country abroad in international contests.

And to family and friends her success has been anything but surprising. Joanna showed a natural flair for horsemanship when she was just three years old, competing on show ponies and winning the Working Hunter Pony of the Year.

Her talent, combined with the ultimate in training opportunities, have been the ideal combination to produce a top class horsewoman. But her career has not been without tragedy. Her horse broke it's back over a tough, demanding cross-country race and for the first time in her life 17-year-old Joanna lost her confidence to ride.

The accident happened on the day before a regional dressage talent spotting competition. Distraught Joanna was persuaded into competing by her family. She managed to overcome her trauma and came away with the title. This victory sealed her future in the equestrian dressage world after dabbling in eventing, which includes show jumping, dressage and cross-country.

Dressage originates from the ancient Greeks and is a test of the horse's obedience skills through a series of movements such as a walk, trot and canter.

The sport is enjoying a surge in popularity thanks to competitors such as Joanna and there are now more than 10,000 riders nationally.

Joanna got her big break at an equestrian talent spotting contest when former Olympic dressage rider Lady Elizabeth Joicey saw her potential and offered to help train her at her Northumberland home in preparation for the national heat finals of the event.

Joanna eventually won on a horse called Mester Mouse which Lady Joicey allowed Joanna's family to buy a part share in. Joanna said: "I owe everything to Lady Joicey, who really taught me a lot about dressage. If it wasn't for her I wouldn't be where I am today."

Part of Joanna's prize for the national heat final was a once-in-a-lifetime chance to train for six months with renowned trainer Arthur Kottas at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, where she rode 20 horses a day from novice to Grand Prix standard, and rubbed shoulders with some of the best riders in the world.

Since then Joanna has competed six times in national and international competitions as part of the senior British team, travelling to Holland, Germany and Luxembourg and sweeping the board at the European Castle Classic Tournament for the second year running.

And in the European Championships in Luxembourg last year, she was the highest placed British team member.

Joanna is galloping from strength to strength and is aiming for the top as she waits to see if her competition results get her to the Olympics.

Meanwhile, to make ends meet, Joanna is teaching people to ride as well as breaking in ponies at her parent's stables at Chatburn.

She is back in the saddle next week at Buckinghamshire where she will undergo intensive training in her bid to join the cream of the sporting world. The Dunkenhalgh Hotel in Clayton-le-Moors have offered her their facilities free on the run up to the Olympics in August.

"I feel very lucky to be using such top class facilities and the steam room will get me used to the hot climate," she said.

Joanna is being loaned a horsebox for the Olympics and future competitions but needs sponsors to help pay the £8,000 needed to kit out the inside and pay for travelling expenses.

Anyone who is interested can contact Joanna on 01200 441271.

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