Lewis Robertson-Provider and his greater than a-decade-long companion, Diego V (Spielberg x Welt Hit II) have been topped nationwide dressage champions on the 2024 LeMieux Nationwide Dressage Championships, after scoring a private greatest within the grand prix.
It was a whirlwind week for Lewis, who was driving down the centre line simply over every week after tying the know along with his now-wife Olivia (Liv) Robertson-Provider.
We meet up with Lewis to search out out about his profession to this point…
1. He doesn’t come from a horsey background
“I acquired into dressage a bit randomly, my household aren’t horsey however there was a neighborhood driving faculty again in Norfolk the place I grew up and a woman from faculty went there so I additionally started driving there,” Lewis says on episode 151 of The Horse & Hound podcast.
“Then instantly in the future my mum mentioned ‘Why don’t we get a pony?’ and it began from there.”
Lewis describes that first pony – Bella – as “an actual firecracker”.
“In hindsight, she in all probability wasn’t the best pony for me to have,” he laughs. “We’d hack and she or he’d bomb off at one million miles an hour throughout stubble fields. She very a lot taught me keep on and be an all-round rider.”
2. He’s come up by means of the degrees with Diego
Lewis acquired Diego 12 years in the past, when he was 15 years previous and Diego simply 4. He was discovered on the market at Dan Greenwood’s yard by his coach on the time, Diana Fisher, who was performing on a tip-off from Carl Hester.
They debuted collectively in 2013 at Keysoe scoring 73.45% within the novice restricted part. From there they debuted collectively at each degree from medium to grand prix.
“After I had Diego again then my goal was simply to maintain going by means of the degrees, I wasn’t enthusiastic about grand prix,” Lewis says. “At first, it was simply to go from novice to elementary, after which to younger riders, then under-25s, and now grand prix.
“It exhibits with time, effort and quite a lot of luck all of it pays off and I’ve been extremely fortunate with Diego.”
Choose Isobel Wessels tells H&H that what was most spectacular concerning the mixture was their journey collectively.
“You don’t get many horses going from younger riders to under-25s to senior grand prix and I hope their instance conjures up others to comply with of their footsteps,” she says.
3. Diego had his characterful moments rising up
“Diego was my first horse, so he was massive in comparison with the ponies that I used to be used to,” Lewis explains.
“On the time he was an brisk character who was at all times making an attempt to get into mischief whether or not within the area, secure or beneath saddle. He was principally enjoyable to journey, however he could possibly be very difficult.”
The truth is, one such difficult second left Lewis needing a visit to A&E and a few stitches again in 2013.
“We’ve undoubtedly had some ups and downs through the years, however he has continued to progress up by means of the degrees and he’s a horse that by no means ceases to shock me.”
4. They gained their first nationwide title collectively in 2015
Their first nationwide title was on the 2015 winter championships at elementary on 68.23%.
The Horse & Hound present report from that day by Alice Collins reads: “Lewis Provider goes locations. His fierce ambition and steely competitiveness are cloaked in a smooth, well mannered method.”
On the time Lewis was a working pupil on the Eilbergs’, whom he sought out throughout his Easter break from Hartpury School. “He’s acquired really feel, and guided in the best manner, he’s acquired a very good shot for the long run,” Micheal Eilberg predicted on the time.
“Micheal’s taught me a lot about refining my abilities, not solely as a rider, but in addition an individual going from being a child to a younger grownup,” says Lewis.
5. He’s labored with a few of the high professionals within the nation
Lewis labored for the Eilberg household for over 4 years, beginning as an apprentice earlier than transitioning into extra of a driving position. Throughout that point he acquired to journey a number of high horses like Woodlander Farouche and introduced Diego as much as younger rider degree.
He then went on to work for Anna Ross for just below a yr earlier than establishing by himself.
“I feel it’s worthwhile to acquire quite a lot of expertise earlier than you bounce into doing it your self,” he says. “Lots of people – actually myself – wish to department off on their very own and also you don’t realise that you simply want all of that have you acquire from working at skilled yards, being within the surroundings and watching and studying.
“As a result of as quickly as you step out into the large vast world, it’s fairly scary and when you don’t have that have behind you it’s actually, actually tough.”
He now trains with Carl Hester and Kyra Kyrklund, and likewise colleges a few of Harry Meade’s occasion horses on the flat.
6. However his profession might have gone in a really totally different route
“I used to do quite a lot of performing all through my faculty years,” Lewis advised Horse & Hound in 2021.
“I had a few auditions for roles in films and was provided the position of Oliver Twist in London’s West Finish as a toddler. After I left faculty, I needed to determine if I used to be going to go to drama faculty in London, or do dressage.
“That was after we discovered Diego, in order that led me down the equestrian route. I do suppose my performing background offers me confidence within the ring – when it’s you and your horse competing in entrance of judges and crowds, it’s like being on stage, however I don’t actually get nervous competing.”
7. Lewis and Liv’s first date was on the Nationwide Championships
“Our first date after assembly at a present in Hagen was right here on the nationals,” Liv explains. “I’d come as much as work and Lewis was within the inter II and as regular he didn’t have a groom so I stayed for the day to assist out – and that was like our first correct day collectively.
“So, it’s particular for us there after which we acquired married on the identical day we met there three years later.”
To learn our unique interview with Lewis Robertson-Provider in full, decide up subsequent week’s subject of Horse & Hound journal, in retailers from 3 October.
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