Badminton 2023 thread

[Orangehorse]

Now that the dust has settled after the competition itself, I have been musing about whether the drastic reduction in TB blood in top event horses potentially goes hand in hand with so many horses finding the tough track on wet ground a bridge too far.

Colorado Blue, who produced such a fabulous XC round and one of the rare horses that looked to be enjoying himself all of the way round, had one of the highest blood percentages in the field at 84%. I think that blood really shone through.

Obviously preparation and fitness all have a big part to play in how horses found XC, but I can't help but miss the days of seeing blood horses eat up the badminton turf and thrive on the challenge. As lovely as it is to see the beautiful dressage tests these WB types produce, it looks like a lot of them are surviving when out XC rather than thriving, especially when the ground is less than ideal.

This is not a criticism of breeders, as one myself I know that the market wants WBs as riders buying to produce and sell on understandly want something with a bit of flash rather than a blood type that may not dazzle at the lower levels or lead the dressage but has the potential to jump a 5* XC.

This is what I more or less wrote earlier. Trouble is, when the Selectors are looking for a team to send to, say Italy, then the chances of having mud are somewhat reduced. It almost becomes 2 competitions, depending on what the weather is.

 

[teapot]

This is what I more or less wrote earlier. Trouble is, when the Selectors are looking for a team to send to, say Italy, then the chances of having mud are somewhat reduced. It almost becomes 2 competitions, depending on what the weather is.

Anywhere can do mud and think even the continent will suffer as climate changes.

Andrew Nicholson wrote about the state of the ground and not moving fences at Montelibretti few weeks ago

 

[RachelFerd]

Anywhere can do mud and think even the continent will suffer as climate changes.

Andrew Nicholson wrote about the state of the ground and not moving fences at Montelibretti few weeks ago

The Normandy world equestrian games in France in 2014 were a very wet one - Haras du Pin for euros this year is in northern France - it's not impossible to have wet conditions again (nor is it entirely impossible that Paris could randomly turn wet)

 

[Bobthecob15]

Think this was the thread where we were talking about silly outfits and no hats for the horse inspection....I am pleased to report Dressage riders are being more sensible after that terrible accident at Addington recently, just saw Abi Lyle (Ireland) wearing hers for her horse inspection at Royal Windsor

 

[Supertrooper]

Hope Valmy Biats is ok, odd that EK hasn’t done a post

 

[NinjaPony]

It was very disappointing to see OT continue on a tired horse yet again. After SS hit the logs, he had 20 penalties and was clearly out of contention so cannot understand why you wouldn’t pull up at that point, competitive or not? It stops being a mistake when it happens multiple times and does leave a sour taste when watching him.

 

[lannerch]

It was very disappointing to see OT continue on a tired horse yet again. After SS hit the logs, he had 20 penalties and was clearly out of contention so cannot understand why you wouldn’t pull up at that point, competitive or not? It stops being a mistake when it happens multiple times and does leave a sour taste when watching him.

I think it’s 11 for a pin not 20 , so obviously with all the time penalties everyone was getting OT decided that he was still with a chance of a higher placing.

 

[Escapade]

Hope Valmy Biats is ok, odd that EK hasn’t done a post

 

[fetlock]

View attachment 113208

Almost brought a tear to my eye, that did

 

[teapot]

Pip's post this evening is great too

 

[scats]

View attachment 113208

I never been a massive fan of Emily King, but it’s refreshing to see a rider put their horse first like that, particularly when outwardly he appeared to be jumping well.

 

[Tiddlypom]

The whole SS episode, Oli's judgement and who said what on air about it (why was Lucinda's Green stint in the commentary box so short?) seem to have detracted from the many outstanding performances by other competitors over the competition. Ros has rightly been feted, but the two Toms and others.

It's all gone very quiet rather than the usual fanfare.

 

[Clodagh]

The whole SS episode, Oli's judgement and who said what on air about it (why was Lucinda's Green stint in the commentary box so short?) seem to have detracted from the many outstanding performances by other competitors over the competition. Ros has rightly been feted, but the two Toms and others.

It's all gone very quiet rather than the usual fanfare.

