Eventing

BADMINTON PHOTOS: XC Gallery

As the drama unfolded on Giuseppe della Chiesa’s course and the completing riders galloped for home to the cheer of the crowds, we caught up with some of them to hear how it had ridden and to find out how they would prepare for Sunday’s showjumping finale.

First out of the start box and home in one piece was Paul Tapner: “I had some anxious moments out there and the crowds distracted him to make some green mistakes but he loves his job and is a fantastic event horse.” Paul went on to say that ahead of the showjumping the horses would be massaged, checked over by the farrier and would be getting “a lot better treatment than you or I!”

Andrew Nicholson explained that Calico Joe is a very delicate horse and had spooked at everything from the stables right up to the warm-up area but left the start box “like a Ferrari and keeps making up time when you think you are losing it.”

Nicola Wilson was over the moon with her round on Beltane Queen, who she said was “such an honest, genuine mare with ears as forward as they can be.”

William Fox-Pitt said it was always tough to wait all day to go but his plan had been to not get any time faults.

Pippa Funnell revealed that she had doubted herself for running Second Supreme that morning but that there is “nothing more special than bringing a horse to his 1st 4* and although I have to work on his dressage, he is so special.” She hinted that she may be needing the help of the dressage supremos, Carl and Charlotte, to master her flying changes.

And Sir Mark Todd, who had a hairy ride in 2014, and was last to go on Oloa felt the horse had matured a lot and was really excited by his future prospects.

We have oodles of pics below but first up some shots from the water and check out the faces on some of the riders – not that we are surprised !

All photos © The Gaitpost