Biography

Locally based British rider Becky Heappey (nee Woolven) gained her first Badminton completion on her last visit in 2022, with DHI Babette K her entry this year also. The combination has previously completed Burghley and Luhmuhlen. Becky (34) is based near Tetbury where she runs a competition and training yard.

Becky, one of four children, grew up in the village of Medmenham, Buckinghamshire. Although from a sporting family Becky is the only rider, determined from an early age to ride. Brother Tom and sister Jenna played hockey for England U18s while sister Pippa ran in the 300m steeplechase at the Commonwealth Games.

By the age of 14 Becky had her first taste of eventing on her 14.2 pony ‘Bluey’ whom she produced. Becky progressed through the Pony Club and had several good results at the PC Championships. Aged 17 she competed in her first BE event and four-years later at the age of 21 had produced her first horse to advanced level. In 2010 she made her first international appearance a winning one, claiming individual and team gold at the Student Riders Nations Cup (dressage and showjumping) in De Mortel and later that year won individual gold and team silver at the World University Equestrian Games in South Korea. In 2013 with Charlton Down Riverdance she was second at the Pony Club Championships.

In 2014 with LB The Phantom she, competed at her first three-star at Bramham, won the prize for the ‘best under-25’ in the British Open at Gatcombe and six weeks later the ‘best under-25’ and ‘best first-timer’ in the CCI3* at Blenheim. She completed her first four-star with Charlton Down Riverdance at Burghley in 2016 winning the prize for ‘best first timer’. Becky made her Badminton debut with Charlton Down Riverdance the following year.

Becky is married to Matt Heappey and couple has two young daughters aged 3 & 1. Outside of horses she enjoys tennis.

DHI Babette K (aka Betty) owned by Julie Record, is an 18-year-old Dutch-bred KWPN registered mare. She is by Marlon out of a mare by the great jumping sire Nimmerdor. She was acquired from Laura Richie-Bland in 2016 who rode her to 2* level. In 2019 with Becky they gained a career best when 9^th in the 5* at Luhmuhlen and the mare completed Badminton in 2022.