It was so lovely when I saw him at Burghley in 2015? 2016? I think Grass suits him, but Kentucky has got to be like home by now. Anyways I hope they do so well, and Badders next year?
Donner hasnāt been out to compete this spring, I wouldnāt expect to see him at KY.
Hopefully this really is just a well-deserved break and not an injury. Heās sixteen, has been very consistently running at a top level for several years and I would imagine Lynn really wants to preserve him for a run at Tokyo.
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Not sure why any of the riders would hold off for a team spot these days! All the glory is in Badminton and Burghley imo. Not to mention the team thing seems to leave a lot of people on the sidelines after a lot of hard work and proving they are good enough.
Maybe, but Lynn has a legitimate shot, moreso than many others. And she was the alternate for Rio so got a taste. Iām sure she is aiming for it.
Remember Donner has run around both Badminton and Burghley. Sometimes you want to do things for the experience of doing it, not as much expecting to win (although Iām sure Lynn goes to those with the intention of giving ever phase their best shot!). The Olympics is now the only thing Donner and Lynn havenāt experienced.
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Donner hasnāt run since last September at WEG.
Made it through the first 5 fences course walk there so far, WOW what a course! Not necessarily dangerous just you really better know your horse and be able to hold a line!
:eek:Waterfall at 15
Agreed 100%.
This is why U.S. riders will not find their way to consistent top-of-the-pack performances overseas with only one 4* each year on this side of the water.
As more NA 4*'s at last come on line, I would expect NA competitiveness to change over the 5 - 10 years following their start. Consistently, and with much deeper reach into the ranks to riders and horses at the top tier.
To excel at the highest level, one must compete at the highest level more often than once a year (and not always then due to the usual random factors). No sport expects otherwise.
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Love the course and wish I had bought tickets. Darn. It would be less than a trip to Rolex but just not feasible this year and that stinks.
Rolex gets you ready for Badders, given our low entries for Rolex this year, well - our Badders pipeline is looking grim. Unfortunate we arenāt buying and developing the right horses, syndication & big $$ financial backers are not new, thereās really no excuse.
Okay so Iām going to Badminton! This is my first time going - any tips? I know weāre doing the course walk with Lucinda Green but thatās all I know so far. Very excited.
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Tamie & Wembley are in 
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Where are you staying, have you hired a car and do you want to do stuff outside of Badminton too?
Weāre staying at the Ormond at the Tetbury, weāve got a car reserved and ordered tickets for everything - parking pass,daily entry pass, Membership badge, program and radio. We get in Thursday morning around 10:30 - and not sure if weāll got straight onto Badminton or check into hotel first.
Check in first, drop your luggage, eat, then get over for afternoon dressage. You will need spare hands for your first round of shopping.
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Fantastic! At least you are nice and close, Tetbury is a very Cotswold town, lots of Antique shops!
If you are flying into Heathrow, which I assume you are, then you might as well drop your stuff off at the hotel on route (itās quickest to come off the M4 at junction 15 and go via Cirencester for Tetbury).
For parking on dressage & sj days then I prefer the lake car park personally, if you head to Didmarton/Sopworth then you will follow signs into the lake.
XC day is mayhem. Allow plenty of time to get in. Depending on what you want and what the weather is like then a nice option is to park at Luckington Lane car park - access via Sherston & Luckington. It parks you right at the far part of the course (no where near the trade stands or main arena) but is good for picnic spots and traffic a bit easier. Close to the Vicarage V and the pond.
There is usually a lot of alcohol consumed and a live band on the Friday night at the bar by the main screen at the stands. Can be messy with lots of locals! Skinny dipping in the lake is optional 
If you need any other info just ask and have a lovely trip
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Not familiar with this pair, East Coaster, what type of horse is he? Iām excited to see a US rider
I saw him run at Fair Hill in 2017- he seems to be a brave XC horseā¦hopefully brave enough for Badminton 
Tamie is on fire right now
