Classic Eventing Nation

Down and Dirty: Your Big, Bad Badminton Course Preview

By on May 5, 2018 6:32 am -

Eric Winter, looking rather smug about not having to jump any of his own fences, frankly. Photo by Kit Houghton/Badminton.

Ask any rider what they think of course designer Eric Winter‘s beefy sophomore effort and the response is almost universally the same: “well,” they say, half sighing, half laughing, “it’s DEFINITELY Badminton!”

That is most certainly bloody is. Eric’s 2017 course was widely praised for bringing back the best of classic Badminton – timber as far as the eye could see, a spectacularly old-school bullfinch, and some enormous, galloping jumping efforts – while embracing the highest calibre of safety technology and, most notably, testing riders’ ability to adapt and overcome rather than stick to Plan A throughout. Historically, we’ve seen designers offer up an incredibly influential track on their debut, before tailing off into a much more straightforward course the following year. But Eric looks set to avoid the sophomore slump, adapting his ideas, instead, to take into account rider feedback and offer a track that tests, challenges, but doesn’t punish.

Andrew Nicholson and Nereo. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

But don’t take our word for it: we decided to get a professional involved to help us suss out all the challenges our horses and riders will face tomorrow. New Zealand’s Andrew Nicholson doesn’t need much introduction, but if this article happens to be your first foray into eventing (god help you), then let us recap for you: three Olympic medals out of six appearances, three World Equestrian Games medals, five wins at Burghley, wins at Luhmuehlen, Kentucky, and Pau, and, of course, an incredibly emotional win here last year on his 37th attempt, riding 2018 mount Nereo, and just two years after an injury that nearly ended his career. It could be argued – and, in fact, has been argued, and will continue to be argued – that he’s the best cross-country rider in the world, earning himself the moniker of ‘Mr Stickability’ through his occasionally heroic efforts to get the job done. Case in point:

Being a bonafide eventing god is busy work, and we were thrilled that this one made time to take us on a whirlwind tour of Badminton’s 2018 course. He is someone who knows, perhaps better than anyone else, exactly what it’ll take to succeed.

Andrew and Nereo take Badminton in 2017. Photo by kit Houghton/Mitsubishi Motors.

THE NEED TO KNOWS:

The course is a whopping 6740m in length, with an optimum time of 11:49 – nearly a minute longer than the course at Kentucky, and on much more temperamental going. Expect plenty of time penalties across the board – and mud, mud, and more mud.

FENCE 1: THE ASX STARTER

1.20m high/2.30m spread

Fence one.

The first fence on the course is the decorated flowerbox fence in the arena that always kicks off proceedings here. It’s neither particularly enormous (if you’re bonkers enough to jump four-star fences on the regular) nor in any way technical, but, for horses or riders who quaver in an atmosphere, it requires commitment to concentration. The crowds will be plentiful in the arena, cheering on both the starters and the finishers, and the buzz can set horses alight – which riders will want, but in moderation, and when combined with serious focus. As they leave the arena and head left, they come to…

FENCE 2: ROLEX FEEDER

1.20m high/1.60m top spread, 2.50 base spread

Fence two.

…which is another straightforward single fence, suitable for this early stage of the course. There are two iterations of the same fence, side by side, and the option chosen will have little bearing on what happens afterwards, but will give the horses slightly less wear-and-tear to deal with early on. This year sees the course run in the opposite direction to last year, which can change the questions asked by the terrain early on.

“This way around, the start used to be a lot faster – what Eric has done with it this year, utilising the terrain, adding artificial mounds, and making you turn off the galloping lane and back onto it, all those little things will slow you down,” explains Andrew.

FENCE 3: HORSEQUEST HUMP

1.20m high/1.50m top spread, 2m bottom spread

Fence three.

Fence 3 demonstrates exactly that, with a newly-made mound acting as the basis for the question asked. Atop the mound sits a chunky log which, on its own, would be a very easy question but, situated as it is, requires the riders to find a good, forward stride. If they do, they’ll be rewarded, as the fence will set them up in balance, and wake their horses up, for the first combination on course.

FENCE 4AB: HORSEQUEST QUARRY

1.20 high

Up, down, and handbrake turn: the Quarry in a nutshell. Photo by Rachel Dyke.

We don’t expect to see the toughest questions on course coming into play at this early stage, and this first combination is relatively straightforward. It’s a pop over a stone wall, set atop another mound, so horses will land on a steep downhill slope before turning 90 degrees to the left, up another steep mound, and over a second wall of the same dimensions. The key will be to ensure that horses don’t land too enthusiastically from the first and overshoot the turn, but it should ride well and set them up for the narrow fence at 5.

FENCE 5: ROLEX GRAND SLAM SKINNY

1.45m high/base spread 2m

Fence 5.

The skinny at 5 isn’t necessarily a difficult fence on its own, as its just a narrow brush with a bit of a ditch on the take-off side, but a well-placed tree on the approach changes things slightly. Those who are looking to go fast will cut inside the tree and angle the fence – those who favour a straight approach will go around the back of the tree, making for an easy enough effort but adding a fair chunk of time.

FENCE 6ABC: IRISH SPORT HORSE HUNTSMAN’S CLOSE

1.20m high/1.10m-1.20m base spread

Fence 6B to C.

The first serious question on the course. It invites complacency, because it’s made up of beefy logs, which tend to jump well, but riders will have to be in control and aware of their lines.

“From the word go, it’s tricky,” says Andrew. “They’re simple logs, but they’re put on tricky little angles – and from B to C walks as two strides, but I can see people finding themselves on two-and-a-half.”

Taking off on a precise line over the A element will allow riders to follow the curving line around through those tricky little angles, or, if they fancy losing serious ground on the clock, they can take a different, circuitous route over a separate B element.

FENCE 7: TRADERS TABLE

Fence 7. We wouldn’t want to jump it, but to each their own.

1.20m high/1.90 top spread, 2.90 base spread

Dimensionally maxed out, the Table is one of the sort of big, bulky galloping fences we’re seeing rather more of on course this year. It’s a breather fence, essentially, so just imagine actually breathing whilst galloping towards it. Yeah, we thought so.

FENCE 8: WADWORTHS WATER

1.20m high/1.20m base spread

Fence 8 – the first big splash of the day.

Number 8 is Wadsworths Water, and horses and riders will come to it after a long galloping stretch, so a conscious effort must be made to create the correct approach. The fence itself is a large A-frame hanging log into the water — the water itself isn’t visible until the last few strides, but the fence invites horses to take a confident leap in, because it presents so many options. The left-hand side of the log is over the water, creating an obvious groundline with the bank, while the right-hand side angles back over to dry land, leaving less of a rider-frightening gap, but also less of a visual cue for the horse to size up the fence.

From here, says Andrew, horses and riders move into the most testing section of the course.

“It’s very intense from the lake – from that very first bit of the water you jump in by the far bit of the house, right the way around to the Vicarage is a very intense bit of the course and there’s some serious fences there.”

FENCE 9ABC: THE LAKE

A: 1.08m high/1m base spread/1.80m drop

B: 1.45m high/1m base spread/1.30m jumpable width

C: 1.45m high/1m base spread/1.30m jumpable width

Check out the dutty great angle on that final element. Photo by Rachel Dyke.

The Lake in all its glory.

At about the four-minute marker, we see what will likely be one of the most influential questions on the course. The Lake is always an enormous spectator favourite, which thousands of loud and appreciative fans clustered by the ropes to catch a slice of the action – but the atmosphere will be the least of anyone’s worries.

The Lake begins with an enormous, reasonably skinny log in, but there’s no time to land in a heap after the colossal initial effort. Our intrepid combinations must then head straight for the narrow brush in the middle of the water, before turning to the last — a skinny brush angled away from the approach, leaving the door wide open for a run-out which, incidentally, would take the horses straight back to their friends at the start. Winter created a seriously influential lake last year, which rewarded riders who thought on their feet, and we could well see this making similar waves. The long alternative route takes riders around the back of the lake and probably won’t be a popular option.

“When you get to the Lake it’s a big fence in, with a big drop, and then the B element is a big, high brush in the water,” says Andrew. “Then, it’s three strides up a steep bank, turning to another angled brush, which could be four strides – you’ve just got to sit and ride it. You know early on the combinations are going to be hard work.”

Hard? Perhaps an understatement. The angle on the C element is just short of diabolical, and we predict a good smattering of run-outs if the line isn’t right or if, as last year at the Lake, riders try to stick too closely to the striding they walked.

