Equestrian

Equestrian: Thomas Babbage

What got you interested in the competition?

I was working in Austria when I heard about the competition and I had a lot of free time on my hands so I decided to design quite a few different coins and I won the equestrian coin.

What was the inspiration behind your idea?

In terms of research for my coin I looked at various photos seeing different ways that horses appear within horse riding events and I wanted to make the horse look true to a horse riding event so that the people who know a lot about horse riding would feel that this is something that they would see on a regular occasion.

How does it feel to know your coin is going to be in the pockets of millions of people for years to come?

I like looking at coins and when I have been traveling around you see the different types of coins that have come out and some look really boring so I think it’s nice to have something that is yours and maybe the thought that I have made my mark on life, my fifteen minutes of fame, it’s quite exciting.

How do you feel about being part of the London 2012 Olympic Games?

I think when I first heard about the Olympics being won by London it didn’t really mean anything to me. I’m not from London, I’ve never lived there, I’ve watched the Olympics before but it’s not my favourite thing in the world but since I have won the coin design I think it’s become more personal and I have taken an interest in the Olympics and the different sporting events that are going on.