Biography

It will be a first Badminton for British-based New Zealand rider Hollie Swain (34) who is based near Guildford in Surrey. Last year with Badminton entry Solo she completed her first 5* events at Luhmuhlen (18^th) and Burghley (28^th).

Hollie was born in Gore, South Island, New Zealand and comes from a family of racehorse trainers. She began competing through the Pony Club and started eventing at the age of 14.

After school she gained a degree in environmental science at Auckland University and during her time there, took time out, riding and competing in Atlanta, Georgia, for three months. On her return from Georgia, she worked for Jock Paget and Frances Stead at Muriwai Beach. In 2012, she relocated to the UK to take up a rider’s role at Paget’s yard in Wiltshire, bringing a horse with her as part of the apprenticeship. Four years later, she set up her own yard in Surrey.

Solo is a 14-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding. He is by the Oldenburg Solos Landtinus a successful jumping and dressage stallion, out of a mare by Praestegardens Hamlet (by the thoroughbred Temple Wind).  He was sourced from Denmark by his owners and was originally produced in the sport by Emily Taggart with who in he was 3^rd in the BE90 Mitsubishi Motors Cup at Badminton. He came to Hollies yard in mid-season in 2017.