Our first competition together since September 2010 was show jumping indoors at West Wilts Equestrian Centre. Our first competitive round was in the 1.15m class and to say that both of us were a little distracted is an understatement, and not that I want to admit this, but just a little emotional also! A few rails down and a less than confident start left me quietly stressing that maybe Mannie wasn’t actually ready for this first outing. After much debating within my own head, I decided to stick to my original plan and ride Mannie in the next 1.20m class. The focus made a quick return to us both in this next class, with a smooth and easy double clear that left everyone smiling.

Next on the agenda was to tackle some XC fences, so with a keen eye on the weather we managed to get to Boomerang Stables schooling ground for this next nail biting step. There was certainly no nail biting on Mannie’s side of partnership, he was as confident and as skilful as ever over all of the fences we tackled, much to the relief of myself and also his owner Jenny Waaler who had braved the freezing temperatures to carefully and intently watch every step of the session.

Another show jumping outing followed, this time outdoors at Summerhouse Equestrian Centre, where we were right on track from the first footstep, for another double clear in the 1.20m class which was good enough to gain us 3^rd place. So again smiles all round at gaining our first competitive success since 2010.

After two show jumping outings and a XC session successfully out of the way it was time to let the hand brake off and do some gallop work to start the true fitness program leading up to this year’s Badminton Event. The freezing temperatures and snow of early February got us wondering when this would ever be possible, when finally a gallop was found that was not frozen rock solid, away we went. Mannie was as keen as ever, we worked totally within his fitness capabilities, which meant that without ever actually tiring him, he kept me on my guard by living up to his old “spin head” nick name. With the soundness checks on him out of the way the following day without incident, our confidence for a return to top level eventing for Mannie is very high.

There’s a fair bit of hype around at the moment that the entries for Badminton are now open. Personally this means nothing for me, the important date for me is when they close, that’s normally when my entries will be sent in. I work best under pressure, so deadlines normally motivate me to do whatever is required, whenever the deadline for the entries is, that’s what’s important to me! However at home today, Mannie has just given me some of the best dressage work I think I have ever felt from him, another personal best in the dressage phase could give rise to another fantastic result………..let the build up of excitement begin!

Paul Tapner

Twitter: @TapnerEventing

This competition was originally devised by former Burghley Director, Bill Henson.  it has two divisions, one each for 4 year olds and 5 year olds.  Each horse performs a short dressage test, a round of 7 – 8 show jumps, is examined in hand for conformation and type and then the top 10 come forward for final judging.

Dependent on the number of entries, the winners go forward to the Final at Burghley in the autumn.

The Schedule for  this class is posted on the website see: Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Series. Entries open on 20th March 2012.

Badminton has managed to engage 4 top class judges: Mary Low (nee Gordon Watson), former champion event rider; Roland Fernyhough, Olympic show jumping rider; Lady (Sue) Clark, mother of international rider Polly Stockton and for many years in charge of the Junior Regional programme for British Eventing; and the Hon. Hopper Cavendish, top show judge, former Senior Selector and a leading Steward on the racecourse.

Over the years many prizewinners have gone on to eventing success and this new venture at Badminton is sure to interest anyone who enjoys looking at young, potential competition horses or studying their breeding.

In the small Herefordshire village of Kimbolton James is quietly planning one final trip to Badminton for Comanche, who turns 19 this year.  “Touch wood, he’s never been lame” James tells me tapping the kitchen table looking to his wife Kate for a reassuring nod. “He looks and feels great, and provided that continues, the plan is to run at Badminton.”

Comanche isn’t a big flashy type of horse, but does possess text book eventer characteristics that wouldn’t look out of place at Cheltenham or Aintree either.  2004 was the first year I remember sitting up and taking notice of Comanche, thinking he was the perfect type of horse for Badminton; perhaps not as elegant to look at as some, but remarkable all the same. James bought Comanche as a 4 year old, possibly by chance, in an exchange for another horse that he felt wasn’t going to make the grade. When he first set eyes on him, Comanche was thin, ill, had a runny nose and wasn’t ready to be shown to a prospective buyer, but James insisted, sat on him for 5 minutes, liked him, and took him home.

James is a rare breed amongst event riders at the highest level, with a ‘real’ job as a vet, albeit part-time, allowing him time to put the hours in the saddle and compete. Comanche is the third horse James has taken up the ranks to 4 star level, and his most successful to date, having chalked up 4th, 5th and 6th placings on the final scoreboard at Badminton.  All of which is even more impressive when you realise the majority of riders they are rubbing shoulders with in the top 10 are full-time professional eventers with large teams of horses.

As Comanche has aged, he’s become easier to get fit and requires less work. James doesn’t spend any time cross country schooling these days, and enlists Kate to help with lunging and pessoa exercises which helps get his back muscles working without the needless weight of a rider. I get the feeling James, like many eventers, prefers the jumping phases! These days James trains by himself with some occasional help on the flat, and if he ever needs advice about riding a particular cross country course he will usually seek out Andrew Nicholson or Mark Todd.

