Full-time businessman Tom Strawson is one of the few true amateur riders in the Defender Burghley line up this year. He is a director at Qudos Developments, which specialises in advising, acquiring and developing commercial property.

The 37-year-old swapped point-to-pointing for eventing just a few years ago and is following in the footsteps of his aunt, Ginny Rose (née Strawson), who competed here in the 1990s.

Tom’s partner is the 11-year-old ex-racehorse Public Address, a Thoroughbred he purchased after a friend said he was selling a “cheap Thoroughbred that can jump” for less than a few grand.

“He ran a couple of times as a four- or five-year-old in Ireland. He’s made for speed — he’s by Milan, a top-end National Hunt sire,” said Tom.

“A friend of mine told me he’d got a cheap Thoroughbred that could jump. He sent me a video and that was enough for me to get on a plane and go and see him.

“He’s a jumper. He’s got a very good action with his front forearm and a very chilled temperament, but not a lot else.

“He’s too small, flat boned, a bit long in the back, herring gutted, but I thought, well, you’re cheap and you can jump so can get out of jail if you’re not good enough.”

Too heavy for racing

Tom is a former Pony Club member and he contested pony trials and junior eventing before switching to point-to-pointing.

He returned to eventing in July 2020 after a nine-year break and Burghley is his 30th international event.

Public Address’s first run, at novice level, was in March 2022, but the pair were eliminated on the cross-country.

“I’ve always been hooked on the horse job,” said Tom.

“Point-to-pointing was easier with university and then work. I managed to get a few outside rides, kept myself fit, and then turn up at a point-to-point at the weekend.

“I absolutely loved it and I probably would be doing that now if I wasn’t the size that I am [6ft 1in].

“As you get older your natural weight gets heavier and it just wasn’t fun anymore. I’m quite competitive though and then this horse came along.

“Fortunately, he’s talented and progressed quickly. I had no idea [if he’d be good enough].

“It was just a case of keep asking him a few questions and he answered them so we could progress. I suppose that’s happened, so that’s why we’re here.”

Training with Ros Canter

As well as support from his Aunt Ginny and Great Aunt Pauline, Tom also trains with Amy Woodhead and Ros Canter, who lives four-miles away from his base near Louth, Lincolnshire.

“I took this horse for a last cross-country school at hers last week and she was jumping one of her good horses. I thought, ‘well, if my horse can jump those fences OK, we’ll be OK’.”

Main image by Tim Wilkinson

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