Badminton Horse Trials 2019 officially kicks off today, with the first day of the dressage. I love heading down for cross country day and think it’s a fantastic day out, but I’ll just be watching from the comfort of my sofa this year. They say you get a better view of all the action that way, right? But even though I won’t be going, I’m still really excited to follow the whole competition. I’ve compiled a list of the top Eventers that I’ll have my eye on over the weekend, and particularly on cross country day.
P.s I’m no expert, so my list isn’t just about form (although they are all incredible) and more because I really love to follow their Eventing exploits on social media! I’ve included all their social media details so you can go and follow them yourselves.
Jonelle Price and Classic Moet/Tim Price and Bango/Ringwood Sky Boy
Ok, it’s taken me so long to publish this that last year’s winners Jonelle and Classic Moet have sadly withdrawn from Badminton. Such a shame but glad (and not at all surprised) to see that Classic Moet’s welfare has been put first. She has absolutely nothing to prove, after all. I’ve been a fan of Jonelle and Classic Moet since I saw them storm to fourth place at the World Equestrian Games in Caen, France in 2014 (which was such a great trip by the way, I’d highly recommend any Eventing fans to put travelling to a World Games competition on your list!)
It’s ok though, we can still support the Kiwis in a big way, as Tim has two horses at Badminton this year – Bango and Ringwood Sky Boy. Bango’s described as “Tim’s Next Big Thing” on his website, and you know that if the Prices think a horse is special, that’s because it is. It’s Bango’s first time at Badminton, but he was 10th at Burghley last year, so watch this space. And Ringwood Sky Boy, Tim’s other ride, rounded off an incredible 2018 for Team Price by winning last year’s Burghley. He was also 12th at Badminton last year, so he’s set to be a real contender at this competition.
I also have a few other reasons for supporting Team Price – they’re really active on social media, and I love the dynamic of the husband/wife relationship being both ultra encouraging yet still rivalling each other. And you all know I now have a super soft spot for a dark bay mare like Classic Moet, thanks to my mega babe Bells! (Don’t worry, I’m not completely delusional. I know the similarities between Belle and Classic Moet end there.) And Jonelle and Tim are both from New Zealand, where we’re travelling to this December. So, I’ll be rooting for Tim at Badminton!
Follow Team Price at @teampricenzl on Facebook, and @tim_price_so_official and @jonelle_price on Instagram.
Nicola Wilson and Bulana
Nicola Wilson is my absolute favourite Event rider. I really loved her partnership with Opposition Buzz; he was probably my top Event horse of all time. I had the amazing opportunity to interview Nicola once for a feature I wrote for British Horse magazine, and she was really lovely. You know when you meet (well, phone in this case) your idols, and they’re actually really down-to-earth, nice people, and it just makes you respect them even more? I always have my fingers crossed for a Nicola Wilson success.
So aside from being a Nicola Wilson fan girl, I’ll be watching her and Bulana (another dark bay mare – amazing!) at Badminton as I was gutted they missed WEG 2018 in Tryon because of a mild injury. They were second at Luhmuhlen four star in 2017, quickly followed by winning Team Gold and individual Bronze at the Europeans in Strzegom, which is incredible, so I’d been so keen to see them represent us at the Games in 2018. However, Bulana’s been looking great so far this season, so let’s see how they get on at Badminton!
Follow Nicola on Facebook @NWEventing.
Ben Hobday and Harelaw Wizard
Who doesn’t love Ben Hobday? Er, no one! He’s a completely inspirational Eventer who was so open in sharing his battle with cancer in 2015. Like everyone else in the world, I was a big fan of his super cob Mr Mulry (Mulrys Error) and absolutely thrilled when they went double clear at Badminton in 2016.
I love following Ben and his lovely squad of horses on social media, where he documents all the hard work that goes in day in, day out to producing these horses – he’s a really positive influence for all us complete numpty novice eventers to look up to, and he takes the time to connect with his followers on social media too.
