30 year old professional event rider based at my parents yard near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire.
I have been a professional event rider since finishing a Business Management degree at Leeds University in 2012. I grew up in the Belvoir Pony Club and hunting in Leicestershire.
My sister Chloe also evented before starting her own interiors business.
I am very lucky to have an incredibly supportive family who have enabled me to event and get where I am now. They are both involved in my business and I am very grateful for all their support.
I have a brilliant team behind me my head girl Janet Willis has worked for our family for over 30 years so knows us all inside out. We also have a fantastic team who have also been part of the journey for a long time.
I am very lucky to train with Bettina Hoy for dressage and JP Sheffield for jumping.
Winning team and individual medals at both Junior and Young Rider European Championships is still a career highlight for me.
Winning Blenheim 8/9 year old championships was also a real high but I think my career highlight is finishing 5th at Luhmuhlen 5* and 8th Burghley in 2018.
To go eventing!!!
Last year was a difficult year with the pandemic followed by breaking my pelvis. Therefore I am just looking forward to getting back to the sport I love. The dream is to get back to a 5*.
I am feeling incredibly lucky and grateful to some very loyal and supportive owners for whom I have some very special and exciting horses to ride. Its hard to pick one as we have some very exciting horses both young and older ones.
Last years pandemic played into the hands of some younger horses so it will be interesting to follow them this year.
I think Izzy Taylor and Monkeying Around have shown what an exciting combination they are; and it will be interesting to see what they can do this season.
Laura Collett's London 52 was very impressive in Pau as were Piggy French and Tom Mcewen.
The Olympics will be very interesting if it goes ahead this summer.
Catch up with Willa via her website: https://www.willanewtoneventing.co.uk, Facebook and Instagram.
