U.S. Eventing Coach Capt. Mark Phillips Teaching in Aiken

It was an opportunity to see the sport of eventing’s elite working with one of the world’s most respected horsemen. The United States Equestrian Federation’s eventing team is holding its High Performance and Young Developing Riders training sessions this week at Three Runs Plantation, and Capt. Mark Phillips, the U.S. Chef d’Equipe, is coaching a number of the sport’s top riders and horses this weekend in Aiken. A cross country training session was held Wednesday at Leslie Ward’s Paradise Farm, and Thursday’s session at Three Runs Plantation included dressage and show jumping.

“The immediate focus is the Rolex Kentucky event at the end of April,” said Phillips. “It’s all leading up to the World (Equestrian) Games in September 2010. You don’t get to the standard overnight. It’s a process of development and training, and that’s what we’re working toward. We have several of the stars here (in Aiken), but there’s also a few young riders, who will be looking to displace some of those people. We had one here this morning, Jennie Brannigan, who looked fantastic. She’s also a big hopeful for next year.”

Phillips was part of the United Kingdom’s Gold medal winning Olympic team in 1972 and Silver medal winning team in 1988. He has also won Gold medals in the World and European championships and is a four-time winner of Badminton (1971, 1972, 1974 and 1981), with the eventer also capturing Burghley in 1973. The accomplished horseman has also represented the U.K. in show jumping and was a member on two Nation’s Cup winning teams. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the riders with whom he’s working….

Read the entire story by Ben Baugh
Date: 2-19-2009
By: www.aikenstandard.com