Sundown Ambassador Will Rawlin Reflects on a Milestone 2024 and Looks Ahead to an Exciting 2025.
As 2024 draws to a close, our ambassador Will Rawlin takes a moment to reflect on his achievements, and how the season has set the stage for an even bigger year ahead. With a career full of passion and dedication, Will’s 2024 journey highlights resilience, growth, and achieving career milestones that have brought him closer to his long-term goals.
A Year of Growth and Challenges
Looking back on his 2024 season, Will acknowledges that it hasn’t been without its challenges. “Our year hasn’t been the easiest,” he admits, “with having to move a yard of 14 horses mid-season, and relocating to a temporary yard was a huge upheaval, but something we had no choice but to navigate. Despite this, I’ve been incredibly proud of my horses and my support team. The horses have performed incredibly well, considering the numerous changes. I truly believe their success this year is a reflection of how healthy, happy, and their consistent routine we’ve maintained. They thrive on their routine, and we made sure to stay focused on what we wanted to achieve, despite the disruptions. We all had a job to do, and it wasn’t going to get in my way”.
The Dream Fulfilled: A Career Milestone with Ballycoog Breaker Boy
Reflecting on the highlights of the season, Will is quick to point out the achievement that means the most to him. “My dream has always been to compete at the biggest 5* events in the world,” he says. “Luhmuhlen 5* with The Partner in 2023 was an incredible experience, but nothing can get you prepped for the intensity of Badminton. If someone had told me that I was going to be the Best British First Timer on a horse I produced myself from the age of 4, I wouldn’t have believed them. Ballycoog Breaker Boy is truly a horse of a lifetime.”
Standing at 17.2hh, Ballycoog Breaker Boy may not fit the mould of every top-level event horse, but Will says he’s an exceptional competitor with an even bigger heart. “He has the grit and desire to give his best,” Will explains. “At these huge 5* events, you learn to block out the intensity of the atmosphere and treat it like any other competition. But when I watched the videos back a couple of weeks later, I realised just how big of a deal it was—my biggest achievement to date.”
Ballycoog Breaker Boy finished every age class in his career in the top ten, and now has a clear round in his first-ever 5*—one of the toughest in the world. “I am incredibly proud of him,” Will says. “And of my team, my sponsors, and supporters who helped make it happen”.
The Importance of Familiar Comfort: Sundown Bedding at Competitions
For Will and his team, consistency is key, especially when it comes to ensuring the horses feel comfortable away from home. “We always pack Sundown Bedding for our stays at competitions,” Will explains. “The horses feel more at home on bedding they know, and I think it’s crucial to not change anything when you go away. My horses are always happy on their Sundown beds.”
Siobhan, Will’s competition groom, shares how easy it is to pack Sundown products for away competitions. “With the new compact packaging, the cubes are smaller and more versatile, but they still contain the same amount of bedding. It makes life so much easier when we’re travelling.”
Will uses a mix of Sundown Green (chopped wheat straw) and Sundown Yellow (chopped rapeseed straw), which provides the ideal combination of absorbency, economy, and ease of mucking-out. “The bedding breaks down quickly on the muck heap, the banks stay light and fluffy, and it’s just so easy to muck out,” Will adds. “On top of that, the Sun-e-bed pellets are perfect for long journeys in the lorry. They’re highly absorbent, and once they break down, they create a soft, cosy space that the horses love.”
Looking to 2025: Building on Success
With 2024 marking such a significant year, Will is already looking forward to what 2025 holds. “I see this year as a big stepping stone to where I want to be,” he says. “Next year, I want to build on my performance and be very competitive at Badminton and Burghley, and compete in more Nations Cups. The Europeans are being held on home turf at Blenheim this year, which is exciting. The British team is allowed 12 spots, and I’d love to be a contender with either Ballycoog Breaker Boy or the very talented younger horse Camee De Muze, who is really flying up the levels.”
Will is also excited about his string of younger horses, all of whom are stepping up the ranks and beginning to prove their talent. “I’ve been really proud of our younger horses this year,” he says. “They’ve all been over-achievers, and they’re definitely not babies anymore! We’ve got some big plans for them next year.”
Opening Doors to Eventing: New Syndicate Opportunities
In addition to competing, Will is committed to making eventing more accessible to everyone. “I’ve just launched a new ownership syndicate experience for those interested in being part of the sport but unsure how to get involved,” he explains. “I strongly believe everyone should have the opportunity to experience eventing, and we need to open doors for more people to get involved at a more affordable price. It’s crucial for the sport to grow and thrive.”
A Lasting Partnership with Sundown
Throughout his career, Will has always been a passionate advocate for the well-being of his horses. His long-term relationship with Sundown Bedding reflects his commitment to ensuring the best for his horses. “Having been an Ambassador for Sundown for many years, I genuinely love their products,” Will says. “It’s been fantastic to build on this relationship, and I’m incredibly grateful for everything they’ve done for me and my team. It’s so important to me that all my horses are happy and healthy, and Sundown plays a huge part in that.”
Find out more about Will Rawlin by visiting his website and following him on Facebook or Instagram.