FENCE 10: THE L200S

1.20m high/1.40m top spread/2.40m base spread

The iconic L200s – a mainstay of the Badminton course. Photo by Rachel Dyke.

After the lake, horses and riders will get to sail over fence 10, the Mitsubishi L200s — because who doesn’t like to jump actual pickup trucks as a bit of a breather? Surrounded by 15,000 spectators, but with one of the toughest questions on course behind them, everyone who makes it this far should get a good jump over this Badminton classic.

FENCE 11: WORLD HORSE WELFARE GATES

1.20m high

Fence 11 – airy, upright, and to be respected.

Fence 11, the World Horse Welfare Gates, feature two identical gates. Competitors can go left- or right-handed over the gate of their choosing, which is airy, white, and tall — 1.20m, to be precise. Last year, some were caught out by trying to use this fence as a chance to save a few seconds — but this is a fence that must be respected and jumped straight on.

FENCE 12: FORMULATE! WHITE OXERS

1.20m high/1.70m top spread/2.80m base spread

The classic, airy oxers at fence 12.

In front of the house, fence 12, the Formulate! White Oxers are big — 1.80m wide — and a classic Winter test of a rider’s street smarts. There are two oxers to choose from, and both are the same dimensions, but it’s up to the rider to choose which line will offer the best and most flowing ride for their horse. The rider who has a well-thought-out plan — and is able to adapt it on the fly — will be the rider who makes light work of this fence.

FENCE 13: THE STICKPILE

1.20 high/1.70 top spread/3m base spread

Just an easy pop around the park, eh?

Next up is 13, the Stick Pile, which is one of the largest fences on course, and is on a straight line, which means that riders will have to make a real effort to balance and set up for the fence, lest they find themselves zooming along on a (speedy) half-stride.

FENCES 14, 15, AND 16AB: THE OUTLANDER PHEV MOUND

14: 1.20m high/1.50 top spread/1.90 bottom spread

15: left 1.15m high, right 1.20m high

16AB: 1.20m high/1.50m spread/1.90m base spread

Choices to make: the banks at 16AB.

At 14, 15, and 16AB, riders negotiate the Outlander PHEV Mound, which is one of the most difficult questions on the course. 14 is a large, open corner, and, on landing from it, competitors will gallop down into the quarry and over a wide oxer. Then, it’s up a choice of banks — either very steep or less steep — and over 16A, an airy rail at the top. 16B is another open corner, on a longer line from the steep bank, or a much shorter line from the less steep bank, so it’ll be up to the riders to decide which option will suit their horse — and their level of control at this point. The winding alternative route gives even more options, but will gobble up the time.

“The combination of the corner is difficult,” says Andrew. “You go up the steep slope, left or right to the verticals on the top, four strides to the corner or however many strides – six, I think – to the right hand side. The difference is, the vertical on the right hand mound is high and the mound is steep, so that’s a big effort. The left hand stride’s a little bit less of an effort but you have two less strides to get to the corner, so riders will just have to choose which they’re going to do.”

FENCE 17: DEVOUCOUX QUAD BAR

1.20m high/2.80m base spread

You don’t quite get an idea of how colossal this timber fence is until you see a person next to it, or a horse over the top of it, so let Michi Jung help you get a feel for it (or perhaps a ‘good feeling’ of it) instead. It. Is. Beefy.

It’s a new addition this year, and a classic rider frightener. The sprawling downhill timber fence is tall, wide, and gappy, but those who attack it will make it look easy. Expect this to produce some of the classic images of Badminton 2018.

FENCE 18ABC: THE ECLIPSE CROSS POND

A: 1.15m high

BC: 1.20m high/1.40m top spread/1.60m base spread

Time for a dip? Photo by Rachel Dyke.

Onwards from a big leap at 17 to a technical test at 18ABC, the Eclipse Cross Pond. The direct route is actually only two fences — an airy vertical into the pond is 18A, and a 1.20m high/1.40m wide timber oxer up a slope on the other side of the pond is 18BC. The alternative here takes out the slope but adds an extra fence — competitors will have to jump two oxers instead of one.

“There’s a decent vertical rail and then a bit of a drop, and then they’ve committed to four strides up the steep bank to a big oxer,” explains Andrew. “If you go the longer way you have one more jump to jump, because there’s three elements to it, so you’ve got a toss up which is the better thing for your horse at that point.”

FENCE 19: VICARAGE ROLLTOP

1.45m high/2.20m base spread

Fence 19 – a let up, but only if you’re a certain brand of insane.

19’s Vicarage Rolltop is a maximum-height brush rolltop — but for all that, it’s a let-up on course before the next set of tricky questions.

FENCE 20ABC: HILDON WATER POND

A: 1.15m high/1.30m top spread/2.10m base spread

B: .90m high/1.40m base spread

C: 1.45m high/1.30m base spread

Part A…

…part B…

…and a dutty great big angle at part C. Have fun guys!

The Hildon Water Pond at 20ABC features a seriously slow alternative route, but myriad run-out possibilities in the direct route. In this, they must jump A, a large woodpile, before shortening the stride sufficiently to sneak down a steep bank and over the trough into the water at B. The trough isn’t enormous, but its approach — and the cascade of water that will dance out of its underside — may catch out riders who haven’t prepared sufficiently. Then, it’s a pull through the water, a tight turn to the left, and a skinny brush fence on dry land, which is placed on a severe angle and opens the door for a right-handed runout. The alternative will add on roughly ten seconds, but flows much better.

FENCE 21: NATIONAL STAR TRAKEHNER

1.20m high/2.20m base spread

Eyes up, wise up, crack on.

The National Star Trakehner at 21 looks imposing, with its yawning great ditch beneath a hanging log, but it’s another real breather for horses and riders. And then it’s straight on to that old favourite …

FENCE 22 AND 23: THE KBIS VICARAGE VEE

1.20m high/3m base spread/2.10m jumpable width

The Vicarage Vee – bloody scary, no matter how you look at it. Photo by Rachel Dyke.

Badminton’s most famous fence is back after a year out for some bank Botox and a cheeky facelift. As with any old friend who returns after an absence with some obvious structural changes, there have been some flippant murmurings, and even the suggestion that the fence might be easier now, which we think is a rather charming notion when discussing the manifestation of all our deeply repressed insecurities in fence form.

This fence is as Badminton as it gets, with a timber upright placed perpendicularly over a water-filled ditch. The direct route is a single fence numbered as 22/23, while the long route features a couple of hops over the stream and then a pop over a trakehner. It’ll add 20 or 30 seconds, but is an easy option for competitors who run out at the direct route on the first attempt.

“I think it’s the same sort of question it always was – people will tell you that it looks easier, but I think it’s still pretty difficult,” Andrew assures us. “Perhaps a bit of the angle’s been taken off the rail, and they’ve put a barrier out to put you pretty much on the right line. You’ve just got to balance the horse and get a bit of the speed before you turn – then, once you turn into the fence, you’ve got to have the courage to pick up the right line and stick with it, you know. Don’t alter the line, just keep riding up to the fence.”

Right-o, Andrew. We’ll get right on that.

FENCE 24ABCD: SHOGUN HOLLOW

A: 1.20m high/1m base spread

B: 2m base spread/1.30m jumpable width

CD: 1.17m high/1m base spread

Part A.

Part B.

Just over eight minutes in, fence 24ABCD, the Shogun Hollow, is “easy — if the horse and rider stay on their line,” says Winter. Competitors will come through a line of trees and pop over the upright rails at 24A, down to a narrow angled ditch (24B), and up to a narrow house (24CD), angled in the same direction. The angles will push less experienced riders and horses off their line — they’ll have to commit to what they’ve walked and not be taken in by optical trickery to make this work. The distances are token Winter — a variable two or three strides between A and B impacts whether the measured two between the ditch and house become long, short, or another number entirely. We learned over and over again last year that Winter will always reward adaptability and a rider who doesn’t adhere to a fixed idea of striding, and we’ll see that demonstrated again here. The long route is far more circuitous and adds an extra element.

FENCE 25: COUNTRYSIDE HAYWAIN

1.20m high/1.80m top spread/2m base spread

Taking it easy over the Haywain. Photo by Rachel Dyke.

The Countryside Haywain at 25 is a longtime Badminton fence — an inviting, wide haywagon — and a break from the intensity of the previous section of the course. This gives competitors a bit of confidence before they reach the next combination.

