Jo Barry

Image: Jo at home with two of her horses

Jo started riding at the local riding school at the age of four. Weekly lessons soon became whole weekends and then on as many evenings after school as were possible.

Jo got her first pony, a stroppy chestnut mare, when she was eight. She taught Jo how to stay on and they took part in Pony Club, Side Saddle and ventured in to the world of showing. During the next few years Jo rode at many of the major shows, the RIHS, HOYS and Olympia riding in SHP, WHP and M&M classes.

With her 14hh SHP, Jo tried a few dressage tests and within a short period of time, showing was left behind and British Pony Team selection was firmly in her sights. In 1993 selection was achieved and dressage became an addiction.

On leaving school Jo was offered a job with Carl Hester to fill in a few months of her gap year; a few months turned into five years. During her time with Carl, she was head girl, rode many of Carl's horses and rode to PSG competitively. In 1997 she won the National Talent Spotting final and in 1998 headed the Young Rider Rankings. 2000 saw her head to the Sydney Olympics to groom for Carl.

In early 2001 she returned to her home just outside Edinburgh to run a livery, training and competition yard. It is from here that she is still based. She travels throughout the UK to take clinics, to train and compete. She has won seven National and numerous Scottish Championships. With her top horse Vivaldi V, who she owns with Lady Hope, Jo aims to achieve her lifelong goal of riding Internationally at Senior level.

Throughout 2010, Jo has competed and taken part in demos. You can view her recent results on her website.