Tom McEwen and TOLEDO DE KERSER during the dressage phase, Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, Gloucestershire, 2019
Badminton, already….man! If there are still people out there saying that Event horses can’t do dressage, please go find them and make them watch some of the tests from the recent CCI5* events. I mean honestly, every time I watch this level I’m astounded at how well those horses are trained, because not only are they blowing me away on the flat, but I know exactly how well they are trained in the other phases. In fact, Event horses are super horses. Name another discipline that has to master so many things, I’ll wait.
National Holiday: National Lumpy Rug Day
Major Weekend Events:
#MMBHT: Website, Drawn Order, Schedule, Dressage Timetable, Live Scores, Live Stream, EN’s Coverage, EN’s Course Preview, EN’s Form Guide, EN’s Instagram, EN’s Twitter
U.S. Weekend Preview:
The Event at Skyline H.T. [Website] [Entry Status/Ride Times/Live Scores]
MCTA H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
Poplar Place H.T. [Website] [Entry Status] [Ride Times] [Live Scores]
News From Around the Globe:
Olympic jumping legend, Ian Millar, aka Captain Canada, announced this week his retirement from international competition. At 72, with over four decades of competition at the highest levels of show jumping, Ian has decided to slow down a bit and focus on young horses and riders, as well as coaching. Ian has been to a record breaking 10 Olympic Games representing Canada from 1972-2012. All hail Captain Canada! [Ian Millar Retires]
Your first five-star is a feeling like no other, but your first Badminton is a whole experience in itself. Badminton has an astounding 23 first-timers this year, most of whom grew up watching Badminton as children both on the television and in person. Each finisher from yesterday’s dressage was asked a few questions, including what they think will be their favorite part, and what they’ll eat for breakfast on Saturday. Obviously, all of them say that the last fence on cross country will be their favorite part, and one brave girl is going to eat cake for breakfast before the biggest challenge of her life. [Badminton First Timers]
Speaking of Badminton, what are the top British riders thinking about the course this year? H&H spoke to Pippa Funnell, Tina Cook, and Nicola Wilson amongst others to get their views on Saturday’s challenge. The general consensus is that footwork is going to be very important, as well as picking a distance and committing to it, as some of the combinations are open to interpretation. Can’t wait to see the action! [Thoughts on Badminton XC]
Jonty Evans is excited to return to Tattersalls one year after his life changing accident on cross country. Nope, he’s not competing, he’s signed up to do the live commentary! Jonty says that despite the accident in last year’s CCI4* with Cooley Rourke’s Drift, he has excellent memories of the event, and loves the venue. In fact, he doesn’t remember the accident at all, and was in a coma for six weeks afterwards, so he only carries fond thoughts for Tattersalls and is delighted to return. This man is a superhuman of positive thought! [Jonty Evans Returns to Tattersalls]
