Local connections helped Phil live the dream
Scarborough event rider Phil Brown made sure his 5* dream came true at Burghley earlier this month.
There are only six 5* competitionsacrosstheworld,two ofthemintheUK,withBurghleyacknowledgedasoneofthe toughest cross-country challenges. This is where Brown made his 5* debut.
To ride a cross-country coursethatsees50%ofentries eliminated is the ultimate challenge but to complete all three phases, jumping a flawless round over Burghley’s iconic fences is a step very few ever realise. This is exactly what Brown achieved on Harry Robinson, a 14-yearoldgeldingwhohasbeenwith him for eight years.
Brown’smountisownedby the Bushby family of Killerby whohavelocalcompaniesOrbitElectricalServicesLtdand The Farrier in Cayton, these local connections, say Phil, “Make the journey all the more special”. It takes years of hard work, training and resilience to the ups and downs of competition to produce a horse to this level and achieve such a trusting partnership. Together they conquered the Burghley questions devised by Olympic designer Derek di Grazia over more than four miles of parkland watched by crowds of over 170,000.
Brown said: “To complete is a dream come true but to complete with a clear XC around the world's toughest 5* track is an achievement I'll never forget.
"I am incredibly grateful to every person who has been partofourjourney;totheteam who have always supported me and, to Harry's owners Orbit Electrical Services Ltd. But most of all, to Harry who’s been the most brilliant horse to partner at Burghley.”