My BE Life: Nicky Salmon

Chief FEI Steward, rider, owner and breeder Nicky Salmon shares her passion for the sport and her favourite memories over the years

My first eventing experience was…

As a child I went to Badminton Horse Trials on a bus with the North Cotswold Pony Club and watched John Shedden win on Golden Willow. I certainly couldn’t have dreamt that I would be the chief FEI steward there now!

To me, eventing means…

Huge highs, low lows, great friends and that incredible tingling anticipation that you just might have the next world champion in your stable.

My most proud eventing achievement

This was when Andrew and Mr Cruise Control won the now-5* at Luhmühlen. I shall be forever grateful and humbled by everything Andrew achieved over the 21 years he rode for us.

I couldn’t live without…

My amazing, long-suffering family and the fantastic friends I work with, and don’t forget regular cups of coffee to keep me going!

My favourite eventing memory

Andrew Nicholson rode our Lord Killinghurst at Badminton in 2004 and was last to go in
the worst wet conditions cross country, before jumping clear on the final day and coming second – it was thrilling! Lord Killinghurst was a great character and I loved him. It was a huge achievement having been ‘off’ for two years.

The best advice I’ve ever been given

Came from my mother who told me that however bad things in life become, never give up.