FENCE 26ABC: JOULES CORNERS

A: 1.45m high/2m top spread/2.40m base spread

B: 1.45m high/1.60m top spread/2m base spread

C: 1.45m high/1.60m top spread/2m base spread

26ABC sees the Joules Corners, a tricky accuracy question for tired horses and riders. They’ll have to collect and rebalance to tackle the direct route, which begins over a big brush oxer at 26. This will encourage horses to land running, but although there’s a bit of space before the angled corners of the B and C elements, riders will have to prepare to adjust straight away on landing. There’s no room for errors or deviation from the line here — even the tiniest mistake can cause an expensive runout, as we saw last year. The alternative here sees an easier S-bend over the elements, but will cost valuable seconds.

FENCE 27: BHS TABLE

1.20m high/1.70m top spread/2.40m base spread

Wonder if they sublet this out as a studio flat in the off-season?

The BHS Table at 27 is big, solid, and imposing, but can be jumped on an angle to save a bit of time. Four-star stalwarts won’t falter on their approach; inexperienced combinations may grant this fence more set-up time.

FENCE 28: CROOKED S BULLFINCH

1.45m high/1.20m base spread

Another classic Bullfinch from Eric Winter.

Winter made bullfinches trendy again last year — although not without causing some controversy — and this time he’s added one in again. The Crooked S Bullfinch at 28 isn’t a fence out of water this time, but rather, atop a long, steep hill. The fence itself shouldn’t cause problems but riders will have to help their tiring horses out and give them the push they need to pop over it.

FENCE 29ABC: SAVILLS ESCALATOR

A: 1.45m high/2.40 spread/2.90 base spread

B: 1.45m high

C: 1.45m high

The first element.

Looking through to B and C.

Part B.

29ABC, the Savills Escalator, is the last big question on the way home. It’s a test of balance — with its straight line through, Winter expects horses to lock on and power through, and it’ll be up to their riders to ensure that the canter and balance is correct to allow them to clear the brush fence at A and then the two skinny angle stone brushes of B and C. The long route features more turns, and may well be harder work for a horse without much petrol left in the tank.

FENCE 30: FISCHER BRUSH

1.45m high/2.80m base spread.

A good galloping effort near the end of the course.

As they approach fence 30, the Fischer Brush, competitors will be able to see the main arena once again, and so the big ditch and hedge should jump well and strongly, ready to head for home.

FENCE 31: ROLEX TREETRUNK

1.20m high

The penultimate fence on course.

The penultimate fence, the Rolex Treetrunk at 31, features a slight incline to a hanging log, so some organisation is needed on the approach — but it’s not a difficult fence, and those who make it this far will find it a much easier question than those that have come before it.

FENCE 32: SHOGUN SPORT SADDLE

1.20m high/2.20m base spread

And home!

Then, it’s back into the main arena and the roar of an appreciative crowd before popping the final fence, the fan-designed Shogun Sport Saddle at 32. A forgiving profile, and so close to the end — but it’s still a Badminton fence, and it still must be jumped and respected. But once it is? Well, that’s the sort of thing that dreams are made of.

OVERALL IMPRESSIONS:

“I think this year, Eric’s made the course more clear – last year, horses often didn’t know what they had to do until the last minute, and this year it’s clearer earlier,” explains Andrew. “I think there’s a lot more big, bulky fences – the type of fences that horses jump really big, which takes up a lot of energy.”

Last year, we saw the course ask several tough adaptability questions. The Lake was the most prominent – and influential – example of this, garnering equal criticism and praise for its variable striding, which some riders felt offered no right answers and punished horses for doing the right thing. As many others, including Lucinda Green, felt that the question asked was a clever and appropriate one, and one which encouraged riders to walk the lines and have an idea of striding, but then be adaptable and flexible enough to change that idea on the fly depending on the jump they got in. This year, those questions have been slightly pared back.

“I think he’s toned it down a little, but the coffin fence is one where you don’t really know – it walks two and two, but it could ride as anything, really,” says Andrew. “There’s a few other fences – the water where there’s a birch rail [fence 18ABC]; that’s five direct strides to the oxer, but you could see some doing the six. There’s a few places like that, but the majority is a bit more clear.”

CHOOSING AN ALTERNATIVE:

The alternative routes at the combinations have been built to offer a breather without disrupting the rhythm of horse and rider – but the cost of avoiding a direct route is a serious smattering of time penalties.

Despite this: “Even for the very experienced horses and riders, some of them will be thinking about taking some of the longer routes, just to lighten the course up a bit.”

THE ROLE OF THE GOING:

It’s been a seriously soggy spring, and until the eleventh hour, rumours ran rampant that Badminton could be the next victim of the unprecedented spate of axings across the British eventing calendar. Of course, this hasn’t proven the case, partly because of the well-draining Gloucestershire ground, and in large part due to the tireless ministrations of Badminton’s ground crew – but that doesn’t mean that the going is perfect. Slop that meets sunshine becomes bottomless, sticky ground, and that’s what the competitors will have to deal with tomorrow. It won’t make for a pretty sight, but Andrew suggests that it might not be as terrible to go late in the day as many might expect.

“I think the footing will ride the same for the later horses – for the earlier ones it looks pretty, but they’ll sink in no matter what,” he explains. “As long as it remains the same, the horses will cope with it. It’s when it changes – a fast bit of ground in one place, and then a much deeper bit – that it causes a problem, because horses can’t maintain a rhythm in that. The one issue for later competitors will be the bends – they might just have to go a little bit wider and a little bit further to save a bit of energy and make it a bit easier on the horses.”

And what will enough wider, further turns do? Well, they’ll use up precious seconds, of course, on a day when every second really does count. There are only sixteen seconds to play with between the top twenty horses and riders.

A place Nicholson knows well: the Badminton press conference. Photo by Jenni Autry.

MAKING THE TIME – ANDREW’S PREDICTIONS:

“It could well be one of those years in which no one makes the time – I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s nobody, if the ground does what I think it will. The last two minutes of the course is probably a bit quicker than normal, but it’s still going to be very difficult to make the time.”

This sentiment has been echoed by several experienced riders, including current leader Oliver Townend.

For all of today’s cross country times, click here.

You can follow along with the interactive cross country course map, available on the Cross Country App (iOS) or found here if on a desktop. Our North American combinations and leaders will be on course as follows:

12:58 BST/7:58am EST: Selena O’Hanlon and Foxwood High

1:06 BST/8:06am EST: Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW

1:38 BST/8:38am EST: Lauren Kieffer and Veronica

1:58 BST/8:58am EST: Ros Canter and Allstar B

2:02 BST/9:02am EST: Yoshiaki Oiwa and The Duke of Cavan

2:06 BST/9:06am EST: Izzy Taylor and Perfect Stranger

2:34 BST/9:34am EST: Paul Tapner and Bonza King of Rouges

3:10 BST/10:10am EST: Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift

3:26 BST/10:26am EST: Piggy French and Vanir Kamira

3:34 BST/10:34 EST: Madeline Backus and PS Arianna

3:50 BST/10:50am EST: Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly

4:02 BST/11:02am EST: Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh

4:14 BST/11:14am EST: Mark Todd and Kiltubrid Rhapsody

4:34 BST/11:34am EST: Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class

Go eventing!

Badminton Links: Website, Entries, Form Guide, Course Map, EN’s Coverage, Live Stream, Course Preview

 

Badminton 2018 Cross Country Live Updates: Jonelle’s Speed Gives Her the Lead

By on May 5, 2018 6:21 am -

Fence one.

Good morning, EN! We are ready to dive straight in to an very exciting day of cross country at the 2018 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!

Keep refreshing this page for all the latest from Badminton!

Here are the North American entires/ride times:

  • Selena O’Hanlon & Foxwood High: 12:58 BST / 7:58 a.m. EST CLEAR with 16.4 time penalties
  • Lauren Kieffer & Veronica: 13:38 BST / 8:38 a.m. EST CLEAR with 9.6 time penalties
  • Madeline Backus & P.S. Ariana: 15:34 BST / 10:34 a.m. EST Rider Fall at The Lake
  • Will Coleman & Obos O’Reilly: 15:50 BST / 10:50 a.m. EST Retired on course

Badminton Links: Website, Entries, XC Start Times, Form Guide, Course Map, EN’s

Coverage, Live Stream, Course Preview

12:38 p.m.

12:06 p.m. Here’s the top 10 as it stands:

12:05 p.m. Tom currently does not have 20 pen for his re-route at the corner. Might be a conversation by the Ground Jury, but looks good from the view of the camera.

12:04 p.m. Tom gives all the credit to Strike Smartly even before they’ve crossed the finish.

12:03 p.m. Strike Smartly looking a little tired, but Tom McEwen doing a great job of showing him the way home.

