The Generation Game
Phoebe Buckley made an emotional return to Defender Burghley Horse trials this year with Val Gingell’s Tiger Mail, 12 years after last competing here with the horse’s mother Little Tiger.
The diminutive and feisty 15hh grey Little Tiger earned a cult following in her day and finished 16th at Burghley in 2008. Both she and her 12-year-old British Sport Horse son, Tiger Mail, by Java Tiger, were bred by Dr Polly Taylor.
Burghley marks Tiger Mail’s 5* debut and he completed his dressage test on Thursday morning scoring 38.9.
“They’re polar opposites character wise,” admitted Phoebe. “Little Tiger was a cool, independent woman whereas Tiger Mail is a needy bloke who would probably bring his Mum along on a first date.”
“It sounds really corny but it's beyond my wildest dreams and so emotional to have him here. Tiger Mail has never been brave but as he’s gone up the levels he’s grown in self belief. His strength is that he totally honest and genuine. It’s taken time to build up his confidence and all credit to his owner Val for allowing me the time and space to do that.”