Stories From The Saddle: Poppy Shaw

Poppy, Shentri and Danni walk home in triumph! Photo credit Nico Morgan

Poppy Shaw rode her first winner – on only her second ride – on her 19th birthday at

Garthorpe on Saturday 22 March, on Shentri for her employer, Kelly Morgan. It was a special day for

her in more ways than one, as it was her first ride back since suffering a heavy fall on the

same horse – when looking the likely winner – on her debut last month. Jake Exelby – who

Poppy told aged 16 of her dreams of being a jockey – talked to her afterwards about what

her first win meant, and how it became even better on her return to the yard!

Talk me through your riding career so far and how you got into point-to-pointing in

the first place?

I’ve had horses as long as I can remember. Mum used to do the Mounted Games, and I did

them too – I’ve been all over Europe. In 2017, when I was 11, at the World Championships, I

got crowned “best girl in the world” on my pony Cornflake, who was my Mum’s favourite.

Then in 2018 in Denmark, I won the World Pairs with Sam Hopkins, who’s won everything in

the sport. And last year, I went with England to the World Teams in Italy – we finished third.

My best ponies have been Caz and Frikka, and we still have Rosie – she was the pony on

whom I started in 2010 when I was four, and I was riding her when I first got picked for

England. My nine-year-old brother Charlie rides her now.

I’ve worked in stables since I was 13 and went to ride for Laura (Kelly’s sister, who trains

under rules) for work experience in 2021. I absolutely loved it – I kept getting run away with

on the gallops! When I left school, Kelly was advertising for staff, and I started there in

September 2022. I did an apprenticeship for two years and have a Level 2 NYQ with a

distinction.

When we first met at Kelly's yard a couple of years ago, you were clear that you

wanted to race-ride. What made you wait two seasons?

I was never going to be a jockey in my first year, and I waited again because I didn’t want to

go out and not be ready. I wanted to be noticed for the right reasons!

Tell me about your first ride. You were the likely winner then had a heavy fall. What

are your recollections of the day?

It was at Higham on February 9 th . Shentri’s in his second season with us and he’s been my

ultimate favourite since he first set foot in the yard. Kelly owns him herself and put him in her

Racing Club.

Before the race, I was nervous but excited, and we jumped perfectly and flew past Tom

Hutsby (on eventual winner Kayf Hernando). I’d never fallen over fences, not even schooling

at home, and neither had Shentri. It was bad luck – we didn’t do anything wrong but tripped

on landing.

I don’t remember anything about the fall. I was told I was knocked out for three minutes,

taken to hospital, spent four or five hours on a gurney and had a CT scan. I was discharged

that night but can’t remember a thing until Tuesday morning – I was asleep most of the time.

I then had to go for concussion tests and pass the doctor before I could ride again.

And talk me through Saturday. It was your 19 th birthday, you had your first winner, and

you were given Shentri as a birthday present!

How did you feel before the race, during it, immediately afterwards and in the evening?

I didn’t say anything, but I was fairly nervous about it happening again. But my nerves went

away as soon as I got on Shentri – what’s the point of race-riding if you’re not looking

forward to it?

The plan was to sit in second or third, but he was rotten keen (!) and we soon took the lead

as the pace was slow. He flew two out, I gave him a shake of the reins and lost my stirrup!

So, I pushed him out on the run-in with just one stirrup but knew he’d hold on.

After the race, I just gave him a pat and went ‘Oh my God’ and started crying out of

happiness. Louis Hadfield, my other half, who’s also started riding in points, came to get me

with Kelly and Danni Harris, who led him up. Kelly was funny – she said, ‘Well done. I’m so

proud. Now pull yourself together for the presentation!’

As well as Louis and Kelly, I really want to thank Danni. She’s like my mother at work. She

joined the yard at the same time as me and is so good at keeping me calm. And she turns

the horses out so well.

When I walked back into the yard with Shentri, everyone was following me, and I was

thinking that wasn’t normal. There was a card on a stool, which said, ‘To Poppy. You have

the best grandparents in the whole world, and you are now the proud owner of Shentri.’ I

knew they liked the horse but couldn’t believe my grandparents had bought him for me and I

was in shock. It was the best day of my life so far.

Which horse of Kelly’s would you most like to ride?

I ride ‘DJ’ – (Cheltenham Foxhunters fourth) Music Drive – every day and he’s a legend. We

mainly lead, as he can be quite strong!

I’d love to have a spin in a race on Go Go Geronimo – everyone does. He’s another legend

of the yard.

Which other jockeys do you admire?

Ellie Callwood has helped me a lot in the weighing room. She gets me ready and gives me

pep talks – she’s one of the main reasons for my win. I really look up to her. Before she

came to Kelly’s as stable jockey, she didn’t have the recognition, but I think she does now.

She was cool as a cucumber at Cheltenham with Music Drive – it was a big privilege to lead

them up.

And Gina Andrews, definitely. She’s like a professional. And, because she’s female, it’s

inspiring to me.

What are you looking forward to about the rest of the season and what are your

ambitions in pointing and racing?

This year, just to get more experience and make sure I come home safely. It would be nice

to have another winner, if I’m lucky.

I want to do a few more years pointing and maybe get a ride in one of the Foxhunters’, or at

least at Cheltenham. You have to dream big, and I’d love to go professional if I’m good

enough.

What do you enjoy most about pointing?

We always have a laugh riding out and ask each other what we had for dinner – ‘Not

Chinese again!’ When Kelly rides out with us, she can’t stop singing.

Every time I lead up a runner, I learn something new, from how to put a bridle on to how long

to walk the horses after a race to calm them down.

What would you do if you were in charge of the sport?

I spoke to Kelly about this and think that Novice Riders should be able to claim the 5lb

allowance in races other than Opens. It would give us more chances, as it’s really hard to

get noticed.

What are your non-horsey hobbies?

I just finish work and go to bed! I’ve just started running – I hate it, but I’m trying to like it as it

keeps me it. And Louis and I take turns on the Equicizer in the yard – that’s good fun.