hcm88
Well-Known Member
Fitness an issue definitely, the ground and conditions were energy sapping even though they looked ok. The ground was soft, horses were slipping and the wind/rain was tough. Certainly not as bad as expected as we didn't get the rain forecast, but not great conditions for the new big course.
Thoroughbreds naturally have that bit extra stamina, you can get horses to their full possible fitness and it still may not be enough. On perfect weather/ground conditions I would imagine those who ran out of petrol at the Huntsman's Close would have been ok, but you needed that bit extra this year as the ground took that little bit more out of them.
I think riders will take a lot away from it both in preparation and mentality. I hope Badminton stays this way - safe but tough and a huge test. It shows you can have a tough test without it being unsafe or dangerous, I can imagine its just given riders a wake up call.
Thoroughbreds naturally have that bit extra stamina, you can get horses to their full possible fitness and it still may not be enough. On perfect weather/ground conditions I would imagine those who ran out of petrol at the Huntsman's Close would have been ok, but you needed that bit extra this year as the ground took that little bit more out of them.
I think riders will take a lot away from it both in preparation and mentality. I hope Badminton stays this way - safe but tough and a huge test. It shows you can have a tough test without it being unsafe or dangerous, I can imagine its just given riders a wake up call.