FIFTY years ago Sue Benson competed at her first Badminton. She went on to win three eventing European Championship medals and was second at Badminton in 1979. She designed the iconic 2012 London Olympic cross-country course. She has reached the peak both as a rider and as a course-designer – and is now channelling her passion for elite sport as an owner, although perhaps this has not come quite as naturally to her.
Sue bought a five-year-old called Falco from an Irish dealer in the backstreets of Basingstoke.
“The dealer trotted him out and he floated past me,” she explains. “It is the most I’ve ever spent on a horse, around £22,000. Now you’d be asked £60,000 for a five-year-old like him. David Doel came to see him with me and the plan was for me to do some dressage and him to jump him.
“It soon became apparent that David was too big for him. Falco and I won a lot at dressage – but he soon became very naughty when out hacking.”
Now Falco is ridden by Tim Price, winning the CCI5* in Pau in 2021, and an individual and team bronze at the World Championships last year.
“It doesn’t get much better than that does it?” says Sue.
She admits being an owner, having been a top rider, can have its challenges.
“I do find it frustrating,” she says. “It’s not as straightforward as people think if one is as experienced as I am; sometimes I would like to give advice.
“I was also a bit naive about the whole being-an-owner thing when I asked Tim to take him on. I asked if I could come and compete dressage occasionally. But unsurprisingly he said no!
Denne historien er fra October 12, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra October 12, 2023-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
