Janice Cockley-Adams

International Endurance Rider

Name: Janice Cockley-Adams

Location: Cheltenham, Glos

Occupation: International Endurance Rider

Janice Cockley-Adams has been one of Britain's top international Endurance Riders for a number of years

She started as an international groom to the European Champion (Egyptian Khalifa / Jill Thomas) before representing GB as a rider for the first time in 1994. Since then she has represented GB in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Dubai and America.

Janice trained as a Zoologist and was a competitive athlete from age of 11 (sprinter). "The combination of physiology, psychology, nutrition, training and competition, together with the close bond between horse and rider, ticked all my boxes".She first took up riding 26 years ago – as soon as she started earning! Janice's Endurance career started in 1988 and her first race ride was in 1990
Janice was invited to take part in the first running of the Shk Mohammed Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, Dubai, UAE, January 2008. (The “richest endurance ride in the world.”) travelled with horse to Dubai for this.

Riding or Competition Achievements to date

Over the years I have been fortunate to have great moments on 9 different horses including winning the Scottish Open Championship (160km) and the Spirit of Sherwood multi-day 150 miles (240km),and numerous top 3 placings in the Red Dragon. Highlights with the two horses I have on the elite squad for WEG include:-

Roxane du Bout du Monde

·2nd FEI 160km Haywood Oaks April 2011
Selection for WEG
·6^th FEI 120km Dukeries, May 2010 (first European to finish)
·2^nd FEI 160km Haywood Oaks, Apr 2010 (her debut 160km)
10^th FEI 130km Le Pertre, France Oct 2009 final 22km + vetting in shoof
7^th FEI 130km Monpazier, France, Sept 2009 (first Briton to finish)

Khadidja du Pont

3^rd 2 day 160km Red Dragon, Oct 2009
Reserve for European Campionships
4^th FEI 120km Euston Park, August 2009 (first European to finish)
2^nd FEI 120km Dukeries, May 2008 & Best Condition Award (first European to finish)
23^rd (first Briton and 4^th European) in inaugural running of the FEI 160km Shk Mohammed Al Maktoum Endurance Cup, Dubai, January 2008.108 starters.The “richest endurance ride in the world.

Ranked 7^th in FEI World Ranking 2007(Rider and Horse combination)

Winner of the British FEI Championship 2007

·Winner of the Senior Grand Prix Trophy 2007
(Most points in Endurance Rides (i.e. races) by a British rider)
·Winner 160km Dukeries, May 2007 (her debut 160km)

Most Memorable Event

With Roxane du Bout du Monde together we have achieved the top 10 places in every race we have done together – including two big FEI 2 star rides in France. Most pleasing result was her debut 160km (April 2010) and selection for WEG.

With Khadidja du Pont we were ranked within the top 10 in FEI World Combination Rankings for 2007, and 4^th European in the Shk Mohammed Al Maktoum Endurance Cup Dubai 2008

Career Hopes

To one day get a medal in a major Championship……

Why Saracen Feeds

It has everything I need for my horse's health and recovery during training. The high fat content and balance of essential and readily available vitamins,means that it’s not just taking care of the energy requirements but working at the cellular level on the repair and maintenance after exertion. In endurance we ask a lot of our horses and need something that is working on every aspect of physical performance. For me Saracen has got the mix right and the horses love it.

Most Memorable Horse

I guess the first horse is always special and I say that he was the one that is responsible for me doing endurance and all my debts! All my horses are special and memorable to me and have some great performances. Looking at horses that inspire, there was Tarim in the UK who was the Team Gold medalist, European Points Champion, 3 x British Champion (sire of my stallion and grandsire of my youngster Chikara) and last year at WEG, Maria Pontin claimed her 3^rd successive title for Spain on Nobby, which was truly impressive and memorable.

3 Top Tips

1. Always listen to your horse – they do talk to you.
2. You never stop learning; the key is to ask, absorb and filter what you need.
3. Never underestimate the power of rest and recuperation in your training programme.

Away from Riding/Horses

I work full time as a strategic sourcing manager in a European role for a large US multinational ,so after that and horses I have very little time for anything else. But I enjoy friend's company and the movies.