Badminton 2018

[OverandOnward]

Because the entries are up! So it’s not too early. Even though we know that list will change - possibly change a quite a lot, but we can still over-analyze it.

Every time my eye catches “Alexander NJ” my brain auto-thinks "Oh the rider is from Alexander, New Jersey, I didn’t know they put the rider’s hometown and besides he’s Australian … ", then I realize that “Alexander NJ” is the horse’s name. Every time. :winkgrin:

Madeline Backus and P.S. Arianna are on the entry list for Badminton !!! So excited for them, it’s wonderful to see a young rider making the most of opportunities. Wonder how many bake sale items it will take for that trip? (I know, she got a grant. Glad to see grants helping developing riders get experience.) Hope the pair have a great trip, whatever the outcome. :yes:

As for the other 4 Americans currently on the list - is that the probable WEG team? I’m out of the loop on that one. Or are the top WEG candidates staying this side of the water this year, to save their horses and take advantage of the home field opportunity?

Selena O’Hanlon and Katherine Robinson of Canada are on the list. No other Canadians, at this point.

So that’s this side geographically … further on, looks like many familiar names throughout.

Hope to see both Prices ride this year, sometimes it is just one or the other.

Jung is on the list with Sam. Remembering that he has basically said that Sam runs what Sam wants to run, so expecting Jung will do as much of the course as Sam wants to do, and no more. May all of it; maybe not.

Would it be a good guess that European WEG horses are likely to not run a big 4* at this point, so close to WEG? They have to travel overseas to WEG so guessing they will save their mounts for the trip. But - ?

Read somewhere that William Fox-Pitt and Pippa Funnel are on the waiting list. There are always so many changes, I’ll assume they will get in if they wish to be in.

[Equibrit]

Link;
https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/index.php/entries/2018/

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

My thought was that the US entries are probably NOT the WEG team. Wondered if Veronica and Fernhill Cubalawn might show up as cross entered at Kentucky with a final decision not yet made on whether they are pointed at WEG or not.

[NoDQhere]

Go Madeline Backus!

[rideforthelaurels16]

Here’s a full form guide and analysis for every combination entered, if you fancy a real big geek-out!

http://eventingnation.com/badminton-2018-entries-everything-you-need-to-know-and-some-things-you-probably-dont/

[Jealoushe]

What a great write up.

GO MJ & SAM!! Go Selena & Woody and all the NA riders!!!

[OverandOnward]

That is a great write-up! Entertaining writer. She has a great summary of the American and Canadian writers at the top, that’s nice of her as she seems to be based in the UK.

I wonder if Lauren’s plan is to step up the pace with Veronica this time. Whatever she does, I hope she makes the best decision for the horse. The placings can take care of themselves.

[Impractical_Horsewoman]

Oh, what a fantastic write-up! I’m going to have to re-read the whole thing later today.

I’m literally bouncing up and down with excitement! I didn’t know that P. Dutty (love that nickname) had been away for so long from Badders!

I admit I will always be rooting for Mark Todd, given how much he has given back to this sport and his history. But so many great stories and people to root for.

[OverandOnward]

I have to say, the riders that rode Kentucky and are now flying over to ride Badminton is adding to my interest! Who is on that list? Jung, Townend, Kieffer, Coleman … any others?

It looks as if Phillip Dutton isn’t riding, all entries withdrawn.

Am I missing something or has Tina Cook withdrawn all of her horses? Can we have a Badminton without Tina Cook ??

And Andrew Nicholson appears to have withdrawn all but Nereo. I can’t remember one in recent years that he wasn’t riding at least two horses.

Like Kentucky, the field appears to be mostly riders who have completed this course in the past, some of them many times. I don’t know how many first-timers there are (other than our American, Maddie Backus, of course, Go Maddie & Arianna!).

Wondering if the scores will be more closely grouped this year as they were at Kentucky, which had a field of veterans except for one.

[hopashore1]

Yep, Tina Cook withdrew all her horses…looks like an injury to herself. Hope she’s back in times for WEGs!

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/tina-cook-badminton-withdraws-651141

[Jealoushe]

If you haven’t checked them out yet, catch up on Selena O Hanlons blogs from her time there now prepping for Badminton. She’s staying with Mark Todd, sounds like quite the amazing trip so far!

[Equibrit]

I think most people’s 2018 competition year is designed to have them in the best position for the WEGs.

[Willesdon]

It is a really open field with 10 or so riders in with a good chance. The course has been in place since February when the really big logs were craned into position, the ground is lovingly tended all year round and no one is permitted to use it except for the XC, the rain has let up - Gloucestershire missed the deluge that hit the UK yesterday - and the forecast from Wednesday onward is warming temperatures and even some sunshine.

Just a completion gives you lifetime boasting rights and no rider expects to win it, but they all dream. For many riders Badminton means more than WEG. And there will be potential team horses running.

[Larksmom]

anyone know when the jog will be? Will we be able to watch this year? I can’t find the schedule anywhere. EN doesn’t even have it up and they are usually always early.

[fordtraktor]

The course looks really interesting and not as “holy crap that is scary” as last year.

I really like what Winter did with the Vicarage Vee. To my eye it looks much more forgiving. Hope the horses find it so too!

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

@Larksmom

anyone know when the jog will be? Will we be able to watch this year? I can’t find the schedule anywhere. EN doesn’t even have it up and they are usually always early.

Looks like in the US, our “legal” access is via Horse and Country TV which is a subscription service which you can purchase for $9 a month or (I think) $60 for the year.
https://horseandcountrytv.us/

I can get it on our Roku; tried to subscribe yesterday but don’t seem to have been successful. Will try again today. My plan is to cancel after the first month unless it has a lot of content I like.

Difference between GB time and Pacific time US is 8 hours. I believe the jog is scheduled for 4pm local time tomorrow which would put it at 8am Pacific (11am Eastern).

ETA: Supposedly able to access on any device once you are subscribed e.g. smartphone, Roku, computer.

[Larksmom]

thanks G&T! I have a roku, but the tv it is hooked up to is a bit squirrely. I am afraid to switch the screen, I have done it before, but am afraid it wont go back. I have sort of forgotten how to o it. Thanx for the times.

[OverandOnward]

The real story right now is Oliver Townend, who won the last Burghley, and just won Kentucky.

And one of his two mounts is Ballaghmor Class, his Burghley 2017 winner.

What are the chances for Ollie to be a Grand Slam winner? Percentage wise, would you say 80%+, or less than that?

[Larksmom]

I would say less. It is a crap shoot. But hey, don’t ask me! I can’t pick a winner in a two horse race. In 1973, I was on Sham!!!

[Groom_amp_Taxi]

@Larksmom

thanks G&T! I have a roku, but the tv it is hooked up to is a bit squirrely. I am afraid to switch the screen, I have done it before, but am afraid it wont go back. I have sort of forgotten how to o it. Thanx for the times.

I think the “trot-up” is actually at 4:30pm local time - not 4 as I said in my previous post.