HAWLEY MAKES A FLYING VISIT

Only five days has passed since Hawley Bennett and Livingstone arrived from Canada to compete at this year’s Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.
The diminutive blonde and her former race horse crossed the Atlantic to fulfil a life’s ambition. “For me, coming to Badminton is a dream come true,” said Hawley after her dressage test. “I have watched many videos – I think I have sat through last years seven times already”.

Hawley, who is a professional rider, now based in California, has owned Livingstone a Canadian Thoroughbred for 13 years since she bought him off the track as a four-year-old. “I did Pony Club with him and we have gone through the grades together – there is no horse I’d rather have to take me round here,” said Hawley who has completed the Kentucky Rolex four-star event with Livingstone three times and has been placed 18th, 22nd & 24th. The pair was also in the Canadian Olympic team in Athens.

Like many of the riders this year Hawley believes the course to be big. “You have got to ride for every single fence but I haven’t tossed my cookies yet.”

Hawley and the chestnut Livingstone, who are based with Australian David Green for the duration of their stay, return to California on Monday morning – a total stay of just eight whole days.