Yes, Bramham rocks! The facing side of this jump, number 3 on both the CCI and CIC*** courses promotes the Leeds 2012 Music Festival. Cross country course designer Ian Stark was telling me that it takes place in one of the big back fields in August, and as well as the concerts they get masses of people camping, and despite dragging an enormous magnet around on the back of a tractor to hoover up the stray tent pegs, Ian said that even on the fourth time they’ll still find a few. Add to that the rings burnt into the grass by those portable, tin-foil barbecues and you’ll begin to get an idea of the massive task the crew face to get the Park looking so fabulous. The going is absolutely perfect; Ian was happy to boast that as other venues suffered from flooding and deluges of rain, the ground at Bramham Park drains so well that they did stop watering, but only for a couple of weeks, and that in fact if we don’t get the horrendous downpours that are forecast for thursday and friday, then they will spike the course before cross country on saturday. There is a really good cover of grass all the way around, and it feels like walking on a trampoline.
The surroundings could hardly be more breathtaking – is it any wonder I couldn’t decide if I was in Bronte country – Heathcliff and Wuthering Heights, or Jane Austen territory – oh Darcy!, or even James Herriot, walking the Yorkshire Dales spotted with sheep, all of it stunning and still so unspoilt and peaceful, especially after 24 hours of international travel.
The neighbouring village of Thorner which I was happy to drive through a couple of times on a slight detour (ahem!) to my Bed and Breakfast!
Nina was working a frisky Jazz King this afternoon; she has an early start Thursday morning as she is the very first ride in the CIC** on Butts Leon, (after the guinea pig at 8:10) at 8:30am. Both horses looked super, as did Nina, and she explained that because she’ll be riding as Thailand’s sole (and first female equestrian) representative at the London Olympic Games she’s lucky enough to be able to wait until almost the last minute to decide which horse she’ll take. Hopefully, she smiled, it would be a real luxury still to have four to pick from, and Nina said they will make a group decision based on which horse is going best at the time, probably a week or so after Barbury.
This is the logo on Nina’s shirt – Nina told me they designed them themselves, picked out the fabric and decided on the style, and had them made in Thailand recently . Good Luck Team Ligon!
Julia Dungworth working Untouchable III before the CCI*** trot-up.
Izzy Taylor making the most of the wonderful surroundings and taking Briarlands Matilda (CCI***) for a hack after passing the trot-up.
There were quite a number of rather fresh horses working in and around the dressage arenas today, and in contrast a lot of the riders and grooms look shattered, having done a number of big events back to back, but with so many competitions being cancelled in the spring, as one of them told me they don’t really have any choice.
CCI*** Trot-up Photos
Angus Smales and It’s a Jackpot
Harbour Pilot was held, then passed upon re-inspection
Louise Harwood and Mr Potts
Louise’s second ride, Whitson
Sam Penn and the nineteen year old Seven O Seven
Sam’s second ride, Boundalong
[Click below for much more]
Olivia Wilmot and Classy Touch
Olivia’s second ride, Cool Dancer. I walked the latter half of the xc course with Olivia, her mother and Yogi Breisner earlier today, and although we were all getting a first look at it and so I didn’t get any specific hints on the jumps, we all learned something new and unexpected about Yogi – he’s a total tech geek!
Yogi is a dab hand with the iphone cross country course walking app, he told us he can give power point presentations via his phone, he was texting regularly, and he even shared an app that’s his new favourite – Tango – free international calling and face time. Yogi said he got an iPad first and within six months was hooked, and switched his blackberry to an iphone and has never looked back since! He also told us he had ridden at Bramham several times himself but couldn’t remember how many, and although he never won it he thinks he was in the money more often than not.
