Badminton Horse Trials

BADMINTON

Driving through the Badminton village signs made my stomach leap with excitement! Jimmy came off the lorry very excited to be at a new place, he must have known he was somewhere special as soon as he saw the beautiful stables. He quickly settled in and was munching happily on his haylage.

On the Wednesday I went for a hack around the park in the morning and gave him a gentle school in the afternoon. Jimmy felt to be on good form, he was listening and really focused. Thursday and trot-up day! Eek, Jimmy looked absolutely fantastic thanks to Lizzie Gill my groom and Kate Honey, presenting him to the ground jury was a moment i won't forget in a long time. He sailed through pulling me down the runway in front of the house, he thought all those people were there just to watch him. Following the trot-up i had a stroll around the arena to familiarise Jimmy with the surroundings and then a lesson with Pammy Hutton, who had kindly come down to help us. He was fresh and quite cheeky but worked well by the end of the session.

Friday was a quiet day for me as I had been drawn to perform my Dressage test on Saturday morning, the day was spent, having an early lesson with Pammy, visiting a few sponsors in the tradestands, (Baileys, Kate Negus Saddlery, Global Herbs) and walking the course.

Saturday and the moment had come, Jimmy warmed up well having had a lunge beforehand, he entered the arena and felt to get a little tense seeing all the people in the stands. Thankfully he didn't explode and performed a nice test, although there is definitely a lot more for him to give and he is more than capable of achieving a fabulous mark. We scored 55.8 which left us about half way down the board by the end of the day.

Sunday and the big test day!! I walked the course early, before the competition began so I could watch some of the early riders go from the riders tent. I felt very sick! The course was the biggest test I have met so far and although I knew Jimmy was fit I couldn't be 100% sure how he would feel running 11mins 16secs. Watching the first hour of competition was horrible, Richard Waygood sat with me and reasured me that I had prepared everything and what happened would happen. So off down to the stable I went to get ready. Jimmy was ready and waiting for me when I arrived.

Warming up was nervewracking with spectators even watching that! Then before I knew it I was being called to the start. Whilst up in the 10minute box, Elisabeth Power had a nasty fall so the course was held, I hope she makes a speedy recovery. This was my worst nightmare! Jimmy was getting more and more worked up so when I was told it would be half an hour I jumped off and let the girls walk him whilst I went and gathered my thoughts.

Finally I was back on and walking into the main arena-WOW loads of people in the stands and I suddenly realised I was about to start out on the track I had only dreamt of going round.

Off we went and Jimmy felt amazing. Focused and running, before I knew it we were heading towards the hexagon hedge down in the vicarage fields. Coming out of the colt pond Jimmy chipped a small one in but other than that I can honestly say it was the xc round of my life, galloping towards the lake I thought 'look at all those people' before I kicked myself and pretended they were all just trees and I was galloping along an avenue of trees. Jumping in to the lake he twisted slightly so I decided to play safe and go the long way. Huntsman's close was foot perfect as was the quarry. Jimmy didn't feel tired like so many had looked and I was amazed at how much was still left in the tank. He finished fantastically and the roar of the crowd was another moment I won't be forgetting. Pulling up he felt fine and the realisation that I had gone clear round my first Badminton was just sinking in. I was surprised how many people were waiting to congratulate me so a huge thanks to them for all their support, and cards (which were on the door of Jimmy's stable throughout).

Later that evening following icing we knew there was a problem, Jimmy had a boot rub on his off fore and was sore on it. We continued icing until midnight and then started again at 5am. I trotted him up and knew I had to make the right decision for him. He could jump and make a small problem a big one or withdraw and deal with what we had. I withdrew which was gutting but I love Jimmy to bits and his welfare is top priority. Sadly he will be out for the rest of the season but he will make a recovery to the top of the sport, and will be back to win!