Alice & Murph‘s Mitsubishi Motors Cup blog: a little disappointment but the most amazing experience

We are over the thrill of Badminton and what a few days we had, followed by being glued to watching the five-star competition that showed the ups and the downs of a fantastic sport. Poor Oliver Townend — I am a massive fan of his, as look at what he can do with horses — his consistent marks and results and also his big point of only losing weight to improve likelihood of an improved performance. But on the flip side, go Piggy! And what a mare Vanir Kamira is.

A costly error in the dressage, in the medium trot breaking into canter, cost us a decent score, as it then took a movement or two to get it back (perhaps I asked for it to early, or maybe he just anticipated it) as it’s normally a good movement for him. But hey ho, it wasn’t meant to be. I was glad he relaxed though as during his morning exercise at 6.30am he heard the Beaufort hounds in their kennels down the road and thought he was hunting!

I then walked the cross-country with my super-groom mum, who glanced over at the big track and said she definitely will not be watching if I get there! The 100 course to me looked a decent track, some bigger attacking jumps, then with a few technical fences. I was confident and so were a few riders that had jumped around a BE novice previously — apparently it was tougher than normal but the showjumping was smaller. I then walked it with childhood hero Mary King (I have to admit Pippa Funnell was my number one though!), which was interesting. The biggest thing I learnt was always go the shortest way round, hug the rail or the rope — I’ve taken that on board!

His ears were pricked right from the start until the finish and he loved it. The only thing I think he looked at was cantering over a bridge. He loved people cheering, it’s a buzz which you’re not really used to, as at every fence someone is cheering you on. Murph is very quick across the ground, so I was actually concerned about going too quick. I had my minute markers on my arm, which I kept glancing at. The sixth minute was at a tree before the double of corners fence 20. I was about 20 seconds up so it meant I could take a pull and ride those fences in more of a showjumping canter. The CrossCountry App works it out for you, and as I step up the levels, the speed I’m going is something I really need to take note of.

We rushed over to the Burghley Young Event Horse class after the cross-country so that Freddie could compete in the four-year-old class. We had to hack all the way over the the other side of the estate with the young horses, which proved difficult for some. Freddie aka Rock N Around was more excited on the way home though! He behaved like a pro and finished fourth — thrilled was an understatement! He is part-owned by mum too, so it was great that she witnessed what a star in the making he is. Not many four-year-olds will rest their leg in a prize-giving!

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

TOPICS

Alice & Murph‘s Mitsubishi Motors Cup blog: a little disappointment but the most amazing experience

Badminton final scores

You might also be interested in:

Alice & Murph’s Mitsubishi Motors Cup blog: pyjamas and Beyoncè

Dreaming of jumping round the BE100 Mitsubishi Motors Cup in 2020? Here’s how this year’s course looked and rode…