Tina Cook and Regal Red (by Welton Apollo)
Richard Jones and Incan Winter
Mary-Anne Carpenter and Alles Klar
Lucy Jackson and Willy Do
Mark Kyle and Durlas Aris
Tim Cheffings and Colby II
Alex Postolowsky and Islanmore Ginger
Didier Dhennin and Encore Une Medaille
and some side shots – I was lucky enough to be able to get quite a lot of nice ‘confirmation’ photos this afternoon; it’s always fascinating to me to see what traits/qualities eventers at this level share, and yet how completely different they all are. What do you look for first? I can’t help but be drawn to the head and especially eye first, then they have to ‘fill a square’ and my favourite colour is plain bay; after than I start getting picky! Having said that I’ll come to an event like Bramham and fall in love with 20 horses that totally aren’t “my type” so I’ve become confused as to what I like any more!
Sebastian Chemin and Olympe D’Eos
Nick Gauntlett and Willows Accent. I watched him work on the flat with Ian Woodhead before the trot-up on this horse, and it was fascinating and impressive, hints that you sort of know you should do, but forget or they’ve become so buried in your subconscious they’re no longer accessible! It makes perfect sense and seems obvious when cantering up the centre line on the left lead to halt, to keep the left leg against the horse’s side and a very slightly more dominant right rein for example, but until you’re actually told that…! Penny drops! Ian was teaching other competitors later in the afternoon, and I would have loved to have watched more – he asked them to approach the flying change almost like a jump, to count down to it in your head and prepare the canter, 3, 2, 1…change.
Andrew Nicholson and Tristar
Caroline Edwards and Apapa
Emma Hyslop and U Zermie 56
Michael Jackson and Jagganath
Caroline Powell and Thornfield Jones
Can William, above with Avoca Alibi, win Bramham again this year, and add it his impressive 2012 tally? He also rides Chilli Morning in the CCI***, as well as Lionheart and Neuf des Coeurs in the CIC***
Fresh off a nice win at Aston le Walls and then Houghton, the on-form Sam Griffiths brings Paulank Brockagh, above, into the CCI*** as well as his faithful campaigner Happy Times. I wonder if he’s relieved that his stable mate and potential team mate Chris Burton isn’t here after cleaning up recently at Saumur and Tattersalls!
Sebastian Cavaillon rides Only One Du Reverdy
Rodney Powell’s ride ConAir was held, but passed upon re-inspection.
Kate Walls’ Alter Ego was also held, but passed after a second look
Fiona Read has Ashley Adams’ former ride Vaunted
Louisa Lockwood and Ballyfarris Flight
Craig Nicolai and Just Ironic
Gary Parsonage and Sligo Luckyvalier (want to bet he’s Irish?!)
Regis Prud’hon’s Pitt Paulois was the fourth and final horse to be held, but was also passed upon re-inspection. All horses presented were accepted and go forward to the Dressage which starts at 9:00 am Thursday morning. You can get times, and then live results on the link here.
Michael Owen and The Highland Prince
Jodie Amos and the first of her two rides, Chacos
Rosie Thomas and the wonderful Barry’s Best; they were both slated to run in their fifth consecutive Badminton earlier this Spring
Jodie Amos’ second ride Matt
Sylvain Davesne and Oregon Du Coty
Tom Crisp and Coolys Luxury
Joe Wise and High Handed
Kate Hamer and Touchdown Charlie
Julia Dungworth and Untouchable
Untouchable
Laurence Hunt and On Q for Gold
Sara Burdess and Enagh Topflight
ConAir confirmation
Vittoria Panizzon and lovely, scopey Borough Penny
Vet Tony Warr and his loyal partner Coolgrange Merger
Sharon Hunt and Just Maisie II
Clea Phillipps and Lead the Way
Nicky Roncoroni and Trig Point
Yorkshire lass Nicola Wilson with Inde
Emma Humphrey and Oloa.
The CIC*** trot-up is on Friday afternoon. I’ll try and get the cross country course photos up tomorrow, ( I have walked the CCI***, big, undulating, plenty of questions, and significantly different to the CIC*** course) – it maddens me that even with a five hour time advantage EN John is still way faster and way more productive than I am! Tomorrow I must do better! Thanks as always for being a part of Eventing Nation, and what a weekend it is to go Eventing!
