Friday Video: Shetland Grand National at Badminton

The Shetland Grand National is one of the time-honored traditions at Badminton Horse Trials, and this year’s festivities proved to be some of the most exciting in recent memory — not unlike when the four-star riders took to the cross-country course. Watch for a naughty, bucking pony in the first race and then a dramatic tumble in the second race. The liberated pony then proceeds to zig zag around the stadium for the duration of the race. Also, this gives you a very good idea of the conditions on cross-country day; it’s surprising the strong winds and rain didn’t blow some of these little riders right off their ponies.