Greta Mason and COOLEY FOR SURE over the Speedi-beet Oxer at Bramham Horse Trials

Greta Mason and COOLEY FOR SURE are pictured at Bramham Horse Trials in 2022, on their way to second place in the long format 4* class for under 25 riders, and the title of British Under-25 Champion 2022.

Rider background

Greta was born in Melbourne, Australia and lived there until she was eight-years-old. The family then relocated to the United Kingdom where she and her twin brother Silas started riding. Equestrianism became a big part of Greta’s life as, after moving to England, her mother Sarah became a successful horse breeder after a mare they owned was injured and could no longer be ridden so was put in foal. Silas is now an equine vet.

Greta was an active member of the Burghley Pony Club, taking part in all activities and teams, including representing her Club at the Pony Club Championships on three occasions. She now enjoys ‘giving back’ to the organisation that provided her solid equine grounding – she passed her AH test with Honours – regularly teaching members of the VWH branch, close to where she is now based.

Now 24-years-old, Greta has produced many horses up the levels, from four-year-olds just starting out up to advanced level, including contesting the Young Rider trials on both Tinkas Pearl and Cooley For Sure.

After leaving school, a career with horses beckoned, and Greta spent time as a working pupil with Tiny Clapham before setting up her own yard at her parents home. In 2020 she moved to Wiltshire to base with Rodney Powell and Alex Franklin, in order to take advantage of the excellent training on offer, and stand on her own two feet.

As well as teaching and training her own horses at home, she also rides out racehorses for Hetta Stevens in the mornings, appreciating how riding the young horses helps keep herself fit whilst learning about getting horses really fit.

2022 has been Greta’s most successful to date, with an advanced intermediate win at Cirencester, an advanced fourth place at Chatsworth, and most recently the runner-up spot at Bramham 4*L which earnt her the British National Champion title. She finished the season with a 14th place at Pau, her first 5* competition.

COOLEY FOR SURE (Results)

Gender: Gelding
Foaled: 2007
Height: 16.1
Sire: RAMIRO B
Dam: Unknown
Sire of Dam: Unknown
Owner(s): Sarah Winfrey

Sired by the legendary eventing sire RAMIRO B, out of an unknown or unregistered dam, and owned by Greta’s mother Sarah Winfrey.

Notable Results for Rider and Horse

2023

Aston-L:e-Walls Adv – 3rd

2022

Ballindenisk 4*S – 4th
Cornbury House 3*S – 3rd
Bramham 4*L U25 – 2nd (British Champion)