Locals rooting for Georgie and George

Whilst also the youngest competitor at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, 19-year-old Georgie Spence and her ride Running Brook has to be the most local combination.

Georgie and Running Brook, who also goes by the stable name of George, live close to nearby Chippenham. It is the first competitive visit to Badminton for both of them. “I never really even came to Badminton much as a spectator as I was never allowed to take time off school and was usually competing at weekends but I’m very excited to be here,” said Georgie, whose first love was show jumping. “My ambition was to make a team and I knew we could never afford a show jumper of that calibre – so I took my show jumper, Darracks Tonto, eventing and was travelling reserve for the British Junior team which made me determined to stay with it.” Last year Georgie won a team gold medal at the Young Rider European Championships.

But not only is Georgie one of the locals as Running Brook who she has owned for two and a half year was bred at the nearby West Kington Stud. Bred by stud manager Tessa Clarke in partnership with Sue Carden he is by the Thoroughbred Meadow Brook, a son of Mill Reef who stood at the stud for several years. His dam Casilla is by Liboi a Thoroughbred who stood at Catherston Stud.

“George was quite excited yesterday but he has gone back to sleep today,” said Georgie who is hoping the atmosphere of the main arena might lift him for his dressage test tomorrow afternoon. “He can be a bit quiet on the flat although you never know he might surprise us.” 

Georgie has wasted no time in walking the course. “I wasn’t frightened too much by my first look and cross country is usually George’s strength – well that’s what I’m hoping. Realistically we’re here for the experience but I would love to go clear cross country.”