General:

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

Joanne started vaulting when she was eight years old and a neighbour asked her to come along to a session as they needed a new little person to fly! Joanne and her sister Hannah had a small pony at home to ride when they were young, but her first vaulting horse was called Barney. She first competed in 1998 at Oatridge. Joanne father is her trainer.

Joanne has successfully competed at World and European level with the Scottish Equestrian Vaulting team and with her sister Hannah, were the first British vaulters ever to win a CVI* at Ermelo in 2008.

Ranked: 5th Female in world rankings, 1st female in Britain

Date of Birth:

16th February 1989

Lives:

Glasgow/Dollar, Scotland

Major Achievements:

2005 13th European Championships Italy
2006 10th place World Equestrian Games, Aachen
2007 4th European Championships
2008 5th World Championships, Brno

Recent Major Achievements:

2008 1st Masters at Leipzig
2nd CVI** Saumur
1st CVI** Ermelo
5th Masters Wiesbaden
6th CVI** Aachen
1st Masters Paris 2008

Top horse(s):

W.H.Bentley & Baroque

Age when started riding/vaulting and why:

I started vaulting when I was eight as my neighbour asked me to come along because they needed a new little one to fly!

Name of first horse/pony:

Barney

First competitive experience:

At Oatridge 1998

Trainer:

My trainer is my dad John Eccles

Most admired vaulter(s) :

I most admire the vaulter Nadia Zulow. She was so light and precise when she vaulted and was lovely to watch.

Most admired sportsman/woman (non-equestrian):

I really admire Chris Hoy – especially after his recent success at the Olympics.

Qualities you look for in a horse:

In my opinion a vaulting horse has to have a good nature and a good rhythm.

Favourite competition venues:

One of my favourite venues is Saumur. It is a lovely competition right in the middle of the town. I also really enjoyed the world championships in Brno – as everything was all on site.

Favourite meal:

Pasta bake with salad then jam roly-poly.

Favourite drink :

Fresh Orange juice.

Superstitions:

none really

Best advice you’ve ever been given:

Quality not quantity.

Who would you most like to have dinner with:

Daniel Radcliffe

Ideal holiday:

Skiing somewhere amazing

Favourite TV programme:

Heroes

Favourite book:

Harry Potter

Favourite film:

Harry Potter