Monthly diary — May 2014

However, rather than the perfect going of Kentucky, Badminton’s clay soil proved tricky once wet, despite every effort being made to manage conditions. A combination of holding ground and challenging fences, meant riders were finding their horses’ fitness levels wanting. It was a proper old-fashioned Badminton with modern skinny jeans on. The new generation of riders faced a continuous stream of huge fences, the likes of which they won’t really have seen before, as the focus has been placed so heavily on technical combinations and tricky turns. But for this course you had to be able to sit up and kick on – a concept alien to many. This was particularly noticeable at No.6 & 7, the Silver Birch double. Australia’s Chris Burton approached in a beautifully committed, balanced gallop, but then lost confidence, took several pulls in the last few strides, preventing his horse seeing the fence, resulting in a dive out to the side. And he wasn’t alone. Many were unable to keep their momentum and rhythm into the succession of daunting fences.