In this two-part episode of the Inside Scone series, Nicole Brown is joined first by Matthew Taylor, Director of Racing at Perth Racecourse, to talk about the build-up to the very first Scone Palace International Horse Trials. From pulling the event together in just 10 months to preparing seven cross-country tracks, Matt shares behind-the-scenes insight into course building, ground management, and what it means for Scottish eventing.

Then Spike the Vet steps in to join Nicole for a full preview of the feature classes — the CCI4*-L and CCI4*-S. They run through the EquiRatings Prediction Centre favourites, the ones to watch, and a few dark horses, with plenty of stats, form analysis, and rider backstories to set the scene for the weekend.

Episode Highlights:

• Matthew Taylor on merging racecourse and eventing expertise for year one at Scone
• How the team is tackling ground prep after a dry summer
• CCI4*-L contenders — from joint favourites Wills Oakden & Keep It Cooley to Daisy Berkeley’s Blenheim runner-up
• CCI4*-S favourites — why Laura Collett & London 52 could be tough to beat
• International challengers, dark horses, and form pointers for both classes
• What’s on across the weekend: grassroots championships, showing, show jumping, mounted games, and more

Guest Info:

• Matthew Taylor — Director of Racing, Perth Racecourse
• Spike Milligan — Equine Vet & regular EquiRatings Podcast contributor

Host:

• Nicole Brown

For tickets and event info: www.sconehorsetrials.com

Nicole Brown and Sam Watson dive straight into the newly announced Defender Burghley Horse Trials 2025 entry list — and the stories behind the names. With the course running in reverse for the first time since 2017 and an elite field taking shape, they discuss the contenders, the challenges, and the drama that could unfold.

Episode Highlights:

• The reversed Burghley track and how it could make time even tougher.
• Ros Canter & Lordships Graffalo’s huge Prediction Centre win chance — and the Badminton/Burghley double on the line.
• Vitali’s brilliance, Tim Price’s resilience, and the quest for a Burghley win.
• Colorado Blue’s stamina strengths and Ireland’s hopes.
• Harry Meade’s triple challenge and quest for a first 5* victory.
• Exciting returning and debuting combinations to watch.

Guests:

• Nicole Brown – Host of the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast.
• Sam Watson – International event rider, analyst, and EquiRatings co-founder.

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In this Inside Burghley bonus episode, Nicole Brown visits the venue just three weeks before Defender Burghley Horse Trials kicks off for 2025. Event Director Martyn Johnson and Course Designer Derek di Grazia share exclusive insights on final preparations, from reversing the track direction for the first time since 2017 to reimagining iconic features like the Trout Hatchery.

Episode Highlights

• Three Weeks to Go: Why this is crunch time for the Burghley team.
• A New Direction: How reversing the course changes the challenges for riders.
• Design Secrets: The small details — from tree placement to car positioning — that shape the way fences ride.
• Heritage Meets Innovation: Keeping legendary features like Lionbridge, the Leaf Pit, and Defender Valley fresh while showcasing sponsors.
• Fence to Watch: The revamped Trout Hatchery at the seven-minute mark.
• Ground Game: How the team is delivering top-class going despite a dry summer.

Guests

• Martyn Johnson – Event Director, Defender Burghley Horse Trials
• Derek di Grazia – International Course Designer, Burghley Burghley Horse Trials

Host

• Nicole Brown

Check out the Burghley website here.

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We’re nearing the first-ever Scone Palace International Horse Trials — and Scotland’s own Wills Oakden is here to take us behind the scenes. Nicole Brown chats with Wills about what this brand-new event means for Scottish eventing, the work going into preparing the venue, and his own plans for competing on home turf. From fresh challenges to home advantage, it’s a mix of insight, humour, and excitement for one of the most talked-about additions to the 2025 calendar.

Episode Highlights:

• The end of an era for Blair and why Scone is stepping into the spotlight
• Terrain, setting, and spectator appeal — what makes Scone unique
• Wills’ perspective on the cross-country course and preparations
• His horse line-up for the weekend
• How he handles pressure at home events
• Why Scone’s first year is just the start of something big

Guest: Wills Oakden

Host: Nicole Brown

Scone Palace International Horse Trials is running from the 21st to the 24th of August. Check out tickets here.

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It’s Dublin Horse Show week, and things have gone totally rogue at EquiRatings HQ. In this surprise crossover episode, Nicole Brown is joined by a very special crew — jumping podcast host Charlotte Smet, eventing’s newest content wizard Ali Barrett, and the trustry senior analyst Georgia Patrick — for an unauthorised Alphabetti Spaghetti.

What started as a quiet moment while Diarm was in a meeting quickly spiralled into full-blown podcasting chaos, live from a glass-walled booth in the middle of Dublin.

This is Alphabetti Spaghetti — jumping meets eventing, first dates are discussed, anger and rage are confessed, and the team may (or may not) be in trouble with Diarmuid Byrne.

In this episode of Through the Owners’ Eyes, Johnny Hornby shares the journey behind Barrington Sport Horses — from his early riding days to becoming one of the most dynamic owners and breeders in British eventing. With 38 horses, major ambitions for riders like Izzy Taylor, and a creative, lighthearted approach to sponsorship through Hawkstone Lager, Johnny offers a refreshing look at ownership done differently.

• From Pebworth Vale to 38 horses: how Johnny reignited a lifelong love of horses
• Why Barrington focuses on elite mares and sires — and the real cost of breeding
• Supporting Izzy Taylor’s bid for the top, including LA 2028 dreams
• Backing the next generation: from his own daughters to young stars like Jago
• The origin of Hawkstone Lager — and what happens when you win your body weight in beer
• Big-picture thoughts on prize money, the future of sponsorship, and why we must protect iconic venues

• Founder of Barrington Sport Horses
• Leading figure in advertising and entrepreneurship
• Owner, breeder, and sponsor championing the future of eventing

Host: Nicole Brown

This episode is powered by EquiRatings Horse Sales — the data-driven way to find your next superstar.
From performance metrics to potential and price, EquiRatings helps take the guesswork out of buying and selling horses. Find out more here.

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast:

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In this episode of The Grassroots Show on the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast, Sam Watson returns to the mic to join Nicole Brown for a brilliantly practical and mindset-focused deep dive into four of the most common mistakes riders make across all three phases of eventing.

From the traps of trying too hard to misunderstanding the true role of rider responsibility, Sam shares hard-earned wisdom, hilarious analogies, and honest advice you can apply at any level. Whether you're trotting down the centreline or tackling a big cross-country track, this one is packed with insight.

• Why "trying harder" isn’t the answer: Success often comes from calm, consistent, simple habits — not more effort in the saddle.
• Dressage: Focus on the process, not the shape: The "one-handed riding rule", the myth of being on the bit, and the trap of chasing outcomes.
• Show Jumping: Control what you can: You can’t control your eye for a stride — but you can control speed, rhythm, softness, and the setup.
• Cross Country: Stay in your lane: Riders have four jobs: straightness, speed, softness, and staying on. The rest is up to the horse.
• Loose jumping, roast dinners, and emotional chaos: Sam makes it relatable with real-life parallels — including why preparing a Sunday roast has a lot in common with a successful eventing round.

• Sam Watson: Irish international event rider, EquiRatings co-founder, and long-time 'friend' of the podcast.

Presented by Foran Equine, part of the Connolly’s RED MILLS family.

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