A SCHOOL in Calne felt privileged to welcome a triple Olympic gold medalist earlier this month.

Pupils of St Mary’s and members of local pony and riding clubs listened in awe to the British elite dressage rider Charlotte Dujardin as she was interviewed by two sixth formers and equestrian coordinator Kerry Emms on Tuesday, December 5.

The audience heard about the hard work it took for her to become the global superstar she now is, her time at the olympics and how her dreams of getting into dressage became a reality.

Ms Emms, said: “It was really good. She was really nice and informative, and she is a really driven person.

“She came from quite a humble background and achieved everything through hard work.

“At the school we have a riding team, and we opened the interview up to the riding community.

“Because she is like the girl of the moment in the horse riding world with everything she has achieved, even for girls who don’t necessarily ride, the girls were very impressed.”