My BE Life: Spike Milligan

Spike Milligan is a well-known name in the sport, both as a highly respected performance horse consultant and the British Eventing youth performance vet

WHO STARTED CALLING YOU SPIKE AND WHY?

When I started a new school aged about 12, the actor and comedian Spike Milligan died and was featured heavily in the press. A young classmate of mine spotted that our surnames were the same and started calling me Spike. Since then, it’s stuck!

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR PROUDEST MOMENT?

Two immediately spring to mind. I’m passionate about my role as British Eventing youth performance vet and watching the amazing Juniors and Young Riders both win gold at the Europeans this summer was just wonderful. It was such a team effort and I felt so proud to be part of it. My second was when a horse I’d looked after all its life, Coneygree, won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015. Being there to cheer him as he entered the winners’ enclosure was very, very special.

WHAT SUPERPOWER WOULD YOU CHOOSE?

I’d love to be able to go back in time – hindsight is a wonderful thing and being able to go back in time would be really powerful in my work.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO BE A VET?

I’ve never wanted to be anything else. Both of my parents were medics, a GP and a surgeon, and I grew up with horses as my mother rode. I always had an affinity with animals and so from a young age it was the only career choice for me.

YOUR FAVOURITE SONG?

Shut Up and Dance by Walk The Moon always cheers me up but you can’t beat Elton John, whatever mood you’re in. Yellow Brick Road is my top choice – it’s so uplifting.