The things I’m about to discuss are rarely spoken about in our sport. In both Australia and overseas, eventing likes to portray a wholesome image of great mates displaying incredible sportsmanship in an environment of good, clean equestrian fun – perhaps as a way to distinguish it from showjumping.
But those in the know realise this isn’t always the case. And while few of us will ever openly admit to these feelings, in the deepest recesses of our souls we know we’re not always pure.
Friend or foe?
All sports have their great rivalries – think Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier, Federer v Nadal, and Lance Armstrong vs cycling’s doping agencies.
Eventing is no different. And the rivalry that exists between eventing heavyweights William Fox-Pitt and Andrew Nicholson – which has quietly simmered for years before bursting into the public consciousness between Rolex and Badminton this year – is an absolute blockbuster.
The historical reasons behind their mutual dislike for each other can be easily discovered through a simple Google search.
All you really need to know is that these two will never share a beer or discuss the striding on a course, and I’ll win Badminton on a draught horse before Nicholson asks The Fox what he thinks of his frame prior to entering the ring – no matter how insignificant the event.
Nicholson summed up the depth of antagonism between these two fine riders when he spoke to the UK’s Daily Mail in the days before Badminton.
‘Let’s just say we keep each other at arm’s length… I respect William as a rider and I think it’s a healthy rivalry, but I’d never wish him good luck before an event, like I may with others. And if he beats me I’ll say “Well done” but never “Well done, matey”. Let’s just say if we didn’t have a shared respect, it would be messy.’
As much as it’s a surprise to hear it said so frankly and publicly, I guarantee they’re not the only two riders in the world who aren’t wishing each other good luck before they head out on cross-country.
Win at all costs
You’ve heard it before, “In eventing you’re not competing against your fellow riders, but against the sport itself.” It’s a lovely sentiment, but one that’s probably far less of a reality than we’d like to think.
The truth is, whether it’s an Olympic gold medal or a blue ribbon in a training event, we all want to win. Second is always exciting, third is good, fourth and fifth are an achievement worth telling your mum about – but it’s the blue ribbon that really matters.
So when you’re Jock Paget at Badminton and you’ve just secured second position with only the leader Michael Jung to jump, you’re not standing there thinking how good it will be for the sport if the German jumps clear and wins again.
You’re actually praying to the eventing gods that he’ll have a rail down. And if he slips and falls over on a turn, or misses a jump and gets eliminated – leaving you in possession of the winner’s trophy? Well that’s fine too.
We enjoy the success of others
No we don’t. I’ll be honest with you here – there’s a jealous part of all of us that gets upset when those around us succeed. So while we’re all publicly stoked that Jock Paget won Badminton, there’s a large portion of the elite riders in the world who would happily trade a close member of their family to stand in his shoes.
For those of us here in Australia who remember him coming through the grades on a flea-bitten little grey, it’s even harder to shake this unpleasant feeling – a feeling that borders on resentment. Because while we all appreciate the talent, work ethic, and amazing skills that have gone into this victory, we can’t help but think we’re being left behind.
And that’s what proves we’re human.
See you somewhere out there.
Hamish
