Rebecca Halliwell-Coutts

British Army veteran, Business Analyst and the UK's National Ms Beauty Pageant Finalist, Rebecca Halliwell-Coutts has joined the ranks of our War Horse Memorial Ambassadors. Rebecca started riding at the age of four. She tells us: "I still clearly remember the day my father put me on a Shetland for a pony ride and right there and then, a lifetime love of horses was born.

“I have continued to ride all through my life, mainly in the showjumping discipline, but my career in the Army allowed me to indulge in my passion and get paid to do it. I was selected to showjump for the Army back in the early 2000s which saw me ride at Royal Windsor in the Combined Services Showjumping, a huge achievement back then. I initially learnt to play polo during my time in Service, fell in love with the speed and exhilaration of the sport and began to train regularly with the Adjutant General's Corp in Tidworth.

“I was posted by the AGC to HQ HDiv where I worked in Media Ops and as my secondary duty rode out for The Blues & Royals Mounted Squadron and The Household Division stables for several ceremonial seasons. The role was my dream job. It had been something that I dreamt of doing since I was a little girl and here I was doing it for real some 30 years later.

"I was medically discharged from the Army in 2014 following injuries sustained in Service which meant that I was unable to carry out my basic duties. I continue to suffer from spinal stenosis, three prolapsed discs in my lower lumbar and I now require a double knee replacement. Every day is met with some degree of pain but I'm working through that by attending regular rehabilitation sessions and keeping myself in a good state of health. I continue to ride because it is my love and passion and I cannot imagine a life not being able to ride horses or take part in sport.

"About a year after my medical discharge (2015), I began playing polo again through Cool Hooves at the Royal Berkshire Polo Club, on a weekly, therapeutic basis and instructed by the ever patient Eddie Kennedy. Prior to the global pandemic hitting, UK shores, these sessions were supported by Help for Heroes Sports Recovery who provide funding for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans to play polo as part of their recovery.

“Working with horses is well recognised in providing enormous benefit for mental and physical well-being. Polo adds a further dimension to this as a high paced team sport that combines demand for physical fitness with a need for discipline and focus. Polo has demonstrated that it can positively impact a person's life by improving their self confidence, this is so often lost with injured service personnel leaving the Forces, their ability to work as a team and in many other ways personal to them.

"Fellow Ambassador, Cliff O'Farrell and I have been working hard to bring a new polo team to fruition. Phoenix Rising Polo Team is our new team and the initial players shirts were generously sponsored by the Household Cavalry Foundation who were only too delighted to offer their support and endorsement. We want to be able to create a pathway for other injured polo players to come through and who want to expand and better their game, and build a team that is not specifically limited to wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans.

"Lockdown hit all of us hard and we were forced to adapt and find new ways to keep ourselves challenged. Over this duration, I was looking for other ways to push myself out of my comfort zone and also to have a focus to work towards. I applied to the UK's National Miss 2021 Beauty Pageant and within a couple of months, I received the email that said I had made it through to the Finals in March with the title of UK's National Ms Berkshire 2021. I have never taken part in a pageant before so despite all the crazy challenges I have done in the past, this has to be the scariest!

“I take this title and opportunity seriously and I will use this time to elevate my platform and help to promote the charities that have been so generous in helping me with my transition into civilian life. I have, of course, chosen to represent the Household Cavalry Foundation and in partnership, the War Horse Memorial and I intend to wear my purple poppy Ambassador's badge on my sash with pride.