She’s got four Olympic Games, five World Championships and numerous World Cup Finals and regional Championships under her belt, so she knows the sport better than most! Originally from London, she's now been living in Italy since 1975.
So what drew her into the world of equestrian officialdom?
“When I settled in Italy my husband and I started breeding sport horses. We did that for about 15 years and I broke and trained the young ones, driving the lorries and going to shows, that was my life. In fact my mother still tells the story of the time I picked her up in a horse lorry from Rome airport!” Frances says with a laugh.
“When I stopped riding I decided to become a national official in Italy. I started in 1992 and I began judging internationally in 2000. I continue to do both” she explains.
She describes herself as “very lucky” because she found her way with the help of legendary trainer, chef d’equipe, breeder and show organiser Lalla Novo.
“She’s a wonderful all-round horsewoman who is based in Cervia. I always seemed to be in right place at right time! I was also mentored by Paul Weier and when I look back on it now I realise I have many people to be grateful to, and I hope I do them proud by doing a decent job as well!” Frances says.
She says that of the two roles she plays, stewarding presents the biggest challenge but that being a woman is not a disadvantage.
“It’s really about trying to keep the sport fair and maintain a level playing field. You have to be authoritative, but at the beginning it’s all about earning respect. Sometimes you have to challenge the biggest names in the sport, and at first it can be very daunting. Over the years I’ve learned to respect the riders and now its reciprocal” she explains. “For me the key part to smoothing the path is building good working relationships with the grooms, all built on trust. It’s a long haul but it’s vitally important” she says. “When you’re judging, you build a relationship with the riders, but stewarding allows you to create more varied relationships. You live cheek by jowl with these people, through the good days and the bad, and I think what the grooms do is very under-appreciated.
They are absolutely extraordinary in the way they care for their horses like family. The levels of exhaustion they undergo, their dedication and their selflessness - I’m just filled with awe and admiration for them!” Frances says.
She says she loves stewarding “because for me it’s about putting something back into the sport that gave me so much. I really enjoy it, it’s a huge privilege for me to do this and I’m lucky enough to be where I am.” She encourages others to get into the roles she has played - “we have a huge ethical responsibility to give others the same chances” she insists.
She says at the core of good stewarding is “remaining completely impartial at all times, and being perceived as being impartial”, and that “you are only as good as your team, they have to be behind you.” And she adds that although officials are often volunteers, “we have a responsibility to do our job as professionally as possible - that’s vital”.
So what does the future hold for this epic lady? “I can’t ask for anything more than I’ve already had really, any more is the cherry on the icing on the cake!” Frances says…..
A steward’s job is to make sure the FEIs rules and regulations are followed at an event.
“It’s really about trying to keep the sport fair and maintain a level playing field. You have to be authoritative, but at the beginning it’s all about earning respect. Sometimes you have to challenge the biggest names in the sport, and at first it can be very daunting. Over the years I’ve learned to respect the riders and now its reciprocal” she explains. “For me the key part to smoothing the path is building good working relationships with the grooms, all built on trust. It’s a long haul but it’s vitally important” she says. “When you’re judging, you build a relationship with the riders, but stewarding allows you to create more varied relationships. You live cheek by jowl with these people, through the good days and the bad, and I think what the grooms do is very under-appreciated.
They are absolutely extraordinary in the way they care for their horses like family. The levels of exhaustion they undergo, their dedication and their selflessness - I’m just filled with awe and admiration for them!” Frances says.
She says she loves stewarding “because for me it’s about putting something back into the sport that gave me so much. I really enjoy it, it’s a huge privilege for me to do this and I’m lucky enough to be where I am.” She encourages others to get into the roles she has played - “we have a huge ethical responsibility to give others the same chances” she insists.
She says at the core of good stewarding is “remaining completely impartial at all times, and being perceived as being impartial”, and that “you are only as good as your team, they have to be behind you.” And she adds that although officials are often volunteers, “we have a responsibility to do our job as professionally as possible - that’s vital”.
So what does the future hold for this epic lady? “I can’t ask for anything more than I’ve already had really, any more is the cherry on the icing on the cake!” Frances says…..