Welcome to Eventing Nation’s open thread for cross country at Badminton Horse Trials. I’ll be keeping you updated on all the action as I follow along here in the press center. Go Eventing.
Scroll down for detailed comments on our North Americans, but here’s a quick update on what’s been happening:
- Clark Montgomery and Universe retired at Huntsmans Close
- Peter Atkins and Henry Jota Hampton retired at the Outlander Bank
- Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister had a runout at Huntsmans Close
- Rebecca Howard fell from Riddle Master at the Mirage Pond
- Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen retired at Huntsmans Close
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Scores after cross country:
click to enlarge
I hope the score collecting rider who just rode up to Andrew said something VERY tactful…
— Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
5:53 p.m. BST: And Andrew Nicholson and Nereo part ways at the Gatehouse New Pond. That’s the last pair on course. Your top three after this wild and crazy cross-country day are Paul Tapner and Kilronan on 56.4, Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy on 61.6, and Pascal Leroy on Minos De Petra on 62.5. Stay tuned for the full report.
5:51 p.m. BST: Just devastating. A refusal at 23B at the big corner at Huntsmans Close for Clark and Glen. He retired after.
5:45 p.m. BST: STILL CLEAR! They’re heading to the Swindon Designer Outlet Mound at fence 18.
5:43 p.m. BST: We’re back underway now. Clark and Glen have been restarted. GO CLARK! GO GLEN!
Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen have been held while a frangible pin is fixed on course #eventinglive #MMBHT — Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
5:35 p.m. BST: A huge gasp in the press center as William Fox-Pitt falls at the Countryside Hedges just a few fences from home. Looks like Parklane Hawk left a leg. He is up and OK. 5:32 p.m. BST: Clark Montgomery and Loughan Glen on course now! USA USA USA!
Now he is off! William Fox-Pitt & Parklane Hawk go out as the weather takes a turn for the worse. Come on, Parker, soar like a… err, hawk? — Horse & Country TV (@HorseAndCountry) May 10, 2014
5:26 p.m. BST: And now Mark Todd’s score has been updated AGAIN to remove the runout at The Lake.
Two great rides, a great achievement for @1izzytaylor, one of the v brightest stars for the future #properhorsewoman — samantha clark (@samanthalclark) May 10, 2014
5:22 p.m. BST: Mark Todd’s score has now been updated to include a runout after the debacle at The Lake, when he blew past the boat at B and plowed into the deep water. The picture below pretty much says it all.
5:17 p.m. BST: Think Toddy fancied a swim:
5:10 p.m. BST: Total chaos at Badminton with three major incidents happening back to back to back. Sarah Bullimore and Valentino V had a very scary rotational fall at 18a at the Swindon Designer Outlet Mound. Both are OK. Mark Todd and Leonidas II jumped huge into The Lake at 9 and went swimming into the deep water but recovered! Then Redesigned hung a leg on 18c at the Mound and Pippa Funnell got tipped off.
Factoid: there are currently 3 previous Badminton winners in the top 10. #MMBHT (Paul Tapner, Pippa Funnell & Oliver Townend) — Badm1nton H Trials (@bhorsetrials) May 10, 2014
5:05 p.m. BST: Heartbreaker as Ludwig Svennerstal and King Bob and Gemma Tattersal and Arctic Soul have been eliminated for jumping the wrong side of the flag at Huntsmans Close.
Non-stop maintenance here at the water #mmbht — Nico Morgan (@nicomorgan) May 10, 2014
5 p.m. BST: Tom McEwen and Diesel survived a hairy moment at the Outlander Bank before picking up a stop at the Mirage Pond. The horse jumped all the way to the bottom of the mound:
4:55 p.m. BST: Ludwig Svennerstal has brought both his rides — King Bob and Alexander — home clear and is sitting inside the top 10 with both of them. An amazing accomplishment considering how tough this track has proved to be.
A run out at the Vicarage Vee for Chris Burton after the horse just ran at it too strongly, spoiling the steering. — Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
4:51 p.m. BST: Emily Llewellyn and Greenwood Sky High jump 18c out of trot at the Swindon Designer Outlet Mound. That was gutsy! 4:49 p.m. BST: Huge cheer from crowd as Oliver Townend delivers a clear with Armada to move into 4th place provisionally. Amazing ride!