12:00 p.m. 7.2 time penalties for Oliver puts him equal with Jonelle. Because she was closer to the optimum time, she goes into the lead.

11:58 a.m. At this point, Oliver will be over the time, but he has some breathing room. Horse looking tired, but they push on.

11:58 a.m. Little sticky at the last combination. The horse seems to be looking tired.

11:57 a.m. Oliver is riding very boldly through the Joules corners, and looking good on the time so far.

11:56 a.m. Georgia Spence home on 56.9 penalties.

11:56 a.m. Positive riding by Oliver gets them through the hollow!

11:55 a.m. Tom McEwen at the Lake adding loads of strides through for a careful ride.

11:53 a.m. Oliver living dangerously through the Eclipse water, but he’s clear!

11:51 a.m. Oliver plays it safe with the long route at the Lake.

11:49 a.m. Georgie Spence takes the long route at the Mound after popping up over the B element.

11:47 a.m. Oliver Townend now on course with Ballaghmor Class. Despite Ollie’s suggestion, the crowds cheer him off.

11:46 a.m. We can now confirm that Alexander Bragg was eliminated with Redpath Ransom

11:45 a.m. Ireland’s Ciaran Glynn has a few fliers around, but kicking on toward the Eclipse pond.

11:43 a.m.

11:39 a.m. Mark Todd has restarted after a hold.

11:38 a.m. We are hearing that Alexander Bragg has possibly been eliminated on course.

11:36 a.m. Caroline Powell trotting through the lake. Whatever works!

11:35 a.m. We have an anxious eye on Mark Todd. Have not seen him on the stream lately, and we have heard there is a hold on course. Not sure the reason.

11:34 a.m. Alexander Bragg seems to have retired on course. We’ve stopped seeing him on the stream.

11:32 a.m. Harry Dzenis with a wild ride in the Eclipse Pond. Good on Dromgurrihy Blue!

11:27 a.m. Alexander Bragg has the frangible pin down at the Eclipse Pond. He also had the pin down with his first horse.

11:26 a.m. 11 seconds over for Gemma and Spike but she’s thrilled and so is the crowd.

11:25 a.m. Gemma kicking much more than we’ve ever seen her do with Arctic Soul. Headed to the finish.

11:25 a.m. Mark Todd keeps his line as the horse doesn’t quite see the last element of the Huntsman’s Close. Kick on!

11:24 a.m. Fingers crossed for Mark Todd who is out with his second ride, Kiltubrid Rhapsody.

11:23 a.m. 30 seconds over for Paulank Brockagh and Sam Griffiths!

11:21 a.m. Gemma is better on the time even than Jonelle was a fence 20. Can she keep it up?

11:20 a.m. Harry Meade says the OTTB is a petrol engine, rather a than a diesel engine — for all those #horsehubby types tuning in.

11:19 a.m. 

11:18 a.m. Arctic Soul slides in to the Lake and gets strong ahead, so Gemma re-routes to the longer route. Smart move.

11:15 a.m. Arctic Soul out on course! He’s another fast one that could do the time.

11:14 a.m. Sam Griffiths neatly through the Lake taking the long route to C.

11:13 a.m. Harry Meade reports that he turned his watch off halfway around!

11:12 a.m. James O’Haire and China Doll came in a little too quick and both took a bath in The Lake. The horse just didn’t have a chance to get his knees out of the way. Both OK.

11:09 a.m. Previous winners Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh are off and away! Looking determined through the Quarry.

11:08 a.m. Hang on tight, Michael Owen! Bradeley Law flying through the lake, they jump the rope on the way.

11:04 a.m. Will has pulled up and opted to retire.

11:03 a.m. Will Coleman and Obos O’Reilly will a runout at The Lake. Will is going to be kicking himself.

11:03 a.m. Huge cheers for Harry Meade as he finishes.

11:02 a.m. Amazing save for Dani Evans and Smart Time at the Hildon Water. Quick thinking from both horse and rider.

10:59 a.m. “She’s so un-special that’s she’s incredibly special. She makes me look good.” – Jonelle on Classic Moet.

10:57 a.m. At the Hildon Water Harry Meade is currently bang on the time.

10:56 a.m. Smooth sailing for Harry Meade and Away Cruising! Clear through the Eclipse Water.

10:52 a.m. Save of the day goes to Emilie Chandler! She nearly comes off at the Eclipse Cross Pond after hanging a leg, but Coopers Law stayed dead straight on task and jumped them out safely.

10:47 a.m. Oh rats! Just didn’t quite get the line to the C element of the Lake, and Madeline comes off. Sad, early ending for her today.

10:46 a.m. We haven’t seen her yet, but Madeline Backus is on course somewhere!

10:46 a.m. Nana Dalton clear so far with her homebred Absolut Opposition!

10:44 a.m. She’s not just the fastest — she’s the fastest by nearly 5 seconds! And she even took a long route. So impressive for these two. #JumpLikeJonelle

10:42 a.m. Jonelle is just one second over to take the lead!!!

10:41 a.m. Oh no! Piggy French and Vanir Kmira both take a swim at the Hildon water. Looks like the horse misread the fence — taking off and then coming back down on it.

10:41 a.m. Definitely! They are having a super day so far.

10:39 a.m. Just 16 seconds over for Ireland’s Joseph Murphy! That puts him in the top 10.

10:36 a.m. Expert riding through the Mound for Jonelle!

10:34 a.m. A little too quick through the lake for Jonelle. She was at the buckle and forced to take the long route at C.

10:31 a.m. Jonelle Price has the pedal down with Classic Moet! These two are ones who could make the time.

10:30 a.m. Another leg left for Silva has both horse and rider on the ground at the Eclipse Water. Both up quickly looking OK.

10:29 a.m. Warren Lamperd steers Silva to the less-used right-handed route at The Mound, but unfortunately have a runout.

10:25 a.m. Cooley Rorkes Drift jumped himself into the open oxer at the Eclipse Water, and Jonty hops off to help the horse out. What looked scary for a moment was quickly resolved. Both walking away looking OK.

10:23 a.m. Becky Wolven and Charlton Down Riverdance take a bit of a flyer at the Vicarage Vee, which has the both on the ground up on landing. Both are up quickly.

10:22 a.m. Jonty in the back seat but he makes it happen at The Lake!

10:20 a.m. 

10:19 a.m. The People’s Horse — Cooly Rorkes Drift — is off with Jonty Evans.

10:16 a.m. Tom Crisp takes the long route after a huge jump over the B element of the Mound.

10:15 a.m. Junco CP gets a few words of encouragement from Carlos after the Vicarage Vee.

10:13 a.m. Good job for Tom Crisp as he opts for the longer route through the Lake with Coolys Luxury.

10:11 a.m. Well done for Ashley Edmond and Triple Chance in their first four-star. Coming through the finish with a clear round, but 83 time penalties added. The horse looks thrilled with himself at the finish!

10:10 a.m. Carlos Diaz Fernandez, the only Spanish rider here this weekend, is clear so far with Junco CP

10:07 a.m. Lissa Green finishing with 31.2 time penalties.

10:06 a.m.

10:05 a.m. Dee Hankey has pulled up and retired with Chequers Playboy  at fence 3.

10:00 a.m. Regis Prud’hon home with Kaiser HDB 4175. They carry 20 penalties from the Huntsman’s Close.

9:58 a.m. Lissa Green, who is now riding for Australia, is on a very enthusiastic horse today. They’re clear through the Lake.

9:56 a.m. Qatar du Puetch Rouget ran out of steam at the lake. He stopped at the c element.

9:55 a.m. Paul Tapner gives a scare at the penultimate fence, but they are ok and heading toward the finish.

9:53 a.m. Cedric hangs on tight as his horse jumps boldly through the Eclipse Water.

9:51 a.m. Cedric Lyard and Qatar du Puetch Rouget are off and away. Good through 4 so far.

9:49 a.m.

9:48 a.m. 22-year-old Will Furlong finishes his first cross country course. Congrats!

9:46 a.m. Paul Tapner puts some demons to rest at the Lake. A much better ride here than last year!

9:44 a.m. Awkward start through the Quarry for Paul Tapner and Bonza King of Rouges. They kick on.

9:41 a.m. Kirsty Short comes to grief at the Huntsman’s Close after a runout at the last tree trunk.

9:39 a.m. Collien P 2 hangs a leg into the Lake, but Will Furlong gets his reins back to take the long route.

9:38 a.m. Confirming now that Izzy Taylor did retire on course with Perfect Stranger.

9:36 a.m. A very bold ride through the Eclipse Water for Imogen Murray and Ivar Gooden.

