Chris Stafford talks to British born show jumper Amanda Derbyshire who arrived Stateside as a 21 year old on the brink of her international career eager to explore America while experiencing the different show scene and what opportunities there might be for her here. Her upbringing in the north of England had given her a solid foundation of horsemanship through Pony Club and having the opportunity to work with Nick Skelton and Laura Kraut opened the door to riding good horses—including Big Star at his first show. For the past seven years from starting out with Andre Dignelli at Heritage Farm in New York learning all about the equitation and hunter jumper worlds, she moved to Becky & David Gochman’s Baxter Hill Farm where she is now the manager and trainer. Amanda currently has four horses at four star level and has been on top form since the winter season in Florida. Returning to Devon Horse Show recently this for the seventh time she was crowned Open Jumper Champion after she won two major classes. Amanda is ambitious about where her career might take her and hopes to earn herself a place on the British team. Chris caught up with her at the Upperville Horse Show this past weekend and asked her about the pros and cons of being based in the U.S. 
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