Watching James ride Comanche on a warm January morning at home, you can see this is a partnership in which each partner knows each other well and enjoys their job. Neither seems to be causing the other to work too hard, yet their movement around the arena is smooth and graceful – real talent that led to the pair being selected to ride for Great Britain in the 2005 European Championships at Blenheim.

Comanche starts this season like any other year in the run up to Badminton, with planned runs at Aldon & Belton, but James is quick to point out he will only make each run if the horse feels right.

Although 19 this year, and considering we are still in mid winter, the horse is the picture of health, looking as bright and sharp as any nine year old eventer.  Comanche is seven-eights thoroughbred, Irish bred, and in true thoroughbred fashion he spooks easily. “Atmosphere and crowds get to him a bit”, James tells me, and he gets very tense, with a particular aversion to the ‘click click’ of the photographers’ cameras around the dressage arena!

His best result at Badminton was probably the worst year, weather wise, in recent times. In 2004, when the steeplechase was still included, rapidly deteriorating conditions left no one able to make the optimum time. The ground was bottomless James recalls, “We set out on cross country and people just weren’t getting home, but he just kept galloping and galloping. It wasn’t an easy course, and with the [soggy] ground as well, but Comanche galloped his heart out, and jumped fabulously. We were second fastest.” James laughs as he recalls how TV commentator Mike Tucker remarked how steady [read slow] Comanche was going – “No one made the time that year, we were second fastest, and finished 4th.”

James, however, cites 2010 as his career highlight having finished equal 7th after the dressage, riding a great cross country round, and dropping only an unlucky rail in the show jumping to finish 6th – “a good all round performance”. Badminton is clearly a favourite event for James, who talks fondly of settling in to the permanent stables of the main house and riding through the arch into open expanse of the deer park. Reading between the lines it seems James Robinson has an army of supporters in tow at these events from friends and family, right through to Comanche’s breeder, Joseph Cavanagh, who travels over from Ireland each year for Badminton to keep everyone entertained.

I do hope James & Comanche make it to Badminton again, providing a well deserved opportunity to notch up a record 8th completion, which this year only Lenamore could match.

Let’s meet James & Kate:

Badminton Stables

Horses at the 2012 Badminton Horse Trials will be enjoying BEDMAX Shavings during their downtime at the prestigious event.

It has been announced The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is being held from the 3^rd to the 7^th of May and is regarded as being the pinnacle of 3-day-event competitions in the world. BEDMAX have supported the event for a number of years and this year will be supplying shavings for the 200 plus horses competing in this event and the Mitsubishi Grassroots Championships held alongside the international competition. Made from renewable British timber, primarily pine because of its natural antiseptic qualities BEDMAX is a large flake shaving that is 100% natural. This horse bedding is used by all sectors of the equine industry throughout the UK and Europe.

Tim Smalley, Managing Director of BEDMAX commented on the sponsorship;

“BEDMAX are delighted to once again be supporting  Badminton  with the best eventing riders from across the globe. It is such an exciting event to be involved in especially this year with the Olympic Games being held here in England and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. What better way for competitors to bed their prized horses than with BEDMAX shavings”.

BEDMAX will also be represented as one of over 500 trade exhibitors. Based in Northumberland the company has built up an outstanding reputation. It is now an internationally recognized brand with products exported into Europe, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.

Badminton Event Director Hugh Thomas said “It is essential for us to be certain that everything we provide for the horses is of top quality and we know that with BEDMAX we have no worries”

BEDMAX offers horse and rider much more than traditional by-product shavings

• Dust free
• Joint protection
• Drainage
• Natural Hygiene
• Ease of use
• Cost effectiveness

Riders at  Badminton  can be at ease knowing their horses are bedded on BEDMAX shavings.

-       Ends -

We have joined forces with Newbury Racecourse to offer you the opportunity to purchase ½ price premier enclosure tickets for the above raceday.  Published price £24.00 each, Friends of Badminton price £12.00 each.

Please call 01635 40015, quoting Badminton12 to claim your discounted raceday ticket.

Children under the age of 18 are admitted free of charge

Terms and Conditions

Offer applicable to premier enclosure tickets on Saturday 3^rd March 2012 only

4 tickets per household

Subject to availability

Must be booked by 5.00pm on Friday 24^th February

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer

Tickets are non refundable and non transferable

Not applicable to existing bookings

From the beginning of February it will be possible to enter online via this website or download an entry form and enter by post.

MITSUBISHI MOTORS in the UK TO SPONSOR BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS FOR THREE MORE YEARS

As preparations for the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials get underway for the 2012 Event, the organisers have an extra reason to start the year with optimism. Continuing what is one of the longest sponsorships in sport (starting in 1992) Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has extended their support for three more years, up to and including 2015.

