Floyd is as bright as a button
Today was yet another day (funny how that happens) and after the previous day’s events, Megan and I were even more determined to wrap up the ‘forgettable’ English Mjet tour!
We woke early … again … to trot Floyd up to see what toll the demanding Burghley track had taken on our home-grown hero. Like most of the other riders and grooms, the next big phase was passing trot up. Knees, hip, tendons and muscles were all checked to make sure all the horses were still fighting fit. For us, our job was easy, Megan took him for a 20 ride to loosen him from his night’s sleep and he trotted up beautifully.
Tweed, tweed and more tweed
After wandering around and observing some of the fashion of the trot up I was compelled to get some photographic evidence of the attire. I think trot up is one of the most amusing phases of the three day event. I am not sure if people are blind when they get dressed for it, or if they think they are going to get a modelling contract out of it … however, what is wrong with you people?! I counted over 30 tweed jackets, caps, skirts, vests, shirts … I mean seriously guys relax with the tweed - enough is enough. For those accountants, lawyers, doctors, vets and librarians who do enjoy a good tweed jacket and elbow patch, please continue your usage freely - unless you are at an equine event or participating in a trot up. Furthermore, girls at all levels of trot up need to remember that heels and horses don’t mix. There are no modelling contracts up for grabs so the following dress codes are definitely NOT accepted.
Flowers or material in your hair (besides a ribbon), under any circumstance - you are not parrots.
High heels. Do you jog around the block in them at home? Do you groom in them? No high heels.
Fake tan. I could be here for hours on this one. OK, if you are going to look like someone shook up a can of Fanta and opened it in your face, then rub Twisties all over it but this is not a good look. Plus your contrasting glowing orange head with your lily-white legs and arms isn’t good.
Mini skirts/dresses, there is no nightclub bouncer to impress showing off the pins. You are running next to a horse! If you are standing in the mirror before trot up and you think ‘is this too short?’, then yes it is - take it off and put on pants.
Some of you may wish to consult the BOM as well. If it is forecast to rain and be below 15 degrees, I am pretty sure you are able to wear pants and leggings as 4mm high goose bumps covering your body is not a good look!
Now for the northern part of the kit. As appealing as a low cut top would be to any young male suitor, most of the judges are 50+. so we don’t need to see ‘Dante’s peaks’ bouncing around like tennis balls in a cotton bag! In addition, a belly button is quite admirable on the beach in the Bahamas but not so much on a mud filled, raining piece of concrete in Werribee.
In closing… let’s keep them long, strap them down, cover them up and get it done professionally and please no more tweed.
From 86 starters, we were down to only 50 something competitors; the cross country had really taken a toll. Some experienced campaigners were saying this year’s track was one of the toughest yet. Several horses were held and rejected by the judges, which was so unfortunate for the riders and grooms. The crowd sympathised with all the unlucky ones who weren’t permitted to proceed to the next phase. After trot up we only had 40 minutes to walk 15 minutes back to the stable to have Floyd tacked up, studs in and awaiting his pilot for one more run around these prestigious grounds.
Before we new it, ‘small blonde lady girl from Hahndorf’ was on his back and trotting up to the main arena. Super-BEC and I grabbed one of the Land Rover shuttles to meet her at the other end.
As we were placed well … well into the end of the field after cross country day’s 20 penalties, there weren’t a lot of riders before us. This definitely didn’t stop the difficulty of the course taking its toll on the riders. Rail after rail fell with many fences asking a lot of questions of both horse and rider. Next up was our girl. Sporting her new jumping hat from London she was fired up and ready to finish off the only way she knows how - on top!
Floyd started at what seemed like a gallop, he was flying over the fences and he looked fabulous! His time was amazing and then before we new it Megan and Floyd had delivered with the first double clear result of the day! After the day was done, this result stood as one of only four clear jumping and clear times of the remaining 50+ competitors. One of four - what a way to finish off the event, well done Megan! Can I say we are all rapt you didn’t walk home on cross-country day after that stop as it was great to see the only Australian have a clear showjumping round (one of two Aussies to finish of the six that started). Congratulations to both you and Floyd, clearly not the result we were after, however finishing with a healthy horse and your head held high is just as good kiddo!
Finishing on a great note
At the HSBC function on Saturday night, a tall English chap (WF-P) approached Megan. He congratulated her on the cross-country round, totally dismissing the 20 and commenting several times on the horses ability and talent. From where I stood (an inch or two back towards sea level from the man) it sounded as if he was very impressed with the horse. This event definitely filled the wings back up of our low flying angel who was still so disappointed and still kicking herself for letting Floyd down. Floyd now had the attention of the English-based riders, with several people making comment on his talent over the cross-country course and by showjumping clear. I think the fact that there has been KP Irish Jester, KP Irish Hallmark, KP Joy and now KP Allofasudden shows us that Megan has bred, and or trained, some of the best horses on the eventing world stage. I hope this doesn’t sound like I am dramatising it but Megan breeds them, trains them, competes them and gets them to this level. No rich owners, no rich breeders, she gets great support from her sponsors, family and friends and makes the rest happen.
Well done Megan and Floyd on the 2012 Burghley Horse Trials.
Thanks to James Deacon for article and photos.