9:35 a.m. Will Furlong, the youngest competitor today, is on course now.

9:34 a.m. The Troll through the hollow:

Shogun Hollow #eventing #mmbht #badmintonhorsetrials

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9:31 a.m. James Sommerville takes the pin down after a wild ride at the Eclipse Water.

9:29 a.m. The Huntsman’s Close is becoming the most influential fence today as it gives William Fox-Pitt 20 penalties. He pulls up after a second successful go.

9:27 a.m. William Fox-Pitt is off and away with Fernhill Pimms

9:26 a.m.

9:25 a.m. Georgie jumped the A element of the Eclipse water twice. That is allowed, but a huge time and energy waster. She continues.

9:24 a.m. 

9:22 a.m. A runout for Georgie Strang at The Lake.

9:20 a.m. Georgie Strang kicking four-star debutant Cooley Earl on after a sticky ride through the Quarry.

9:18 a.m. Ros home clear with 6.4 time penalties! She stays ahead of Michael Jung.

9:17 a.m. oh no! Another victim at the Huntsman’s Close. This time it’s Izzy Taylor and Perfect Stranger.

9:16 a.m. Ros growls her way through the Joules Corners, but she’s looking good on the time now!

9:14 a.m. A flyby for Japan’s Yoshiaki Oiwa at the Huntsman’s Close. This fence has brought quite a few riders to grief.

9:14 a.m. Ros Canter about 10 seconds over the time at fence 20. She motors on.

9:13 a.m. 

9:10 a.m. Clear through The Lake for Ros Canter. She’s a pleasure to watch today.

9:07 a.m. Bayano says “no thank you” at the Vicarage Vee, despite Flora Harris’ stick behind the saddle. They take the long route and carry on.

9:06 a.m. Overnight leader Ros Canter about to head out on course.

9:04 a.m. Flora Harris digs deep at The Mound after an airy jump. She gets it done!

9:02 a.m. Virginia Thompson is living dangerously today. She activates the frangible device at the Eclipse Cross Pond (18A)

9:02 a.m. Virginia Thompson hugs that white flag, but clear through the Mound!

9:01 a.m.

9:01 a.m. 

9:00 a.m.

8:59 a.m. Pippa pulls up with Billy Beware. Not their day unfortunately.

8:59 a.m. Lauren is 24 seconds over the time! So exciting to watch her and Veronica go fast for it.

8:57 a.m. Lauren kicks away from Savills Escalator. Just three to go!

8:56 a.m. 1 minute 11 seconds over for Simon Grieve

8:55 a.m. A runout for Pippa and Billy Beware at the C element at The Lake. So far the jump judging isn’t penalizing her. She might have gotten lucky for now.

8:53 a.m. Billy Beware is making Pippa Funnel work hard, but they’re clear so far.

8:53 a.m. Lauren and Veronica clear through the Hildon Water, they’re just about 8 seconds above the time currently.

8:52 a.m. Lauren and Veronica are going very quickly around today. Good through fence 18.

8:51 a.m. A miscommunication has Danielle Dunn out of the tack at fence 27, the BHS Table.

8:50 a.m. Lauren was nearly at the buckle after a big jump into the lake, but they stayed dead on through the direct route. It does look like they’re going for speed.

8:49 a.m. Super quick ride for Lauren and Troll through the Huntsman’s Close.

8:47 a.m. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica are on course!

8:46 a.m. Simon Grieve also takes the long route at the Lake. Smartly done.

8:44 a.m. Super, positive ride for Danielle Dunn and Zocarla BHL through the Mound (14/15/16ab)

8:43 a.m. A minute and a half over the time but a huge smile for Lydia Hannon at the finish.

8:42 a.m. Danielle Dunn takes the long route at The Lake, but looks very confident.

8:40 a.m.

8:39 a.m. So disappointing to see Imogen have a flyby at the Huntsman’s Close.

8:38 a.m. Ah! Lydia is the second rider to take the wrong path away from the Hildon water.

8:37 a.m. 

8:36 a.m. Lydia keeping to the “safe seat” as My Royal Touch looks very keen.

8:35 a.m. Imogen Gloag is out on course!

8:34 a.m.  Sticky ride in, so Lydia chooses to take the long way out of the Lake!

8:31 a.m. Risky ride coming out of the quarry for Lydia Hannon but she gets away with it!

8:30 a.m. Here’s the scores as the stand currently:

8:25 a.m. 

8:28 a.m. Only 12.4 time penalties for Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy!

8:24 a.m.

8:23 a.m. Giovanni home 58 seconds over the time.

8:21 a.m. Tim and Ringwood Sky Boy  take the quick route through the Hildon Water Pond, climbing out of the brush at C. They’re moving a little slower than usual today.

8:21 a.m.

8:20 a.m. Giovanni Ugolotti has a determined ride through the coffin with Cult Rewind.

8:19 a.m.

8:18 a.m. Michael Jung and Sam come home 15 seconds over the time for a score of 30.7.

8:17 a.m. Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy slip in a quick third chip stride at the Huntsmans Close.

8:16 a.m. 

8:15 a.m. Andy Daines goes to add a stride, but doesn’t quite work as he and Spring Panorama have a slightly slow motion roll/fall away from the Joules Corners. They are both up quickly and looking ok.

8:14 a.m.

8:13 a.m. Michael takes the long route at the Hildon Pond.

8:12 a.m. Michael Jung gets lucky at the Outlander PHEV Mound (14) as Sam gets a little twisted over the first corner. They stick it and carry on.

8:11 a.m. Fist pump for Selena as she and Wood finish 39 seconds over the time. Well done! John and Judy Rumble must be pleased.

8:10 a.m. Super sam through the water beautifully!

8:09 a.m.

8:08 a.m. Not a lot to say about Selena and Woody because they doing such a masterful job. Each view on the stream is pretty perfect for these two!

8:07 a.m. Ack! Andy Daines  looses balance as he slips over the log into the Lake before taking a wild ride at the b element. They scamper over the ropes trying to get to the alternate — the Ground Jury may review that as dangerous riding.

8:07 a.m. Michael Jung and Sam are out of the box!

8:05 a.m. Selena goes the quick route through the Hildon Water Pond. She really is making this course look easy.

8:04 a.m. Tom Jackson and Waltham Fiddler’s Find add one in the Joules Corners, but still smooth and clear!

8:03 a.m. Finally seeing Selena on the live stream! She’s super through the Lake. She and Woody made it look like a novice combination.

8:02 a.m.

8:00 a.m. Kate Honey home with 68.6 time penalties.

7:57 a.m. The Irish are feeling proud this morning!

#mmbht

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7:55 a.m. Ireland’s Alan Nolan joins the growing list of riders to take the long route at The Lake.

7:54 a.m. Kate Honey gives Fernhill Now or Never a few taps of encouragement as they head to the Vicarage Vee — they clear it easily

7:51 a.m. After a second runout at The Eclipse water, Louise Harwood makes the smart decision to retire. Mr. Potts not looking his usual self today.

7:50 a.m. Quite a few horses looking tired at the finish, but not Mr. Chunky for Ireland! He finishes 16 seconds over.

7:48 a.m. 

7:47 a.m. Disappointing flyby for Louise Harwood and Mr. Potts at the Huntsmans Close. Looks like they didn’t even register on the B element.

7:46 a.m. Padraig McCarthy looking super around so far with Mr. Chunky.

7:45 a.m. Ben Hobday reports from the finish that Mulry’s Error may be directed toward a career shift to lower level eventing after this. Ben saying, “I can’t thank the horse enough.” Legend.

7:44 a.m.

7:43 a.m. Hold on! Dag Albert takes a flyer at the Vicarage Vee.

7:42 a.m. Ireland’s Claire Abbott and Euro Prince fall at the Bullfinch. Looks like he got a bit close and his boldness sent them down on the back side. Both up and look ok at the moment.

7:41 a.m. I think we can practically hear the cheering for Ben and Mulry’s Error on the east coast as they finish the course.

7:38 a.m. Whoa! A huge jump nearly unseats Ben Hobday at the Joules Corners, but he sticks it! Unfortunately picking up 20 pen as he crosses his tracks to represent to the second.

7:36 a.m. I would imagine riding Euro Prince is akin to holding onto a runaway train. He knows the job!

7:34 a.m. Euro Prince gives Claire Abbott a hugely enthusiastic ride through The Lake.

7:33 a.m. Fan favorites Ben Hobday and Mulry’s Error taking the long route through The Lake to a big cheer from the crowd.

