Army reservist becomes first service rider to compete at Badminton Grassroots Championships
Set among the beautiful scenery of Badminton House in South Gloucestershire, the Badminton Horse Trials is one of the most prestigious and well-attended equestrian events of the year.
In previous years, officers from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery have ridden to success at the international level competition, including notable names such as Captain (ret'd) Mark Philips and Major (ret'd) Richard Waygood.
But alongside the international event is the Le Mieux Badminton Grassroots Championships, and Army reservist Second Lieutenant Brian Leung has set a new milestone as the first service rider to ever qualify for this event.
2Lt Leung only picked up equestrian sports eight years ago, and has been partnered with his eight-year-old horse Jay for the past three years, and this year's competition at Badminton is the duo's first-ever championship.
A newly commissioned officer in the 151 Regiment, Royal Logistics Corps, 2Lt Leung underwent a rigorous qualification process just to get to Badminton.
Chair of RLC Equestrian, Lieutenant Colonel Lucy Anderson, said: "We're extremely proud. It's an achievement in itself just getting here to the grassroots competition here at the Badminton Horse Trials, where the three-day event will be happening.
"It's a superb achievement considering he learned to ride starting back in 2017 and has made steady progress throughout."
Eventing is better known as the triathlon of equestrian sports, where rider and horse compete in three different disciplines, including dressage, showjumping and cross country.
2Lt Leung had a strong showing on the opening day in the dressage event and, on the second day, he and Jay put in a strong performance in the showjumping despite dropping a pole on their run.
But disaster struck in the cross-country event after the Army reservist's horse aborted the tenth fence at the last minute, sending 2Lt Leung off his horse.
The premature end to their run meant the pair fell right down the order, but both rider and horse walked away from that brief scare unscathed and were safely reunited soon after.
Speaking to BFBS Sport following the cross country, 2Lt Leung said: "We unfortunately parted company about a third of the way through the course, and ate dirt, but the horse is back safe and sound and so am I.
"It's an absolute privilege to represent the British Army at such a prestigious championship event. I am the first Army rider to actually manage to qualify and come to this event, but either way it's been a great experience, especially for my younger horse, it is his first championship experience as well and for myself."
Alongside his career in the Army reserves, 2Lt Leung also works as a scientist in the emerging infections team at the UK Health Security Agency.
When asked how he balances his work commitments and his eventing career, he said: "Lots of planning, lots of support from friends and family, and the team at the yard that I'm based.
"My chain of command have also been very supportive, understanding that during competition season that I'm less available for Army training, but then I always make it up in the later half of the year in the off season.
"Work has been very supportive as well, so I'm at the UK Health Security Agency in the emerging infections team, and they help me a bit as well with some flexible working hours so that I can get the training in."
2Lt Leung, along with his horse Jay, is now aiming to compete at his first international event later on this year.
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