Between the Flags

Sammi Birch has spent nearly 30 years chasing the biggest prizes in eventing - but the Olympic start she still wants is what keeps her coming back for more. She opens up about the horses, the heartbreak, the stubbornness, and the wild journey that took her from the Hunter Valley to five Olympic reserve selections and some of the sport’s toughest tracks. Prue and Fi go right back to the start with one of Australia’s most accomplished eventers, from show ponies and dressage to the formative mentors who shaped her career, from the NSW Equestrian Centre, Prue and Craig Barrett and her dad Lyndon. Sammi shares what made horses like Hunter Red, Frederick Hunter, and the formidable Hunter Valley 11 so special, and why some of her best partnerships were also the quirkiest. Sammi also talks candidly about life at Little Park Farm in the Cotswolds with husband Ed, two children, a busy yard, Helen Tagg her head groom for an amazing 27 years, and a team that somehow always seems to have more horses than boxes. She explains why mentoring young Australian riders means so much to her, what it takes to stay at the top of international eventing, and why she’s more excited than ever about the next generation of horses coming through. This episode gives you a real look at what it takes to keep building toward Badminton, Burghley, and Los Angeles. Essential listening if you love eventing, horse people, and the brilliant reality behind elite sport.

Some horses are special from the moment you sit on them. Others take years, a mountain of patience and a few spectacular moments of “well… that didn’t go to plan!” Christine Bates has produced some of Australian eventing’s best horses and she’s got the stories to prove that getting to the top is rarely a straight line. Christine joins Prue and Fi for a cracking chat about growing up in WA, heading east with Basil, producing horses for the highest level and the highs, lows, laughs and heartbreak that come with a life in eventing. There’s plenty about the horses, of course — including what made Adelaide Hill so special and why Christine has some pretty big plans But this conversation goes deeper too. Christine talks honestly about failure, tragedy, risk and the responsibility to make eventing safer, while still protecting the things that make us all completely addicted to it. It’s honest. It’s funny. It’s occasionally brutal. And it’s a brilliant reminder that behind every great horse is a whole lot of work, patience, resilience.

From a horse-mad kid growing up in suburban Melbourne to competing on the world stage, Sophia Hill’s journey is a story of horses, family, determination and elite eventing. In this episode we chat with Sophia about the horses that have shaped her career, including her incredible partnerships with Humble Glory (Huey) and Tulara Baltango (Tango), and what it takes to balance family life with the demands of competing at the highest level. Sophia takes us through her journey from her first FEI start to international competition across four countries, including Burghley, Maryland, Lexington and Aachen. We hear about the highs, the challenges, the travel, the pressure and the special partnerships that have taken her from Melbourne’s suburbs to the world stage — including her reserve-team role for the 2024 Paris Olympics and her standout performance at Aachen in 2026. And, of course, we couldn’t leave out that trademark achievement: finishing on her dressage score! An honest and fascinating insight into the life of an elite event rider and the horses, family and passion behind the journey.

Charlotte Andrews takes us behind the scenes of elite eventing to reveal what it really takes to prepare a horse and rider for championship competition. From Australian team camp in Belgium to Aachen, Adelaide and Paris, Charlotte shares the routines, pressure, timing and split-second decisions that can make all the difference. Because at the top level, a groom does far more than keep the horse looking immaculate. They know the horse, read the rider, anticipate what’s needed and create calm in the middle of the chaos. With stories from her career grooming for some of the sport’s top riders, practical advice for aspiring grooms, and plenty of humour along the way, Charlotte gives us a rare insight into the person helping keep both horse and rider at their very best.

Andrew Cooper is one of Australia's leading high-performance event riders, with 13 horses produced to 4 & 5★ level, three Oceania Championship appearances, and a reputation for developing elite event horses. In this episode, Andrew shares the grit and determination that shaped his journey—from growing up in Wagga Wagga without a horsey background to becoming one of Australia's most respected horsemen. We talk about producing top-level event horses, navigating the highs and lows of elite competition, balancing family life with a busy horse business, and the mindset that's driven his success. Whether you're passionate about eventing, horse training, or high performance, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiring stories from one of the best in the sport.