7:32 a.m. Alexander Whewall pops off at the Vicarage Vee. The stride wasn’t quite right and and Chakiris Star opts to step down in the ditch and around. Alexander’s left leg felt a hard smash against the Vee as he fell off, but he walked off course. Will update as we get more info!

7:31 a.m. Dan Jocelyn home with the 20 penalties and over a minute over the time.

7:30 a.m.

7:28 a.m. Alexander Whewall taking the very long route at The Lake, but clear

7:27 a.m. Alicia is home finishing her first four-star! She looked like a seasoned pro.

7:26 a.m. What will Ollie do between now and his next ride? He’s going “back to the wagon to have a sleep!”

7:25 a.m.

7:23 a.m. Dassett Cool Touch puts the breaks on at The Lake (9c) to pick up 20 pen with Dan Jocelyn

7:21 a.m. Super ride for 23-year-old Badminton first-timer Alicia Hawker through the Mound.

7:19 a.m. Richard Jones and Alfies Clover have a stop at the hollow (24c) and he puts a hand up to retire.

7:17 a.m. Whoops! Richard Jones takes the wrong path away from the Hildon Water. Definitely some time wasted.

7:17 a.m.

7:15 a.m. “Its nice ground to gallop on, but when you do it for 12 minutes it’s hard work,” Andrew Nicholson explains that this ground is leading to horses looking a little tired.

7:15 a.m. Cooley SRS comes home 18 over the time. He and Oliver sit on 33.1 penalties.

7:13 a.m. Easy ride through the Huntsmans Close (6abc) for Richards Jones and Alfies Clover

7:10 a.m. 

7:08 a.m. Oliver and Cooley also take the direct route at The Hildon Water Pond.

7:07 a.m. 

7:06 a.m. Oliver shouts to take the long route at The Lake (9c)

7:05 a.m. “Oliver is like a man possessed!” Ian Stark has it right — Oliver Townend flying with Cooley SRS

7:03 a.m. Scary horse fall for Harry Dzenis as Xam hangs a leg at The Pond (9A). Both horse and rider quickly up on their feet.

7:02 a.m. Mark Todd and Leonidas are home with 8.4 time penalties.

7:01 a.m. Gemma is the first to take the long route at The Hildon Water, so it’s possible!

6:57 a.m. Mark Todd starts on the alternate route at The Hildon Water, but does a quick turnaround to exit via the direct route! Masterful riding as always.

6:56 a.m. Leonidas also dragging his feet slightly at the Eclipse Cross Pond, but doesn’t take the pin down.

6:55 a.m. SO love Pamero 4, ridden by Gemma Tattersall. Super keen!

6:54 a.m. 18 over the time for Andrew and Nereo

6:52 a.m. Alexander Bragg’s Zagreb takes the frangible pin down on The Eclipse Cross Pond (18A)

6:51 a.m. Leonidas II and Mark Tood have smooth sailing through the first of the course.

6:51 a.m. Same

6:50 a.m. A wild jump over the Vicarage Vee for Andrew and Nereo.

6:49 a.m. Andrew also goes the long route at the Hildon Water Pond. So far no one has taken the direct route. He’s about 4 seconds slow at the moment.

6:47 a.m. Halltown Harley looking a little tired over the last fence, but is home with rider Georgie Spence.

6:46 a.m. Held my breath for a second as Nereo scraped over the log into The Lake (9abc), but he made the out look easy.

6:45 a.m. Andrew Nicholson and Nereo zooming around the first half of the course, making easy work of the fences.

6:43 a.m. First rider home! Good, safe clear for Caroline Powell. She’s well over a minute over the time, but smiling from ear to ear.

6:43 a.m. Great riding through the Hildon Water Pond and over the Vicarage Vee for Georgie Spence and Halltown Harley

6:40 a.m. Huge jump out of the quarry for Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser

6:39 a.m. Vicarage Vee looking much “softer and friendlier” today according to Ian Stark.

6:38 a.m. Caroline Powell taking the long route at the Hildon Water Pond (fence 20), but looking very confident around.

6:30 a.m. A huge cheer for the crowds as Caroline Powell heads off on course aboard Up Up and Away

6:23 a.m.

6:20 a.m. (11:20 a.m. BST) We’re expecting first horse on course at 11:30 a.m. BST (6:30 EST)

Saturday Links from Tipperary

By on May 5, 2018 12:01 am -

Good morning to all you early-risers out there tuning into the Badminton live stream and a belated good morning to everyone there in person! My mind is blown by the dressage marks we’re seeing and not just because of the new scoring system – I’m just in awe of the caliber of competitors and am very excited to see what happens on course today. Wishing safe and speedy rides across the country to everyone!

Major Events:

Badminton: Website, XC Start Times, Scoring, Schedule, How to Watch Live, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Form Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

U.S. Weekend Action:

MCTA H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Heart of the Carolinas 3DE & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Poplar Place Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

The Event at Skyline H.T. [Website]

Saturday Links:

Badminton dressage scores: why have they changed and what do riders think?

PODCAST: 2018 LRK3DE Round-Up with Oliver Townend and Sara Gumbiner

‘Definitely Badminton’: cross-country course reactions from William Fox-Pitt, Oliver Townend and more

Researchers Examining Effects of Indoor Arenas on Horse, Human Health

Hot on Horse Nation: 2018 Kentucky Derby Need-to-Know Guide

Saturday Video: I want one.

Badminton Friday Social Media: All The Feels

By on May 4, 2018 9:10 pm -

Gorgeously turned out horses, emerald green grass, a regal estate, and OMG a proposal! Well played, sir, well played. Congratulations are in order for these two lovebirds and congratulations are in order to our competitors this weekend, many of whom earn personal best dressage marks, for making it through the first phase! Onto the running and the jumping of the very, very big sticks — but first, let’s a look back at your social media from the conclusion of dressage:

#xcwalk #mmbht #michaeljung #eventing

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#MMBHT: Website, XC Start Times, Results, Schedule, How to Watch Live, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Form Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

#FlashbackFriday Video from World Equestrian Brands: Nicholson Takes Badminton

By on May 4, 2018 6:41 pm -

Andrew Nicholson and Nereo. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Badminton week is in full swing, and, as ever, it brings with it incredible tales of bravery, gumption, sacrifice, and tenacity to succeed against the odds. As we prepare to go into tomorrow’s cross country day – which looks set to be incredibly influential – we’ve taken a bit of a breather to reminisce about how last year played out.

The man who has won nearly everything had never won at Badminton. But on his 37th attempt, and on the comeback trail from the crashing fall that nearly ended his career in 2015, Andrew Nicholson won it in 2017, riding the stalwart Nereo – and to say that it was an emotional win would be, perhaps, the understatement of the year. From the rider-led three cheers in the collecting ring, to the sea of hugs, to the tears – was there a dry eye in the house? – we felt, perhaps, as though we’d seen the most exciting Badminton victory we’d ever get the chance to witness.

But Badminton never disappoints – and we’re so excited to see its story unfold again this weekend. In the meantime, as you count down the hours until the start of the cross-country, bask once more in the glow of last year’s magic…

Badminton Links: Website, Entries, Form Guide, Course Map, EN’s Coverage, Live Stream, Course Preview

 

Badminton Day Two: A Near-Record for Townend; Will Coleman in Top 10

By on May 4, 2018 2:20 pm -

Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class leave nothing behind in their test. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Shun the nonbelievers who say that dressage is the boring phase: the conclusion of today’s competition proved otherwise today, as we saw some of the best scores we’ve ever seen at Badminton and the pressure at the top went into overdrive.

It was to be Oliver Townend‘s day, as he and Burghley winner Ballaghmor Class posted a remarkable career-best dressage score of 20.8 to take a definitive lead going into tomorrow’s cross-country. Whether we’re looking at it in new money (20.8) or old (31.2) this is a serious mark – and it very nearly equals the record set here at Badminton 18 years ago by Andrew Hoy and Darien Powers (20.5 in the new scoring, or 30.8 in old).

“I’d have settled for a bit less!” he laughed after his test. “He’s still a baby, really – still weak in some ways, and so it’s a lot to expect of a relatively young horse to ask them to relax in their mind and body in a situation like this.”

Ballaghmor Class shows what he’s made of with Oliver Townend. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

There were some doubts creeping into Oliver’s mind prior to ‘Thomas’s’ test, too.

“The second time at this level is quite often a horse’s worst result,” he said yesterday. “The first time, they tend to get nervous in the atmosphere and rely on the rider, but the second time, they’re expecting the atmosphere. This time around he knows he’s a superstar – after Burghley, he was the only horse on the yard that the girls wanted to muck out.”

