BURNLEY rider Brian Irlam was in cracking form at the British Riding Club's Horse Trials Championships, staged in Warwickshire and attracting qualified clubs from throughout the British Isles, coming within a whisker of victory.

Brian and his ex-racehorse Persain Thorns were competing at the event for the second year running, and had qualified for the Open Championships. This is held over the most difficult cross country course at the event, with two water combinations that caught out many, and run as a two-day event with an extra steeplechase phase.

"We've had Persain Thorns for 10 years, and he's now 18," said Brian's wife Christine Irlam. "After dressage they lay third, which Brian was pleased with considering the horses age and the bit of stiffness that tends to come with this.

The pair had one pole down in the show-jumping phase, at the fourth fence, but maintained their position as not many of his opponents could go clear.

"They then had a great cross country round, over a course that was quite stiff but nicely built, and came home clear with just 10 time penalties," Christine added. "They moved in to second, just one mark behind the winner and would have been first if they'd gone just one second faster.

Brian, who is a solicitor, originally team chased Persain Thorn. The Irlams then decided the horse was too good to be restricted to just the one discipline and turned to eventing, where he has enjoyed a great career. Brian also has a younger horse to ride, and competes in dressage with him at the moment.

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