Austrialia’s Andrew Hoy has won Badminton Horse Trials for the first time – 27 years after first attempting it. Hoy finished on his runaway dressage score of 36.5 pen to win eventing’s most prestigious crown, over ten points ahead of runner-up Ingrid Klimke(GER). Britain’s Oliver Townend, 23, finished in third position with Flint Curtis.
Hoy is delighted to have finally stamped his name on the Badminton trophy. “I was riding around the arena at home three weeks ago and my wife Bettina said ‘Moonfleet’s going to win Badminton.’” Hoy explained, after the Australian national anthem had been played to commemorate his victory. He later added that Bettina had also predicted a 36 pen dressage score: “I think I might have to listen to her a bit more now,” he said.
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Ingrid Klimke was ecstatic with her debut Badminton result. “When I watched the competition in 1994 I thought it was not possible for me,” she said, “But now I have done it and finishing behind Andrew Hoy is as good as winning it.” Klimke and the British bred Sleep Late clocked up just four jumping penalties in what must have been one of the most nerve-wracking rounds of her career. But with a fence in hand, the pair held on to second position and Sleep Late won a special prize for being the highest placed horse sired by SHB(GB) graded or premium stallion.
Despite knocking two rails, Oliver Townend and the relatively inexperienced Flint Curtis retained third place – the position they held after yesterday’s cross-country. As Britain’s most successful rider at Badminton this year, Townend was awarded the Butler Challenge Bowl. “I hope the selectors will have their eyes open,” he said, “I think Flint Curtis will only improve from his Badminton performance.” The 10-year-old gelding has now completed a one-star, two-star, three-star and a four-star competition and will have a short break while Townend decides where next to compete him.
But Townend was not the only Brit to demonstrate mastery in the show jumping ring – no less than seven British riders finished in the top 10. Jeanette Brakewell and Over to You proved why they are long-standing members of the British team, moving from 12th to fourth position after a stunning clear round. Brakewell was the first competitor to finish on her dressage score and her result marks the 5th time she has finished in Badminton’s top 10.
Veterinary surgeon James Robinson and Comanche jumped clear to take fifth place followed by Sharon Hunt, Lucy Wiegersma, Daisy Dick and William Fox-Pitt, all of whom clocked up an unfortunate four pen. Wiegersma, Dick and Hoy all finished with two horses in the top 20. An expensive two poles for Ruth Edge and Two Thyme – fourth at the beginning of the show jumping – relegated them to 11th position.
After a superb cross-country round yesterday, young talent Harry Meade finished just outside the top 20 – knocking one pole in the show jumping. But Meade did not leave Badminton empty handed. At prize giving the 23-year old was presented with a saddle for the highest place British rider U25, a trophy for the highest placed British rider who has not previously completed the event and the Cotswold Life trophy for the best local rider not entitled to wear a Union Jack.
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