In the heart of Gloucestershire, Joe Fernyhough shines as a rising star in British showjumping. As the U25 National Champion and a standout on the Podium Potential Pathway Programme, his talent is undeniable. Not just a rider, Joe breeds and produces horses for the ring, with his homebreds dominating national circuits. As a coach, he shares his expertise, shaping the next generation of riders. Joe's journey is a testament to dedication and passion, inspiring riders worldwide.
Horses are in the family so I have always been around them. Although as a child I wasn’t really interested, I used to go to shows when my Dad was competing, more under duress than anything else! Around the age of 11 I started riding properly on a 12.2 called Bob. I did do Pony club (Cotswold Vale) for a few years until I went more into competitive showjumping. By 14 I had a string of ponies (only 1 we owned ourselves which was my first 14.2 called Elvis). I got sent a large variety of ponies and suddenly my father no longer had a lorry to use at the weekends as I was away every weekend competing.
Mum was a top showing rider and between her and her former husband Robert they won every major title at HOYS and Royal International.
Dads showjumping career would be highly influential to me, he rode for GB on his first senior team at age 18 In Aachen and Oostende on a horse called Autumatic which his father bought as an unbroken 3yr old. Autumatic took him to the top, jumping top Nations Cup and Grand Prix, winning at Hickstead, 2nd in the Grand Prix of Europe in Aachen, Munich European Championships, and then being selected for the Montreal Olympics, where he rode Bouncer to jump the best team round for 4faults (there were no clears). He generally had horses that other people had had problems with or couldn’t ride, he didn’t have wealthy backers to buy him horses so the horses he rode at top level were either sent for a reason or they were horses he’d bought from young (such as Autumatic)
My best achievement is winning Nations cup team in Gorla (double clear). I was National U25 champion. I also came 4th 1.60 Gp Vejer with some of the world's best riders there