Top equestrian rider, 39, once known as the ‘golden girl’ of horse eventing, is facing jail after being convicted for breaching fire safety rules at her farm
- Isabelle Taylor has often competed in international equestrian competitions
- But she has been convicted of breach at family farm in Bucknell, near Bicester
A top equestrian rider once known as the ‘golden girl’ of horse eventing is facing jail after she was convicted of breaching fire safety rules at her farm.
Isabelle ‘Izzy’ Taylor, 39, also faced a dressing down from a judge for ‘wasting’ a Oxford Crown Court’s time after she failed to respond to efforts to arrange a pre-sentencing report.
The mother-of-two was earlier convicted of breaching fire safety rules at Aldershot Farm in Bucknell, near Bicester, after she was found to have put at least one person at ‘risk of death or serious injury in case of fire’ after failing to install fire safety equipment.
Taylor also failed to ensure there was an adequate separation between bedrooms on an upper floor and electrical equipment on the ground floor of the farm.
Known as one of Britain’s ‘top riders’, she has often competed in international competitions – winning the Le Lion d’Angers dressage competition in 2017.
Isabelle ‘Izzy’ Taylor, 39, also faced a dressing down from a judge for ‘wasting’ a Oxford Crown Court’s time after she failed to respond to efforts to arrange a pre-sentencing report.
Based on her family farm in Oxfordshire, the mother of two had a prolific junior career and represented Britain at senior level consistently from 2013.
She was selected to compete in the Rio Olympics in 2016 but her mare withdrew threw injury before the start of the games.
Taylor has also reportedly been in a relationship with world number one event star and Olympic gold medallist Oliver Townend.
But when ordered to attend court on Friday, she was ‘told off’ by Recorder John Bate-Williams.
The mother-of-two was earlier convicted of breaching fire safety rules at Aldershot Farm in Bucknell, near Bicester. Pictured: Oxford Crown Court
He said: ‘There has been a completely unacceptable lack of communication between you and the probation service.
‘This case clearly passes the custody threshold; there is a danger you’ll be sent to prison. This is a serious matter. You must treat it seriously.’
Gareth James, representing Taylor, told the court his client’s failure to respond to probation was ‘not perhaps of the utmost priority’ – taking second place to her ‘family and animals’.
The case was adjourned until April 3 for sentence.
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