BD Presents: Saffron Cresswell

Saffron will be joining Isobel Wessels, Michael Eilberg, Gareth Hughes and Brad Hill as the host for BD Presents… Harmonious Progression with Rothera Bray.

Saffron is a former international event rider who suffered life changing injuries after a fall at 4* U25 Championships held at Bramham Horse Trials in 2024. Her injuries left Saffron paralysed from the waist down, and she has since turned her time to coaching and taking part in other para sporting activities. During her years eventing, Saffron attended three European Championships (2015, 16 and 17) on her pony Cuffesgrange Little Ric, where the team won one gold and two silver medals. Saffron was also longlisted for the Young Rider European Championships multiple times, selected for the Junior European Championships, and was a part of the Podium Potential Pathway. Just a few years prior to her accident, Saffron had finished eighth at Bramham U25 Championships and represented Great Britain at the CCI3* Young Horse World Championships in 2022.

When we spoke to Saffron as part of the 2025 Dressage For All week, she told us that “As I continued in hospital, I’d say my mindset changed but I think it flitted between lots of different places within my head.” Saffron spoke candidly about her experience in hospital, but also about how a shift in her mindset helped fuel her desire to move forward in life; “One day I was so upset, and I really, really was struggling, and I started thinking about the things I could do, not the things I couldn't, and what made me happy. I started looking forwards at the things I could do, so I taught a couple of Zoom lessons in hospital... I think that was really important, finding a purpose again and finding something that I wanted to do. I think everybody needs something to get up for in the morning, that's absolutely critical.”

In 2025, Saffron qualified as a BDCC Level 3 Coach, and has since taken up para canoeing, where she qualified for the World Championships in her first year in the sport. Alongside these adventures, Saffron as also taken part in adaptive Hyrox events and half marathons, as well as finding a new career as a public speaker and event host, presenting at some of the top events such as the Blenheim, Badminton and Bramham Horse Trials, as the Tennis at Queens.

Tickets

Book your place at BD Presents... Harmonious Progression with Rothera Bray. The event is open to BD members and non-members, with all BD members benefiting from discounted ticket prices, buy yours below:

• BD member: £48
• BD member VIP: £75
• Non-member: £58
• Non-member VIP: £80
• U21 price: £38

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