The final day of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is here and it is set to be a big one! The sun is out and according to the radio on my drive in this morning; it could be the hottest day of the year. A predicted high of 19 degrees has all the Brits stripping off and layering on the sun cream – admittedly (and slightly ashamedly) I’m even wearing a t-shirt.
The final horse inspection leaves standing room only
The final horse inspection had the Kiwis on their toes. Second place after yesterday’s cross country, Jonathan Paget and Clifton Promise were sent to the holding box early. Some tense moments were felt in the New Zealand camp before he was accepted on second presentation.
Sam Griffiths and Happy Times are the best placed Aussies, currently in 7th
65 combinations are set to jump throughout the day after three withdrawals over night. Six horses were sent to the holding box this morning and all represented. Of these only Andreas Dibowski’s Butts Leon was not accepted. All of the Aussies passed without a problem.
All eyes on this man: Michael Jung walks the course
The show jumping has already commenced with the lower-placed riders having made their way around; Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh had the first jump down but then finished the round with only three time penalties while Murray Lamperd and Under the Clocks sadly had four rails but have successfully completed Badminton. The top 10 remains unchanged after this morning’s trot up, with all passing successfully. The top 20 riders will start at 1.30pm and with just one rail separating first and third, the pressure is on.
Course designer Kelvin Bywater has provided a tough track
The course is big. It is sure to be influential and course designer Kelvin Bywater hopes for an even spread of faults across the track. It is the biggest in Badminton history as there is a new maximum height of 1.30m after an increase of the limit from two years ago. With jumps from The London Games being incorporated, the track is tough and will be incredibly influential as the afternoon wears on. Go Aus!
Here are two men whose performance this afternoon will be keenly watched
