Harriet Bradford

Harriet Bradford

Country of Residence: United Kingdom
Discipline: GB Carriage Driver
IG: Team Bradford Driving
FB: Harriet Bradford
TT: Harriet bradford

I am currently the leading single horse driver in the UK, being ranked 30th in the FEI rankings as well as winning the trophy for best driven dressage in the British Championships 2021, before scoring only 49 penalties in the dressage at Exloo CAI 3* 2022, a score not achieved internationally by a British driver for many years.
We have already competed in south and north Holland this season as well as Essex, with plans to visit Scotland, Wales, Sandringham. This year we represented Great Britain in the World single horse championships in France, where we finished in 44th place.

Highlight of career so far?
Being on the British Team as a senior in 2020 at Pau CAI was special. I really enjoyed the experience back in 2008 as a junior and to be back as a senior was a great achievement. My dressage at Exloo this year was very exciting, that realisation that we’ve got what it takes to be up there with the best in the world made all the long nights of winter ridden schooling and training worth it.

Who is the most influential person in your driving career?
I have to admit the British Young Drivers group gave me a strong base. I was a junior back before it became FEI and the belief our trainers had in us and the confidence they gave was fantastic. It was all a big adventure. I’ve had the opportunity to drive some world class horses and train with some of the top both driven and ridden trainers in the UK and have taken something from all of them. My dad is my main backstepper and has been from the start, he still usually goes on for all 3 phases of competition as well as at home several times a week.

Of the Zilco range, what are you top favourite products?
Our top product from Zilco is definitely the empathy girth. Rocky can be quite sensitive and he really likes how it distributes the pressure. This with the elite saddle with deep 45mm pads on keeps him performing at his best in the dressage phase despite being prone to tension.

What advice would you give to other drivers?
Find your support team and look after them- this sport is almost impossible to progress in without a team behind you cheering you on.