Promising event rider aims for London 2012 Olympics

4:28pm Friday 11th April 2008

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A PROMISING Hereford-shire eventer has opened the season with a victory at the Belmont Horse Trials in Bristol.

Claire Deuten, from Bromyard, won the Novice section aboard McKenzie, who is owned by former point-to-point jockey Debbie Jackson.

The 22-year-old, who is trained by Bromyard’s Karen Nicholas, also finished sixth aboard Purple Rising.

Deuten will have four horses on which to compete this season on the international three-day event circuit.

The final-year BSc equine science student from Hartpury College wants to take her top two horses to compete at the Jardy (France) international three-day event in June.

She has already competed at two-star level and is aiming for CCI*** (advanced level three-day event) at the end of this season.

Deuten is working towards her dream which is to ride at the 2012 London Olympics.

Brought up in Dubai, she moved to the UK at 16 years to take part in three-day eventing.

“I have had to work harder than most due to a lack of eventing in Dubai and I also missed out on Pony Club and hunting,” said Deuten.

She has spent time training with Australian Olympic gold medallist, David Green, the former husband of Lucinda Green. Deuten has also trained with world-class dressage rider Stephan Kiesewetter in Germany where she plans to spend next winter.

Debbie Jackson, whose husband Tommy Jackson rode 100 winners between the flags, believes Deuten has a bright future ahead.

“I have two event horses in training with Claire, McKenzie and Tedward who is a younger horse,” she said. “Claire is an extremely talented young rider who is very brave and determined to succeed. She finally came to the UK at 16 because she wanted to be an international eventer.” Jackson added: “I have no doubts that she will be seen riding for her country one day and, hopefully, be considered for the 2012 London Olympics.”