showjumping
kEEPinG iT in
ThE faMilY
over 30 years ago, debbie He came to national prominence in 1987. "Lutine has also been placed in two, four-star
Johnsey was a national sporting Watford had reached the FA Cup semi-finals Grand Prix this year and I jumped in Portugal in
icon. as a 19-year-old, she and were due to play Tottenham Hotspur for June where she was placed fourth," she added.
was picked for Great britain to a place at Wembley.
take part in the 1976 Montreal After her years of being driven around Europe's
olympic Games at a time when But, when Watford number two goalkeeper top cities from show to show, Gemma is now
showjumping commanded Tv Tony Coton broke his finger two weeks a woman of independent means in the wide
audiences in the millions. before the game, Plumley was plucked equestrian world.
from nowhere as emergency cover for
Today, her daughter, Gemma Plumley, is hoping the Hornets' number one keeper Steve "You have to be very dedicated in this sport. I
to follow in her mum's footsteps as the 2012 Sherwood. am more and more living on my own now I am
London Olympics loom large. 21 and driving a big horsebox," she said.
Both Debbie and Gary, who live with their
Gemma has a unique sporting background. family near Chepstow, have ploughed all "I'm more from my mum's side of the family
Not only did her mother finish an agonising their efforts into their daughter's blossoming with the horses and we are like a big sporting
fourth in those Montreal Games in the career, regularly crossing Europe with family.
individual event and seventh in the team Gemma's horsebox.
jumping competition, but she was a runner-up, "I've now got a girl called Elaine who comes
alongside BBC TV sport anchor Sue Barker, And it is paying off handsomely. Gemma away to shows with me. she's been to quite a
to badminton player Gillian Gilks for the secured a bronze medal at the Young Rider lot. You couldn't do this on your own.
prestigious Sports Journalist Association European Championships in Auvers, near
awards of 1976. Paris, on her horse Continue B last year and "I have been to Belgium for a three-star show
has had a 'very busy' summer in 2008 as well! and then there is a four-star show in France
Debbie was regularly on television when before the Horse of the Year show in October.
people like David Broome and Harvey She said, "London 2012 is somewhere I want After that, I'm having a couple of weeks off."
Smith were at the peak of their equestrian to be - definitely."
careers and showjumping was prime-time After such a heavy summer - and virtually non-
entertainment with sofa audiences of several Continue B has not been around this year stop jumping - Gemma will have earned a break
million for the Horse of the Year Show and because of a back problem that needs rest, before continuing her sporting rise towards
Hickstead. but her other two horses, Arlienaz and Lutine that dream which could add another Olympic
Gemma Plumley
du Charmois, have served her proudly. photograph to the family sporting album in
Gemma's father, Gary Plumley, has built a 2012.
successful estate agency business in Newport On Lutine du Charmois, the 20-year-old
SW
after retiring as a professional footballer with had only one fence down in that European
28
Newport County and Cardiff City. Championships for Young Riders which was
also rewarded with a cool £5,000 bonus.
words gary baker
sportingwales
Issue4twothousand&eight
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