If you can remember as far back as last Friday, you will remember that Jessica Phoenix and Meghan O’Donoghue were asking for a little help with their Badminton campaign, or more to the point, in paying for their trusty steeds’ flights over here. Well, as you can see, Palm Crescent and Wabbit have made the flight to the UK, and are settling in nicely. Meghan and Jessica have now joined them too, basing with Team Price at Chedington Equestrian ahead of Badminton next week.
Yes, hot off the back of Kentucky, we have just one week to go (actually less now, ‘cos it starts on Wednesday) before we dive right back in to 5* MADNESS. I don’t know about you, but I CAN’T.WAIT. I mean, admittedly, it took me until Wednesday to recover from the excitement of Kentucky, but there is no such thing as too many 5* is there?!
You might want to get a Badminton TV subscription set up, to make sure you catch all of the action as it unfolds, starting with the first trot up on Wednesday afternoon. Standby for yet another edition of the Golden Chinch awards, arguably one of the best parts of of any 5*….There’s loads of other behind the scenes footage on there, as well as coverage from previous years’ event too. It is an INVESTMENT, I’m telling you.
Oh, and we will be bringing you top tier coverage, as per usual. Make sure you add these links to your favourites, grab your favourite snacks and set yourself up for another week of fantastic sport!
MARS Badminton Horse Trials [Website] [Entries] [Timetable] [Tickets] [Radio Badminton] [Livestream] [Cross Country Course] [EN’s Coverage]
U.S. Weekend Preview
Riga Meadow at Coole Park Combined Test (Millbrook, NY) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]
Stable View Local Charities H.T. (Aiken, SC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Texas Rose Horse Park H.T. (Tyler, TX) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
The Event at Skyline (Mount Pleasant, UT) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Waredaca H.T. (Laytonsville, MD) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Volunteer] [Scoring]
Windridge Farm Spring H.T. (NC) [Website] [Entries] [Ride Times] [Scoring]
UK International Events
Osberton International I (Nottinghamshire) [Info / Schedule] [Entries / Scoring]
European FEI Events
Jardy Standard Show (France) [Info / Entries]
Pratoni del Vivaro Standard Show (Italy) [Info / Entries]
Sopot Standard Show (Poland) [Info / Entries]
Friday News and Reading
Would it even be Friday News and Notes if I wasn’t adding in a podcast recommendation?! I mean, I can’t help it if the EquiRatings Eventing podcast is constantly churning out brilliant shows. This week, our very own Sally Spickard is the guest, reviewing all of the action from Kentucky – the best weekend all year. She and Diarmuid also did a mini episode on Friday night reviewing all of the action from the dressage, so if you want to relive any of that action, they are both well worth a listen. Oh, and if you need a show to prepare you for next week’s event, then there is also a new episode of their ‘Horse of a Lifetime’ series. This time, Piggy March is talking about her phenomenal horse, Vanir Kamira, winner of both Badminton and Burghely. I defy you not to cry.
Speaking of Vanir Kamira, and er, Badminton, she is the latest horse to feature on the Badminton Facebook series ‘Where are they now?’ Turns out that she, like Wesko, has turned her hoof to a new career and is competing with 13 year old Annabelle Wesley in Children on Horses dressage classes. They’re doing pretty well, too – together they have been longlisted for the dressage youth European Championships, in St Margarethen, Austria (16-21 July). Is there no end to this mare’s talent?!
Gosh, Vanir Kamira is getting a lot of coverage here, but this is EXCITING NEWS. Laura Collett – also a Badminton winner – has a couple of Vanir Kamira’s babies…..enter Billy, out of Vanir Kamira, by Jaguar Mail. I mean wow – I can’t wait to see what this guy is capable of! As if that wasn’t exciting enough, Laura has also welcomed his half sister, Bella to her yard. This little lady is by Chilli Morning. Seriously, London 52 better watch his back: the young guns are coming up behind you, and my GOODNESS have they got some talent running through their veins.
I am sure you will all have been and had a sneaky peek at Eric Winter’s Badminton course by now. But, if you want even further assessment of the trickiest fences facing competitors next week, then who better than Eventing royalty, Nicola Wilson, to talk us through them?!
Another appeal to your charitable side now.This time on behalf of Kiwi horsewoman Penny Pearce, who is having, quite frankly, a diabolical time of it. Last year, she lost everything to a Cyclone, and now she has been diagnosed with kidney cancer, which requires a lot of expensive treatment. If you can spare anything, I am sure she will appreciate it. Join us in sending Penny and her family our very best wishes. Everything crossed she manages to get the treatment she needs, and that her luck takes a better turn very soon. Our thoughts are with you and you family, Penny.
Fancy making your equine pals some yummy treats for the weekend?!Well, we got you covered; here are a few recipes to get you started. I mean, why not make them all?! It is the weekend after all.
Sponsor Corner
The prizes are being revealed for the USEA Intercollegiate and Interscholastic Championships at Stable View! Get a sneak peek at these prizes donated by Equestly.
Weekend Watching
Well this is fun! A whistle stop tour of the early history of Badminton Horse Trials. We’re talking proper vintage here…enjoy!
