On Form: Combinations to watch at Badminton

For the leading riders, the Gloucestershire 4* event will be a chance to impress selectors with an eye to the Rio Olympics in August. Undoubtedly leading the challengers for this year’s title is Michael Jung, who emphatically won the Rolex Kentucky title on Fischerrocana at the weekend for the second successive year.

Partnering his triple gold medallist winner La Biosthetique Sam FBW, Michael will be hoping that he can complete the final leg of the Rolex Grand Slam.

The duo’s statistics at the top level are extraordinary – Sam has not finished out of the top five, in all his completed starts, since his first international start in 2006 and has yet to score above 40 penalties in the dressage phase since the 2012 Olympics. The pair finished second here in 2013 (to Jock Paget and the retiring Clifton Promise) after knocking the last fence in the show jumping but they generally have a good record in the final phase.

Michael himself has stated that his choice for the Olympics is his European Champion, FischerTakinou, and so it can be assumed that Sam will be primed for this event.

Australian challengers

However the German star will not be allowed a moment’s respite particularly with the likes of the in-form Christopher Burton, who won the CIC*** at Belton in April on Nobilis 18.  Having won last year’s British Open at Gatcombe, the Australian rider went on to finish third and fourth behind Michael and Sam at Burghley and is set to be one of the biggest dangers to Michael this year.

In a twist of irony, Michael rode Nobilis 18 at one-star level before Christopher took over in 2013. Together, they have won three out of their seven international starts, before finishing second at Blenheim CCI*** last September.

It would be dangerous to rule out Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh who won the title in 2014 and are generally reliable in all three phases. Dressage has been the slightly weaker phase for the mare, having scored in the late 40s until Burghley last year where they scored an excellent 42.5, but with a polished test they can certainly trouble the leaders.

With the likes of Sam Griffiths, Andrew Hoy, Lucinda Fredericks and Paul Tapner winning in recent years it is clear to see that Australia has an excellent record at the event and it would be unwise to rule out another win from their formidable team.

The strong New Zealand team

As usual the New Zealanders will be strongly represented and includes the likes of returning hero Andrew Nicholson (Nereo), Sir Mark Todd (Leonidas II), Jock Paget (Clifton Lush) and Tim Price (Ringwood Sky Boy).

Editor’s Note: Andrew has sadly withdrawn Nereo (3rd May 2016)

The latter has had a torrid time of late with top ride Wesko being ruled out of the Olympics due to injury but has a good chance with his second string provided he performs well in the show jumping.

It would truly be a fairy-tale for “Mr Stickability” to win the prestigious title at last. Having completed the event a record-breaking 35 times, he has a formidable record with the ever-reliable Nereo.

With over 2500 British Eventing points, the gelding is not short of experience but he will have to avoid the costly show jumping faults from last year if he is to give Andrew his first win here.  An ultra-reliable horse, particularly in the first two phases, he is capable of completing on his dressage score and the pair finished third behind Jock and Michael in 2013.

In something of a throwback to the 1990s, where the New Zealand team were dominant, we welcome back the former world and Olympic champion Blyth Tait. Having made a return to the sport in 2011, Blyth brings two horses to Badminton, having not ridden at the event since 2003, in an attempt to impress the selectors for Rio.

A mixture of youth and experience

The British contingent is particularly strong with past winners such as Pippa Funnell and Oliver Townend, who will be pathfinder, heading the list. The former Rolex Grand Slam winner has both the exciting Billy Beware, who finished sixth here in 2014, and Second Supreme entered.

Editor’s Note: Pippa has sadly withdrawn following her fall at the weekend (3rd May 2016)

We are keeping everything crossed Pippa makes a speedy recovery following her fall at Great Withington at the weekend.

Oliver has the 2014 runner-up Armada amongst his three entries – the chestnut gelding is not the easiest to show jump, having 16 and 20 jumping faults at his two four stars last year, but is a delight to watch across country.

The ever-popular Mary King, who is without a ride this year, will be stepping into the role as groom for daughter Emily who finished fourth on her four star debut at Pau last year. Riding the unconventional Brookleigh they are a pair to watch and are likely contenders for the best under-25 prize at Badminton.

Izzy Taylor and Gemma Tattersall will hope to continue their good runs of late with eye-catching performances on their respective mounts.  Izzy has not always had the most luck at Badminton but the diminutive Briarlands Matilda has run well on her first two starts this season, finishing eighth in the CIC*** at Burnham Market, and has plenty of experience at four star.

Gemma’s ride, Arctic Sole, can get tense in the dressage phase – the 13-year-old thoroughbred scored in the late 40s at Badminton and the Blair Europeans last year – but is highly reliable in the jumping phases and has finished fifth at Burghley in the past.

Former junior and young rider European champion, Laura Collett, has an exciting partnership with the striking Grand Manoeuvre.

After finishing 28th here last year the combination were selected for the Blair Europeans and finished a respectable 13th. The chestnut gelding has a massive stride but is not the quickest, having accumulating 14.4 and 10.8 time penalties at Badminton and Blair last year.

An uncharacteristic stop in the show jumping at Blair was of slight concern but the partnership generally have a solid record in the final phase.

Following in Touzaint’s footsteps?

Frenchman Astier Nicolas will be another young rider hoping to make it to the winner’s enclosure, having tasted victory at the four star level at Pau last year on Piaf de B’Neville.

Riding the feisty Quickly du Buguet, who is aptly named given how quickly she goes across country, Astier will be hoping to emulate compatriot Nicholas Touzaint who won in 2008 on Hildago De L’Ile.

Italy’s time to shine?

Victoria Panizzon will be looking to make history and become the first Italian rider to win the Mitsubishi Motors Trophy on the wonderful mare Borough Pennyz.

The combination, who have been penalty-free across country since 2011, finished seventh here in 2013 and were placed at the London Olympics after faultless jumping rounds. The striking grey has not always found the dressage phase particularly easy but she has consistently scored in the mid 40s at the top level in recent seasons.

By Kitty Trice