So Near And Yet So Far
Competing at Burghley is the dream of many riders, none more so than 35-year-old Stamford-based rider Phil Brown who finally realises his dream this year with the 14-year-old gelding Harry Robinson.
Whilst Yorkshire born, Phil has been based in Stamford for the last two and a half years and can even see Burghley house from his yard. He qualified a different horse six years ago but with rule changes and horse injury never made it to the start line.
He is a full-time rider and coach, BE accredited and also one of the three Youth Coaches for BE's East Midlands region.
“Just arriving here with a fit, sound and healthy horse was my goal to be honest,” admitted Phil. “Now I just want to enjoy it.”
“Going into the main arena and performing with a horse I’ve had since he was six-years-old was an absolute dream. For him, our score of 35.4 was really good. He struggles to contain his excitement on the flat and can be quite naughty as a result, so a score under 40 is a bonus.
“He doesn’t mean to be naughty, he just gets a bit hot-headed and in the main he’s the most loveable character – he’s a bit like an overgrown Labrador puppy really. Cross-country is his strongest phase and I have focussed hard on his and my fitness ahead of tomorrow.”