After Mr Mulry’s retirement last year it’s been great to see Harelaw Wizard start to follow in his humongous footsteps with his similarly oversized feet! Like Mulry, Wiz Kid is a heavier type out of a half-Clydesdale mum – not your conventional Event horse, but that just makes you root for them even more. I can’t wait to see how Ben and Wiz tackle Badminton.
If you don’t follow Ben already, catch him on Facebook @ben.hobday.1 and Instagram @benhobday. I highly recommend his Instagram stories!
Imogen Murray and Ivar Gooden
Imogen is another super talented, hard working Eventer that I follow on social media. As a total amateur competing at the proper entry level of the sport, I really love it when the big boys and their teams take the time to share their stories on social – I think it’s a fantastic insight into how top level Eventing works and, no matter the level you compete at, you can definitely learn something from them. Imogen shares regular event reports, funny videos and great training exercises on her page, and she’s well worth a follow. She really is Eventing goals and I’d love to do one of her clinics one day! She’s also a member of my very own local venue, Solihull Riding Club.
There’s a few of Imogen’s Facebook posts that have really stood out to me so far this year. The first was a video of her competing a young horse at Dallas Burston with LandS Eventing in January – yep, that’s right! Belle and I have ridden round the same arena as Eventing royalty. Not quite as stylishly as Imogen, but still. The second was the photo she shared on International Women’s Day of her twelve Eventing times for one day, competing on four horses. I’m absolutely dead after Eventing one horse at 80 level, so how she does that is beyond me. And the third was the now infamous video of her carrying on her dressage test at Oasby Horse Trials despite the loose horse joining her in the arena. Absolutely incredible riding!
Imogen and Ivar Gooden (Sir Charles, as he’s affectionately known) were 11th at Badminton last year, so they’ve proven their ability here already. They’re looking very promising this year too, winning their class at Great Witchingham International on their dressage score and having been third at Oasby and ninth at the 4* at Belton in March. Massive good luck to Imogen and Sir Charles at Badminton.
Follow Imogen on Facebook @MSTeamEventing.
William Fox-Pitt and Little Fire/Oratorio II
No introduction needed here. Even my non-horsey friends have heard of William Fox-Pitt. I recently went along to his “50 – Not Out!” evening demo at Hartpury College, and it was a fantastic evening. William demoed a few exercises, both dressage and showjumping, with some of his older, more established horses and then a few of his rising stars. There was one rising star who was particularly lovely – a chestnut homebred gelding, Crunchie. I would 100% have taken him home, even though I wouldn’t have been able to ride one side of him! The evening was presented by Alice Fox-Pitt who did a brilliant job of presenting, striking the perfect balance between asking questions and letting William talk through the exercises. I think they’re doing another demo at Keysoe in June – highly recommend going if you can!
Even though I’ve always thought he was a legend, I have even more appreciation for William and his riding after attending the demo. I’m excited to see him in action at Badminton with both Little Fire and Oratorio II.
Follow William on Facebook at Fox-Pitt Eventing, or Instagram @fox.pitt.eventing.
Gemma Tattersall and Arctic Soul
Gemma Tattersall is another one of those riders who I love for many reasons, the biggest of which is because she just seems like an all-round nice person. I follow Gemma on Instagram, and it’s clear from her posts how much she loves her horses. She’s been sharing videos of her training exercises over winter and it’s been great to follow all of her horses’ progress. Definitely follow her for jumping schooling inspiration and fab behind-the-scenes Instagram stories from her events!
In terms of form for Badminton, I think Gemma and Arctic Soul have every chance. Arctic Soul is nice and consistent here. They’ve had top ten finishes at the last three Badmintons – fourth last year, seventh the year before, and third in 2016. He also competed as part of the Gold medal winning team at Tryon last year (you know, that event with the hurricane?) and more recently he was third in the 3* at Burnham Market in April. So maybe 2019 could be their year for a number one finish? They’d definitely deserve it.
Keep up with Gemma on Facebook at Gemma Tattersall Eventing, and Instagram @gemma_tattersall.
So, there we have it – the riders I’ll be watching at Badminton 2019. I have an insane amount of respect for anybody who competes there, though, so I’ll be cheering everybody on. Who’s on your watchlist? Let me know below!
Totally Amateur Eventing 