Jess swaps net for the saddle

SHOW JUMPING: SCHOOLGIRL Jess Greenwood, one of Oldham’s top netball players, has quit the sport to pursue her dream of becoming a leading showjumper.

The 14-year-old from Moorside admitted it was an agonising decision as she was a member of the Oldham Netball Club team which last year was crowned national championships in the age group.

Jess, who played wing defence and who has also represented Lancashire girls, said: “I was training three or four times each week for netball which was a big commitment. Together with looking after my horse, and having homework to do, it became too demanding.”

Jess, who remains captain of the netball team at Withington Girls Grammar School, admitted it was a difficult decision.

But she believes she has made the right choice as she saddles up to make a name for herself in the equestrian world.

Jess has already stepped up from ponies to horses, even though she is still eligible to ride in pony classes for a further two years.

It is a big step up but one which Jess has done with ease on Zonia, her imported 16hh bay Dutch warmblood which was bought for her last Christmas and which is stabled at Saddleworth Livery, Dobcross.

Jess, who has been riding since the age of four, has already been placed at British Show Jumping Association (BSJA) newcomer events at Derby and Ormskirk where she has competed against adults.

It is part of the learning curve but one which Jess is relishing as she is trained by Oldham showjumper Gemma Knox, who is now based at Chorley.

Jess, whose dream would eventually be to represent Great Britain at under-18 junior level, is in good hands as her mentor Gemma is a former winner of the Scottish Ladies’ Championship in 2004.

That qualified her to compete in the Queen Elizabeth 11 Cup, one of the feature classes at the Royal International Horse Show, only to have to pull out because her horse was unsound.