Biography

British rider Tom Crisp (45) runs who Team Crisp Eventing with his wife Sophie in Mayfield, East Sussex gained his third completion of the event last year with the homebred mare Liberty and Glory. It will however be a first 5* for this year’s entry Dassett Rock Star with who he gained top 20 places at Blenheim and Bramham 4*L events last year. With Liberty and Glory Tom achieved seven 5* completions.

Tom first came to prominence in 1999 when he finished second in the Young Rider National Championship at Bramham with Barnabys Ballard. The pair represented Great Britain at that year’s Young Rider European Championship at Necarne Castle winning team silver.

Tom has since produced a succession of young horses from scratch to advanced level.

Tom was born in Norfolk and after school went to Ireland to pursue a career in eventing which was followed by various placements before he set up his own yard in his home county. Tom, and his wife Sophie (nee Balfour), who also events and rode at Badminton in 2000, then relocated to Mayfield in East Sussex where they now have a 60-acre yard including a small stud, breeding future event horses.

As well as being a professional rider Tom is also a retained firefighter – when the call comes he has to drop whatever he is doing to become part of a vital team. He also enjoys building – he built the family house – and fixing things and track days on his motorbike.

Tom trains with Sune Hansen.

Tom and Sophie have two sons and a young daughter; Harry (17) who in his final of year of juniors having been supported by Project Pony and Barratt eventing, Hugo (15) and Hermione (6).

Dassett Rock Star is an 11-year-old British-bred gelding. Bred by John Reid he is by the Irish eventing stallion Centre Stage out of a mare by Limmerick. Formerly ridden by Amelia Walker he was acquired from Dassett Eventing in 2021.