General:

Hannah has been selected to represent Team GBR at the 2009 FEI European Vaulting Championships in the Junior Individual Female class.

Hannah started vaulting when she was four years old and had her own pony called Toni whom she learnt to ride on. Toni was very gentle and Hannah still has her, although she is a little big for her now and so she is currently on loan. When Hannah was five years old, her sister began vaulting and Hannah was desperate to take part herself, however she was made to wait until she was eight – the same age her sister started. She first competed abroad in 2003 at Stadl Paura which was a large competition and nerve racking, although Hannah had already travelled to lots of other internationals before that to watch her sister. She has competed successfully at both Euroepan and World Championship level with the Scottish Equestrian Vaulting Team and Hannah and her sister Joanne were the first British vaulters ever to win a CVI* at Ermelo CVI* in 2008.

Hannah has been fortunate to receive training from many different coaches, although Annita Flammand-Prochaska is probably her favourite as well as her main trainer who is her father. Her sister also helps her out.

Date of Birth:

30th December 1991

Lives:

Tillicountry, Clackmannashire

Major Achievements:

2004 4th European Championships with the SEVT senior team
2005 5th World Equestrian Games with the SEVT senior team
2008 8th European Championships

Recent Major Achievements:

2008 Ermelo – First Brit to win a CVI* ever
British Junior Champion
5th Paris Masters

Top horse(s):

W H Bentley (Henry) who has been Hannah and Joanne’s star horse for many years now, gaining some of the top horse scores at the World and European Championships and also getting best individual horse at the CVI Ermelo 2008

Baroque (Brock), who is an extremely reliable horse and has helped Hannah to gain confidence in my vaulting while being a great friend to Tyke

Henry Tylers Kernel (Tyke), is the horse Hannah has a real soft spot for and can’t wait to see him keep improving and hopefully becoming her main individual horse in the future, he has so much personality and has learnt so much since she got him.

Anton (the animal) is a gentle giant he is Hannah’s biggest horse and has a lovely canter.

Age when started riding/vaulting and why:

At the age of four we got a pony called ‘Toni’ who I learnt to ride on, she was lovely and gentle and we still have her, however, I am a little big for her now so she is on loan to someone else. When I was five my sister started vaulting I was made to vault and was itching to start. However, I was made to wait until I was eight the age my sister started at, I was so desperate to start.

Name of first horse/pony:

Toni

First competitive experience:

I had travelled abroad to a lot of vaulting competitions before watching my sister compete so I knew what to expect. My first experience actually competing abroad was in 2003 at Stadl Paura which was a huge competition, so I was very nervous.

Trainer:

I have learnt from lots of different vaulting coaches but I loved being trained by Anita Flammand-Prochaska because I always felt after a weekend of her training I had learnt so much. However, my main trainer is my Dad and my sister also helps me out.

Most admired vaulter(s) :

My most admired vaulter has to be Nadia Zulow as she was champion for so many years in the past and her freestyles were always amazing. Although she has been retired for a few years now she will always be an idol to many vaulters. Currently I admire Kai Vorberg, Nicola Stroh and of course my sister Joanne.

Most admired sportsman/woman (non-equestrian):

After this year it has to be Chris Hoy Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps, they are amazing

Qualities you look for in a horse:

I look for a horse that has a really nice face and nature, and when we are trying them out if I do not trust a horse I will advise my dad not to buy it, (this happened with one horse we tried it turned out that I was right about not wanting it.)

Favourite competition venues:

love how all the venues are different but I really enjoyed the venue at the Championships in Brno this year as it was amazing and it had everything a fantastic competition should have.

Favourite meal:

Fajitas with salad, I love them so much or occasionally my own special stir fry

Favourite drink :

I really love fresh apple juice but we mainly have orange in the house

Superstitions:

I don’t really have superstitions, however, whenever I go into the competition arena I have to check the elastics on my shoes, but I do not do it as much now which is good.

Best advice you’ve ever been given:

Just to always try your best because that is all you can do

Who would you most like to have dinner with:

I like going for dinner with my friend Jenny and my friend Jenna when she comes back from Australia so we can all catch up. However, probably Harry Potter

Ideal holiday:

This would have to have a nice beach, scenery and lots of different activities, as when we go on holiday it is mostly skiing

Favourite TV programme:

Heroes

Favourite book:

A book which is light hearted and not too long

Favourite film:

Mean Girls

Favourite Band/Singer:

Girls Aloud, Take That, Leona Lewis

Favourite TV soap character:

Tiffany from Eastenders, she is hilarious