Grassroots: Rebecca Hitchen

Nineteen-year-old Rebecca Hitchen rode her first winner within point-to-pointing at Hexham last weekend aboard her own Liffeydale Dreamer.

Originally from Kirby near Ripon, Hitchen is based full-time with Dual-licensed trainer Sam England who trains in Guisley near Leeds.

When Hitchen and I spoke the team were in high spirits following a treble at the Hexham evening meeting on Tuesday.

Of course, England began her career within the grassroots sport and rode 35 winners within the pointing circuit and ironically, also rode 35 winners when turning professional.

Hitchen grew up riding ponies, her Mum Lindsay, is god-mother to England and she says: “I rode as a child but had no lessons to speak of, I used to make jumps to jump on my cob and found my way! Each summer I went to Sam’s and she got me going more. I had played football as a kid but getting into racing was something I always wanted to do, with Sam’s influence it was inevitable.”

Hitchen had her first ride aboard Manwell in December 2024 and aged 16 finished third, she says: “It was amazing, I had dreamt about it and then all of a sudden it was happening!”

Since then England has been a huge support, encouraging Hitchen to gain her amateur license which has resulted in three winners on the flat and one over hurdles.

Eleven year-old Liffeydale Dreamer has an admirable profile. A winner on the flat, a winner of six hurdle races and having never fallen was given a well deserved retirement. A sad turn of events followed and Hitchen tells me: “Sam was given her in her retirement and wanted to breed from her. She sadly lost her first foal and we nursed her back to health. I then had nothing to ride pointing so Sam offered her to me.” This really hit a nerve with me and made this story even more special. How lovely to learn of the care given to Liffeydale Dreamer and for her to have one last chance to get to the winners enclosure as a schoolmistress, together the partnership have enjoyed nine races together, and have gained a couple of places before Saturday’s win.

Hitchen talks me through their journey: “We struggled at the beginning of the season, the ground wasn’t right for her, but it also seemed to take ages to form our partnership. As the ground got better we started to get more involved and on Saturday everything just clicked. It was just suddenly all so easy compared to all our other outings so it kind of felt surreal!”

And isn’t that what it is all about? A young jockey learning the trade with an able and willing partner. Future plans for the partnership remain uncertain with Hitchen realising the recent Flu restrictions have affected hunter-chases and she says: “We  were planning on going to Cartmel in a few weeks but of course we can’t now. I expect Liffey may retire, again, and go and be a riding horse. She can be a bit moody in the stable but is a lovely ride so she will be brilliant fun.”

Hitchen’s experiences stand her in good stead to start making plans for the next stage. She says: “I want to be a professional jockey. I am going on a pre-assessment course at the end of May with the hope I can then go on my Conditional course.”

Hitchen adds: “Getting my conditional license means I won’t be able to ride on the flat which I will really miss. I have had 14 rides on the flat and it has taught me so much. It all happens so quickly and is so different to jumping but has helped me to tighten up and be tidier. I intend to ride as much as I can under that code this summer.”

To gain further experience Hitchen tells me: “Last summer I went to ride out for Richard Fahey, that was brilliant. I really felt like my riding came on leaps and bounds during that time.”

Asked of her favourite horses she tells me Made All and Sandret are top of the list and that is understandable having partnered each to win on the flat. She remembers: “I had my first ride on Sandret, he was supposed to be retiring but Sam managed to convince Ben Haslam to sell him to me just to go in amateur races. He is a total dude, he literally says shut up Mum, hold my beer and hold on! I have won two on him, been second on him and a third. He makes me look like I know what I am doing! I owe him a lot.”

She adds laughing: “I remember that first ride, it was Newcastle and Sam’s Dad came to the weighing room and told me to come to the stables to saddle up. Sounds silly but it threw me, I was pooing my pants and now I needed to go and saddle too. We finished third and it was wonderful.”

Following Saturday’s win on Liffeydale Dreamer a celebratory curry was enjoyed with all the staff and Hitchen says: “On Sunday I drank the winning champagne with the family.”

Hitchen is a name to follow. She has boundless enthusiasm and an infectious personality. I am in no doubt her transition to the professional ranks will be seamless.”