Ruth Edge, who was recently so successful at the British Dressage Winter Championships at Hartpury, where she won the Prix St Georges Championship, moved into the lead here at Badminton. Following Karen O’Connor right after lunch in the heat of the day, she admitted to a few mistakes, but otherwise thought it was Two Thyme’s best test yet.
Karen had gone right before her, and understandably was delighted with her test on Mandiba.
Oh, the highs and lows of horses, and eventing. I rode up on the golf cart from the stables to the dressage (the most dangerous thing of all, far more risky than tomorrow’s cross country!) with Selena O Hanlon to watch Steph. Selena, of course was thrilled with Colombo; she said he’s been bit a bit fizzy lately, so she switched him back from the double bridle to the snaflfle today, took him for a canter this morning, and hoped that the gamble would pay off: obviously it did. I asked her if her wonderful mark would influence her as she walked the course again tonight, and she told me no, she never takes risks, and she was intending to take all the direct routes anyway. Good luck, Selena and Colombo!
Poor Steph was obviously terribly disappointed with her score, and then had to face the press and talk about her test when I’m sure all she wanted to do was have a good cry and forget about it. It’s a long way to come, and the occasion is enormous, so I can understand her frustration. We’re keeping everything crossed for a customary, fabulous cross country round tomorrow.
I’m loving all the team camaraderie and support all the North Americans are showing each other this week. Hawley and Gamal watching Buck warm up for his test, and here he is directly after,
Carl Hester and the Radio Badminton Team do a fantastic job all day, and Carl also does the commentary for the lunchtime dressage demonstrations. You can follow Radio Badminton online from the website, or through your iphone via the Badminton app – genius! Thanks for the hint, @franjurga
The heat has been astounding for April in England. Nico Morgan (our wonderful photographer) read my tweet about labs in the lake and said I should use that as a “thermometer” to measure how hot it gets – well, when I sent the tweet mid-morning there were about five labs swimming; by lunchtime it was a free for all, all breeds and probably at least forty dogs. I predict if the weather continues, we will have at least one streaker at Badminton tomorrow for cross country day.
However, this is Badminton, and only at Badminton would you see stewards dressed like this
The coaches are always well dressed too. Irish Team Manager Ginny Eliot, and US Team Coach CMP.
Paul Tapner’s Team may be one of the best colour co-ordinated, but they do have competition from the Canadians!
A few more really good combinations still to come, and then it’s all about getting ready for cross country. I’m off to meet Francis Whittington for another fence preview so be sure to come back later, and Go Eventing.