Oliver Townend textbook through Huntsmans Close with Armada. Stuff of legends! @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT — Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
4:42 p.m. BST: And I spoke too soon. Reality 39 literally sat down on top of 23c at Huntsmans Close. Sara fell when the horse scrambled off the fence:
Denis Mesples is on the floor after the skinny at the Outlander Bank, horse jumped big and he ended up in front of the saddle, argh unlucky — Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
4:37 p.m. BST: Sara Algotsson Ostholt and Reality 39 take an amazing flyer at the Vicarage Vee! They’re having a fantastic round so far: 
4:35 p.m. BST: It’s so windy here that the port-a-potties are blowing over! Rain still falling on and off. Very miserable conditions for these horses and riders.
4:27 p.m. BST: The fence analysis has now been updated to show that Tiana and Finn did have a runout at 23c at Huntsmans Close. They’re score has been updated to 89.3.
4:24 p.m. BST: Jonelle Price the next rider to retire with The Deputy after blowing by 5B at Saville’s Staircase.
“The conditions made it extra tough but Europrince responded every time. It took so much more energy to jump on this ground” Clare Abbott — samantha clark (@samanthalclark) May 10, 2014
The Irish don’t need stirrups! Austin O’Connor shows great stickability @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT — Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
Nick Gauntlett: “Badminton’s got to feel special – and god, that felt special.” #MMBHT — BHT PRESS OFFICE (@BHT_PRESSOFFICE) May 10, 2014
Mary King and Imperial Cavalier have a bummer of a runout at Mirage Pond then retire @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT — Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
Mary King in the start box, looking deliriously happy as usual. If I was about to jump this track, I’d be lying in a darkened room, crying. — Horse & Country TV (@HorseAndCountry) May 10, 2014
4:05 p.m. BST: The fence analysis has now been updated to show Tiana and Finn as clear. I’ve texted her to clarify what exactly happened at Huntsmans Close. Standby.
Clare Abbott and Euro Prince start for Ireland. Megan Heath clear so far but too slow to Outlander Bank and stops on top. She retires. — Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
4:02 p.m. BST: We’re back underway with Nick Gauntlett on course now with Grand Manoeuvre.
Is anyone else just about ready 2 stake the house on Mary King getting out there & mastering this course? Or shouldn’t I say that?! — Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
3:55 p.m. BST: We have a hold on course now while the crew fixes fence 7, where Rebecca and Rupert broke the frangible pin.
3:52 p.m. BST: Rebecca Howard and Riddle Master broke the frangible pin at 7 at the Team GBR Silver Birch, then recovered well for The Lake and Outlander Bank. But then they parted ways at the Mirage Pond. Rebecca is up and OK. Hope Rupert is OK after hitting the fence hard:
A fall at part A of the Mirage Pond hedges for Harry @harrydzenis and Xam, both on their feet straight away, huge shame, were going so well — Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
Richard Jones has withdrawn Highland Ford @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT — Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
3:40 p.m. BST: For those of you looking at the live scores and seeing Tiana and Finn marked as going clear, she is one of the riders without a fence analysis recorded at this point, which could mean the ground jury is looking at whether she took the right way through the long route at Vicarage Vee after missing a flag there on the direct route. It definitely looked to me like she also had a runout at Huntsmans Close, but I would love to be wrong!
Sam Griffiths: “I had to scrap and I had to fight, and my horse did too.” @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT — Jenni Autry (@jenniautry) May 10, 2014
Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh are the 20th pair to complete! @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
3:36 p.m. BST: Louisa Milne Holme gives huge pats to King Eider after he takes care of her through the Mirage Pond at fence 16. What an awesome horse:
Outlander Bank definitely emerged as surprising bogey fence at @bhorsetrials Lots of problems there #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
Tina Cook: “The ground is hard work, but it’s not desperate. It’s catching people out because there’s a lot of big jumping out there.”#MMBHT
— BHT PRESS OFFICE (@BHT_PRESSOFFICE) May 10, 2014
3:25 p.m. BST: Tiana telling Radio Badminton she thinks she missed a flag at Vicarage Vee, which is why she went around to the long route there.
3:23 p.m. BST: Tiana on Finn’s effort to swim through the mud at Badminton: “He’s just such a dude. I love him to bits.” California flavor on Radio Badminton!
3:21 p.m. BST: Finn absolutely tried his heart out at Huntsmans Close. Bless him:
Go @TianaCoudray! Coming home safe is the name of the game today @bhorsetrials
— allie conrad (@allieconrad) May 10, 2014
3:19 p.m. BST: Tiana gives big pats to Finn as they complete with one stop and about 1 minute outside the optimum time. They’re the 17th pair to complete the course.
