Oakley Nash from Buckinghamshire is January’s NAF Shining Star
Friday 11 February 2022
Seven-year-old Oakley Nash from Buckinghamshire has been awarded the first NAF Shining Star of 2022. Oakley is a member of the Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire Academy and was nominated for the award by her coach, Claire Darwin.
Last year, at just six-years-old, Oakley joined the Beds and Bucks Academy. Academy coach, Claire Darwin, says “Oakley has two ponies, who she works so hard with, I’ve never seen a child with such determination. She is a lovely part of the academy and always makes new members feel so welcome. Oakley has all the attributes to go far in the sport and I wish her lots of luck for 2022”.
Last year Oakley and one of her two ponies, Tommy, represented her academy at the British Showjumping National Championships. Tommy could be quite difficult at the start though, explains Oakley, “He was very tricky and too fast for me when I first got him. He wasn’t a very good jumper either but we’ve taught each other. I’m so proud of him”.
Candy is Oakley’s other pony, a 128cm chestnut mare, who she is working very hard with. “Candy jumps quite fast and also big sometimes but she looks after me. I love her so much”, Oakley explains. “My aims for 2022 are to train very hard to get used to Candy so we can gain our Stepping Stones qualification and compete at the British Showjumping National Championships”.
Oakley is delighted to receive the award, stating “‘I feel absolutely amazing and so happy about being awarded the Shining Star Award. It’s really exciting”.
Speaking of the Beds and Bucks Academy, Oakley says, “I love being part of it because I have made some really good friends. Charlie is my best friend in the academy. We all support each other and cheer each other on at competitions. We also have some really great trainers that help us to improve our riding”.
Lisa Field from NAF added “Congratulations Oakley on winning the NAF Shining Star Award for January. For someone who is just seven-years-old, you’ve already achieved so much and there’s so much to look forward to as you continue your progression through showjumping. Keep working hard and dream big Oakley, we can’t wait to see what you achieve next. Wishing you the best of luck for 2022 and beyond.”
The NAF Shining Star Award was introduced when NAF became a British Showjumping Business Partner. The award is for members of a Junior Academy who have shown a great deal of commitment, progression, and outstanding behaviour along with their riding ability and much more. Riders are nominated by their lead coach, and then judged and awarded by NAF to one person each month.
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