The winner of this trophy may be taking home a lot more from Badminton 2013 Photo courtesy BHT
It’s hard to believe that this weekend the British eventing season will begin again in earnest. Cross-country courses that have, until recently, been fetlock-deep in floodwater will be aerated and groomed for the studded hooves of hundreds of eventers, ready and raring to gallop off a winter’s worth of dressage-induced cabin fever.
In 2013, as in any other year, all eyes are focused on the seminal spring event; Badminton Horse Trials, set amidst the sprawling grounds of the Duke of Beaufort’s Gloucestershire estate. This year, however, it’s a Badminton with a twist. Not only is the old English standby back with a bang after last year’s wash-out, there is also a Grand Slam on the line.
The Rolex-sponsored Grand Slam is an illustrious prize made all the more revered by the fact that only one rider has ever won it - Great Britain’s Pippa Funnell, who scooped it in 2003 with her great mounts Supreme Rock and Primmore’s Pride. To capture the Grand Slam, and its princely sum of $350,000USD, a rider must win - consecutively - Kentucky, Badminton, and Burghley. A tough call-to-arms, but the man with his eyes on the prize this year is no stranger to brilliant feats of determination.
William Fox-Pitt and Parklane Hawk at Rolex Kentucky 2012 Photo: Libby Law
William Fox-Pitt needs little introduction. A stalwart of the Great British team, he has amassed an incredible fifty three-day wins over a career spanning 28 years and four Olympic appearances; his path to the Grand Slam has been an unconventional one, however. Having won Burghley in 2011 and Kentucky the following spring – both on Catherine Witt’s superb New Zealand-bred Parklane Hawk – Fox-Pitt was one of many who were shocked by the last minute cancellation of Badminton and, seemingly, his Grand Slam goal. Shortly thereafter, however, the eventing world received the exciting news that all hope was not lost. William Fox-Pitt’s eligibility remained intact – with one small caveat. To win, he would need to top the leaderboard at the 2013 Badminton Horse Trials…but it is possible for him to be pipped at the post.
Andrew Nicholson and William Fox-Pitt have been consistently besting one another for years. Where one wins, the other is never far behind. It is fitting then, that there is every chance that this spring’s Badminton could culminate in the greatest (and, perhaps, most muddled) match-race the sport has seen. Nicholson reigned victorious at Burghley last year so should he take the trophy at Kentucky, a mere week before Badminton, he will find himself equally as eligible as his old rival. The Rolex Grand Slam will be as much in his grasp as in Fox-Pitt’s, and it would all come to a head at Badminton.
William Fox-Pitt, Andrew Nicholson and Sinead Halpin at Burghley 2012
Of course, anyone with any passing familiarity with three-day eventing knows that winning a four-star is no certainty. While arguably one of the world’s most consistent riders – Nicholson is currently heading the HSBC rankings, followed by Fox-Pitt – it will take more than a modicum of the ‘right place, right time’ magic that has orchestrated the sport’s most memorable triumphs and devastating losses to ensure victory at one of the spring four-stars.
Nicholson and Fox-Pitt both suffer from an embarrassment of riches where capable four-star mounts are concerned. A quick glance through the roster at Fox-Pitt Eventing reveals nine horses that are tentatively aimed at spring four-stars, “if all goes well.” An enviable quandary to find oneself in, when the number of available four-star horses exceeds the maximum allowed entries to the two early-season four-stars!
Almost as exciting as the competition itself (although, perhaps, only to the enthusiast!) will be trying to predict which horses he will enter. Fox-Pitt and his team have been deliciously vague with regards to which horses will contest which of the two competitions; only the relatively inexperienced Bay My Hero is aimed specifically at Kentucky. It is anyone’s guess which of the rest of his line-up will be counted upon to deliver the goods at Badminton; certainly, Parklane Hawk has done spectacularly in the past, but is it tempting fate to aim for a third win upon the rangy thoroughbred? Lionheart, who tired so unexpectedly at the Olympics last year, may not be the odds-on favourite but we would do well to remember that Fox-Pitt has described him as “the most amazing jumper I’ve ever ridden.” The former Nick Gauntlett ride, stallion Chilli Morning, may be new to the team but has proven his worth by capping off the season with a 5th place finish at Pau. And, after missing much of 2012 due to injury, the forces-to-be-reckoned with that are Cool Mountain and Oslo – each boasting a four-star win – will be back in action, both, again, “aimed at a spring four-star.”
Andrew Nicholson and Avebury at Burghley 2012
The offerings in Nicholson’s stable are no less promising. With a successful string headed by Libby Sellar’s Pau-winning Olympian Nereo and the homebred Avebury, himself the victor of Burghley in 2012, the Kiwi’s toughest decision will be which of his horses should make the journey to the States and which should stay behind and prepare to tackle Badminton. His selection of up-and-comers will be in the forefront of his mind as well; alongside the talents of dab-hand Mr Cruise Control and Calico Joe are Boekelo winner Quimbo, presumably set to contest his first four-star this spring and the slightly less decorated Viscount George, who placed a respectable third in the three-star at Saumur before ending his season on a retirement at Blenheim. With any luck, Nicholson will be able to balance getting the ‘next generation’ out for their first shot at the big-time whilst also remaining competitive with his veteran contenders. Should he perfect the balance this spring, eventing is set to witness its most exciting battle yet.
Before the teeth-clenching excitement of the spring four-stars, however, it’s just another day in the office for William Fox-Pitt and Andrew Nicholson as their season commences this Saturday at Moreton Horse Trials, Dorset. Safe rides, good luck, and a jolly welcome back to all competing this weekend with British Eventing!
Article by Tilly Berendt
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Follow all of the action at Rolex Kentucky CCI**** (25th- 28th of April), followed by the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials (2nd-6th of May) here on An Eventful Life.
