Phoebe leaves the Princess standing

It was billed as the princess versus the pauper, a very British battle in which a humble Gypsy girl was pitted against the financial muscle of the British monarchy.

Last weekend, as the Badminton horse trails started, the press was amazed to discover that Phoebe Buckley, 23 year old Gypsy woman from Cambridgeshire site was competing directly against Princess Zara Phillips, granddaughter of the British Queen. They marvelled how Phoebe made the grade with little backing and her old horse box, they wondered if she’d beat a far more moneyed opponent. It was caravan pitted against castle in one of the toughest sporting arenas in the world. So how did it turn out?

After 3 days of dressage and cross country riding amongst the best horse riders in the world, it was hardly a Hollywood ending. Zara Phillips retired from the competition with her horse Ardfield Magic Star. Phoebe Buckley on the other hand came 54th on her horse Little Tiger.

The Badminton Horse Trails is the most prestigious eventing competition in the world. Held at the Gloucestershire estate of the Duke of Beaufort, it sees riders compete for three days in dressage and cross country riding. To even compete at Badminton both rider and horse have to be of the highest international quality. So what can we learn from the result? That both women are excellent riders, but that on the day Phoebe was the better one. With little backing other than the love and dedication of her family she’s competing with the best of the world as an equal. There are many horse cultures in this world, and the Gypsy tradition of competing with horses is the equal of any of them.

On Thursday 14th of May, that horse culture will gather in another place in Gloucestershire but will enjoy none of the fame of the Badminton Horse Trails. Because when Gypsies and Travellers gather in a field outside Stow on the Wold, the biggest Horse Fair in the south England will still be under a permanent injunction attempting to stop it. While the playing field may well be equal in sport, it's still an uphill struggle in local country politics.

Listen to this interview with Phoebe recorded in August 2007, where she talks about her background, her life and her passion for one of the toughest sports on the planet.

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