Apprentice Poppy Bridgwater to become a jump jockey this year

Apprentice jockey Poppy Bridgwater has announced her decision to try her hand over jumps when the season starts in Britain.

The 21-year-old, who has ridden 40 winners on the Flat, hopes to join Nigel Twiston-Davies when the jumps season gets going from July 1.

She is following in the footsteps of her father David Bridgwater, a former jump jockey who became a dual-purpose trainer and saddled The Conditional to win at this year's Cheltenham Festival.

Bridgwater, who began riding on the Flat in 2014, said: "I've always grown up with jump racing and it's been in the back of my mind. Over lockdown I've done a lot of schooling for dad and loved it.

"I'm 5ft 8in and my weight was creeping up on me. It had become a daily struggle, so I thought I'd give jumping a go. I used to do a lot of showjumping when I was younger.

"I've enjoyed my time on the Flat but I'm a bit older and it seems like the way to go. Dad said he'll put me up on as many as he can and hopefully I'll be working for Nigel Twiston-Davies, who my dad rode for."

Bridgwater has been employed as an apprentice with David Simcock and enjoyed a career-best season in 2018 with 25 winners, with nine of those successes coming at Brighton from just 29 rides.

She said: "My favourite moment on the Flat was winning with She Believes at Ascot last May. It was the third leg of a treble for Sylvester Kirk and it was a special day. Every jockey dreams of winning there."

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