International grand prix rider Steph Croxford and her husband Simon welcomed their new baby Benjamin Lewis Croxford into the world on 25 June 2010. Ben, so named by his big sister, three year old Annabel, arrived 10 days early and is already settling in to the routine at home in Derbyshire.

Weighing a healthy 7lb 5oz the new arrival has made his appearance in the middle of a busy competition season. The family are doing their best to resume business as usual on the dressage front with Steph and Mr President entered for Hartpury and Hickstead CDIs coming up 14-18 July and 26 July – 1 August.

“My stable jockey aka my husband, Simon has been keeping Rimmer (Mr President) ticking over for the last couple of weeks,” explained Steph. Luckily it was an uncomplicated birth so fingers crossed I’ll get back on this weekend and see how I feel. We’re not quite sure how we’ll manage the shows yet but at least the test is only seven minutes long!”

In fact Steph was schooling her five year old in sitting trot just the day before giving birth. “We’re going to rename him ‘The Inducer,’” she joked. “Never mind a hot curry or a bumpy car ride – I got off, felt a twinge and knew something was happening!”