Despite working well yesterday afternoon, Thomas lost some of his sparkle in this morning’s schooling session.

Ballaghmor Class and Oliver Townend. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

“We weren’t overly impressed with his work this morning. He felt like he did in the test when he worked yesterday, but this morning, I don’t know if he was sick of work. But in the test, I felt like we were in control of every single stride. This is the second time he’s seen the crowds in a test, and you don’t always know how they’ll react, but he was on side the whole time. I’m seriously happy with him- we know what he’s capable of and he’s improving all the time; he’s improved a lot, physically and mentally, since Burghley.”

Mark Todd posts a vintage score aboard Kiltubrid Rhapsody. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Overnight runner-up Mark Todd posted his best top-level dressage score in more than ten years, scoring 23.4 with the relatively inexperienced Kiltubrid Rhapsody. The eleven-year-old gelding recorded his first four-star start last year at Pau, where he clocked up an unfortunate 20 penalties, which Mark attributes to rider error. This year, he hopes to go better.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with him – it felt like he didn’t make any mistakes, and he’s starting to get the stage where he can really carry himself,” he said. “It feels like he’s still got more to give; another year on him and he’ll be really smart. Because he’s so big, it’s taken him a long time to get to this point. I’ve only felt in the last month that he’s started to use himself well.”

Mark Todd and Kiltubrid Rhapsody. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Mark, who squeezes in training sessions with dressage supremo Charlotte Dujardin, spent much of his day watching the riders before him.

“The marks seemed to be getting better and better throughout the day, and it seemed to be a bit of a lottery, but we’ll take it!” he laughed.

Former winners Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Australia’s Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh, who won here in 2014, posted a good score of 24.4 to sit in equal fifth place with fellow countrymen Paul Tapner and Bonza King of Rouges.

“She isn’t really a natural at the dressage, but she tries really hard,” said Sam. “It’s just ironic that the dressage scoring has changed just as I’ve got her really good at the dressage! She’s got better and better over the years, but she’s always been consistent.”

The pair train with Australian dressage rider Gareth Hughes, who also trains fourth-placed Jonty Evans. Looking ahead to tomorrow’s gruelling cross-country test, Sam is feeling lucky: “I’m on the one horse that the rain won’t really affect too much.” Their win here was recorded in one of the wettest years in recent history and ‘Brocks’, who was fourth at Rio and came in the top ten at Pau last year, has proven her toughness and adaptability time, and time, and time again.

Will Coleman and O’Brien Office Supplies O’Reilly (no, we’re not kidding) are best-placed Americans in seventh place on a 24.6. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Will Coleman and OBOS O’Reilly are our highest-placed American combination after the dressage, showing a serious improvement in this phase.

“He’s a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde,” he laughed. “He’s incredibly bold cross-country but can get a little shy in dressage, and this is one of the biggest atmospheres in the world. We’re thrilled with him – dressage hasn’t always been one of our strengths, but he really pulled it out of the bag today.”

Will’s score inches him just ahead of Michael Jung and La Biosthetique Sam FBW.

“I’m probably the most surprised guy here – I’ve been working hard on his dressage, but Michael is one of the best in this phase, and that horse is probably the best horse. It’s been a long road with this horse – I would have given him to you for about a ham sandwich a few years ago, but it’s amazing how they can develop.”

Piggy French and Vanir Kamira round out the top ten. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

The fringe of the top ten is held jointly by Lauren Kieffer and Piggy French, who rides Vanir Kamira. They each sit on a score of 25.1.

“It’s really exciting,” said Piggy. “It’s just great to be back at the top level, especially at Badminton, as it’s the biggest event in the world. I was delighted with her score – I’d take that every day of the week!”

Her well-scoring test came despite a less-than-ideal warm-up: “I don’t usually give her more than twenty minutes to warm up, as she gets quite twitchy if she starts to get hot and sweaty, and she’d already done a lot this morning. But the last time she was in this collecting ring was two years ago, when she was getting ready to showjump, and she was a nightmare. We aren’t allowed to work in here during the week because they want to save the ground, so when we came in to warm up she immediately thought of the jumping and went white with sweat. I thought, ‘I’ve been here for three days – how can I have prepared so badly?!’ I haven’t been feeling great this week and I really thought she was got to blow, so I thought, ‘bugger feeling not very well – I’ve got to concentrate.’ She sneezed a few times coming up the centreline because she was hot, and so she changed behind in her entrance, but she settled so well and became so rideable.”

Madeline Backus and PS Arianna post a 39 in their Badminton debut. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Our final American competitor today was debutante Madeline Backus, riding PS Arianna. The pair have been based in the UK since March at Austin O’Connor‘s Attington Stud, a trip which has been funded by the Wilton Fair and Rebecca Broussard grants.

“It’s definitely a bit electric in there, but it’s amazing,” enthused Madeline. “She’s a very tense horse and dressage isn’t her strongest phase, so I was very pleased with her. Everything’s a bit closer to the ring in here than at Kentucky, where we did our first four-star.”

Madeline, who trains with Eric Duvander, Gill Watson, and her mother – “she oversees it all, because she knows us both so well!” – is looking ahead to the mare’s strongest phase: the cross country. Beyond that, she has Burghley in the back of her mind for the horse with whom she’s grown up.

“I’m really excited to get out there; I think running at Burnham Market and Belton really helped us to prepare. She’s such a funny horse – when you groom her, she’ll groom you back, and she loves treats. I was a kid when I raised her, and that’s the type of horse she is. Then she’s very serious about her job – a bit spicy and fiery.”

The top ten going into tomorrow’s competition is truly international, with six nations represented. It’s incredibly tight, too, as we once again witness the significant impact of dressage without the multiplier: in fact, just 16 seconds separates the top 20. We’ll be publishing a full preview of the course, with a seriously exciting mystery guest, before the start of tomorrow’s competition – so keep it tuned in to EN!

The top ten at Badminton at the conclusion of the dressage.

Badminton Links: Website, Entries, XC Start Times, Form Guide, Course Map, EN’s Coverage, Live Stream, Course Preview

Lainey Ashker’s #GOTDs Get So Extra

By on May 4, 2018 11:00 am -

Courtesy of Lainey Ashker.

If you’re a fan of Lainey Ashker’s Grid of the Day (GOTD) series, you’ll absolutely love this new video she has put together. Lainey previously showed us how she works through a dressage ride on her 8-year-old OTTB Call Him Paddy with a narrated video. Now she’s bringing the same concept over fences!

This video is a compilation of Lainey’s riding over the featured gymnastic exercises with seven different horses, both client-owned and her own competition horses, ranging in experience from Beginner Novice to two-star level. As each horse tackles the grids, Lainey explains what we’re seeing: how the horse is going, what’s happening, what she likes, what she doesn’t like, and how she’s always working to improve the ride. In Lainey’s words, she’s letting us see “the good, the bad, and the ugly” so that we maybe we can learn something in our work with our own horses.

Do you like this new video series? Let Lainey know by subscribing to her YouTube channel and dropping her a comment!

 

Badminton Day Two Lunchtime Report: The People’s Horse Impresses

By on May 4, 2018 9:04 am -

The boy’s done good: Jonty Evans and Cooley Rorkes Drift go into second place at Badminton. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

“I cried like mad last year – I’m glad I’m a bit more manly this year,” laughed Jonty Evans after his test with crowd favourite Cooley Rorkes Drift. He’d have been excused for shedding a few tears, though – his phenomenal score of 24.1 bested even his test of last year which, at 24.8, was a huge personal best. He currently sits in second place behind yesterday’s leaders Ros Canter and Allstar B.

“He was great in the test, as usual,” said Jonty, who comes into Badminton fresh off a win in the CIC3* Grantham Cup at Belton with his crowdfunded horse. “I’m really pleased with him. There’s a certain expectation coming here because of his test last year, but he’s done it again for me.”

The spectators were expressive in their appreciation of ‘Art’s’ brilliant performance, but it didn’t faze the 12-year-old Courage II gelding: “He loves the atmosphere – that’s something I can totally rely on with him. He’ll go in there and enjoy the experience of being in there. He gets one of the biggest cheers every time he’s out and it’s great – I really appreciate him and it’s lovely to know that the crowd does as well.”

Paul Tapner and Bonza King of Rouges deliver for 3rd. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Australia’s Paul Tapner and Bonza King of Rouges didn’t quite manage a personal best, but came close with their score of 24.4, which was enough to propel them into third place. This is the horse’s second attempt at Badminton, after his week ended early with a fall out of the water last year.

