We arrived at Luhmuhlen, Germany late on the Tuesday night, to the warmest weather I think I have been in since leaving home 18 months ago. The horse flies were out and Pea (Tempranillo) was putting on a show for everyone around her, feeling fresh getting off the truck and annoyed by the biting flies - I thought I was in for a week of being covered in dust and bug spray. The event was relaxed and peaceful with the stables being well away from the atmosphere of the competition and main arenas.
As the week progressed it turned into the worst week of eventing I have been at.
It started with two separate ambulances at the stables for people being kicked and needing medical attention. Then a horse collapsed and died on the cross country course leaving a dull feeling around.
But the worst was yet to come. It's a sickening feeling when you hear a rider has been air lifted out after a rotational fall but when the worst possible news starts traveling around the stables and event it is horrendous. A rider’s meeting was called on the night of the cross country and, with the blessing of Ben's parents, it was decided that the event would continue on the Sunday with a change in the schedule, a minute silence and small memorial service held to honour Ben.
The usual truck parties on the night of cross country were non-existent with everyone trying to come to terms of what had happened. Not only had a rider died but they had also lost a fellow competitor, team mate and friend to many people at the event.
It wasn't until later that evening the news of another rider losing their life after a fall in England. The mood around was complete shock by this stage.
Obviously we were disappointed that Burto had a dismount and a dunking in the water jump and therefore not having another quality performance on Pea to put forward to the selectors with WEG just a few months away but that was fairly quickly put into perspective.
It was a bitter sweet weekend for those who went well as everyone was deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred. Tim Price collected his first 4* trophy and dedicated the win to Ben. I think everyone had long drive home reflecting on what had occurred.
The whole eventing community now has their thoughts and wishes with the two riders’ families.
The Monday after Luhmuhlen it was time for a few days away to relax and unwind. I jumped on a flight from London Gatwick and ended up in Marbella on the south coast of Spain.
There I met Imogen, Sam Griffiths’ head groom and friend, and fellow eventer Caroline, who had already spent an extra night. We stayed in Paulank Brockaugh’s owners’ holiday home who had allowed Imogen to stay as a gift for her hard work and Badminton win. The weather was a perfect 30 degrees everyday with blue skies and view to die for. It was a perfect way to relax on a sun bed with some proper sunshine, fresh seafood, Spanish chorizo and just a few glasses of bubbly.
I love Spain, the food is always great and it is cheap to live. It was a little sad to head back to England where the clouds are out more than the sun.
Now this is the life!
After Luhmuhlen there was a nervous wait for the lists of riders who had made the teams or long lists for the WEG to be announced. With the different countries announcing their teams one by one it was interesting to see who had made the cut and who hadn’t. Now that the Aussie final 6 has been announced we will be doing our best to keep James (TS Jamaimo) at the top of his game to be as competitive as possible in the last weekend in August.
As many of us know, between now and then there is plenty of time for things to not go to plan. James will be going to a few one day events to keep him ticking over as well as galloping in between events. We will also be heading to Australian team camp a few weeks before WEG and will be having lessons and intense training. It will be great to catch up with the riders and grooms flying over from home and I am sure it will be a very educational experience.
This month Jade, Glen and I were also very happy to be able to take a few hours out of the day to visit the prestigious Hickstead Show Jumping. We weren’t able to attend the Sunday for the Derby, the main class, but were lucky enough to see the speed Derby. This class was run over various obstacles you don’t normally see in a show jump competition and an element of the famous bank was in the round. The riders and horses didn’t go down the steepest part used in the main Derby class but it still caused enough problems. Between each combination the grounds men had a ladder on standby to use to climb up the bank to fill in the skip marks and divots the horses would rip out with their studs.
As a kid I remember watching videos from Hickstead and thinking what an amazing place and it did not disappoint. It has a very English feel to it with the old grandstands and pavilions. Plenty of trade stands to look at and lots of competitions happening all over the grounds filled in the day between the big classes.
Barbury Castle
We have just got back from three days at Barbury Castle horse trials. This is by far my favourite English one day event.
The cross country is held on one side of a valley with the trade stands, hospitality tents, camping and stable situated on the other. If you find a good spot you can see pretty much of the whole cross country course from the one spot. You can sit on the side of the hill with the three star showjumping in the main arena and from there you can see at least half the two star cross country course. It was a successful and relaxing weekend with only Nobilis and Wild Duchess in the two star, with one dressage test on the Thursday and the other on the Friday and the jumping on the Saturday.
The weather was great and the atmosphere relaxed and inviting. The two horses strutted their stuff on the flat and were 1st and 2nd after their test in their different sections. With 90 odd horses in each of the three 2* classes the top spots were hard to come by. Wild Duchess had one rail down around a tough show jump track and just four time penalties on cross country so she remained in 2nd spot for the weekend. Nobilis added 0.4 time on cross country to take out the class by a large enough margin of 9 penalties.
It is always great for grooms to be recognised for their work at a few different events. The groom of the winning horse in each section at Barbury received a “top groom” rosette and four bottles of shampoo for the horses. We were joking after receiving the prize that a groom’s prize is great - but this one was only creating more work for us and saving money for the riders!
We have a busy July coming with Graf Liberty heading to Aachen to hopefully give Burto the hat trick, winning three years in a row. We then have a few one day events with the young guns and then off to Gatcombe and Hartpury for the final preparations before WEG and maybe even a run at Burghley!
