Gonetofrance
Well-Known Member
I'm going to add to this debate. A friend of mine rode round, in the time, and when we spoke afterwards the opinion was that the ground wasn't too bad at all.
There seems to be a view, from different camps, that some (not all) who withdrew were being a bit precious. I wasn't there so I can't personally comment, but it is interesting all the same.
That said, whilst I appreciate forecasting weather conditions is fraught with difficulties, surely there is no valid reason why the world's most prestigious 4* cannot strive to at the very least have a decent covering of grass to take the sting out of it?? If the course cannot be roped off early enough to be protected, then expecting the best horses in the world to run there is hopeless unless there can be future assurance of safe ground.
I believe Badminton has become far too complacent in the support and income it draws in. Has the organising commitee not paid any attention to the rider complaints and discontent regarding fast ground at other major horse trials in the last few years?
Several grade 1 racecourses have taken trainers' criticism on the chin in recent years and turned the going around to always ensure a good cover, which in itself helps the ground from baking. I do hope Hugh Thomas et al take this seriously, because the sport needs to showcase better than it did last weekend.
There seems to be a view, from different camps, that some (not all) who withdrew were being a bit precious. I wasn't there so I can't personally comment, but it is interesting all the same.
That said, whilst I appreciate forecasting weather conditions is fraught with difficulties, surely there is no valid reason why the world's most prestigious 4* cannot strive to at the very least have a decent covering of grass to take the sting out of it?? If the course cannot be roped off early enough to be protected, then expecting the best horses in the world to run there is hopeless unless there can be future assurance of safe ground.
I believe Badminton has become far too complacent in the support and income it draws in. Has the organising commitee not paid any attention to the rider complaints and discontent regarding fast ground at other major horse trials in the last few years?
Several grade 1 racecourses have taken trainers' criticism on the chin in recent years and turned the going around to always ensure a good cover, which in itself helps the ground from baking. I do hope Hugh Thomas et al take this seriously, because the sport needs to showcase better than it did last weekend.