Like many of our G&G Champions & Friends, we met Douglas through horses. During her recent move to the Borders, Douglas looked after Becs’ horse Zag and got him fit and looking spick and span, ready for the hunt season.  

Since the age of 10, horses have been Douglas’s passion and way of life. The youngest of three brothers and the only one afflicted with the equestrian gene inherited from his mother and grandmother, Douglas pins his love of horses to watching the 2008 Disney film “Racing Stripes” starring Stripes, an abandoned circus Zebra who believes he’s a racehorse.  

Receiving his first pony at age 12, a 14hh, 4yo dun Connemara, Douglas soon discovered the thrill of eventing.  

Douglas’s equestrian highlights include completing an Advanced, double clear on Shadow Lad at Thoresby in March 2022 and many 3* placings including at Blair Castle International. A rotational fall during the cross country phase at Kirriemuir Novice in April 2023 was a life changing experience which led Douglas to set up his own yard in September 2023. The ability to make decisions and plans for all the horses in his care is something Douglas particularly enjoys.  

With a busy yard full of horses for different courses, Douglas’s focus remains for the moment on growing his professional eventing business and developing all horses in his care to the best of their potential. Over the winter months, preparation and training for next season is key. With several exciting young horses in his team, the 2025 season should see them step up their game under Douglas’s skilful hand.