32 Horses Move on to Show Jumping at Badminton

#114. Paul Tapner and Kilronan. Photo by Jenni Autry.

All 32 horses that presented to the ground jury at the final inspection will move on to show jumping at Badminton Horse Trials. Two riders withdrew their horses before the start of the jog — Kai-Steffen Meier and TSF Karascada M and Emma Dougall and Kelecyn Ice Age — and Nicola Wilson withdrew Beltane Queen during the jog. It was definitely a speedy final inspection for a four-star, which was not a bad thing considering it’s a balmy 45 degrees here in South Gloucestershire!

Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Just one pair, Wendy Schaeffer and Koyuna Sun Dancer, was sent to the holding box; they passed upon re-inspection. We saw some tired horses today, but none that looked exhausted after doing battle with Giuseppe Della Chiesa’s course yesterday. A few looked ready to go around again, including overnight leaders Paul Tapner and Kilronan and Tim Price with Ringwood Sky Boy. Both horses danced down the jog strip, as did Ringwood Magister with Tiana Coudray, the sole North American pair left in the competition.

Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Riders dressed for the weather over fashion today, as it’s very cold, and the strong winds that made cross-country day more akin to a scene out of “The Wizard of Oz” are continuing to make for blustery conditions today. Ludwig Svennerstal didn’t disappoint when he showed up in his customary tuxedo, and though he told Radio Badminton he has cut his hair recently to appease disapproving dressage judges, it still looked pretty wild today.

Ludwig Svennerstal and Alexander. Photo by Jenni Autry.

Interestingly, the first group to show jump is actually smaller than the top 20 since we have just 32 horses going forward. Show jumping gets underway at 11:30 a.m. BST with Tom McEwen and Diesel kicking things off. The top 20 will jump in reverse order starting at 2:45 p.m. BST, with Nick Gauntlett and Grand Manoeuvre going first. You can watch all the action live back home in the States on FEI TV. The first group broadcast starts at 6:25 a.m. EST, and the second group broadcast begins at 9:45 a.m. EST.

Badminton Links: [Website] [Final Inspection Results] [Live Scores] [EN’s Coverage] [@EventingNation]