I think yesterday was meant to be a ‘day off” for me at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, but I don’t think any of us stopped moving all day!
I went to the tradestands first thing in the morning, to pick up some more products from Tredstep Ireland (they have new Symphony breeches that I’ve fallen in love with) and to get a few last-minute bits and bobs for Louie (Zero Flight).
I also took delivery of my new Hows Racesafe body protector, which has been custom made for me in my pink and green cross-country colours. It is vibrant, and I don’t think anyone will miss me on that cross-country course on Sunday, but it fits beautifully and is so comfortable.
In the meantime, Louie had a morning of grazing outside the house before I worked him. He is still very fresh when I ride him, so he ended up being ridden twice yesterday and will do the same this morning before my test.
In between my rides on him I walked the cross-country course for the first time. I try not to pay too much attention on my first walk and generally just walk distances once. It’s nice to get a feel of the course without too much pressure to begin with and I have plenty more chances to choose my lines (although 90% of the time I go on what I walk that first day).
So then we just had to get tidied for the cocktail party in Badminton House in the evening. When I say we were moving all day, it doesn’t necessarily mean I was “working”, as I don’t think this cocktail party followed by the Event Riders Association dinner counts!
We still had to be early to bed though, as it was back to work first thing in the morning preparing to be the first horse the judges see. Here’s hoping for a lovely test…
Lauren
Lauren will be blogging daily from Badminton this week, so log back on to follow her progress.
H&H’s 25-page Badminton report is out next Thursday, 9 May, including comment from Judy Harvey, Ian Stark and Mark Phillips, pictures of every cross-country fence and full analysis of every phase.
