With the great and the good of British eventing heading to the CCI5* at Pau, Rachel reflects back to when she sat down with Gemma Tattersall earlier in the year. They chat about Gemma's season, her up-and-coming stars – two of whom are at Pau this year – and dream holiday locations. Plus, there's a round-up of essential horsey viewing for this weekend and the low-down on the equestrian awards season.
Volunteering is a vital part of the equestrian industry – without it, we simply couldn't function. In this episode, Rachel heads to Pony Club HQ to talk to CEO Marcus Capel and Development Officer Zoe Pulling to find out about the Young Equestrian Leaders Award, which is a scheme designed to encourage young people to get involved with volunteering. Then, she catches up with Sophie, who's recently earned her YELA Gold certificate, to find out what she's gained from this habit of a lifetime.
Following the formation of the BEF's Equality Engagement Group (EEG), Matt and Rachel discuss the topic of diversity in equestrian sport. The BEF's Head of Participation, Anna Hall, explains why the EEG was set up and what they hope to achieve, then Rachel speaks to group members representing Ebony Horse Club and The Urban Equestrian Academy – two equestrian projects already working closely with diverse communities and seeing the benefits.
Matt and Rachel are back! This week, they're reflecting on their trip to beautiful Blenheim Palace Horse Trials, where Rachel caught up with Downton Abbey star and event horse owner Michael Fox. Plus, super-groom Jackie Potts reveals what it's like to be a groom working at the event.
It's Burghley weekend! Rachel is riding solo for this one because Matt has abandoned her in favour of a few (well-deserved) days off, so prepare for self-conscious rambling while sitting on a cross-country fence. She catches up with Oliver Townend, Piggy French and winner Pippa Funnell, then talks to World Champion Ros Canter, who was a surprise face at Burghley on Thursday. Plus, fourth-placed Sarah Bullimore extols the virtues of working with Tamsin Thurlow, who received the groom's prize at t...
And just like that, it was all over. Finally back in the UK, Matt and Rachel reflect on the final day in Luhmühlen that led to Great Britain winning a team silver medal and Kitty King finishing as the highest placed British rider. Plus, Tina Cook shares her thoughts after her clear showjumping round.
The adrenaline has been running high all day as the Team GBR riders tackle Luhmühlen's tough cross-country track. There's been elation and heartbreak, so Matt takes over the microphone to catch up with Pippa Funnell, Kitty King and Oliver Townend after their stellar rounds.
Dressage day two? Smashed it! With four British riders in the top ten and the team currently in silver medal position, Matt and Rachel recap what's happened on Friday in Luhmühlen, including the tests from Tina Cook, Kitty King and Oliver Townend.
The Union Jack is at the top of the leaderboard on Thursday evening, following a fantastic performance from Laura Collett and London 52 – who happens to be one of Rachel's biggest pony-crushes. Hear what Laura, and fellow squad members Pippa Funnell and Piggy French, had to say to the media following their tests. Matt and Rachel also reflect on what's coming up in the second day of dressage.
The cross-country course has been revealed! Rachel catches up with Piggy French after the first team course-walk to get her take on what the squad will face on Saturday. Plus, Matt and Rachel reveal which riders will be competing for a team medal and who will be running as individuals, and also the dressage times for Thursday and Friday.
Team GBR have landed in Luhmühlen for the FEI Eventing European Championships! As the weather oscillates from scorching sunshine to tempestuous thunderstorms, Matt and Rachel reflect on what's coming up this week and the key role that grooms play in a championships team. Rachel speaks to Chloe Fry, who's here as groom for Kitty King and Vendredi Biats, about her first championship experience and how she keeps her charge's grey coat looking its best for the first horse inspection.
Rotterdam, you've been amazing! As the final day in the first leg of the tour comes to an end, Matt and Rachel sit in the empty stands – with the stadium being taken down around them – and reflect on their personal highlights of the week. Plus, Rachel catches up with Chef de Mission Vikki Underwood for her take on proceedings, and Sophie Wells and Georgia Wilson after their successes in the para-equestrian dressage Freestyle.
