Tom takes auntie's advice
Tom Strawson, a 37-year-old from Louth, is making his debut at his local event, Defender Burghley, three decades after his aunt reached the top ranks.
Ginny Rose (née Strawson) competed in the event back in the 1990s and Tom recalls that the family would always take the caravan down to watch the event. “My aunt was placed a few times and she has been giving me so much advice, the whole time saying, 'do this, do that',” he joked.
Tom's appearance with his 11-year-old Public Address, aka Brian, comes off the back of a sixth place at Ballindenisk CCI4*L in Ireland earlier this season. It is, however, only the horse's fourth season eventing, Tom having switched from point-to-pointing after he 'got too heavy'!
"I've always been a competitive person, and this is one opportunity that if it came, I was going to try and take," he said. “It's an iconic event. We don't really look forward to the dressage so I'm glad that's over – it could have gone a lot worse than it did. My aim was a sub-40 score and we achieved that by the skin of our teeth.
“The cross-country has me excited; that's the thing we come for. I'm hoping for a clear round, but really just want to complete. It's a tough track and a long way round with some very undulating hills. I'm glad he's a thoroughbred – but I'm heavy enough, so I will need to ride lightly and just keep assessing how he is.
“We haven't had the ideal prep, missing our last big run at Hartpury with a minor problem, but we've done a lot of fitness work and plenty of dressage. I'm a few miles down the road from Ros [Canter] and she's given me lots of help. We had our last cross-country school at hers last week and she put us through some good lines and paces. Hopefully that is enough.
"I want to go and be competitive but, basically I just want a nice experience for the horse and to enjoy it.”