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‘Hunting has given me a no-nonsense approach’: the amateur and trail-hunting fanatic taking on his first Badminton on a cheap ex-racehorse

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From a lifelong passion for hunting to an unconventional return to eventing, the Badminton first-timer reflects on the lessons that have shaped him, his unexpected ambitions – and the cheap retrained racehorse now thriving at five-star, in this exclusive interview for H&H subscribers

Tom Strawson with his Badminton Horse Trials ride Public Address, plus dogs Tigga and Taffie.

“I’m not sure I should really be referred to as an event rider,” says Mars Badminton Horse Trials first-timer Tom Strawson, as he names two ambitions in life as hunting a pack of hounds and winning the Melton Hunt Club Ride.

It’s an unusual statement for a Badminton first-timer to make, but then Tom is an unusual debutant for this week’s spring five-star (6-10 March), where he’ll start on Public Address (Brian), with whom he was 21st at Burghley Horse Trials last year.

At 37, Tom has been point-to-pointing’s Midlands Area champion jockey three times, works full-time in property and won the Harborough Ride this spring. Eventing is not the only, or even the thickest, string to his bow.

“Hunting is my major love in life,” says Tom. “It’s been huge in terms of educating me as a jockey and it’s also massive in terms of educating horses.

“I think a lot of people don’t actually realise the benefit of taking younger horses hunting in making them brave, travelling through any going and teaching them to settle in a busy environment. It’s something I really value.

“And to win the Melton is on my bucket list. I had an epic battle with my hunting mate Rowan Cope in the Harborough and no doubt we’ll renew that in the Melton in the autumn.

“About three years ago out hunting with the Quorn when I was riding Brian, Rowan and I had a £1,000 bet I could get him round Burghley… I’m looking forward to the day he coughs up!”

Before the Melton, there’s the little matter of this five-star in Gloucestershire.

Tom Strawson and Public Address try out some accuracy questions at home. Credit: Nico Morgan

How to watch and listen to Badminton Horse Trials

To watch Badminton Horse Trials live or via catch up, including the trot-ups, from the comfort of your home anywhere in the world, you need a 2026 Badminton TV Pass. Badminton TV is once again powered by ClipMyHorse.TV, but you do not need a full ClipMyHorse.TV subscription to watch – you can just subscribe to Badminton TV for £22.99. Go to badminton-horse.tv to sign up. If you are already a ClipMyHorse.TV premium member, Badminton TV is included in your subscription. Also check out the Badminton app, which provides free live results and much more this year. Sign up for Badminton Plus membership for £4.99 to access the live Radio Badminton broadcast and receive exclusive offers from on-site exhibitors. Search for Badminton Horse Trials in your app store.

Enjoy the best of Badminton with Horse & Hound

To ensure you keep up to date with all the breaking news, behind the scenes insight, and the best of the action throughout Badminton Horse Trials with no limits on how much you can read, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website from as little as £1 a week. Sign up now. And don’t miss our bumper 28-page magazine report on Badminton, including in-depth analysis and exclusive comments from top names, in the issue of Horse & Hound dated 14 May.

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