A crowd gathers for the first horse inspection and Badminton 2013 is underway
The 2013 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials are here! All eyes are on William Fox-Pitt and Andrew Nicholson as they go head to head for the massive $350,000 prize that is the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing. Whilst both men have brought their best horses along, they face a tough field and long battle if they are to become the second person in history to take out the title. One man who they will have to defeat is of course current Olympic, World and European Champion Michael Jung. Making his Badminton debut with not one but two horses (including the beautiful La Biosthetique or Sam as he is known), he is without a doubt the man to beat.
The pair everyone is watching: Michael Jung and Sam
That is not to say that the competition is over before it has begun, this is certainly no three horse race. This reporter may be a little biased (Aussie Aussie Aussie!) but the Australians are known for being a set of competitive underdogs and we have some cracking combinations in the draw. Chris Burton is here with his Olympic mount Holstein Park Leilani as is Sam Griffiths with Happy Times (and a second ride in Paulank Brockagh).
Sam Griffiths and Happy Times trot-up
2010 Badminton Champion Paul Tapner has his eyes set on another title and will also be one to look out for with Kilronan. Murray Lamperd has made the long haul from the southern hemisphere and will be taking on Badminton for the first time with Under the Clocks. More nations are being represented at this year’s trials than ever before with combinations coming from 15 countries from all parts of the globe, making the field one that is truly international.
Paul Tapner and Kilronan are labelled 'show offs' by the commentary as they strut their stuff
The list of entries is seriously impressive. Mary King, Sir Mark Todd, Oliver Townend, Bettina Hoy, Caroline Powell and Pippa Funnell (current and only Grand Slam Title holder) are just a few names that jump out at you. Competition got under way today with the first Horse Inspection and the field looks fantastic. The horses are incredibly fit and were quite literally jumping out of their skin as they faced the always nerve racking trot-up. A large crowd gathered for the first inspection and whilst there were a few hairy moments for some combinations (just one horse was held and made to re present) all combinations passed through the first phase.
In the running for the Grand Slam: William Fox-Pitt and Oslo
84 combinations are set to start over the next two days with the first day of Dressage kicking off tomorrow at 10am. Sam and Happy Times and Chris and Holstein Park Leilani will be the first of the Aussies in the ring on day one. Andrew Nicholson, William Fox-Pitt and Michael Jung will also take to the arena on their first horses. The next four days are sure to be massive and absolutely anything could happen. Stay tuned for regular updates, interviews with the stars and the latest on all the action!
Andrew Nicholson and Avebury will complete their dressage test tomorrow
