A father and daughter's shared journey in the dressage arena

Father-daughter duo Greg and Millie Dickens recently competed at the Petplan Area Festival Championships. As we celebrate Be Kind Month, read Greg and Millie’s story showing the power of family in sport.

Petplan Area Festival competitors Greg and Millie Dickens keep dressage in the family! Read on to hear what it’s like to compete together, what motivated Greg to return to competition after 17 years, and how the sport has positively impacted Millie, who’s determined to climb the levels while managing a rare genetic condition. 

At home in Worcestershire, horses are part of everyday life for Greg, 12-year-old Millie, and her mum Sheryl who all share the responsibility of riding and caring for the horses. "You hear so many people say they don't spend enough time with their kids; we’re lucky that's absolutely not the case in our family. We’re a family team,” explained Greg, “the horses are ridden by all three of us, and we spend hours together. Horses are very much the glue that holds our family together.” 

Last month, both Greg and Millie competed at the Petplan Winter Area Festival Championships; both riders took part in the Petplan Elementary Bronze, whilst Greg also rode in the Petplan Novice Bronze and  Millie contested the Petplan Novice Bronze Under 21, achieving a fantastic top-three placing with a score of 69.056% to conclude a memorable Championships. 

Before the Championships, Greg had only recently decided to re-enter competition and join his daughter. “We recognise how unusual it is. You see mothers and daughters quite often, but not fathers and daughters,” he commented. “It’s great that we get to go to the same shows, and I get to spend a lot of time with my daughter. That’s really special.” 

Being back at competitions has also reminded Greg why he loves the sport’s community. "The people in equine sport are just so wonderful. Anybody you speak to is happy to help, whether that's in the stables, in the lorry park, or even giving advice out in the arenas," he said. "Sometimes people think that because riders have their focus faces on in the arena and warm-up, they must be unfriendly, but it’s not the case at all. Behind the scenes, it’s so positive and welcoming." 

Despite sharing arenas and classes, the atmosphere between Greg and Millie is all about fun and encouragement, with just a touch of loving rivalry. When asked about how it felt to beat her dad, Millie admitted with a smile, “It felt a little bit good because I beat my dad, but it didn’t feel like there was an argument between the family. It just feels like fun.” 

Greg laughed, adding, “We poked fun at each other in a really friendly way.” 

Greg’s return to riding  

Beyond the light-hearted rivalry and friendly competition, Greg explained how it was Millie’s love of riding that first nudged him back into the saddle after a 17-year break from competition. “My daughter inspired me,” he said when asked about why he returned, “we had the opportunity to get some nice horses, Bruno being one of them and also Jeremy, and it just made sense to start riding again and bring them on, and it's great for Millie, because she can get used to both of them and see which one she connects with best.” 

Greg knew what it meant to chase dreams in the saddle as, in his youth, he rose quickly through the ranks of eventing. “I’m very proud of my early career. I was told I was the youngest person to reach five-star level; I’m not sure if that’s still the case,” he said. “I did my first one when I was 18, which was very unusual at the time. However, life and work took over in my twenties, and I stepped away from the sport.” 

Bruno, Greg’s horse, also came from an eventing background and is embracing a second career. “He had a minor leg injury, so it wasn’t a good idea for him to continue galloping. But now he’s fully recovered and really enjoying dressage. He’s got a big personality. People really warm to him!” 

Now, after choosing to leave behind business pressures in favour of family life, Greg found himself competing again but this time with a very different goal. “It’s not about me. I’m here because I want to support Millie. We’re working towards the FEI Children on Horses classes, and it’s my job to make sure the horses are ready for her to take on.” 

Millie’s path to progress 

Millie’s journey began with BD Quest, taking part with the West Midlands Dressage Group, a training group led by Carrol Simpson - the very same coach who introduced Greg to riding at the same age. “It’s lovely that Millie started out where I did,” said Greg, “Carrol introduced me to riding at the same age when she ran the Bewdley Bridle Club. She’s supported the riding community for decades and has helped many young riders get started in the right way.” 

The young rider, who’s worked up the levels from Introductory to Elementary, lives with a rare genetic condition that affects her muscle endurance and stamina, meaning the family have to be tactical about how she trains. “She didn’t have the strength and endurance to just sit and ride a horse for an hour,” Greg explained. “We had to be very careful about how we used energy. It’s a precious resource, and we used it wisely.” 

Rather than hold her back, riding became a tool for building strength. “Horses are actually helping her health,” he continued, “she’s getting stronger and fitter. The work you do with horses tones muscles gently rather than putting a lot of strain on them, and that’s exactly what she needs.” 

Millie agreed and added how she also feels a real sense of accomplishment: “Sometimes ponies can be very tricky, but at the end of it, it’s a massive confidence boost. When you get past something like spooking, it just gives you more confidence and happiness to keep going. You see how they progress: six months ago, you struggled with one thing, and now it’s the easiest thing ever.” 

Millie’s road to this year’s Championships was also a story of beginning a new journey. After qualifying for the Petplan Area Festival Championships last year, her plans were put on hold when her beloved pony had to be retired due to lameness. 

“It was a real shame,” Greg said, “he’d been so good to so many riders, but we just wanted him to be comfortable.” 

The search for a new partner wasn’t easy. Millie was between height classes, and the family looked everywhere, across the UK and even into Europe, before finding the right pony closer to home. They found Storm, a kind-hearted seven-year-old with a gentle temperament and a willingness to learn. "He's generally a really good boy," Millie said, "My favourite thing about him is just how kind he is. If he gets excited, he calms down and looks after you. He always tries his hardest. He never tries less.” 

Despite only partnering six months ago, their bond is already strong and together the duo have formed a promising partnership. “I just really want to aim higher and higher,” she said, “I want Storm to get used to the big shows because that is where I want to be, and hopefully at High Profiles and Premier Leagues in the future.” 

“We did our first Premier League recently. So the plan is to do more of those and to build towards Pony FEI classes more seriously next year,” Greg added, before expressing how proud he was of Millie, “I’m just unbelievably proud. I keep pinching myself that she's 12 … I started riding at a young age and I tried very hard, but I wasn't ever as good as she was at this age.”  

Wherever Millie’s journey leads, one thing is certain: she won’t be going it alone. Whether cheering her on or riding beside her, her proud dad and mum will be there every stride of the way.