An Oxford student from Bristol took advantage of the horse riding available in Pembrokeshire when her parents booked a holiday cottage on the coast there.

Alice Thomson studies Biology at Lady Margaret Hall, and began learning to be a jockey through university but she has been riding since the age of 8.

She hoped to keep her fitness and training up on holiday with her parents and checked out what was on offer for riding in the area.

Alice explained: “I did a quick search and found out that Rebecca Curtis’ yard, Fforest farm, was just a short drive from where we were staying. I got in touch with Rebecca and was delighted when she said she’s be happy to have me along to ride. I was really excited at the prospect and Rebecca’s yard looked beautiful – it didn’t let me down one bit.”

Rebecca's Yard is near Newport, North Pembrokeshire; her facilities include an all weather uphill gallop, an all weather circular gallop, a schooling arena and a private beach.

Beginning riding at 8 after nagging her parents, Alice went on to join the Oxford Equestrian Team and which is how she learned about the Varsity Horse Race against Cambridge.

The race is run for the Bearsted Perpetual Challenge Cup on Dubai Future Champions day at Newmarket Race course

A total of five jockeys from each university will compete in the race.

Describing the experience of becoming a jockey Alice said: “For me the biggest challenge is probably the fitness. I’ve gained so much respect for professional jockeys through my training and finding out first hand just how much strength and stamina you need to ride racehorses well.

“Training with Rebecca has helped so much on that front as some days we train the horses over 2.5miles on her circular gallop track which gets the legs burning when you do it three times in one morning.”

She added: “I love all the little things about riding; the relationship you build up with the horse and the progress you make with them, the way it calms you down and can take anything off your mind, the exciting feeling of galloping along with a whole bunch of other horses, and the social side – meeting lots of new people through the riding.”

For more information about the varsity race Alice will be competing in visit http://varsityracing.co.uk/sample-page/.

And to keep up to date with her and the Oxford team follow us on twitter @varsityracing and on facebook by searching Oxford Varsity Horse Racing.

Alice said: “I’d also just like to say I’m really grateful to Rebecca and her partner Gearoid for giving me the opportunity to train there. The yard and staff are absolutely lovely.”