Ginny Thompson and Star Nouveau
New Zealand’s Andy Daines and Ginny Thompson have decamped to the UK for a while and part of their sojourn in England is to compete at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials
Both have competed at 4* level in Australia and competed with great success in New Zealand but coming to Badminton is a whole new thing. Taking part in one of the world’s biggest events has meant travelling their horses from the other side of the world, settling into a new environment and getting ready for one of the biggest tests of their lives
A surreal experience for Andy, warming up with Michael Jung just before the dressage
Andy Daines found his horse, Spring Panorama, when he was working with Tim and Jonelle Price and competed the 14 year old gelding in the UK before taking him back to New Zealand. Last year they finished 10th in the CCI4* in Adelaide and are now back in England for a while, based with William Fox-Pitt
They are currently lying in 33rd place on a score of 40.3 after the first day of dressage
Ginny Thompson and the mare Star Nouveau have moved to the UK from New Zealand and are currently based with Blyth Tait. Ginny and her 14 year old mare ‘Paige’ have had great success in New Zealand, winning the CCI3* at Puhinui International in both 2015 and 2016 and finishing eighth in the CCI4* in Adelaide last year after an inspiring cross country ride
Like Andy, they are currently a little off the pace after the first day of dressage in 38th on 43.6 but their strength will hopefully shine through on cross country day
