The former European champion reflects on seeking improvement rather than perfection, being hungry for knowledge and letting horses be horses
I’m lucky both my parents were highly successful in the equestrian world — my late father Josh Gifford was champion jump jockey four times and a Grand National-winning trainer, and my mother Althea was on victorious showjumping Nations Cup teams.
Dad always said never to stop learning, and I find it fascinating talking to other riders and those who are successful in other areas of life. I’m hungry to learn. Dad also said to be patient, a quality many people lack. You need to learn when a horse is trying for you and that success isn’t instant.
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H&H magazine editor and eventing editor
Pippa is a true eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand experience of competing up to British Eventing intermediate and international CCI2*-L level, and has worked in the industry on a top event yard. Pippa enjoys nothing more than immersing herself in the sport at the highest level, reporting from the five-stars and international championships, including the Olympics.
