Bec and Burto looking remarkably relaxed walking the course
Wow, what can I say, Badminton was brilliant today (first day of dressage). What a venue, and what fun it was to be there today on a great day for Southern Hemisphere riders. I’ll happily support both Kiwi and Aussie riders, especially when they fill the first three places at the end of the first day of dressage.
Today we drove up from Devon, missing the exit we needed to take due to some pretty ordinary road directions due to road works on the M5. However, thanks to our trusty GPS we completed the journey via the back roads. Who needs to travel on the M4 when you can wind your way through the idyllic roads in rural England? At least it wasn’t XC day is all I can say! We are in the lucky position of having a media car pass, which meant we could park right up close to the main arena, it’s a good feeling being waved up through all the rows of parked cars. A bit like driving into the Berrima event and yearning the committee car park. Now that I’ve had a taste of priority parking, I’m wondering if I can use it all events in NSW?
We found Bek and Burto, and I met a few rider who I admire greatly, Jock Paget. Not that I like to name drop! Did I mention I stood near Andrew Nicholson and Mark Todd? (But I digress!) Sam Griffiths did a great test, and went into the lead.
We had lunch with our fellow journalists and photographers, who sported significantly more impressive cameras than us, somehow an iPhone doesn’t quite match it with a massive canon and a zoom lens that looks like it might have cost more than my return ticket! But while eating lunch, we listened to Hugh Thomas tell us all about the course which really was an honour.
Did I mention I'm a friend of Burto??!!
We joined Bek to watch Burto being warmed up by Prue Barrett and the rest of the Aussie team. They did a great job, as he did a personal best, and as you know is currently leading after the first day of dressage. I escorted back to the stables the bag of rugs that we had dragged through London Underground system, sneaking a glimpse at Lani, who was happily eating hay, as if she hadn’t just done the best test of her career!
It’s not everyone who gets to walk the course with the leader……Lucky me! I have to say, it’s a fairly decent course, and long! We only got to jump 21 before he had to go to the press conference. All the jumps are so well presented, and the attention to detail is very impressive. I’m guessing they have a few more hands on deck than we do at our working bees (which is this weekend at equestrian park……don’t think I’ll make it).
Rather him than me .............
We are now on our way home, battling traffic which is heading away from town for the long weekend.
Looking forward to tomorrow, hoping to do a little retail therapy!
Kate
Below is video of Chris' dressage test thanks to Jenni Autry
