THE COOL CLUB
Now we all know that our Party Ice is the UK’s No.1 choice for cooling drinks and now even icing ourselves as part of the huge spike in ice bath interest, but what do you know about ice for horses? Over the years our ice has been used far and wide across the equine industry, from supplying the London 2012 Olympics with ice for recovering athletes and horses to keeping some of the biggest racecourses and equine events stocked up with the good stuff throughout the year!
In this case, Phil Brown is a 5* rider and long-time friend of The Ice Co and we’re proud to be his sponsor supporting the many Eventing dates he competes in throughout the year. Our sponsorship has helped contribute towards the rigorous training it takes to compete, as well as providing enough ice to keep his furry teammates in their best shape! We caught up with Phil and his steed Harry Robinson towards the end of the summer last year ahead of his last few trials of the season to shine a light on his incredibly challenging sport and learn more about where his passion for Eventing began.
Watch us catch up with Phil and Harry at his new yard below:
What is Eventing?
So Eventing is a three-phase competition, it’s probably like a triathlon really for horses that consists of dressage, showjumping and cross-country. The national events and the one-day events go in that order and the international three-day events go dressage, cross-country and showjumping on the final day.
When did you start riding?
Oh! Probably…about five or six years old. On and off I had lessons at a riding school and then didn’t get my first pony until I was eleven.
How did you get into Eventing?
So Eventing just came through the Pony Club really! We did a little bit of everything, and I used to do Tetrathlon which the riding part of that was the cross-country fairs. Then when I finished Pony Club, really the only way to continue doing cross country was to go down the Eventing route.
Which is your favourite event and why?
Oh Bramham, in West Yorkshire near Leeds! Growing up around here that was the big aim, the one we wanted to do and we went every year as kids, even if you’re not riding it’s a great week!
What has been your best achievement to date?
Probably completing in Burghley last year. That is the highest level of international competition you can do. I did qualify for it six years previously and then that horse picked up an injury. Yeah, it was a long six years to wait to be able to go back to it but completing with a clear round and then crossing that finish line was pretty cool!
What is your ultimate goal?
I feel like that was it! Burghley was the ultimate goal or a five-star completion. Now it’s probably just to keep doing that and get better each time.
Who has been your horse or pony of a lifetime?
Probably Jules Miss Brodie! That would be the first horse I went advanced on, my first intermediate, my first proper international competitions and my first Bramham, which was a big, big goal.
How fit do you have to be to do a 3-day event and how do you get and stay fit?
Probably don’t do enough! So last year for Burghley I did do quite a lot of personal training sessions because the majority of the horses I had to ride were younger, so I didn’t feel like I was doing as much upper-level riding myself from only having that one horse. This year, because I’ve got so many to ride, it’s just the day-to-day riding really.
How long does it take the horse to get fit enough to compete?
So from the base probably about 12 weeks properly to go through the proper fitness program. Once they are at event competition fitness, then they do the three-day event every year then you kind of don’t need to top that up, that base level fitness stays there – it’s just the runs of the competitions that help keep it going.
How do you both recover after competitions, do you take ice baths or is it time for a holiday!?
So post every cross-country round the horses have their legs iced. I probably don’t do enough for myself! I like to try and go on holiday in November when the season is over and the horses, well after a big run they go to the spa for a week!
Why do people ice horses’ legs?
For the tendons and ligaments. With the heat there is more movement in them so then there is more risk of injury, so we ice them to tighten them back up and cool everything down as fast as we can.
How has The Ice Co helped you?
So The Ice Co sponsor me with their training bursary every year, which I use for training on various horses and then of course we use your ice to cool down the horses’ legs! – Oh and for our drinks!
Have you ever had an ice bath?
I haven’t no!
It’s something we’re quite passionate about at The Ice Co and it has lots of benefits for example it’s really good for mental health and mental clarity, reduces inflammation and improves people’s general fitness; so would you try one?
I probably would, I’d be a bit nervous jumping in I think!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
I don’t know really, I would hope I have fulfilled all my riding goals by then. I do a lot of coaching now as I’m a youth coach for British Eventing for the under-21s. I’m currently doing my level four coaching, which is like a master’s in sports coaching, So I’d like to think that maybe with my ridden experience and then just keeping going with the coaching I’ll probably end up in a coaching role.
Do you have any advice on how anyone looking to get into eventing could get started?
Just don’t be afraid of hard work, it’s a lot of hard graft! Also, there are a lot more bad days than good, so you’ve got to learn to take that but if you’re passionate about it keep pushing on!
What do you do in your spare time?
I don’t really have any, probably too much equine stuff! Like I said I like to go on holiday at the end of the season and in the winter when we’re not busy out of season I do try and have a Sunday off, go for Sunday lunch, take the dog for a walk and just do normal things!
Thanks for chatting with us Phil and good luck for your next season!
You are very welcome, thank you for the support!
Keep up to date with Phil’s latest eventing appearances over on his Instagram here, and keep an eye out on our socials for more content like this coming soon!
