Get to know Charlotte Ash, winner of the 2025 Ella Popely Mentorship Award
Thursday 23 January 2025
Twenty five-year-old Charlotte Ash ended 2024 on a high as she was awarded the Ella Popely Mentorship Award for 2025 at the London International Horse Show (LIHS), held at the Excel Arena.
Finishing fourth in the Evoke Under 25 British Showjumping Championship Final at LIHS with her long-term partner Irma Reinde, Charlotte will follow in the footsteps of previous award winners and enjoy a year-long mentorship with a coach of her choosing.
Charlotte has quickly justified the award as she started 2025 with a win, heading the SEIB Winter Novice Championship Qualifier at Kelsall Hill Equestrian Centre’s Cheval Liberte Winter Classic riding Nubata JX Scais.
In the exclusive feature, British Showjumping caught up with Charlotte to find out what this mentorship means to her and all about her plans for the upcoming year:
“Hi, I’m Charlotte, a showjumper living on a farm in Northumberland. I’ve lived here all my life, so naturally I was riding ponies before I could even walk. My Mum, Shirley, was a keen showjumper when she was younger and encouraged me to compete. From jumping on the lead rein through to 148cm ponies, I’ve worked my way up the ranks and am proud to have achieved success on home produced ponies. Although producing ponies was a longer route, it meant that every goal I reached was so much more rewarding.
“Some of my favourite memories during my time on ponies include winning at Scope Festival, Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and being a part of four winning pony Nations Cup teams. However, the highlight of my pony career would have to be winning team gold at the Pony European Championships in Malmo, Sweeden on Aughnashammer, a pony that forged a path for me in the showjumping world.
“In 2020 my Mum and I started our business, Ash Sport Horses; we want to breed and produce top quality horses, sired from the best ranking stallions with the aim of reaching the highest level of the sport. Over the years we have built up a very exciting string of horses, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them!
“2024 was a very exciting year for me. There were so many highlights including jumping a double clear and finishing sixth in the 1.55m Royal Highland Grand Prix, jumping double clear for fourth place in the Longines Ranking class at Bolesworth International, as well as jumping double clear to finish fourth in the Under 25 Final at LIHS.
“However, jumping my first ever 1.60m class (the NAEC Stoneleigh Cup) on a stage as big as HOYS with my horse of a lifetime, Irma Riende, is up there as one of the best moments of the year. She took it all in her stride and just clipped the last fence, but I came out the ring and looked at mum and said, ‘That’s it, we’re jumping the Grand Prix tomorrow!’ We went on to jump one of only five clears in the first round and finished seventh overall in the Leading Showjumper of the Year class. To be competing amongst some of the best riders in the world really was a dream come true.
“To receive the Ella Popley Mentorship Award is an absolute honour. I can’t thank Lea Popley, Claire Whitaker, Chris Baldwin, British Showjumping and everyone behind the foundation enough for this fantastic opportunity, they really don’t come around so often! It’s inspiring to see the young riders who have previously won this award make their way in the senior world with the kind support of their mentors and I can’t wait to see what I am able to achieve as well.
“The award started in 2017 in loving memory of Ella. I remember being on youth teams alongside Ella which makes receiving this award feel even more special. She brought so much joy to the showjumping community, and I think we could all have a bit more Ella in us. We made so many unforgettable memories that I remember fondly and never fail to make me laugh!
“Mentors don’t come much better than Anthony Condon. Growing up Anthony has always been someone I look up to, from his ability to get the best out of every horse he sits on, to the way he runs his super successful business. I am unbelievably excited to take in his wealth of knowledge and progress through the sport whilst growing my own business alongside my mum.
“The application process alone was a really interesting experience and a great way to crystalise my short-term and long-term ambitions. I have already started the year with a much clearer show plan, thanks to the help of Anthony and Lea, and relish having their experience to support me. We have some big goals in mind for this season, including plenty of top national and international shows with my main ambition being to be selected to compete on a Senior Nations Cup team. I have no doubt Anthony is the man to steer me in the right direction.”
Follow Charlotte on Instagram to keep up with her journey: @charlotteash3 / @ash.sport.horses
