Copper Beach

This grand schoolmaster is retiring from eventing, after helping his young rider to three five-star cross-country clears. Gemma Redrup finds out more

- 

RIDER COSBY GREEN

“IN 2020, I was looking for a young horse. Iwas training with Allie Knowles and she mentioned that her trainer Buck Davidson would be willing to sell ‘Sean’. I thought, ‘No way, that’s not what I'm looking for’, but I ended up trying him and loved him. That sale was one of the most fortunate things that has ever happened to me.

“Sean was 14 at the time and you never really know how buying an older horse will go. I thought even if I rode him for just one season, that would be life-changing and it’s safe to say it was. I let him teach me what he knew and we have our own system of complete trust between each other.

“My first impression of Sean was that he is so gentle - he's one of those horses with an out-and-out kind soul. To ride, he didn’t set the world on fire in terms of feeling, but there was something in his heart I was drawn to. He is the easiest horse to manage and loves to cuddle. Day to day he was a bit underwhelming because he knew when he needed to peak and give 100% and I think that’s why he’s had such good longevity.

“He lives for cross-country - as soon as he sees a start box his heart flutters.