I know what you all are thinking–winning Badminton is a big deal. And that is correct. But, what is a bigger deal is winning Eventing Nation’s Badminton battle for North America between the US and Canada, sponsored by our friends at Point Two. Canada and the US don’t often get the chance to compete over things. Canada always dominates in competitions of maple syrup production and bad jokes, and the United States is undefeated in anything to do with military might and average population weight. Two countries, three riders each, one winner.
The rules are simple: the country’s team with the lowest score for all three riders combined wins. What the riders win is completely irrelevant and as of yet undetermined, but at the very least they will win Eventing Nation bragging rights, which is pretty awesome. There are no dropped scores or timeouts. This is not France, this is war.
The standings after the dressage:
USA: 144.5
Karen O’Connor and Mandiba 44.5
Buck Davidson and Ballynoecastle 47.3
Jennifer and The Good Witch 53.7
Canada: 156.2
Selena O’Hanlon and Colombo 43.3
Hawley Bennett-Awad and Gin ‘N Juice 50.2
Steph Rhodes-Bosch and Port Authority 62.7
Canada trails the USA right now, but they are used to making up big ground in the cross-country. Any elimination, fall, etc will mean that riders latest score plus a thousand points is added to their team’s total.
All we need now is a soundtrack, something epic…oh yes, this will do.
I love you Canada, but go USA.
