Meet Barnie
Introducing Barnie Brotherton, the promising talent who proudly represented Team GB at the 2023 Young Rider European Championships.
Being placed 11th at his debut 4L in Lignieres, and riding the Badminton dressage guinea pig test in 2024. With multiple top 10 finishes from Novice to 3*, Barnie shines as a versatile equestrian champion.
Barnie's Roots
Barnie grew up on a smallholding in Worcestershire, with his parents and four siblings.
When he was 8 years old he was bought his first pony Pip. From there his passion grew as he competed in local shows and became an active member of the Cotswold Vale Farmers Hunt PC.
Initially drawn to show jumping, thanks to his super 13.2 pony Little Jimmy, from Fiona Wingrove, he made the transition to eventing at the age of 14, under the guidance of his childhood instructor Victoria Gregg.
To fund his equestrian pursuits he took on the challenge of training young ponies, and then horses. When Barnie turned 16 his grandparents gifted him Cash Casino, a stunning 17hh Danish Warmblood x TB, who was just starting out his eventing career, formally owned by Mary Gopsill
From Apprentice to Pro
Following valuable work experience in 2018, at Penhills Sport Horses with Jo Holder and Bernie Wharfe, and new trainer Karen Nicholas Eacock, Barnie solidified his decision to pursue a career in the equestrian world. Cash and him formed a great partnership, culminating many notable achievements. The first being a 2ndplacing with the Central U 18’s team at Frickley.
Barnie was then accepted on to the prestigious Haddon Training AASE apprenticeship scheme for elite riders. He honed his skills firstly under the mentorship of renowned professional Vittoria Panizzon and then at the age of 17 he became Harry Meades stable jockey and competition rider for 3 years. He was given many opportunities to train and entrusted to compete many of the youngsters, to include qualifying and then riding Clare Balding’s Barrington Bear at the Burghley Young Event Horse Championships.
2021-2022 Highlights
In 2021, Barnie and Cash were long listed for the Young Rider Europeans, a 1st in the OIU21 at Little Downham and another 1st in the 3*S at Bicton. The family invested in buying DHI King Nelson, then competing at Novice level, from Ian and Heidi Woodhead.
In 2022, after again being long listed for the Young Rider Europeans, Cash needed a splint operation, which was to be a complete success. Despite these setbacks Barnies determination remained unwavering. Cash came back for his only event of 2022 to finish 2nd in the OIU21 at Little Downham. Nelson also stepped up to finish the season on a high, being placed 2nd in the 3*S at Bicton.
At the end of 2022 and with the support of his family and a growing team, Barnie moved back home to excel in the exciting new equestrian and conservation business prospect, Little Mocho Farm, Nr Broadway, Worcestershire.
Riding High
2023 brought many positives. Firstly being selected for Caroline Moore’s Performance Mentoring Programme (PMP) which was a great honour, as well as being selected onto Tier 1 of the British Eventing Talent Pathway, supported by the Howden Way.
We also welcomed Whixley Qualitas, aka Fred, sourced from Andrew Williams at GHF, now Kilkenny International Sport Horses.
It was a busy year for Barnie, producing Fred, schooling liveries, and a cruise round Bicton, Bramham and Hartpury 4*S for Cash. In Barnies final year of Young Riders and after being long listed for the third year in a row, he and Nelson had the honour of being selected to represent team GB, at Montelibretti, Italy.
The season finished on a high with Barnie and Cash competing in their first solo competition abroad at Lignieres, France, in the 4*L, gaining one of their MER’s towards a hopeful 5* in 2024. Fred also showing his class in the 2*L at Bicton.
The future brings a hopeful 5* for Cash, Nelson stepping up to Advanced , and many more goals for the rest of the growing team. Barnie continues to broaden is teaching qualifications, and is also seeking potential owners to enjoy his journey.
