13 May 2010 Pilots in Profile - Charlotte Tizzard
by Carolyn Tanner
photo: Nick Jay
Charlotte Tizzard becomes the latest to answer our questions in the Pilots in Profile series.
Charlotte Tizzard is recognised as one of the country's best lady riders. Her second ride of the current campaign brought up her 100th career success, 25 of those having been achieved under Rules. In 2000 she became the first recipient of the Princess Royal Trophy (for U-21 female riders) and shared the national novice championship with Ollie Green (now Jackson). Her best season between the flags was in 2008-9, when she rode 13 winners and finished fourth in the ladies' championship.
Date of birth: 29 December 1983
Marital status: Young, free and single.
Job or profession: I run a Point-to-Point yard. I took over the training from my father Alan about four years ago. Some of my horses go home to their owners at the end of the season but some remain here. I like to keep riding all year to keep myself fit - I went to Jessica Harrington's last year and for the previous six years I was at Paul Nicholls's for the summer.
Are you from a racing background? If not, how did you get started in Point-to-Pointing? Yes, my dad rode in Points and I used to go and watch him when I was very young. My uncle Colin, who's now a successful licensed trainer, also rode, and his son, my cousin Joe, is a professional jockey.
What was your first ride in public? Millyhenry at Barbury Castle on 23 January 2000, when I was 16. He was bred and owned by my grandparents Les (who died a few years ago) and Marjorie.
First winner - name the horse, owner & trainer, the date & the course. It was actually the first ride, in a Novice Riders' race. My uncle Colin put my irons down about six holes because he thought I was riding way too short, so I felt as if I was out hunting. I wasn't nervous but I started off steadily and kept getting closer to the front when a few fell in front of me. I really enjoyed it, although I suppose I wasn't very aware of anything around me.
Apart from the first winner, what has been your most memorable ride? There are two. The first one was Irbee, trained by Paul Nicholls, in the 2003 Aintree Fox Hunters. I was in second at the elbow but he faded up the run-in. We finished fourth but I had a great ride. The other one was last season when I finished second on Turthen in the Cheltenham Foxhunters. We jumped the last in front but were passed by Richard Burton on Cappa Bleu. In some ways it was a bit disappointing but on the other hand I was thrilled to be second.
Is there a ride you look back on and think "could have done better?" Yes, every time I finish second.
For which trainers to you mainly ride? Charlie Fox, Monique Pike, Jane Western, Sarah Faulks and a few other local trainers, plus my own yard, of course.
Who has been most influential on your riding career so far? My parents, especially my dad who has supported me right from the start. There wouldn't be many times he hasn't come to watch me ride. He is also like an agent, as he wants me to have as many winners as I can.
Which are your favourite courses? And for what reasons? Cothelstone. I'm leading jockey there and it's where I have the most winners. Also Badbury Rings which is a local track - it's not too far to travel!
What car do you drive? An Audi A3. I've only had it since October so I'm still proud enough of it to keep it clean! I definitely wouldn't swap it. I only drive about 8-10,000 miles a year as I travel to quite a few meetings in the horsebox.
Name your perfect night in and perfect night out. In is a nice meal, not cooked by myself because I can't cook, and a few glasses of wine watching some of my wins on DVD.
Out is something like a hunt ball where I can enjoy a good dance.
Where do you like to go on holiday? Anywhere hot where I can relax. I'd love to go to Barbados. I never think about skiing as I'm always too busy with the horses.
Who would be your ideal travelling companions to the races? My aunt Julie and my sister Gemma because they like to have a good gossip!
What's currently on your iPod? I haven't got one.
What are your favourite films and TV programmes? Any comedy films - I did enjoy Notting Hill. And on TV, the soaps and of course the racing channels.
What has been either your own funniest incident, or the most amusing thing you have seen or heard at the races? It was at the Berkeley last year. Four of us were standing showing our horses the first fence when suddenly somebody came past us and actually jumped it. He'd tried to pull up but his horse thought it had to jump.
Who are your biggest heroes in racing? Ruby Walsh and A P McCoy.
Which particular horse (in any discipline) would you like to ride? I've been lucky enough to ride Master Minded on the gallops when Georgie [Browne] wasn't available, and I'd love to ride him in a race. He's different class.
Apart from race-riding, in what other sports do you participate? Only going to the gym twice a week before the season! Once I'm racing fit I stop going.
Do you have any regrets in your riding career to date? Not really.
What ambitions do you have in racing? To become ladies' Point-to-Point champion.
What is your opinion on December racing? I am all for it, but I would like to see more meetings, and perhaps at some different tracks. Perhaps we could do what the Irish do, start and finish earlier, before the ground gets too firm.
What are your opinions on the changes in Point-to-Pointing in recent years, and what changes do you think would benefit the sport in the future? I think it is good to encourage young horses, i.e. four-year-olds, but I would like to see some flat races, run over about two miles, to get them started.
I would also like to see more opportunities for lady riders. If they could be given an allowance of, say, 7lbs, when they were riding against men in mixed races, owners would be more keen to put up the women.
