Biography

Wiltshire-based British rider Aaron Millar (38) last competed here in 2023 and this year has two entries; in 2024 with Friendship VDL he completed Burghley – the first 5* for the horse – and was 6^th in the 4*L at Bramham, KC Deakon completed Pau at the end of 2022 and was 7^th in the 2023 4*L at Bramham.

Encouraged by his mother who was a keen rider, Aaron began competing with the PC and in 2005 aged 16, won the PC championship at Sansaw. He was selected for that years Junior European team and finished best of the British with Stormsay the horse that took him to Badminton in 2009.

He opted for a career with horses and by the age of 21 was running his own livery yard. In 2015 Aaron was involved in a serious car accident and was unable to work for a year.

Although Aaron comes from Devon he is currently based in Minety less than 20miles from the event. He also rides the SHB(GB) graded stallion Tomatillo who is a clone of the 2004 Badminton winner Tamarillo. In 2022 the pair was 6^th in the 4*S at Ballindenisk.

Aaron trains with Dannie Morgan and Jeremy Scott

KEC Deakon is an Irish Sport Horse registered 15-year-old gelding. Bred by Anna Kennedy of the Kennedy Equine Centre (KEC), he is by the Contender son Chacoa out of a mare by ISH Gildawn Diamond. He was initially bought from the breeder and produced as a five-year-old by Emma Silman then acquired by Millie Dumas who competed him to advanced level. Aaron acquired him from Millie in 2020.

Friendship VDL is a 15-year-old Dutch-bred KWPN registered gelding. Bred by the VDL stud he is by Azteca VDL out of a mare by Hold Up Premier. He was acquired through Padraig McCarthy and has been produced by Aaron since 2016. Aaron says; ‘Friendship by name and friendly by nature he is very much the yard pet’.