It’s it just modern times that we love to lock on to the bad and pounce on weakness or errors? No point feting superb performance when you can make yourself feel better by being negative.

 

[Orangehorse]

The Normandy world equestrian games in France in 2014 were a very wet one - Haras du Pin for euros this year is in northern France - it's not impossible to have wet conditions again (nor is it entirely impossible that Paris could randomly turn wet)

I know, I was there in Normandy.

 

[Bobthecob15]

I never been a massive fan of Emily King, but it’s refreshing to see a rider put their horse first like that, particularly when outwardly he appeared to be jumping well.

Agreed, I have no great issue with her, she's made silly mistakes in the past (no way condoning drink driving though!) but she's a fab rider

 

[SibeliusMB]

Out of interest I sat and watched what was shown of OT's round on replay as what I thought I'd seen live didn't seem to fit with what is being said on this thread. He certainly wasn't pushing SS in the first section of the course, comment was made that he looked like he was out for a hack and he'd need to speed up as he was already well behind the clock (don't forget he was third out and there hadn't been a horse through by the time he started). He was clearly doing what all of the experienced riders said they would do ie try to keep plenty of energy in the tank for the middle part of the course that was sticky going and aim to get home. If you go back and look he's riding beautifully and the horse is in a good rhythm and making jumps looks easy. He popped down the Savill staircase so much better than many combinations and he made the owl hole look easy peasy. In the first water he did swing a bit too wide and put in an extra stride but nothing dramatic. It was at fence 19 that he had an issue, the horse met the first element not quite right and OT really needed to push to get over the second, horses back feet set off the frangibles but SS looked to come out of it OK but probably a bit shocked and not doubt had an extra shot of adrenaline to add to that already coursing through his body. (I'm no expert on all of this so do feel free to challenge!). We then see him jump the water, taking the long route and horse looks to be struggling. We don't see OT again, word comes through that he's not appeared at Huntsmans close and that he might have been stopped. I think he was held for some time after jumping fence 21 (don't know where) whilst they took Cathago back to the stables following his injury at f26 and surely that might have caused an "adrenaline dump"? I haven't seen any video of what happened after f21 so I can't comment on what happened but I think to suggest that OT was riding badly, the horse didn't look right or was being overly pushed up to the incident at fence 19 seems grossly unfair to me.

This video shows clips of OT and SS at the table and the water. I'm no 5* rider, but that horse looks very tired at 19 and is barely cantering through the water. I think the criticism is well deserved.

 

[Annagain]

I only watched the BBC highlights but thought Oli was doing ok - certainly nothing to worry about - until about fence 16/17. Then SS seemed to drop like a stone. The mistake at the table looked like a tired one to me, he looked done in by the water. I kept thinking surely he'll stop now, especially after the criticism a few years back but he kept going. I have a theory but as it's just that, it's probably best not to speculate.

 

[ihatework]

This video shows clips of OT and SS at the table and the water. I'm no 5* rider, but that horse looks very tired at 19 and is barely cantering through the water. I think the criticism is well deserved.

I’m going to challenge you here.
You seem to have quoted Oldie48 but actually not addressed their point or even read their post.

Very very few people (myself included) would support Oli in how badminton unfolded. The video you post is spot on. But nowhere has Oldie48 indicated he didn’t derserve criticism.
What they have referenced is internet critiscusm for his riding early in the course. The table and lake comes later.
I think Oldie48 has a valid point.
I’m not sure the horse was exactly firing on all cylinders over the first half but it certainly wasn’t witch hunt material!

 

[stangs]

I can't produce much fanfare because I can only watch what gets posted in the public domain. However, from what I've seen, I'm a bit smitten with the way Caroline Powell rode her little mare around the XC course - love her equitation, love how quietly she handled the refusal at the LeMieux Mound, and mare looked to be doing well even towards the end of the course. Felt like watching a class on schooling young horses XC.

 

[Caol Ila]

I saw what the BBC has available on iPlayer. Loved Austin's round, as well as Ros' and William's.

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that I don't think Oli's round on Swallow Springs looked that terrible until he hit the table. Then the horse looked knackered and like he'd totally run out of steam. Clearly Oli should have retired at that moment but maybe he thought the horse would pick up again?

