My apologies if this has been noted. Tina is the daughter of Josh Gifford. Trainer of Grand National winner Aldaniti. Better remembered as the horse in the movie “Champions.”
Just thought it a fun little fact.
Terri
I used to gallop Josh’s chasers occasionally.
FF – NO WAY!! I used to gallop at Gifford’s too!! He trained horses for my neighbor (back in Tennessee) and I’d stay with them when in England and ride out. My goodness what a small world. When were you there? I visited several times 1983-1990. Tina was a kid.
How cool! That movie makes me cry more than any other horsey movie 
Tina’s first cousin is my son’s best friend. That means I know her, right?:winkgrin: LOL
Josh Gifford was the leading NH jockey of his time (4 time NH Champion Jockey) riding for the legendary Ryan Price. His wife Althea (Roger-Smith) was a leading show jumper. No surprise that Tina excels!
I was so pleased for Tina - she has always been a beautiful rider. Probably most people remember her as Kristina Gifford.
I think[maybe wrong] that Althea was his second wife.
He was quite a lad.
I grew up with Bill Smith as a kid,he was the Queens leading chase jockey at one time.
It is soo long ago,but at varying times I galloped for Fred Winter ,Josh Gifford and a few others.[My heyday was from 1965 to 1980.]
I foxhunted with all of them.
Retrained many of their horses to go Eventing or Showjumping. those were the days.
I could foxhunt 6 days a week back then,just qualifying TBs for point to point races.:lol:
I mentioned this on another thread about the movie in the H/J Forum, right before the Olympics started. Who would have guessed Tina would go on to win both team and individual medals.
Not sure which wife Althea was but I do seem to remember reading that Tina’s mother was also an excellent horsewoman so I assumed it was Althea.
Okay so I am not going insane!!! I was watching the medal ceremonies and thinking to myself…“gee…that rider sure looks a lot like Kristina Gifford. Wonder whatever happened to her…” :lol:
If it were up to me, we’d obligate riders to not change their names once they reach the National levels. 
Nice article here http://www.sussexlife.co.uk/main-menu-sussex-people-a-born-champion--2294
Married Althea in 1969!
Althea was a good rider too.
fernie fox,
I spent some time at Bill Smith’s in 2000 - very nice family. Still going strong, training for one of the Sheiks with approx. 60 arab racehorses, 5 or 6 endurance horses, 1 point-to-pointer, and about 10 hunters (field & show). Also barns off-site full of yearlings & 2-year olds.
Once the water in our grooms’ flat stopped working, so we used his sinks & bath. My favourite was the bathroom with the walls filled up with pics of him falling off! Quite amusing.
Yup,Bill is quite a hoot.
You were in Hambledon then.
My family home is 2 miles from his set-up.
We used to ride the TBs through Hambledon to get up to the gallops.
gasp Tina Cook? Nee Gifford??
I don’t know her [I]at all!
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