What are top international eventers hoping to find beneath this Christmas trees this morning? And what are their wishes for the upcoming year? We asked!
Clarke Johnstone, shown here riding Balmoral Sensation at Badminton 2016, is looking forward to some festive puppy love this Christmas. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
New Zealand’s Clarke Johnstone
EN: What are you wishing for this Christmas as a present?
Clarke: I am wishing for (and getting) a puppy!
EN: What do you wish for in the 2017 season?
Clarke: “I really want to try and win my first four-star and also want to jump in the Olympic Cup at the Farmlands New Zealand Horse of the Year Show in March, which is a fantastic event held at Hastings Show Ground in New Zealand.”
Chris Burton and Santano II in Rio. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Australia’s Chris Burton
EN: What are you wishing for this Christmas as a present?
Chris: “We have already enjoyed some down time in Australia with our families at the start of December, and I just want to have a great time with friends and family over the festive break.”
EN: What do you wish for the 2017 season?
Chris: “I would love to win the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing — Rolex, Badminton and Burghley — but we all know this is no mean feat!”
EN: Who would you like to send Christmas thanks to?
Chris: “My sponsors Schockemoehle Sports and Baileys Horse Feeds.”
David Doel at France’s Haras du Pin. Photo by Ian James.
Great Britain’s David Doel
EN: What are you wishing for this Christmas as a present?
David: “A really exciting one … a new trundle wheel for measuring the cross country courses with! Although we’re starting to see lots of technology for your phone, I still don’t think you can beat using a wheel to be precise.”
EN: What do you wish for the 2017 season?
David: “A Nations Cup appearance or two; it’s been awhile since I did one and I just seem to keep missing out on them through injury. So that would be nice!”
EN: Who would you like to send Christmas thanks to?
David: “My sponsor Kate Negus bridlework.”
Camilla Spiers and Portersize Just A Jiff at WEG 2014. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Ireland’s Camilla Speirs
EN: What are you wishing for this Christmas as a present?
Camilla: “I have been borrowing an equine vibration therapy platform for a few weeks from Vitafloor, and judging by the results I’ve seen so far it’s definitely on my list from Santa!”
EN: What do you wish for the 2017 season?
Camilla: “I hope to continue to reach the competitive goals which I’ve set for the horses and myself, and that all my horses remain sound, healthy and happy!”
Louisa Milne Home hopes to ride at Badminton in 2017. Photo courtesy of Robinson Animal Healthcare.
Great Britain’s Louisa Milne Home
EN: What are you wishing for this Christmas as a present?
Louisa: “I would love another pair of thermal boots as mine are nearly worn out; they are definitely a much needed item when trying to keep the horses fit over winter in Scotland. My dream present would be a luxury round-the-world trip, stopping off at lots of sunny destinations.”
EN: What do you wish for the 2017 season?
Louisa: “I am really looking forward to the start of the 2017 season; my aim is to compete at Badminton and Burghley with King Eider, and I have high hopes for some of my promising young horses.”
EN: Who would you like to send Christmas thanks to?
Louisa: “My sponsor Robinson Animal Healthcare.”
Abi Boulton wants something tweedy under the tree. Photo by Tic Toc Eventing.
Great Britain’s Abi Boulton
EN: What are you wishing for this Christmas as a present?
Abi: “I would love to get a new tweed jacket for next season, as my current one I have worn since I was 15 and let’s just say the sleeves end nearer my elbows than my wrists!”
EN: What do you wish for the 2017 season?
Abi: “I am very lucky to have two new young horses to add to the team for next year, which I am very excited about. I am always looking to build our team of horses, sponsors and owners, so I can keep my dream my reality. It would be amazing if this could grow!”
EN: Who would you like to send Christmas thanks to?
Abi: “My sponsor Hiho Silver.”
Sam Griffiths, pictured riding Paulank Brockagh, has high hopes for this year’s Badminton Horse Trials. Photo by Jenni Autry.
Australia’s Sam Griffiths
EN: What are you wishing for this Christmas as a present?
Sam: “If money were no object, I would like to take my family from the UK and Australia to fly to a tropical destination and be looked after by some Michelin-starred chefs.”
EN: What do you wish for the 2017 season?
Sam: “I really want to go well at Badminton; that’s my main priority.”
Fernhill Highlight and Francis Whittington during the dressage phase of the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials. Photo by Samantha Clark.
Great Britain’s Francis Whittington
EN: What are you wishing for this Christmas as a present?
Francis: “It’s not a horsey wish, but I would really like a new car!”
EN: What do you wish for the 2017 season?
Francis: “I have some lovely young horses, so I’m really looking forward to seeing them develop over the 2017 season.”
EN: Who would you like to send Christmas thanks to?
Francis: “Sponsor WOW Saddles.”
Helen Cole seeks good health and happiness moving into 2017. Photo by Action Replay Photography.
Great Britain’s Helen Cole
EN: What are you wishing for this Christmas as a present?
Helen: “Someone to find me a smart young horse to produce up the grades!”
EN: What do you wish for the 2017 season?
Helen: “Good health and happiness for friends, family and horses.”
EN: Who would you like to send Christmas thanks to?
Helen: “My sponsor Kate Negus bridlework.“
Joseph Murphy and DHI Topstory at Pau. Photo by Leslie Wylie.
Ireland’s Joseph Murphy
EN: What are you wishing for this Christmas as a present?
Joseph: “If Santa would like to drop by Agnelli Motor Park and see if there is any other ‘horsepower’ he could deliver me, that would be great …”
EN: What do you wish for the 2017 season?
Joseph: “I am wishing to bring some nice silverware home for my owners next year, as I am lucky to ride their lovely horses! I am also wishing that the horses remain fit and healthy too. Of course, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a fantastic 2017.”
We hope you all get your wishes! Go Eventing!
