Tiff 36 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11...rse-trials.html Princess and the Pauper: Zara Phillips goes head-to-head with traveller at horse trials By Chris Brooke They come from opposite ends of the social spectrum. Zara Phillips is the world eventing champion and a member of the royal family, with big money sponsors and powerful contacts behind her. While Phoebe Buckley, 24, comes from a family of gypsies and mucks out stables to pay her way. But both female riders will be competing on equal terms at this week's Badminton Horse Trials. Traveller Phoebe Buckley and her horse Frostie are competing against Zara Phillips at Badminton this week Miss Phillips' rise to the top of three-day eventing is no big surprise given the historical invovlement of royalty and the wealthy in the 'upper class' sport. However, Miss Buckley is blazing an altogether more difficult and less tried path to success. With barely any funds or connections to help her rise the equestrian ladder, she has had to rely solely on a thick skin, determination, hard work and talent for a shot at the big time. Her 13-year-old horse Frostie cost just £1,800 and will arrive at the big event in a battered old horsebox. Miss Buckley is single and earns between £12,000 and £20,000 a year, with no significant sponsors backing her. Meanwhile, the Queen's 27-year-old granddaughter has a state-of-the-art £250,000 horsebox and trains on an 800-acre Gloucestershire estate. Zara, who learned to ride at four, lives in a £650,000 Cotswolds cottage with rugby star Mike Tindall and has sponsorship deals with Land Rover, Rolex and Cantor Index. Miss Buckley, pictured in a recent competition, said she is undeterred by her royal rival Miss Buckley lives on a traveller's site in Willingham, Cambridgeshire, in a tiny log cabin built by her father. She said she will 'let her riding do the talking' at the prestigious event and is aiming for a top 15 finish. 'I think I would be treated very differently if I wasn't from travelling roots but sometimes it's nice to be a bit of an underdog. There's always a certain amount of snobbery at horseriding events but it's usually a small minority who will think what they want whatever I say to them. 'It's hard for me when people are narrow-minded but I just try to keep my head down and concentrate on letting my riding do the talking. Zara Phillips is such a talented horsewoman but you always feel that she is expected to do well because of who she is and I think that's unfair. 'I feel sorry for her because she's under a lot of pressure to succeed and even a very skilful rider like her can lose if the horse makes a mistake.' The Queen's granddaughter Zara Phillips leads her mounts into a £250,000 horsebox and trains on an 800-acre estate in Gloucestershire Miss Buckley began riding horses bareback on the traveller's site in Willingham after watching the TV series If Wishes Were Horses as an 11-year-old child. She went on to work as a stable hand and now helps out at four local liveries in between competing at trialling events across Britain. Badminton is the most prestigious three-day event in the equestrian calendar and the majority of riders in this year's competition, which takes place this weekend, come from well-off families who underwrite their careers. But the gypsy girl, who has to combine competing with earning a living, still believes that she can finish in the top 15 of the expected 85-strong field. She is competing in her fourth Badminton trials and finished 38th last year. She said: 'Horses are great levellers because they don't care if they have come out of an expensive lorry or a little trailer. Frostie, bless her, is a very small horse and she is only just tall enough to compete in the Badminton trials. 'But even if she's not as flashy as some of the top horses she works very hard and definitely holds her own.' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tiff 36 Posted May 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 forgot to put in my 2 cents, I think it's nice that someone who is working hard and making her future happen (regardless of background) is doing so well and gaining attention ... hopefully she'll net some good sponsors with this article! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
chartpolski 24,027 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Load of crap !! Another little rich girl being pampered by rich parents !! The press are just making this a "poor girl" against "royalty" scenario , to sell papers !! Cheers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LDR 29 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Doesn't look like your average traveller does she........... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cocker 2,654 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 doesnt look like no traveller lass i ever saw, could be wrong though Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shooter08 0 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Fittest Traveller Ive Ever Seen Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Netter 0 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Fittest Traveller Ive Ever Seen I've heard stories about you, stalking about up Woldgate. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ferret15 0 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 most of the true travelers i know have more money than the rest of us if the girl is good she will pick up sponsors of the back of this. and i wish her all the luck in the world, the horse industry is a hard world to make a name for yourself and most of the big names have money to throw at it. for the best trainers, best horses etc. etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Shooter08 0 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Fittest Traveller Ive Ever Seen I've heard stories about you, stalking about up Woldgate. Lmao, You Funny Buggar Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Tis TM 8 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Best of luck to her, you've got to have balls of steel to ride Badminton, and I hope she does really well.... So whats a traveller "supposed" to look like then? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rabbit tourmentor 29 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 i dunno but ide cur it Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LDR 29 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 i dunno but ide cur it 'cacker chav, ide cur the malt and she'd be borey' Quote Link to post Share on other sites
thomps125 49 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 i dunno but ide cur it wudnt we all money is nuffin if she is good she will get some where same as the qweens girl if she was no good she wudnt b there either Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LDR 29 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 Best of luck to her, you've got to have balls of steel to ride Badminton, and I hope she does really well.... So whats a traveller "supposed" to look like then? Typically not like that mate................. ..............some clever PR though.............. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
The one 8,484 Posted May 4, 2009 Report Share Posted May 4, 2009 I remember Princess Anne had the best horses the best trainers and couldn't keep her arse in the saddle Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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