Get to Know Gracie

Gracie is an International Dressage Rider who has competed for Great Britian as a Junior, Young Rider and Senior, as well as being selected as part of the Great British University Equestrian Team and a member of the British Equestrian Young Professionals Programme 24/25. 

Gracie is based at her family home and yard near Bicester in Buckinghamshire. With the fields and arena directly in front of the kitchen window, there is always a close eye on each and every horse. Gracie’s mum, Julia, is a British Dressage judge and Gracie’s day to day eyes on the ground. Gracie trained her first horse to Grand Prix aged 20, making her long term partner Tsjebe Fan E’ Vesta Hoeve just one of sixty Friesian’s in the world to compete at Grand Prix. 

So far in 2026 Gracie has won three national titles at Small Tour level aboard Qwinton at the NAF 5* Winter Dressage Championships, as well as the World University Equestrian Championships held in Belgium. Here she became the first rider in the history of the championships to win both the showjumping final (1m30 course) and dressage final. Other achievements to date include 21 British Dressage Regional titles, eight Reserve National titles, three Area Festival National Titles and multiple wins in showing including the SSADL Olympia final, Royal Windsor Horse Show and The Royal Three Counties. 

Gracie graduated from the prestigious Loughborough University in 2025 with a degree in Sport Psychology, which is utilised day to day, during competitions and when coaching ensuring happy athletes and longevity in the sport.

Gracie’s parents Julia and Karl have owned horses for over 40 years. Gracie grew up riding World Horse Welfare and Blue Cross rescue ponies, giving seven ponies homes and making the most of often unbroken ponies that needed a good home. They went onto compete in Pony Club showjumping, eventing and showing. One of which is now 27 and Gracie now teaches her in the same Pony Club again, she was the most successful showjumping pony ever rehomed. 

From the age of 12 Gracie starting riding young Dutch ponies for owners, giving Gracie lots of experience taking young and green ponies to their first competitions. 

Gracie also has a passion for Friesian horses, stemming from Julia’s love for the breed. Their long term partner, Tsjebe, has been part of the family for 15 years and is competing at Grand Prix aged 20. 

Now collaborating with Fraithwen Friesians and their breeding programme, the aim is to produce world class Friesian horses as well as warmblood’s, starting with the talented Wytske Fan Ter Lune and Jeldau Fan Fraithwen.