Biography

It is a third consecutive visit for British rider Felicity Collins (26) who made a successful debut in 2022 when 21^st with RSH Contend Or – her ride this year also. The pair did not complete last year. In September 2023 they were 7^th in the 4*L at Blenheim.

Felicity is based near Hailsham in East Sussex where she runs her own yard.

A daughter of the late and former Badminton rider Vicky Collins, Felicity learnt to ride at a young age and from early on was keen to follow in her mother’s footsteps. (Sadly Vicky unexpectedly passed away on the 1^st January this year).  In 2016 Felicity won a European Junior team bronze medal and in 2017 a team bronze at the Young Rider European Championships in Millstreet. That year she was the Under-21 Champion. In 2019 with Contend Or she won European YR team gold.  That year she made her five-star debut at Pau with the homebred Just Amazing a close relation to Vicky’s five-star horse Welton Molecule and now a broodmare. (The pair did not complete). She completed her first 5* in 2021 with RSH Contend Or being placed 10^th in the 5* section at Bicton.

Felicity’s late mother Vicky Collins previously competed at five-star level – in 1996 she was 16^th at Badminton with Welton Molecule (later sold and ridden by Lucy Thompson and then from 1999 – 2005 to Belgian international Carl Bouckaert with who he completed two European Championships).

Felicity is ‘passionate about breeding’ and has developed a small breeding programme and aims to produce future champions of the sport. Felicity trains with Caroline Moore

RSH Contend Or (aka Mickey) is a 15-year-old Oldenburg registered gelding. Bred in the Netherlands he is by Nintender out of a mare by Toulon. He was acquired in 2015 from Richmond Sport Horses as a six-year-old. With Felicity he has competed in successful British Junior and Young Rider European teams and in 2022 completed his first Badminton. He is described as a phenomenal jumper and has jumped double clear in 19 4* event and 2 5* events. He is owned by longstanding family friend Avrina Milton.