Grassroots Show: Mastering Cross-Country Speed with Sam Watson

Cross-country speed. Everyone wants it. Very few riders really understand how to build it.

On this episode of the Grassroots Podcast, Cameron Beer sits down with Sam Watson to unpack what actually makes riders fast across country, and why speed has far less to do with bravery than most people think.

From cruising speed and balance, to transitions, footwork, stamina, and course walking, Sam breaks down the systems, habits, and mindset that helped him become one of the sport's best against the clock. There are stories from Burghley, Badminton, the World Championships, plenty of honest mistakes, and practical takeaways every grassroots rider can use this season.

Because getting the time isn't about chasing. It's about understanding.

Highlights

Sam's five pillars of cross-country speed
Why "practice until you don't get it wrong" shaped his riding
The biggest mistakes riders make when chasing the clock
How to train speed at home, safely and progressively
Course walking tricks that save seconds without taking risks
Why smooth rounds are often the fastest rounds
This week's Grassroots Challenge, Sam's Gear Challenge

Guest

Sam Watson, Irish Olympian, World medalist, and EquiRatings analyst

Presented by Foran Equine, part of the Connolly's RED MILLS family.

EquiRatings Eventing Podcast: Follow the EquiRatings Eventing Podcast for more data-led insight, top-tier guests, and everything you need to keep up with the 2026 season on Instagram and Facebook.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(1304)

Defender Bramham Review Show 2026

Bramham feels like one of those moments in the season where things stop being hypothetical. Nicole and Spike look back on a weekend that answered some questions, created a few more, and left plenty of...

16 Kesä 38min

Littlemax Future Stars: Josh Levett

He's had the highs. He's had the heartbreak. Now comes the next chapter. Josh Levett joins Nicole to reflect on a season of near-misses, breakthrough moments, and why sometimes the weeks that almost h...

10 Kesä 39min

Defender Bramham Preview Show 2026

A course that riders dream about. A poem nobody saw coming. And one of the strongest Bramham fields in years. Nicole, Sam and Spike are back to preview a huge week at Defender Bramham, from championsh...

9 Kesä 1h 2min

A Cup of Tea with Tamie Smith

A horse coming into her own. A summer that wasn't really the plan. And a trip to Europe that suddenly feels like it could mean much more. Nicole Brown sits down for a cup of tea with Tamie Smith afte...

5 Kesä 30min

Strawmax Stable Chat: Brayden Lissington

He's usually the one behind the microphone, helping tell the stories of the sport through data, insight, and conversation. This week, the spotlight is on Brayden Lissington. Nicole Brown welcomes the ...

1 Kesä 14min

The British Eventing Show: The People Powering British Eventing

Badminton may be in the rear-view mirror, but the season is only just heating up. Nicole Brown is joined by Rosie Williams to reflect on a huge spring for British Eventing, from record grassroots part...

29 Touko 1h 6min

A Cup of Tea with Elizabeth Barratt

*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20s...

27 Touko 15min

2026 Millstreet Review Show

Millstreet delivered exactly what it always promises, proper eventing. Tough ground, big questions, and a four-star leaderboard packed with quality. Nicole Brown and Sam Watson review a huge weekend i...

25 Touko 35min