Badminton first-timer’s blog: I’m overwhelmed by how awesome Miley is [VIDEO]
So the late blog this evening might have something to do with the fact we’ve been enjoying and celebrating Mr Miley’s (Absolut Opposition) superb completion of the cross-country course at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials today!
My initial reaction was of slight frustration for picking up 20 penalties at the Mirage Pond when I was up on the time and sitting on a good cross-country horse (Miley’s first ever 20 penalties on his record I think). He just lost a little bit of concentration as he came to the fence and he didn’t quite read it correctly, but he is only a young horse at this level at 10-years-old.
But now I’ve had a moment to reflect on our performance I’m overwhelmed by how awesome Miley is and how incredible this whole Badminton experience has been.
My main aim was to get through the finish flags with a sound horse and we’ve achieved that. Miley coped brilliantly with all of the cameras and everything going on around him which is special for a horse of his age.
The support has been phenomenal and the crowd and cheers as we went round was amazing.
Badminton final scores
It is a slightly surreal realisation that Miley and I have actually just jumped round our first Badminton and the most prestigious event in the world!
He was pure class, loved every minute of it and most importantly seems in great order this evening having not taken anything out of himself.
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I cannot wait to see photos and a replay of our round and I’m looking forward to the showjumping tomorrow!
Keep everything crossed for us.
Nana
You can keep up-to-date with all the action from Badminton with H&H Live every day this week on horseandhound.co.uk.
Don’t miss the full Badminton report on sale Thursday 14 May 2015.
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Nana first joined our blogging team in the run up to her first attempt at Badminton Horse Trials in spring 2015, then rejoined us as a guest blogger during the Land Rover Burghley Horse Trials in autumn 2015. She also shared her highs and lows while competing at Burghley in 2019.