Said Event Director Hugh Thomas,

“This welcome renewal will take Mitsubishi’s involvement to twenty four years of a very happy relationship with Badminton and we look forward to a secure future in these challenging economic times.”

In response, Lance Bradley, Mitsubishi Motors in the UK’s Managing Director, replied,

“Even in difficult times for the UK motor industry and the world economy, our commitment to equestrianism and especially three-day eventing at all levels is as strong as ever. We are proud to pledge our ongoing support to all those who take part in the sport, whether riders, support staff, friends or families. This new agreement underlines our commitment to every level of the sport by including the Mitsubishi Motors Grassroots Championship as well as the main Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials itself.”

Badminton 2012 will be significant as a last chance for many international team managers to see their riders perform at a top 4 star event before heading to the London 2012 Olympics at Greenwich in the summer. It is also a reminder that it was at the last London Olympics in 1948 that the 10^th Duke of Beaufort, after watching a lacklustre performance by the British Three day Event team, offered Badminton Park as a venue for an annual Olympic format Event. In 1949 the first ever Badminton was run.

This year the International Trials run from Friday 4^th – Monday 7^th May, with the Cross Country again taking place on the Sunday and the climax on Bank Holiday Monday for a record first prize of £65,000, a fitting reward for the world’s premier Three Day Event. Riders will also be conscious that Badminton is part of both the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing and the HSBC FEI Classics Series, the two combinations of top events that unite the sport throughout the year. William Fox-Pitt as the current Burghley Champion is the man to watch for the Rolex Grand Slam, while Mary King will be keen to win the Classics Series again and was indeed the leading rider in the HSBC Rider Rankings at the end of the 2011 season.

Reflecting the excitement of a home Olympics, Badminton has decided to make its official ‘cause’ for 2012 Equestrian Team GBR, raising money for all the British teams taking part in Olympic, World and European Championships over the next four years.

Running just before the International event (Wednesday & Thursday 2^nd/3^rd May) will be the very popular Mitsubishi Motors Grassroots Championships, where qualified leisure riders get their chance to compete on the hallowed turf. Once again enthusiasm for this part of Badminton is huge, riders having qualified in autumn 2011 and now preparing for the most important days of their sporting life. In addition, for the first time for many years, Badminton will host on Thursday 3^rd May the first 2012 qualifying round for the Dubarry Burghley Young Event Horse Championships, which is sure to bring many breeders and followers to see the potential stars of the future.

As ever the Badminton weekend promises top sport, over 500 trade exhibitors and a great family day out. Wednesday 2^nd May which is Grassroots Dressage (only) day is free of charge but tickets for the rest of the great event go on sale now through the Badminton Box Office, which opened to previous customers on its Mailing List on 4^th January and will be available to everyone online from 11^th January at www.badminton-horse.co.uk.

ENDS

Further Information:
Julian Seaman, Badminton Press Officer, 41 Gastein Road, London, W6 8LT

T: + 44 (0) 207 385 0591; F: + 44 (0) 207 386 9820; E: j.seaman2@sky.com

Also:
Mitsubishi Motors Press Office

T: + 44 (0) 1285 647200; E: pressoffice@mitsubishi-cars.co.uk

Images available from:

Kit Houghton Photography

T: + 44 (0) 1278 671362; E: kit@kithoughton.com

The Box Office will open for all Public Bookings on Wednesday 11th January.

Imagine turning up at this prestigious event to a tent already pitched with airbeds inflated sleeping bags and pillows all in place and if you go for the all inclusive package you can have the lot, event tickets, tent pitching costs and car parking, you can even take your sleeping bag and pillow home with you or leave them and we will arrange for them to be given to a Charity. The tents will be in an area designated to only those staying there and have access to  loos and showers.

All you have to do is make your way to the event and go and enjoy yourself.

Greenfields Camping has always been a sell out at other events, and now it’s time to experience the easy way to camp at Badminton.

Head to www.greenfieldscamping.co.uk and choose your package now!

Most of our Contractors’ agreements have been finalised; the volunteers have been invited again – except for all the fence judges and cross country stewards, to whom we write in January; we have already got a couple of new supporting sponsors, to be announced in the New Year; the Box Office systems have been updated and tested, tested, tested…………lets hope all goes well in January!

That reminds me – why not give a Badminton ticket voucher for Christmas or indeed a birthday present? Ring Vicky or Delyth in the Box Office (01454 218375) and they will sort something out for almost any budget! The Box Office itself opens for online and telephone bookings in January, but they are all set to help you surprise and delight family or friends.
After Christmas there will be no time to spare as we head for Badminton 2012 – so all of our team wish our friends a very happy Christmas – and keep something on the credit card account to book tickets in the New Year!