Jumping
Daniel Neilson
Show Jumper
Daniel Neilson is part of a new breed of show jumpers in the UK; he likes to keep fit. Not content with riding eight to ten horses every day Dan also works out, runs and boxes in his spare time. He is a man on a mission aiming high; Dan’s sights are firmly set on the London 2012 Olympics.
Dan is 18 years old and has been riding since he was six years old and has already represented his country 3 times winning:
- The European Pony Championship (Under16) team and individual gold in 2006.
- The European Junior Championship (U 18) team bronze and individual silver in 2007
- The European Junior Championship (Under 18) team gold in 2008.
Dan is also the current Leading Young Show Jumper of the Year, won at the prestigious London Intentional Show at Olympia.
Dan is now competing at senior level and living full-time in Essex under the care of trainers Jason and Katrina Moore. In return for coaching, board and lodging, and the chance to practice every day, he works in their yard and helps to school their horses.
Dan has a fine team of horses to ride in 2008 combining the experience and quality of his international rides High Tone Z and Millena 8, oscar, pikalino with some good young horses that are coming through the ranks, namely: Attack, Iolanthi, , Varo m and Chauvinist.
Dan’s priorities now are to retain his Young Show Jumper of the Year title at Christmas and establish himself in the senior ranks, and put himself firmly in the frame for London 2012.
Dan Neilson is among the British athletes who BBC Sport will be following during the countdown to London 2012. He has been chosen as the BBC’s face of equestrianism.
