Letting my trainer ride my horse: Rebel’s summer with Imogen

When I first became pregnant, I had a few things to think about with my horse, Rebel. I could stop riding and give him a holiday, carry on hacking without competing, or let my friend and trainer Imogen have some fun riding and competing him.

I chose the option with Imogen because I thought they’d both enjoy it. I couldn’t compete while I was pregnant, and I’d stopped jumping in March, although I continued riding Rebel myself. Having Imogen ride him meant he could have fun and gain some experience along the way.

There were benefits for me too, some of which became clearer once I was watching them together.

A job for Rebel, with someone who knows him

We’ve found Rebel likes having a job. With time off, he can become a bit too much and start making up his own entertainment. That’s what I’ve noticed with him, rather than a rule I’d apply to every horse.

Letting Imogen ride and compete him felt like a good fit for him. It was about giving him something to enjoy and the chance to gain experience with a very capable rider.

I’m very fortunate that Imogen Murray, of M.S. Team Eventing, is both a five-star event rider and a friend. We met through Pony Club as children, back when we were both riding 12.2hh ponies.

I was training with her before I bought Rebel, and she helped me look for a horse. She’s had a close relationship with him from the start and has been a huge support to me. This summer was the first time she’d ridden him quite so much.

Seeing his movement and jump from the ground

Watching someone else ride your horse gives you a different view. What I enjoyed most was simply seeing how Rebel moved and jumped.

Imogen is a far better rider than me. She was able to give him confidence and show what he could do, and it was lovely to watch him going so comfortably with her.

Seeing that gave me more confidence in Rebel too. I could appreciate his ability from the ground, rather than only knowing how it felt when I was riding.

And if you ask what I’d like to take into my own riding from watching Imogen: everything, probably.

What it’s brought to our lessons

There’s been a practical benefit for our training. Having ridden Rebel more herself, Imogen understands him better when she’s teaching me.

She already knew us both well, but feeling how he goes from the saddle adds another perspective to what she sees when I’m riding. That’s been a useful part of the arrangement for us.

I’ve also enjoyed watching them compete while I wasn’t competing myself. But the reason for doing it was Rebel: giving him the chance to have fun and gain experience with someone I trust.

The partnership on our Eventer socks

Imogen has also been one of our featured riders at Cool Horse for many years. Our Eventer sock design features Imogen riding her wonderful horse Charles, known in competition as Ivar Gooden.

Sadly, Charles died this year. You can read more about him and their partnership in Horse & Hound’s tribute to Ivar Gooden.

Summer 2026 retrospective. Archive date: 25 August 2026. Published and updated 16 October 2026.