Top British amateur dressage rider Dr Stephanie Croxford and her husband Simon have had a baby girl. Annabelle Grace was born on Saturday, 16 June 2007, weighing 8lbs 7½ oz and mother and baby are doing well.

 

Geochemist Steph is planning to take a year’s maternity leave from her full-time job as a specialist in purifying contaminated water. Steph, who had her most successful season last year with her grand prix ride Mr President IV, is hoping to return to the saddle soon.

 

“I rode until the day before her birth and could have competed in a grand prix if I had been allowed to do rising trot. I came out of hospital yesterday and helped muck out, but I’m not quite ready to ride yet,” said Steph, whose 2006 successes include winning the Best Brit award at Fry’s CDI and scoring more than 70% in her first World Cup qualifier at Olympia.