For this year's Badminton commentary drinking game, you need to take a drink every time the commentators say something along the lines of "He/she is such a competitive rider." Is there anybody riding at the 5* level who isn't?

 

[ester]

I agree I was expecting worse but thought that might have been the editing

 

[shortstuff99]

I agree I was expecting worse but thought that might have been the editing

There was also way worse incidents of carrying on when they shouldn't which has managed to be eclipsed by OT which makes it seem like he was the only rider that made a bad judgement (and yes I know he has form which is why it is worse, but some others were dangerous and did come a cropper).

 

[Kat]

There was also way worse incidents of carrying on when they shouldn't which has managed to be eclipsed by OT which makes it seem like he was the only rider that made a bad judgement (and yes I know he has form which is why it is worse, but some others were dangerous and did come a cropper).

Totally agree. Someone upthread said SS was barely cantering when he got to the lake but there was definitely one combination who just trotted half heartedly at the jump in the water and didn't take off.

I don't think there was a problem with SS until he hit the table, and it was fair enough to keep going a bit after that in the hope SS picked up/it was a blip. I do think he should probably have pulled up after the water but we don't know what happened after that or whether there were other factors.

I think there were definitely other riders who were as bad who weren't stopped.

I agree that WFP was a joy to watch on an inexperienced horse though.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

Think this was the thread where we were talking about silly outfits and no hats for the horse inspection....I am pleased to report Dressage riders are being more sensible after that terrible accident at Addington recently, just saw Abi Lyle (Ireland) wearing hers for her horse inspection at Royal Windsor

Which terrible accident?

 

[Katieg123]

Which terrible accident?

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiAwe2U8-r-AhWYgVwKHbOvC_0QFnoECA8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.horseandhound.co.uk%2Fnews%2Faddington-trot-up-incident-819596&usg=AOvVaw3Zs-AE4TAt_FGVbL57-VHQ

 

[Annagain]

I saw what the BBC has available on iPlayer. Loved Austin's round, as well as Ros' and William's.

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that I don't think Oli's round on Swallow Springs looked that terrible until he hit the table. Then the horse looked knackered and like he'd totally run out of steam. Clearly Oli should have retired at that moment but maybe he thought the horse would pick up again?

For this year's Badminton commentary drinking game, you need to take a drink every time the commentators say something along the lines of "He/she is such a competitive rider." Is there anybody riding at the 5* level who isn't?

I mostly agree although I thought he was looking a little tired a bit before the table - I've just watched back again (a luxury not available to those on the day I know) and he wasn't picking up as he was moving away from the pond at 15 (after a not brilliant jump) and the table at 16, slightly better away from 17. I don't think there was anything to worry about at that point however. I do take issue with him carrying on after that table though - apart from anything he was way down on time and had 11 penalties from breaking the pin (what an excellent design by the way, could have saved a nasty accident) so he had very little to gain by continuing.

 

[myheartinahoofbeat]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiAwe2U8-r-AhWYgVwKHbOvC_0QFnoECA8QAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.horseandhound.co.uk%2Fnews%2Faddington-trot-up-incident-819596&usg=AOvVaw3Zs-AE4TAt_FGVbL57-VHQ

How awful.
Thanks for the link

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

What I found odd was that SS didn't look adjustable. He landed close to the first Mars table and OT pushed for a straight 4 strides to take the second table on an angle (later riders made it look an easier challenge by using a bending line to jump it straight) and SS seemed to go on the 4 but not extend to make it.

At the splash after the lake SS didn't get a perfect stride again and he just seemed to approach it at the speed he was going and didn't adjust into it.

I realise they lose adjustability when tired but I think SS had been losing his confidence through the course and just wasn't enjoying himself by the time he got to the lake (and was getting tired)

 

[Annagain]

I agree I was expecting worse but thought that might have been the editing

They showed more of his round than most others as he was the only one on course for a while so I don't think there was much editing of his round to be fair. I think he was the only one I saw at fence 16 (big table with dog food bags underneath it) all day.

 

[Bobthecob15]

How awful.
Thanks for the link

I'm shocked its not happened before to be honest, so sad.