3:17 p.m. BST: Finn scrambled over the first corner at Huntsmans Close at 18b and then stopped at the next corner at 18c.
3:13 p.m. BST: Tiana and Finn clear through the Swindon Designer Outlet Mound at 18. They took the long route at the Vicarage Vee. Here they are at the Outlander Bank:
Tiana and Finn chip in badly to 9a at The Lake. He’s looking backed off. Kick on, Tiana #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
3:05 p.m. BST: Bummer of a runout at 5b for Tina Cook and DeNovo News at Savills Escaltor. Tiana and Finn on course now! They are in 14th place after dressage. Tiana looks to be setting a conservative pace so far.
Pippa Funnell showed how valuable experience is round this course, hoping Tina Cook will bring De Novo News home nicely too
— samantha clark (@samanthalclark) May 10, 2014
3:04 p.m. BST: Tiana Coudray and Ringwood Magister one way. USA USA USA!
2:57 p.m. BST: Badminton is not the place to take flyers! Peter Flarup and Calista E fell at fence 8, the Rolex Grand Slam Triple Bar. Both are up and fine. This lovely mare was in 9th place after dressage.
Your new leader Paul Tapner on a score of 56.4 #MMBHT pic.twitter.com/w4oG4e6ZL4
— Badm1nton H Trials (@bhorsetrials) May 10, 2014
2:55 p.m. BST: Skip On got hung up in the own hole at the Outlander Bank, and Sarah Stretton tumbled through and down the mound. Both are up and OK.
2:52 p.m. BST: We’re back underway now.
Carnage out there, 34 horses started, but only 14 finished. Tim Price’s 11.6 time faults best so far. Only 2 Brits in top 10 at the moment.
— Eventing NZ (@NZEventing) May 10, 2014
2:47 p.m. BST: We have a hold on course while the long route at the Vicarage Vee gets some repairs. Lots of riders taking that route with the going proving to be so tough.
Treason and @sarahcuttycohen retire, gutting, they were going so well, this course punishes the tiniest error. Sarah @sarah_stret starts.
— Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
2:42 p.m. BST: Wendy Schaeffer becomes the 15th finisher with Koyuna Sun Dancer.
Just confirmed with @MontgomeryEques that Universe ran out of steam. The horse is just fine @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
A refusal for Louisa Lockwood at the Mirage Pond final element, she retires after that second refusal.
— Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
Wendy Schaeffer is either genius or crazy, going pedal to the medal on Koyuna Sun Dancer, clear so far, can she keep it up?
— PRO Event Riders (@PROEventRiders) May 10, 2014
Radio Badminton: “This is as tough as it gets.” @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
Sarah @SarahEnnisEvent has now been stopped as had accumulated refusals. The officials are being slow to make these decisions, it seems!
— Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
2:31 p.m. BST: Sarah Ennis takes the long route at Huntsmans Close at fence 23, just trying to get home at this point after having two stops earlier in the course. As a reminder of how big these corners are, see below. Horses need to have enough left to get through here:
“We’re meant to look after our horses first and foremost. It was a tough decision.” @FWeventing – I melt!
— samantha clark (@samanthalclark) May 10, 2014
2:28 p.m. BST: Francis Whittington said in his Radio Badminton interview that it was a tough decision to pull up at Huntsmans Close just a few from home, but Easy Target had nothing left coming to those big corners there. “It’s the rider’s job to make those decisions” and protect the welfare of the horse, he said.
Francis Whittington: “We haven’t been expecting the course to have the results it’s been having.” #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
Sugar Brown Babe runs out of steam at the Outlander Bank for Sarah @SarahEnnisEvent , a real shame, they were going very well.
— Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
2:23 p.m. BST: Paul Tapner said in his Radio Badminton interview that he thought Clark Montgomery set out too fast with Universe, and Buzz just ran out of steam by the time they got to Huntsman’s Close. After seeing how tired the horses are even at the halfway mark in the course with the footing so deep, I fear he’s right. Riders are now setting out at a slower place.
Paul Tapner: “Wait until you get through Huntsmans Close (at fence 22) and then go for time.” @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
Long route at the Lake for Neil Spratt and Upleadon, who leaves a knee at the boat and Neil comes off, gutting for him.
— Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
What a shame to see @LucindaFred pull up as Flying Finish lame and crashing fall for Mark Kyle & Coolio but both up, thank God
— PRO Event Riders (@PROEventRiders) May 10, 2014
2:14 p.m. BST: More heartbreak at Badminton. Lucinda Fredericks pulled up Flyish Finish after fence 5 at Savills Escalator when they horse went lame; they were sitting in fourth place overnight. Then Mark Kyle and Coolio had a scary fall at the Swindon Designer Outlet Mound at fence 18. Both up and OK.
2:12 p.m. BST: 51 seconds over the time for Paul Tapner and Kilronan, but who cares? He doesn’t! They go into the lead on 56.4:
Tim Lips: “I watched the first few riders go and I thought I ought to stop watching as it wasn’t good for my confidence!” #MMBHT
— BHT PRESS OFFICE (@BHT_PRESSOFFICE) May 10, 2014
2:05 p.m. BST: Carolyne Ryan-Bell having a rough go with Rathmoyle King around the course. Horse barely making it over the jumps and probably should be pulled up. Yikes:
2:02 p.m. BST: Paul Tapner and Kilronan on course now; they are sitting in second place overnight. Goal at this point is just to get home. Time practically becoming a non factor, and Paul definitely setting out conservatively.
Sophie Jenman riding a bit backward to Outlander Bank and Geronimo stops twice #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
2 p.m. BST: Eight clears so far, though none have made time: Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy, Pascal Leroy and Minos de Petra, Pippa Funnell and Billy Beware, Harry Meade and Wild Lone, Ludwig Svennerstal and Alexander, Andrew Heffernan and Millthyme Corolla, Kai-Steffen Meier and TSF Karascada M, and Marcio Carvalho Jorge and Josephine MCJ.
Congratulations from his father Richard Meade (3x Olympic gold medals, two Badminton wins) for @Harry_Meade #MMBHT pic.twitter.com/HcvTTtqqoI
— Clare Balding (@clarebalding) May 10, 2014
Harry Meade: “It needs seat of your pants riding, but that’s what today’s all about. I wouldn’t have wanted to be on anything else #MMBHT
— BHT PRESS OFFICE (@BHT_PRESSOFFICE) May 10, 2014
Algebra refuses at 15b at the Vicarage Vee, then horse fell over into the water. Natalie Blundell up and OK #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
1:40 p.m. BST: Two broken elbows? No problem for local favorite Harry Meade and Wild Lone. They are the 10th pair to complete:
1:36 p.m. BST: Yet another retirement, this time from Michael Owen and The Highland Prince after a runout at the boat, 9b at The Lake. That’s the 8th retirement.
A whole 1min 36 over the optimum time, plus 20 jumping penalties, but Paul Sims becomes the 8th combination to complete HALLELUJAH!
— Laine Evion Ashker (@LEAshker) May 10, 2014
7 of 17 have completed the course at @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
1:28 p.m. BST: Glengarnock slams on the brakes with Paul Sims at 18c at the Swindon Designer Outlet Mound. Radio Badminton: “Thank God 18b was removed” since complex still riding tough even with missing middle element.
1:25 p.m. BST: Check out the cross-country fence analysis at Badminton so far. That’s a lot of X’s …
Viktoria Carlerback is the next to retire at The Lake at fence 9. She had two runouts at 5, Savills Escalator, too #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
1:19 p.m. BST: The carnage on course is even happening in warmup:
Falling off in the warm up probably doesn’t fill Kai-Steffen Meier with confidence for the actual course… Oops #MMBHT
— UK Eventing Blog (@UKEventingBlog) May 10, 2014
1:11 p.m. BST: Peter Atkins retires Henny at 13b, the Outlander Bank, after two runouts. Out of 16 riders, just four have completed the course.
1:07 p.m. BST: Peter Atkins and Henry Jota Hampton out on course now. Radio Badminton gave Peter a shoutout for his helmet cams, “which are very popular in America.” Hell yes they are! Run Henny Run!
@FWeventing ever the surpreme horseman, pulls up at Huntmans after jumping part A well, Smokes is not feeling energetic any more. Gutting
— Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
1:04 p.m. BST: After the horse was visibly tiring toward the end of the course, Francis Whittington pulled up Easy Target at the big corners at fence 23, Huntsmans Close. They were in third place after dressage. That’s the same place Clark Montgomery retired. Horse’s need to have enough gas left to get through those corners — they are massive.
