About Aileen Craig

Aileen's remarkable ability and resulting career originated from her upbringing, having had two parents involved in the equine industry. Her father used to deal in Clydesdales and her mother, following pony club beginnings, moved onto show jumping and eventually instructing. Apart from her parents, who clearly influenced her style, Aileen also received flat work lessons from Gail Smith (nee Scott). When asked at what age did she actually begin to ride, Aileen replies, 'I cannot remember, but probably before I could walk!'

Perhaps an indication of Aileen's youth is the fact she still has her first pony - something that I am sure very few equally established show jumpers could boast about! Surprisingly enough, Aileen also found the time for school-work and, in between competing, secured herself a place at University studying in Accountancy and Business Management.

In October 2002 however, Aileen finally gave up work to concentrate on producing her horses, incorporating it with several months in New Zealand where she worked for an International Event Rider.

True to say success found Aileen at a relatively young age - at only sixteen she won the Under 18 Championship, was a member of the Scottish Young Riders Team and won the Scottish Speed Horse of the Year Championship as well as qualifying for HOYS - at seventeen she was 3rd in the UK Young Riders Rankings and 7th in the U.K Ladies and by 18 was winning internationally and short-listed for the British Under 18 team. The Year 2000 saw her win (amongst others) the Scottish B + C Championship, Ladies Champions of Scotland, the RHS Grand Prix, British Young Riders B+C Championship and Leading Lady Rider in Young Rider's International at Cavan as well as the Senior International Class. By 2001 she was selected for the British under 21 squad and won the British under 21 Winter Championship as well as several Scottish Championships and the Young Rider's International at Cavan.

2002 won the Grand Prix at the Scottish Premier Show, the A+B Speed at the RHS, the Ladies Speed Royal Lancs, the Scottish Speed Horse of the Year and the Grade C Championship. A selection of wins from 2003 include South West and South East Scotland Championships, the BEF Most Promising Show Jumper at the Royal and again Scottish Speed Horse of the Year.

Aileen's success however was far from accidental - natural ability combined with dogged determination have led her way, although not without mishap. In the course of her career she has managed to break her collarbone, her arm, several times her nose, her hands and dislocated her knee! Perhaps the worst fall occurred at Champions of Scotland when the horse she had been riding tripped up at the 2nd element of a double and threw Aileen upon her head. It was initially feared that she had broken her neck, but fortunately it was later revealed she had sustained spinal shock. In the tradition of the hardy show jumper, she was back riding within the month and won her first return class and upon the same horse!

'But I have gained a little more self preservation,' she later laughed. Aileen's success may also be due to the fact she fully appreciates her horses and enjoys what she does.

'I hate to see people forcing horses to do things they physically cannot. If a horse is genuinely talented it will want to clear fences and therefore win. I prefer to let horses be natural.'

However, talent and determination alone has not made breaking into the top show jumping scene easy. Fortunately, Scotland has recognised the ability of its young rider and has accordingly awarded funding from the Lottery Sports Fund (Sportscotland) for several years, assisting Aileen to consistently, and successfully, compete in the UK and abroad.

And an ultimate goal? 'Well, an Olympic Gold would be rather nice!' Aileen jokes.

WHISPER - Perhaps however we would do well to take her seriously!