Delighted Emily Philp aims for Badminton return

The 34-year-old, from Claverley, near Bridgnorth, achieved a lifetime ambition when she made her debut last week at the world famous event with her horse, Camembert.

Philp finished 48th overall in her first appearance at a five-star event and said: “It was a fantastic experience and has given me a lot of confidence for the future.

“There were some disappointing aspects but considering it was the first time at that level for both me and the horse it was a good performance really.

“My main aim from the outset was to complete the event and we did that relatively comfortably. It has given me the belief I am capable of riding at that level.”

Philp’s appearance at Badminton was particularly poignant as it completed a remarkable recovery from when she suffered extensive injuries in a fall six years ago, while eventing with Camembert in Northamptonshire.

Her injuries included a torn spleen and five broken ribs, while she also punctured both lungs.

Despite at one point fearing her career might be over, Philp was back in the saddle within six weeks.

A first trip to compete at Badminton marked the culmination of several years of hard work and began encouragingly in the dressage.

“We did very well in the dressage, with just one mistake,” she explained. “Then the cross-country was really encouraging, even though we made an error halfway round.

“He was just too brave really when taking on the one fence and I couldn’t quite get him back.

“In a lot of ways it was very exciting for the future. He proved he is very capable at that level and gave me an amazing ride all the way round. He made it look easy at times and it was probably one of the most impressive rounds of the day.

“When it came to the showjumping he was maybe a bit tired and a little headstrong. That was a little bit disappointing and we ended up having a couple of rails down. On the whole, there were plenty of positives.”

Badminton, which takes place in south Gloucestershire, regularly attracts huge crowds with the cross-country day often being watched by more than 250,000 people.

Piggy French was crowned the overall winner of this year’s event, denying Shropshire’s Oliver Townend a second straight title. Philp is now considering whether to enter Camembert into the Burleigh Horse Trials, another five-star event which takes place later in the year. There is also a chance he might be selected in the British team for the upcoming Nations Cup.

“He is on the shortlist for that,” explained Philp. “If he gets selected for that it would be superb.

“We are pondering whether to take him to Burleigh, which is obviously another huge event and would be more great experience.

“The main aim would be to go back to Badminton next year. Now we have got the taste for it, we want more.

“It is not just about Camembert but the other horses we have who are moving up the levels.

“I am hoping to reach a point in the future where we take two horses to Badminton.”