Clear at New Pond for @FWeventing, this horse has the most amazing form over a fence, must feel awesome. Great at Vicarage Vee & Mirage Pond
— Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
Jodie Amos has very scary fall from Matt at Mirage Pond. Medics attending to her @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT — Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
Tim Price:”It was plan A most of the way. He’s a bit uncoordinated in his style but I plan for that.You need a bit of luck out there #MMBHT
— BHT PRESS OFFICE (@BHT_PRESSOFFICE) May 10, 2014
12:49 p.m. BST: So bummed for Clark. Buzz looked amazing! We didn’t have any footage of the second half of their trip here in the press center, but it was reported that they broke a frangible pin at some point later in the course. Though it doesn’t matter now that they’ve retired, the ground jury can award 21 penalties for breaking a frangible pin under FEI rule 548.1.
12:45 p.m. BST: Clark Montgomery and Universe were having a cracking round but had a runout at fence 23b, one of the big corners at Huntsmans Close. Clark retired Buzz there.
Universe absolutely bouncing around the course for Clark Montgomery. Looking fantastic! @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
12:36 p.m. BST: Mark Todd hops back on NZB Campino after falling on top of the fence after the horse stopped at the big corner at fence 12, the Shogun Hollow. He’s fine, but that’s an unfortunate elimination; they were in 5th place overnight.
Only one finisher so far, Pippa. @MTEventing fabulous down the Escalade at fence 5, spot on. Tim @timpricenzl great through Mirage Pond
— Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
12:31 p.m. BST: Check out this Superman leap Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo took over the Vicarage Vee:
12:29 p.m. BST: Surprising stop for Andrew Nicholson and 2013 Rolex winner Quimbo at the up bank of the Outlander Bank. He then retired on course at fence 17, the FEI Classics Stick Pile. Three of the five riders on course have now retired.
12:27 p.m. BST: Bill Levett has been eliminated for his third refusal, which came at the Vicarage Vee. He had the other two stops with Silk Stone — the first at fence 10, the KBIS Garden Table, and fence 13, the Outlander Bank.
Gutted for @TomMcEwen1 but there’s no doubt he’s a star of the future. Dry Old Party not himself today. #BounceBack
— Sam Watson (@watsoneventing) May 10, 2014
12:20 p.m. BST: Tom McEwen had a stop at 13a at the Outlander Bank and has retired on course at the Mirage Pond, fence 16.
“It’s a decent track & the going is soft; it’s a big, proper track, it’s a big ask.” @1izzytaylor on the xc after coming home safely
— samantha clark (@samanthalclark) May 10, 2014
Two more withdrawals: Nicola Wilson and Annie Clover and Caroline Powell and Onwards & Upwards @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
12:11 p.m. BST: Check out how massive this corner is at 22b, the ISH Studbook Huntsmans Close, where Izzy Taylor and KBIS Briarlands Matilda had their runout.
New water Gatehouse New Pond riding smoothly for Izzy. She went right, which will likely be a trend @bhorsetrials #eventinglive #MMBHT
— Eventing Nation (@eventingnation) May 10, 2014
First one is off, @1izzytaylor gets us going at #MMBHT. Good Luck Izzy and everyone else!
— Event Riders Assoc (@EventRidersAssc) May 10, 2014
11:51: a.m. BST: It’s pouring down rain on and off with just minutes until the first horse sets out on course. It’s going to be very wet and muddy all day long.
11:45 a.m. BST: Just 15 minutes to go until Izzy Taylor and KBIS Briarlands Matilda set out on course at noon BST. Here’s a look at EN’s homebase for the day courtesy of our friends at Revolution Sport. And don’t forget to follow along with Chinch’s adventures today on our Instagram. Check out EN’s guide to watching Badminton here to watch live.
Packed media @bhorsetrials with all the best here! @clarebalding @balders2 @misscwilkins @jenniautry @samanthalclark pic.twitter.com/OXhOXH5aXI
— Revolution Sports (@RevolutionSport) May 10, 2014
11:30 a.m. BST: We’ve already had a busy morning, with two horses being withdrawn: William Fox-Pitt and Cool Mountain and Annabel Wigley and Frog Rock. In addition to fence 18b, a skinny log on a sharp angle at the Swindon Designer Outlet Mound which was removed from the course yesterday, fence 26, the second wall at the Horse Quest Quarry has also now been removed due to the soggy footing conditions. The optimum time has been updated to 11 minutes 21 seconds.
We’re in for a muddy day at Badminton. Photo via @RevolutionSport Twitter.
