Samantha Geddes
Samantha Geddes is a classically trained, highly experienced dressage rider. Sam has been around horses since she was 4 ½ years old, first learning to ride in America with Fred Pearson at his Trailmore Stables.
Her inspiration has always been the horse himself – the essence of the animal which she loves so much.
Since an early age Sam has wanted to be as good as she can be, in terms of understanding horses and how to help them to progress to be as good as they are able to be, but always to make it easy for them, never for them to find the work uncomfortable.
Sam's early years were spent with Fred Pearson in the USA, but when she moved to the UK, she began dealing in horses from the age of 15. Her first ever flat lesson was with David Pincus, himself a scholar of the High School, from his days studying at the Spanish Riding School.
Sam’s formative years of her riding career has included time with renown trainers such as Charles Harris, FBHS, Eventing and Show Jumping with Colin Wares, Steve Hadley, Peter Damgaard and Valerie Tory. Around this time Sam learned the art of breaking young horses and also experienced one of her most inspiring encounters with Franz Rochowansky aka Rocky. This inspiring man, the Chief Rider of the Spanish Riding School in the 50’s, passed his love of the horse on to many in clinics, including Sam.
Sam’s training and credentials are furthered by her time with Danny Pevsner, Arthur Kottas and Hans Erik Penderson which lead her to Katerina Ostbourne and riding her Advanced horses, a time that Sam cherishes with fond memories riding amazing horses, including the renown International Grand Prix horse, Olympus. Her time saw her take young horses, from babies to Grand Prix, a process that Sam continues to find fascinating and enthralling.
In more recent years Sam continued her training with Anne Behrenforsche and now more recently with Emile Faurie, but continuing her relationship with Katarina, who continues to offer advice and assistance in bringing Sam’s horses to work at their highest level.
These people, whom Sam feels privileged to have trained with were and are without doubt horsemen & women first, riders and trainers second,
each and every one show empathy with the horse, that is a quality that Sam admires.
Sam has many moments in time during her career that she values, too many to list, but she say when she has seen a horse that she has known and
started on its career end up at the top of its career it amazes her to think that they all start that way!
Horses Sam has found on her journey have included the talented ”Rex”, ridden by Daryl Thicket, who became World Breeding Champion, “Koffee
Break”, ridden by Andrew Gould who went on to successful Grand Prix Internationally. “Lucky Star”, ridden in the Bejing Olympics by the late Jane Bredin, then Olympus, a very special horse with an amazing ability – an Olympian by name and nature, Legrin, another ridden by Emile Faurie.
Sam’s time has seen her develop personal relationships with horses along her way – including Stærebogårds Apollo, a stunning Palomino
– known as Blondie to his friends. Blondie took Sam to the Regional finals at Prix St George (PSG) and to Hickstead at Intermediaire.
Blondie stood at stud at Upper Standen Farm until 2011 when he passed away the age of 22.
Sam is optimistic at the future of her horse DIORIII who is currently being ridden by Tom Goode at Emile Faurie's yard. Dior has a bright and exciting career ahead & has been mentioned in reputable company as an Olympic prospect.
Sam has developed Upper Standen Farm as a wonderful yard which has developed into a popular venue for both novice and advanced riders, catering for every discipline & with Sam's links to like minded professionals the future remains exciting.
