There was a request for coverage of the Candians at Badminton, and ta-da…!
(there was also a request for an interview with the Queen, but I don’t think that’s going to happen!)
Selena O’Hanlon’s groom, Anne-Marie, unpacking and making herself at home.
In the same aisle as the Canadians are Lucinda Fredericks’ mare Prada, 2010 winner Paul Tapner’s Kilfinnie, Americans Mandiba, The Good Witch and Ballynoe Castle RM, and Italian Carrera (Susanna Bordonne).
The stables are old, beautiful, traditional and historic, but pose problems for modern three-day riders with lots of equipment, and also for fit, fresh horses maneuvering in and out of the stalls and the doorway.
Colombo’s breeder is coming over from Sweden especially to watch Selena and him go this weekend. Last year he won a Swedish Warmblood breeder of the year award by virtue of Colombo’s performances, and Selena’s connections were telling me he lives in a proper castle in Sweden! Colombo was also very mellow and quite friendly today, which he wasn’t always. Evidently he used to be very grumpy, especially at shows, but luckily he rather seems to enjoy them these days.
While I talked to Hawley and her groom Natalia, Hawley’s lovely husband Gamal was giving the Canadian crew shoulder and back massages – Leo benefitted from one of these a couple of years ago at Rolex and was in doggy-heaven.
Hawley, of course rode Livingstone here before, and is looking forward to revisiting the Champagne and Pimms stand for some light refreshmnent!
That’s definitely the wagon I want at my next party!
The Canadians are a happy bunch to hang out with, and none happier than Sue, who owns half of Gin’n’Juice’s sister, 5 o clock Somewhere, and their breeders…
Port Authority looks wonderful, as always, and was agog at all the unpacking and the action taking place, but rider Steph Rhodes-Bosch was keeping him calm, and was sure everything would settle down by the evening, and her mum Trish was keeping her calm, and groom Lisa Barry was keeping everyone calm!
The trot-up is tomorrow at 4:30pm in front of the big house, and photographer extraordinaire, Nico Morgan and I are going to have a pow-wow in the morning to ensure that Eventing Nation gets some proper pictures, Nico takes fantastic photos, professional like, I can’t wait! Tomorrow I’ll upload some pictures I took today of the course and some bits and bobs, my mother’s internet connection is woefully slow, and my step-father’s very generous with the wine, so I should probably not write too much more tonight!
This article is also published on SamanthaLClark.com
