An Eventful Life is filming all competitors on cross country at
Keyflow Feeds Barbury International 2022 - order or view videos here
Watch our interview with Laura Collett at Barbury
Does the sun always shine on Barbury? It certainly seems that way; this year is no exception and I am not the only one to have the sunburn (amateur mistake) to prove it.
Barbury boasts fantastic viewing in a quintessentially British location - it’s impossible not to be impressed by the rolling hills, the patchwork fields with grass and crops rustling in the wind, the sheep …. And there’s a mini Stonehenge for goodness’ sake! Just driving to the venue takes your breath away and makes you (me) fall in love with England all over again.
The first 4* section did their dressage today (with Pippa Funnell not only leading on Billy Walk On but also in second place on Billy Wonder) but mostly Friday is for the Novice horses and feels like a teaser for what’s to come during the next two days.
Italy's Vittoria Panizzon riding Cu Chulaine - winners Novice Section C
In the first half an hour of show-jumping this morning we saw riders from at least six different nations riding horses at all stages of very green, less green and some experienced novices.
Both jumping tracks are renowned for being on the tougher side; the show-jumping in the main arena can be overwhelming for some of the less seasoned horses, especially coming off two quiet Covid years and we saw plenty of spooking, particularly at the double on the tradestand side.
The cross country traverses the famous Barbary terrain, running up and down the natural bowl that is such a spectacular amphitheatre but no doubt challenging and tiring for horses that maybe still need to learn how to balance, turn and jump at a cross country pace on varying gradients.
Harry Meade and Amiro Island in the Novice
William Fox-Pitt, Harry Meade and Caroline Harris all rode several horses on Friday and were all equally impressive - it’s exciting to think we may well be watching future 5* horses and superstars and always interesting to see riders of that calibre riding with a slightly different purpose in mind.
For the casual or serious spectator Barbury has almost everything to complement the easy access to see all the action: probably the best cappuccino I’ve ever had from The Coffee Man, a tapas bar, great food (crepes, brownies and ice cream!) and a good assortment of trade stands. Bring your sunscreen and settle in for a bumper day out .....
We’re filming all riders on cross country and you can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for video snippets and more during the event plus we'll have our full wrap up early next week
Article by Samantha Clark
Friday winners
Novice Section C – Vittoria Panizzon and Cu Chulain, 22.5
Novice Section D – Alexander Bragg and Shannondale Aldo, 26
Novice Section E – Rupert Batting and Coombeland Talisman, 29.3
ON Section F – Emily Young-jamieson and Gringolet, 29
ROR N CH Section G – Piggy March and Our Old Fella, 30.8
IN Section H – Julia Norman and Kontendro, 27.3
Letting sleeping dogs lie on the Wiltshire plains ............
