Badminton - so what do we think of the course?

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Orangehorse

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Went today partly to watch the Grassroots (I know it isn't called that, but it is easier to remember.) I haven't been for a year or two and watched the 90. I thought the course was slightly less difficult, certainly that coffin fence which caused mayhem last time I was there, all the ones I saw jumped the course very well. Some seemed to be out for an afternoon canter rather than making an effort to get the time, on the other hand some were penalised for being too quick.

As for the main event - No 3 - cripes, blood run cold effect, although I suppose if you think that you shouldn't be there.

I only walked round without a programme so couldn't see how the fences were supposed to be ridden, but unless I was mistaken there seemed to be several fences where the horses had to jump in a sort of circle and I don't really like that,
but plenty of bold riding required.
 
I take back my comments about lots of turning.

Having looked at the photos I can see that I was getting confused with the quick routes and the slow routes.
 
3 is just a table? Nice warm up fence, lol!!

The interesting one for me was the one after the mirage pond, intriguing design, hope the horses read it well.

I like the course, it will reward a bold and straight horse.
 
Arrived yesterday for the trot up and didn't look at the course but walking it today so will post my thoughts later!
 
I walked it yesterday. I thought there were some really meaty, scary fences (look on Bettina Hoy's Facebook page for the photo of her in the trakkhener ditch!!). I thought the table over the ditch (easy fence at three!) was impressive and a nice change from the Keepers brush. There were a lot of angled combinations (little newest water pond and the Showgun Hollow fences). The ground was really hard and dry, they were watering and aerovating all day. I'm looking forward to watching it.
 
As Honey08 above, similar conclusions after we walked it yesterday. They are working very hard on the watering and aerovating, some water is puddling in the hollows and giving a few boggy bits but I'm sure that this will be fettled by tomorrow.
 
Another remark from me - a lot of the fences are see through - old fashioned rails that the ditch/water/next question can be seen through.
 
Another thing I noticed yesterday was loads of numpties walking up to fences and taking pictures, despite the loudspeaker constantly asking people to stay off the track. I actually felt like I was the only person that didn't! And in the dressage stands people walking up and down stands while tests were going on (one carrying a huge bright carrycot!) and not catching cups rolling down the steps. People just seemed very self centred.
 
Honey08 said:
Another thing I noticed yesterday was loads of numpties walking up to fences and taking pictures, despite the loudspeaker constantly asking people to stay off the track. I actually felt like I was the only person that didn't! And in the dressage stands people walking up and down stands while tests were going on (one carrying a huge bright carrycot!) and not catching cups rolling down the steps. People just seemed very self centred.
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Ahh, that irked me yesterday too. Whilst walking the course I made a point of standing and staring at a couple of numpties (who were actually old enough to know better) taking pictures of themselves draped over jumps, but they were too absorbed in their fun to notice either me - or the sign only yards away asking people to stay off the course. As you say, utterly self centred. <gah> :(
 
I was also doing the muttering thing about all the numpties on the course proper. As the commentator said, the last thing that is needed is folk trampling on the freshly watered grass.
Reckon they'll have to have officials at each fence in future to guard the course pre XC.
 
Fidgety said:
Ahh, that irked me yesterday too. Whilst walking the course I made a point of standing and staring at a couple of numpties (who were actually old enough to know better) taking pictures of themselves draped over jumps, but they were too absorbed in their fun to notice either me - or the sign only yards away asking people to stay off the course. As you say, utterly self centred. <gah> :(
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I noticed that too on Wednesday and thought that they might have to have stewards around if the ground was soft. There were constant requests on the loudspeakers for people to keep off the track.
 
I think the track looks great and am so excited to see how it rides tomorrow. I think the Coral will cause problems, the second part is on such a mad angle. Too much to mention, I just think it's old skool. Looks amazing.

As for the numpties .... we did a course walk with Harry Meade (followed closely by Sam Griffiths group) and neither of them allowed us under the strings. There were plenty of folk on the course tonight that certainly weren't riders or their trainers.
 
I slightly agree with Andrew Hoy about the bullfinch out of the lake - it isn't really the sort of fence that is seen at events now. And how many eventers even get to go hunting?

I remember jumping one at a Novice competition (which is years ago now) and I think my horse must have jumped right over the top because we sure were in the air for a long time. But it was a straight approach just in the hedge line.

I also remember doing one in a hunter trial on a pony which was much too thick! It was the first class of the day, the junior and we raced round as normal and then came to this bullfinch built with birch and this mad jumping pony started to wobble and hesitate so I gave him a good kick and he jumped it, but not many people did go first time and we ended up winning the class. Obviously as the day went on it opened up a bit more of a gap.
 
The bullfinch is out of the water so horses won't be able to jump over top really, they'll be more encouraged to go through imo than if off dry ground. At this level the horses trust the rider when they say jump - and when you get to that point on the course I don't think it will be a problem.

I really hate the offset/skinny white rail parallel, I think that is just asking for a rotational.

Otherwise I think it's a fab course, big open questions that are clear although I still haven't quite worked out how to jump the coral fence? The footbridge just looks plain scary, but having seen what Paul trapner practiced over at home I'd take badmintons footbridge any day!!

It's going to be an interesting day :D
 
only_me said:
Otherwise I think it's a fab course, big open questions that are clear although I still haven't quite worked out how to jump the coral fence? The footbridge just looks plain scary, but having seen what Paul trapner practiced over at home I'd take badmintons footbridge any day!!
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The photos of that practice fence were terrifying!
 
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