Ali has been riding since before she could walk, initially on the family’s Dartmoor brood mare Frivolity. Her first proper ride was Moonbeam and she regularly hunted the mare with her parents over the Exmoor countryside.
But Ali always aspired to event and at the age of eight used to take second pony Cavalier around the old Brendon Hill event course which was next door to the family home- often disappearing all day with the pony and her lunch. Fortunately what they succeeded at or did not succeed at remained a secret between the two of them!
As she grew up Ali joined the West Somerset and then the Quantock pony clubs, riding a home bred gelding – Lord Polo -and represented both these clubs at the Pony Club Championships in both dressage and eventing. At the same time she represented the West Somerset Riding Club at national championships in dressage show jumping and eventing. At this time too she piloted her sister’s mare Summertime to a credible appearance in the Grade 3 show jumping championships and became adept at combined training- winning two Stora Timber area championships.
Eventing was to become her main love and between the ages of 16 and 18 she represented GB at Junior International Level. Her first competition as an international rider was the Blarney Castle International Horse Trials in Ireland where she came third
At the age of 17 she became the British Junior Champion, and in the same year was the path finder for the British Team at the European Junior Championships held in Pratoni, Italy, winning a team bronze medal with two clear rounds (including being leading individual combination on cross country day) and finishing individually 7th.
With Lord Polo she then went on to represent GB at the FEI European Championships Two Star Event (formerly Rural Riders) in Switzerland and Holland
As a young rider she continued to enjoy success with Lord Polo being awarded The Land Rover Scholarship for her win at Osberton HT. and she represented GB teams in Germany, Belgium, Holland and Ireland.
Domestic success also followed with a new ride Gypsy Lane – with a 5th place at Windsor ,and winning the award for the best owner –rider.
Following the retirement of Lord Polo Ali has brought on numerous horses, some home bred, to compete to advanced and three star level and on a home bred mare Maggie Mayday she competed at Burghley Four star.
Ali continues to compete internationally with a string of horses owned by Blackford Eventing which is the corporate name for the Wilkes’ family event horse activities.
Ali is a dedicated and inspired rider who seeks to take every horse to and beyond its’ greatest potential. Based at the foot of Exmoor and married to tree surgeon Derek Farmer, she produces horses to the highest standard working with a team of veterinary surgeons, farriers, therapists and nutritionists and an experienced yard staff to get the best out of the horses in her care.
She also helps owners and trainers with racehorse training and rehabilitation.
She is a teacher and mentor to the junior riders in the team and works closely with ex international Dutch rider, now coach, Ben Van Sommeren to achieve success for herself and others at all levels
