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What’s your name, your age, and how would you describe your cultural identity?
Sheneka Reid, 25 and Black British
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Tell us a little about yourself and where you are in your equestrian journey. This might include the activities/disciplines you enjoy, the name of the equestrian centre or yard you attend, and your role there (for example, participant, volunteer, staff member, coach).
At the moment I am not doing much in the industry. I’m just getting back into the sport after having two years off. Before I took time off, I was working on a stud yard and rode their show Connemara. I enjoy general activities and have some experience in dressage and show jumping. I’ve only done xc a few times but that would be something I’ll like to start doing. I am currently volunteering at ebony horse club after not being there since 2014 and now do the occasional yard assistant role.
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Have you encountered any racism during your equine journey?
Yes I have a few times. I’ve had people looking at me funny at college or laughing with friends when I walk past. I felt very uncomfortable most of my years at college, especially the first two. It was so bad that I refused to go to the summer ball just because of how I was looked at all the time. When I use to do the county shows the the heavy horses at college, people in the showground use to look at me like as if I was an alien and one time I remember, I had just finished plaiting one of the shires mane when a couple of teenager, who were agriculture students went past me whispered to one another “you don’t see much of those around here” and walked off laughing.
