JUNIOR PROFILES: ARIELLE ALLEN
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Talented 15-year-old Arielle “Ari” Allen, a red-haired showjumping rider, is making waves in the junior equestrian world. Hailing from the renowned horsey family, the Sycamore Stables in Ireland, Ari’s passion and skill have led her to achieve remarkable results with both horses and ponies. Beautiful and shy, she carries herself with quiet confidence and a deep, undoubtedly inherited, love for the sport. With a certain flair, Little-Miss-Allen is undoubtedly one to watch as she continues to shine in the showjumping arena. She is competing at the Dublin Horse Show this weekend and once the event is over, she’ll be removing her tonsils then straight back to competing again.
STARTED RIDING: probably before I started talking or walking? My family breeds horses and they all ride, so it was a natural process for me. I love riding and competing and I generally love animals.
HORSES: I compete with my main mare Kandice Z and a couple of other young ones, six and five-year-olds. I also compete with my pony Marchesi Gem Stone.
TRAINERS: I train with my mother Joanne and with Sameh El Dahan. And on occasion, we seek the guidance of Youth showjumping Chef d’Équipe Denis Flannelly.
SPONSORS: because I represent Sycamore Stables, I am sponsored by the same brands such as the feed and supplements. However, I am also sponsored by Jod-Z, an Irish equestrian brand focusing on children’s horse-riding leggings. I am their brand ambassador and I was picked to represent them from a handful of other children. And, I will be collaborating with them on a new range very soon.
BEST RESULTS: some of my best results include finishing third along with my team mates Matilde Hughes Bravo, Misha Lennon and Henry Sinnott, in the ‘Children Nations Cup’ in Zurich - and coming in second in the ‘Dublin Horse Show Children on Horses’ Grand Prix, both in 2024. I also won the 1.30m 'Friends of the Meadows Grand Prix' in Spruce Meadows North American in June as well as being placed in the top 10 in several classes. I compete all over Ireland and as a result this year is the third time I managed to qualify for the Dublin Horse Show. I was also placed third in the ‘1.30m Two Phase Jumping Competition’ at Hickstead in July.
FAVOURITE ATHLETE: Sameh El Dahan!
ASPIRATIONS: to win the Dublin Horse Show, and an Olympic medal and to win every other horse show that comes to mind right now!
OTHER INTERESTS: I was on the Northern Ireland Netball training squad for under-14s. I enjoy skiing very much so I do that. HT
Arielle was born on 16 March, 2010