My parents were friends with Oliver Townends parents and when he won Badminton in 2009 I held the trophy and it has been my dream ever since to ride here..Sam Ecroyds usual role at Badminton is as supporter of his girlfriend, Emily King, but this year he is fulfilling a lifetimes ambition to ride here.In 2021, he suffered a serious fall, incurring a head injury and nearly 60 broken bones, and was resigned to a competition career restricted to the lower levels. The fall changed my perspective, he says. It was a humbling experience to be in a hospital bed, unable to do anything.Now, however, Sam, who has completed his dressage test on the 18hh Boleybawn LeCrae, scoring 36.9, and is one-third of the way through my first Badminton.Its so much better riding, he said delightedly. My girlfriends been here several times and its been horrible watching.My parents were friends with Oliver Townends parents and when he won Badminton in 2009 I held the trophy and it has been my dream ever since to ride here. And if ever there was the right horse to do my first Badminton on, Beleybawn LeCrae [Patrick] is the right one.