Equestrian gold for Rotherham police officer

PC Rachael Redmond and her horse Isla joined Det Con Hannah Goodman from Attercliffe and her horse Benny to compete against other forces during the two-day event held at Bury Farm Equestrian Centre.

Over the two days, both riders competed in indoor and outdoor showjumping classes against other riders from across the country’s police force and military community.

PC Redmond competed in the indoor show jumping class and achieved second place, out of 49 riders.

She also claimed third place in her second class, out of 53 riders, and was awarded overall police showjumping champion.

Det Con Goodman competed in the outdoor show jumping class and achieved second place out of 57 riders.

And competing as South Yorkshire Police, the duo, both competing in their own time, achieved first place for Team SYP out of 12 teams.  

“South Yorkshire Police have a sports and social club and quite a lot of sports teams go from there to compete all over the UK,” said PC Redmond.

“It’s a really great event because you’re competing against all different armed forces like the Royal Navy and Army, as well as all the different police forces.

The 33-year-old mum said she was “really lucky” to have worked with seven-year-old Isla for the last two-and-a-half years and was enjoying being able to take part in events now they are back in season.

“During the pandemic she was my exercise,” she said. “We keep her in stables in Sheffield so there’s lots of really nice bridleways as well as a school where we can train her.

“I probably ride four times a week, fitting it around my home and work commitments of looking after my little boy and my shifts.”

PC Redmond joined South Yorkshire Police as a police officer in 2015 having previously been a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) for about four years.

She also volunteered as a special constable for just over a decade before becoming a PCSO.

“There’s a lot of variety, no day is ever the same,” she said: “It’s not like any other job.”