Gemma started riding at the age of 18 months when her mum Marcelle used to put her on her own horse as she brought him in from the field. By the time she was eith-years-old, Gemma had won the riding club junior (U17) Dressage Championship and also her first ever one day event!

After leaving school Gemma concentrated full time on riding, campaigning in pony trials and just missed selection for the UK team when her pony Cracker went lame. She did however then go on to juniors and the European Championship team in 2003 on Balfern Milly Molly Mandy, where she finished top of the British riders.

Team Golds

In 2004 Clare Heron, the owner of Jesters Quest, asked her to ride him at Windsor horse trials (with four days notice!). As a partnership they went on to win the GB U21 Championships and went to two European Young Rider Championships (Sweden 2005 and Czech Republic 2006) winning two team gold medals.

After a successful young rider career, Gemma moved into the senior ranks in 2007 and contested her first Badminton with Jesters Quest. They completed and won the best under 25 award; they also went on to complete Burghley the same year.

In early 2008, Gemma then won the 2* in Barocca d'Alva in Portugal on Nyali Beach (a relatively new ride) and the remainder of the year was spent bringing on some lovely young horses and upgrading her own horse, Ollie Artois, to Advanced level and also gaining the ride on advanced mare Kings Gem who was bought for her by owner Chris Stone. 

U25 National Champion

In 2009 Chris built a beautiful new yard at his home near Horsham and that is where Gemma is now based running the yard and her business.

2010 was a successful year for Gemma with Kings Gem winning the CIC** in Portugal and finishing eigth in a CIC*** the following week. These events were then followed by a second at Bramham in June with a great double clear in the CCI*** and then another CIC** win, this time at Brightling on Chamrock, In 2010 Gemma became the U25 National Champion.

To find out more about Gemma or to take part in one of her clinics go to her website www.gemmatattersall.com.