Mark Todd and “Ben,” photo updated via our friends at the Badminton Press Office
I have to say that as an incredibly huge Mark Todd fan for all of my life I’m slightly speechless. With 12 horses within a rail of the lead, this was the closest Badminton ever and we all knew it would shape up to be an incredible finish. It didn’t disappoint. Of those top 12 riders, 5 jumped clear rounds to put all of the pressure on Mark Todd and young NZB Land Vision. Mark Todd, the savvy veteran, and someone who we can now easily call the best eventer in history, jumped a clear round to win his 4th Badminton Championship.
Badminton Final Results:
1. Mark Todd and Land Vision (NZL) +0 43.6
2. Piggy French and Jakata +0 45.2
3. Mary King and Imperial Cavalier +0 45.8
4. Sam Griffiths and Happy Times (AUS) +0 46.3
5. Niklas Lindback and Mister Pooh (SWE) +0 46.7
6. Caroline Powell and Lenamore (NZL) +0 47.2
[Full Results, Rider Audio Interviews]
–As someone who grew up idolizing Mark Todd, who cherished my one autograph and photo with Mark Todd above all other possessions, who watched those videos of Mark countless times (especially the ride around Badminton with one stirrup in ’95), who thought that I would never see Mark Todd ride in person again after Rolex so many years ago, who watched Mark make his incredible comeback, and then who got to watch him compete at the WEGs, this weekend has been absolutely amazing as a fan.
–There’s not really enough anyone can say about what it takes to win a four-star on a horse’s first four-star. I don’t know how many times it has been done in history, but the odds are stacked massively against the rider, especially on the cross country, as you have to first give the horse an educational ride and then worry about going fast. Somehow Toddy knew exactly the right amount to push “Ben” around the course yesterday to set up the win. He’s superman, and there’s nothing left to say about it.
–Two countries finished 4 riders within the top 12–Great Britain and New Zealand. Considering that new Zealand only had 5 horses in the competition combared to Great Britain’s plethora, this weekend isn’t just about Mark Todd’s comeback–it is about New Zealand’s dominance. With Blyth Tait on the comeback warpath, it’s slightly scary to think about the potential for New Zealand in 2012.
–The top 6 riders in the final placings all had clear show jumping rides and the show jumping was influential throughout the day, with 36 of 56 riders having at least a rail.
–Piggy French finished the weekend where she started–in second place. After a 16th at the WEG last year, Piggy and Jakata are looking like one of the best 4* pairs in the world right now.
–Another veteran, Mary King, had yet another great weekend at Badminton, moving up from 13th after the dressage to finish in 3rd on Imperial Cavalier.
–Sam Griffiths of Australia was 21st after the dressage but finished in 4th place.
–Sam was one of just three riders to finish on their Badminton dressage score. The other two were Niklas Lindback and Mister Pooh of Sweden, and Caroline Powell with the 18 year old Lenamore for New Zealand.
–All three of the North American horses finished the show jumping with a rail. Buck and Ballynoecastle pulled the rail at the oxer at 11. They finished with the best weekend by far for the USA on 61.3 and look to have taken a step forward from the WEGs.
–Hawley Bennett and Ginny pulled a rail to finish the weekend on 81.8. Hawley had that one unfortunate stop yesterday that marred what was otherwise probably the best looking North American ride on the cross-country. To her credit, Hawley has stayed really positive about things since yesterday.
–You can scroll down and watch a reply of Horse and Hound’s live blog for a blow by blow account of the final rides, or the video will hopefully be made available on FEI TV sometime soon. Of course we’ll have the Youtube videos here on EN as they become available.
–Selena O’Hanlon and Colombo finished with a rail and three time in the showjumping today. Not their best weekend, but I’d happily take a completion ribbon from Badminton…I’m assuming they give competition ribbons at Badminton?
–It’s been a fantastic weekend at Badminton. Many thanks to Samantha for her amazing coverage all weekend. She had to leave early today to catch a flight back to the states in time for Rolex. Many thanks also to Nico Morgan and Badminton for the great photos all weekend. Thanks also to the Horse and Hound for sharing their Live blog. Thanks to Badminton for putting on such an amazing event that we get to enjoy as eventing fans. And of course thanks to all of you the EN readers for joining us for the fun here on Eventing Nation each and every day.
That’s all for now. We’ll have much more from Badminton including links to all of the other great coverage through the day, but by this evening Eventing Nation’s attention will have turned to Lexington for our wall to wall coverage of Rolex. As always, wherever you might be, thanks for making Eventing Nation part of your day. Go eventing.
