Thanks to Chris Kirby, not only do we have a statistical overview of each of the six FEI CCI4* events, but also a breakdown of the Track to the Top Ten for each.
Having taken a look at the 2017 Australian International 3 Day Event and the Kentucky Three Day Event let's now focus on one of the biggest events, the Mitusbishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials
The final jumping phase at the 2017 Mitusbishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials proved extremely influential as three of the world’s top riders battled it out. Andrew Nicholson, third after cross country, pulled off a stunning clear round on the 17 year old Nereo to leave the two German Olympians ahead of him – Michael Jung and overnight leader Ingrid Klimke – no room for manoeuvre.
Michael’s La Biosthetique Sam, also a veteran 17 year old, hit the back rail of the sixth fence, so the defending champion had to settle for the runner-up spot then, to gasps from the fascinated crowd, Ingrid Klimke and Horseware Hale Bob hit the same fence and their problems were compounded with a refusal at the treble, which dropped her to ninth.
It was an outstanding result for Andrew Nicholson after 37 attempts over 33 years and the win was even more of a fairytale after breaking his neck in a fall 18 months previously
The third place getter Tim Price proved the phrase ‘it isn’t a dressage test’, moving up from 30th after the first phase thanks to one of only two double clear cross country rounds on Xavier Faer and just one time fault in the show jumping
Sir Mark Todd added to New Zealand’s success story with both his horses, NZB Campino and Leonidas II also jumping clear rounds for fourth and sixth places
Badminton first-timer Ros Canter on Allstar B also moved up significantly to fifth place overall, putting her firmly in the eye of selectors for a later gold-winning performance at the European Championships, but it was Britain’s Gemma Tattersall who absolutely rocketed up the leader board after a disappointing start, moving from 67th after dressage to finish sixth on the ex-racehorse Arctic Soul
The big jump of the event came from Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul
The very experienced Tina Cook’s super jumping performances also moved her up into 10th place on Billy the Red after being a bit off the pace in the dressage; a feat she would repeat later in the year with Star Witness at Burghley to finish seventh.
The Japanese rider Yoshiaki Oiwa, whose long-term aim is his home Olympics in Tokyo in 2020, finished in eighth place on The Duke of Cavan thanks to a very consistent performance throughout the event
The Top 10 by numbers
1 Andrew Nicholson/Nereo (NZL) 38.0 + = 2.4 + 0 = 40.4
2 Michael Jung/La Biosthetique Sam (GER) 40.0 + 0 + 4 = 44.0
3 Tim Price/Xavier Faer (NZL) 48.2 + 0 + 1 = 49.2
4 MarkTodd/NZB Campino (NZL) 43.6 + 6.8 + 0 =50.4
5 Ros Canter/All Star B (GBR) 44.9 + 9.6 + 0 = 54.5
6 MarkTodd/Leonidas II (NZL) 42.9 + 15.2 + 0 = 58.1
7 Gemma Tattersall/Arctic Soul (GBR) 55.8 + 4.4 + 0 = 60.2
8 Yoshiaki Oiwa/ Duke of Cavan (JPN) 42.6 + 15.6 + 4 = 62.2
9 Ingrid Klimke/Horseware Hale Bob (GER) 36.4 + 3.2 +23 = 62.6
10 Tina Cook/Billy The Red (GBR) 47.4 + 16 + 0 = 63.4