It's a team silver medal for Team GBR's para-equestrian dressage athletes! Rachel catches up with Chef d'Equip Georgina Sharples after the medal ceremony to get her take on how her team have performed this week. Matt and Rachel also recount the rest of the action from the day.
Team GBR's showjumpers are going to Tokyo! In the latest Tour Diary episode, Matt and Rachel are celebrating Scott Brash, Amanda Derbyshire, Ben Maher and Holly Smith's team bronze medal and securing of one of the coveted Olympic Games qualification slots. Rachel catches up with Ben and Chef d'Equipe Di Lampard after the medal ceremony to talk about what this result means. Plus, YouTuber This Esme chats about being in Rotterdam with the FEI.
After a 16-hour day in Rotterdam with three disciplines competing, Matt and Rachel are running on adrenaline (and quite a lot of caffeine and sugar!). In the latest tour diary episode, an elated Gareth Hughes recounts his performance in the Grand Prix Special, Nicky Greenhill explains how she navigates the arena as a visually-impaired para-equestrian dressage rider, and Scott Brash sums up Britain's performance after the first round of the team jumping competition. Plus, Sophie Wells reflects on...
Episode two of the Europeans Tour Diary is here, and it's all about what's happened on the fourth day of competition. Wednesday has been a great day all-round for Team GBR in Rotterdam. Ben Maher came third in the jumping speed class, while Georgia Wilson and Mari Durward-Akhurst put in very strong performances in the para-equestrian dressage. Rachel catches up with all of them, plus Georgia's coach Sophie Wells, to chat about their performances.
The FEI European Championships are finally underway! Tuesday has been a day of highs and lows for the Brits, with some amazing Grand Prix dressage performances followed by the shock elimination of Charlotte Dujardin. Matt and Rachel reflect on what's happened, and also catch up with dressage riders Gareth Hughes and Lottie Fry. Plus, Gareth's daughter, Ruby, chats about her involvement with vaulting.
With the European Championships fast approaching and some fantastic results from British riders to celebrate, Matt and Rachel can barely contain their excitement. After hearing some updates from the team at the Ready Steady Tokyo test event in Japan, including para-equestrian dressage rider Natasha Baker, they catch up with leading equestrian photographer Jon Stroud, who'll be joining them out in Rotterdam and Luhmühlen, to hear about his career and what it's like to work at a major championship...
There's less than a year to go until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games! The Ready Steady Tokyo test event for the equestrian disciplines takes place next week, and Team GBR has sent two athletes to compete. Rachel chats to Vikki Underwood, Performance Director for Team GBR's World Class Programme, to find out what the team are hoping to gain from their visit to Tokyo. Alex van Tuyll, who's travelled out to Tokyo with the test event horses, also reveals what goes into travelling horses long-distance. ...
The squad for the FEI Para-equestrian Dressage European Championships has been announced! Two of the riders on the squad, Sophie Wells and Mari Durward-Akhurst, chatted to Rachel at the Hartpury Festival of Dressage ahead of selection about how they got involved in the sport, a bit about their top horses and how they prepare for competition.
Park Palace Ponies is a starter riding school in the Toxteth area of Liverpool. It works with local schools and organisations to allow inner-city children, many of them from disadvantaged backgrounds, to access the benefits of being around horses. Matt and Rachel take a trip to Liverpool to meet the different groups of people behind the project.
In the first full-length episode, Rachel catches up with eventer Piggy French at a Team GBR training session to talk about her Badminton victory, the horses she has long-listed for the upcoming European Championships and how she managed to surprise us all with her secret wedding a few weeks ago. Like the sound of it? Then don't forget to rate, review and subscribe!
In this teaser launch episode, Matt and Rachel share some of what you can expect from the British Equestrian Federation's new podcast, including their visit to Park Palace Ponies in Liverpool and interviews with some of your favourite Team GBR riders. Plus, Matt pitches a exciting summer road trip and Rachel reveals her questionable music taste. Subscribe if you want to hear more.
