Belton today, the 'word on the street' is...

I see Phillip Dutton has had to W/D Woodburn as he cannot get him here in time for Badminton.
 
with regards to the ground and courses again.. i was competing in the novice on friday but also walked the intermediate for future and thought both courses were good solid courses with enough questions and would suit the bolder horse but again long routes to suit others. I thought they were very well designed and dressed , and as for the ground....it is cross country it won't be flat, it seemed to ride well with a few fences causing problems but nothing major. I had no problems and saw none either in the sj or xc. I didn't however have chance to walk the show jumping course...but surely if people felt the ground was not right for their horse they should withdraw..abeit an expensive option but one we have to take as riders.

I had friends there on sunday as well who loved it and had a great time..although i was shocked to see how little competitors finished the advanced sections and some intermediate sections but again these may be pre-runs for badminton horses. I will be going back again next year hopefully intermediate or maybe advanced depending on horses and qaulifications as always but we definatly had a very good day.

Many condolancies to all those involved with Rodney's horse, a very sad day for them all and I'm sure everyone is thinking of them at this moment.
 
just listened to OT on the iplayer link....... definitely raised a chuckle!
What raised my temper, rather than a chuckle, was the complete **** at Belton who got his camera out to record, close up, the sad scene at the finish. I suggested that taking photographs was possibly a bit insensitive, to which he replied ( unbelievably!) " I just want to get a picture of Rodney's face"................... I suggested he put his camera down before I put it down for him.
 
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