Sophie Player Profile

Sophie Pedlar

Year of study: Final Year

Course: BA Accounting and Finance

Sport: Equestrian: (Scholar)

How often do you ride: Training 5-7 days a week, competing or further training most weekends.

What Is your best sporting achievement?

Winning National Dressage 2018 then being selected for the England Home International team.

Is it important for Women to be well represented in sport? (Why)

Yes, why not?

What would you say to someone who is hesitating to try a new sport or activity?

What’s the worst that can happen?  You won’t go a second time?

It may be the best thing you ever did! You never know who you’ll meet, what you’ll achieve or how much fun it will be!

As someone who has tried a few sports (settled on competing in 5 + for about 5 years) I have taken different skills / achievements from each of them. I cannot recommend ‘giving it a go’ more.

What are the beneifts sport and physical activity can offer to people?

Aside from the mental and physical benefits of sport (relaxation, fitness, endorphins, mental strength, concentration, motivation ect.), many of the decisions I have made in life have been because of sport. From my choice of sixth form, to where I went to uni, to the friends I’ve made. Most of these only presented as options due to looking for places to train or because of being approached by the NGB / organisation.

Do you have a female role model that you most identify with and why?

Claire Lomas - She became a paraplegic as a result of a horrific riding accident in 2007, since then she has: walked the London marathon in 17 days in a robotic suit, competed in the Paralympic sport of mono-skiing, learnt to ride a motor bike – despite having to be caught when wanting to stop has she has no use of her legs.

I always joke and say ‘If I die falling off a horse, I’d die happy’, but I couldn’t imagine a life without being able to ride. I identify with Claire as she has since then found every ridiculous, crazy activity and sport she can to get her adrenaline fix.