A new partnership shows promise: Izzy Taylor and Perfect Stranger score a 25.1 to sit seventh. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

In their first four-star test together, the new partnership of Izzy Taylor and Alex Phillips‘ Perfect Stranger proved a solid one, earning 25.1 to sit in seventh place behind Lauren Kieffer and Veronica.

“It’s our first four-star together – our first big test, if you like – and I’m very pleased with him,” said Izzy. “He was very relaxed and wasn’t at all fazed by the excitement of being here. When they do a test like that, it’s hard to find something to be disappointed with.”

The horse was formerly piloted by Andrew Nicholson, but location proved a factor in the ride going to Izzy.

“Alex, who owns him, lives near me and I had started riding a few of her youngsters, but not him,” she explained. “He was off at the time, and when he came back, Alex was struggling with the logistics of getting him to Andrew in Marlborough and going back and forth, so she asked me to take on the ride. It’s been great – he asks after the horse and I’ve been able to call him and ask him questions, which he happily answers, so it’s all been really helpful and professional.”

Fernhill Pimms makes a promising comeback with William Fox-Pitt. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

They didn’t quite sneak into the top ten, but William Fox-Pitt‘s test with Fernhill Pimms, which scored a 27.1 for thirteenth place, was an emotional one, as it saw William make a return to the event at which he has historically been a familiar face.

“It’s quite emotional – I haven’t been here since I won it in 2015 with Chilli Morning – but it’s great to be back and I’m so lucky to have the horse,” he said. “27.1 is a bit off the pace but he’s in the hunt and I’m happy with that.”

The horse hadn’t been seen in international competition since Burghley in 2015, and so, with no FEI points to his name, he was on the bottom of the waitlist for Badminton.

“Because of my position on the waitlist, I was thinking I was going to Kentucky, and Badminton wasn’t really on my radar at all. But then I couldn’t really get enough prep in for Kentucky. I only found out last week that my entry had been accepted – until then, I thought, at what point do I just pull the plug anyway?”

Now that they’re here, William is looking ahead to the real test: tomorrow’s cross country.

“It’ll be a jolly good wakeup call for us both – I suppose I’ll find out if I can still do it!” he laughed.

We’ll be back soon with all the action from this afternoon’s final session of dressage.

Go eventing!

The top ten at the lunchbreak on the second day of dressage at Badminton.

Badminton Links: Website, Entries, Form Guide, Course Map, EN’s Coverage, Live Stream, Course Preview

Friday News & Notes from Kentucky Equine Research

By on May 4, 2018 5:09 am -

Chinch has been kidnapped from the media center at Badminton. This is not a drill. He’s been chinchnapped. And this is not a joke: we have absolutely no idea who it is. However, the chinchnappers made a Twitter account @Kidnapped Chinch. You can keep track of him there and hope for the best outcome for our dearest naughty Chinch.

National Holiday: Bird Day

Major Events:

Badminton: Website, XC Start Times, Results, Schedule, How to Watch Live, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Form Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter

U.S. Weekend Preview:

MCTA H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]

Heart of the Carolinas 3DE & H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

Poplar Place Farm H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]

The Event at Skyline H.T. [Website]

News From Around the Globe:

Middleburg Horse Trials are moving to Great Meadow and the local Pony Club is raising funds to build a new water jump at the venue. How can you help? Ride a Fix-A-Round with Lynn Symansky and/or a Fix-A-Test with Lauren Sprieser on May 22 in the spectacular main arena at Great Meadow in The Plains, Virginia. [Clinic Details]

Fashion on the jog strip at Badminton is legendary, but how do the riders choose what to wear? Sarah Skillin of EquiConsulting explains how she works with the riders to help them make the right impression at the world’s biggest event. [Making an impression on the runway at Badminton]

USEA Area Young Rider programs are in full fundraising mode for the FEI North American Youth Championships (NAYC). How can you help them raise the funds needed to travel to The Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, Montana? [Young Rider Fundraisers for 2018 NAYC]

Kirsty Short is making her Badminton debut with Cossan Lad and blogging all about the experience. Go behind the scenes as Kirsty talks all about her Thursday at Badminton and walking Eric Winter’s cross country course. [Bouncer Has Been Showing Off]

Let’s get to know Genesee Valley Hunt Horse Trials! Held annually in Genesee, New York in Area I in mid-June, the event offers Introductory through Preliminary levels. [USEA Events A-Z: Genesee Valley Hunt Horse Trials]

Schramm Sesh of the Week

Jimmie and Dom Schramm have teamed up with Kentucky Equine Research to provide an inside look into their conditioning program using KER ClockIt Sport. Each week we’ll share an example ride and some notes of what the Schramms look for as their horses progress.

This week, Jimmie takes Eclaire, a seven-year-old German sport horse, through her fourth preliminary outing. She starts with a short warm up then continues into her course. This session is Eclaire’s first cross-country of the year with hills.

“As you can see it really pushed her into high percentage zones for her heart rate, especially towards the end of the course, which to me means she needs to be a bit fitter on the hills,” explains Jimmie.

Eclaire’s speed drops between 366 m/min and 400 m/min through the combinations on course. Making this adjustment more quickly is something Jimmie has been working on with her.

“When it takes a longer time to get her back to a combination-type canter, I end up having time faults,” Jimmie explains. “It is good for me to see where time is being wasted.”

“I wish I’d left ClockIt running for a bit longer to see how long it took her to get back to a resting heart rate, but it was a warmer day and we were looking to cool her out quickly and get her tack off.”

Check back next week for another Schramm Sesh! Want to gain insight into your horse’s fitness? Try KER ClockIt Sport. The free app helps take the guesswork out of equine fitness by monitoring heart rate, speed, distance and altitude during rides.

Ocala Farms Under Threat By Proposed Highway Project

By on May 3, 2018 6:18 pm -

The proposed corridors for the Coastal Connector highway project on Interstate 75.

Numerous horse farms in the Ocala, Florida area are in danger of being bisected by a new interchange of Interstate 75 under the Florida Turnpike’s proposed Coastal Connector highway project.

The project is currently evaluating new transportation corridor alternatives in Citrus and Marion counties to connect Central Florida with the Tampa area via toll roads, but farms that serve the eventing community and beyond would ultimately pay the price.

A proposed corridor would slice Chester Weber’s Live Oak Farm in half, and other corridors would affect the Ocala Jockey Club, Longwood Farm, Meredyth South and Mardanza Farms, in addition to countless other private farms in the area.

The Florida Turnpike is collecting feedback on the project until May 15, and Kimberly Kojima is hoping members of the eventing community who enjoy Ocala during the winter months and throughout the year will step up and make their voices heard.

“This highway will take out many of the farms and horse-related businesses which employ thousands of people and contribute billions of dollars to the economy,” Kimberly said. “Thousands of people’s homes, livelihoods, and financial stability are in jeopardy.”

Kimberly has owned a 20-acre farm on West 236 in Ocala for nine years. Hers is one of many farms that would be impacted under the Coastal Connector project.

“Ocala is a major hub for all equestrian sports,” Kimberly said. “The results of devastating the horse industry here aren’t only going to impact Ocala. The impact will reverberate throughout the horse industry nationwide and possibly farther.”

The most recent Ocala Chamber & Economic Partnership study found that Marion Country’s equine industry generates more than $2.6 billion, or about 15-20%, of the local economy.

Local farm owner Ralph Holstein is also leading the charge against the proposed Coastal Connector project.

“It has been termed a ‘land grab’ and the proposal has already been denied by neighboring counties, but not yet by Marion County,” Ralph said.

“The committee has set a deadline of May 15 for responses; however, many land owners, leasers, and horse sport enthusiasts are unaware that this proposal has even been made, as they have already left for the summer.”

The group leading the Coastal Connector Alternative Corridor Evaluation Study to evaluate the project held a meeting on Monday at the Ocala Hilton. While more than 400 horse owners in the area attended the meeting, no opportunity was provided for those in attendance to ask questions or provide opinions.

In response, an online petition has been created for eventers and other horse enthusiasts in the Ocala area and beyond to show their opposition to the proposed Coastal Connector highway project.

A website has been set up at nocoastalconnector.org to lead opposition to the project. Sign the petition here.

Email [email protected] to provide direct comment on the project.

Click here to learn more about the Coastal Connector highway project.

[Horse farm owners say ‘Nay’ to Coastal Connector routes]

[Coastal Connector Alternative Corridor Evaluation Study FAQ]

[State gives first look at possible Coastal Connector highway routes]