A GREAT RESULT FOR LUCINDA'S FIRST TRIP TO BADMINTON HORSE TRIALS

10 May 2013

 Wow, what a week we had at Badminton. Just to recap, Alfie and I qualified last September for the Badminton Grassroots Championships which took place last week. We had done so much in the way of preparation (and Mum seemed to have devoted the last 3 months to our quest for Badminton success!!) so I felt really keyed up and ready to get out and compete. The atmosphere was fab down there and Alfie really seemed to rise to the occasion.

We started out on the first day with our dressage, this is the phase we had focused on the most in terms of training so I was absolutely thrilled with how it all came together on the day. He was totally submissive and I rode a really accurate test, this left us in 11^th place overnight and not far at all off the leading score.

 

After a good night’s sleep (I was remarkable chilled and content with my first day of competition), we went in to the showjumping phase, this is usually Alfie’s strongest phase but I always feel that adds to the pressure as we are expected to go clear. Unfortunately he just had the triple bar down which I have to say was totally rider error – I need to be more decisive!!! This was disappointing as it dropped us down quite a few places but I knew the cross country was proving tough so it was still all to play for.

The cross country course was beautiful, it weaved in and out of the 4* course and passed right in front of Badminton House. Fence 6 was the water where we jumped straight into the Badminton Lake in front of all the marquees which was such a thrill. My ‘support group’ (made up of my brother, my dad and my fiancé) were at the water jump cheering which was lovely. The atmosphere on the course was great with at least 20 people at each fence. Alfie was on top form and jumped round clear with no sticky moments at all, he really showed his maturity. We ended up clawing our way back up to 11^th in the end which I was over the moon with, there were 65 starters and my aim was to finish top 20 so 11^th was great. I think Mum and I were ready to sleep for a week afterwards!

Alfie is now entered for this first Novice at Draycot at the beginning of June which is very exciting so it’s fingers crossed that he will be up for the challenge.

 

I am now trying to focus more time on Herbie (our 5 year old) which is proving fruitful, I took him showjumping training this week and he was fab, he seems to improve every time out. Fingers crossed he will do his first event in June – it doesn’t look like things are going to quieten down!!!

For now though, it’s my best friend’s Hen Weekend so I having a week away from horses to enjoy seeing all my old friends and giving her the send off into married life that she deserves....!

Love Lucinda (and Team!) xx