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.

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.

What does it take to become Australia's Equestrian Team Veterinarian?

In this episode, we chat with Dr Nathan Anthony about his journey from growing up in Queensland to supporting Australia's elite eventing teams at World Championships, Olympic campaigns and international competitions.

Nathan shares the commitment, attention to detail and teamwork required to keep high-performance horses competing at their best. We explore the power of marginal gains, building trust in elite environments, and the lessons that come from working behind the scenes in one of the world's most demanding sporting arenas.

And as usual some cheeky fun!

Whether you're passionate about horses, veterinary medicine or high performance, this conversation offers valuable insights into the dedication behind elite success.

Will Enzinger's journey from riding school kid to Australia's High Performance Director is a story of persistence, passion and unexpected opportunities.

In this episode, Will shares the experiences that shaped him as a rider, coach and leader, along with insights into developing talent, building successful teams and guiding Australia's international ambitions. Throw in a few stories about singing, road trips and life with Emily Anker, and you've got a fascinating conversation about horses, high performance and staying true to yourself.

In this episode of Between the Flags, we sit down with Yona Lloyd for an honest conversation about resilience, taking chances, and staying committed to the sport you love.

From his upbringing in Tasmania to building a life in Western Victoria, Yona shares the experiences that have shaped him as a rider, coach, husband, father and horseman. We talk about the tough times, the setbacks that test your resolve, and the lessons learned from choosing to keep showing up when things don't go to plan.

Known for his down-to-earth approach and genuine passion for helping riders and horses develop, Yona reflects on the importance of backing yourself, taking the leap when opportunities arise, and finding purpose in the journey rather than the result.

This is a conversation about horses, family, coaching, resilience and why, despite the challenges, we keep coming back to eventing.

A thoughtful and inspiring chat with one of the good humans in our sport.

The conversation with Janet Houghton covers her introduction to the eventing community, her early days and involvement in eventing, her role in the squad program, event organization and management, and the importance of Melbourne in eventing. The discussion highlights the challenges and rewards of event organization, as well as the support and significance of the eventing community. The conversation covers a range of topics related to eventing, including the classes offered, leadership and direction in eventing, challenges and progress in the sport, the love for eventing, volunteering and community involvement, and light-hearted conversations.