Other Supported Talents

Abigail, better known as Abs, and her brilliant 5-year-old Border Collie, Dash, have been taking the agility world by storm, scooping 1st place five times at various national shows in their first year of competing - along with multiple placings at the Kennel Club International Show, where each class regularly contains as many as 100 dogs! The dynamic duo aim to take part in at least two competitions a month in 2024, culminating in the British Agility Championships at the end of the season.  

16 year old ballerina Emily returns as a Supported Talent for this year following a successful 2023, in which she made the Dance World Cup Finals with the Joel Morris Academy, starred as Odette in a production of Swan Lake, and scored a place at Ballet Boost’s Academy of Balletic Arts at Pineapple Studios in London. For 2024, Emily hopes to get through to the All England Semi Finals, in addition to securing a place at a full-time dance school on the mainland.

Freddie, 16, is a keen indoor and outdoor rower – training 6 days a week, he currently holds the Bronze Medal in the 2023 National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships, and placed in the top 16 of the National Schools Regatta out of over 5,000 entrants. With the fastest rowing times on the Island for his age group, Freddie is fast enough to qualify for the GB Rowing team and looks forward to taking part in trials this year. 

A member of the TCUK National Squad, Taekwondo champ Joe, 34, picked up 18 medals in 2023 – including two gold medals at the OMA Regional Championships and a silver at the GTI National Open! Joe’s goals for 2024 are to continue representing his Island club Isle of Wight Taekwondo in the national squad, and to compete at both the World Championship in March and the Rotterdam Cup in April, alongside various national competitions. 

11 year old Megan is a Women’s Artistic Gymnast, who trains with Legacy Elite Gymnastics Academy. Megan was selected by her coach to be a part of Hampshire Squad in September 2023. She currently holds the title of South Regional Floor Champion for Copper Level (age 9-11yrs), as well as 2nd place overall in the Regional Grade 3 competition. Over the course of this year, Megan plans to sharpen her skills by competing at her Development grades and Classic Challenge levels.

47 year old Natalie is an amateur horse rider with a focus on Dressage and Showing, who returns as a Supported Talent for 2024. Natalie’s top achievements last year include top 10 placings at summer Area Festivals in Novice and Elementary, as well as winning Elementary Champion at British Dressage Associate Championships. This year they’ll return to defend their championships and hope to one day compete at the Royal International Horse Show. 

Tash Gough is a 33 year old professional wrestler known as Luna Trix: the delight from the Isle of Wight! Alongside scooping numerous national titles, Tash enjoys coaching others entering the world of wrestling. In April, Tash will be launching her new show, Phoenix Pro Wrestling Isle of Wight, and looks forward to travelling the UK gaining more titles and entertaining new crowds in 2024. 

Nina is a talented jazz singer, with a background in theatre and film design. She returns to the scheme following a busy 2023 in which she released her first single ‘Milk’ and recorded a live album. This year Nina will release and tour her debut album, as well as writing songs for a second whilst playing gigs across the island and mainland.  

The Pill are a female-led three piece who have already played at many venues across the south coast, as well as the Isle of Wight Festival. Currently working with Island-based producers to release their debut EP, they’re determined to put the Isle of Wight music scene on the map and follow in the footsteps of Island bands such as Wet Leg and Coach Party. Plans for 2024 include playing more mainland gigs and festivals, with a view to one day tour internationally.

Stay up to date with the latest news from our other supported talents.