First-timer Tom Strawson, 37, has plenty of experience of cross-country riding, albeit more in the hunting and point-to-point fields than in eventing. He has 47 point-to-point wins under his belt, including three Midlands Area titles, he is master of the Brocklesby hunt and this spring he won the Harborough Ride, plus he has a day job as a farmer and chartered surveyor.His hunting and team chasing friend Rowan Cope bet him 1,000 he wouldnt get around Burghley, but he finished 21st there last year on his five-star debut on the ex-racehorse Public Address, known as Brian at home.Tom, who scored 38.5 for 48th place after dressage, has walked the Badminton cross-country course with Chris Bartle, Ros Canter and Aunty Ginny [former event rider Ginny Rose], who is acting as my chef dequipe. Theres a lot to jump and its intense in the middle. As Im late to go, I plan to watch but I dont know if that will be a good thing or not. It might make me even more nervous!