Mark Phillips has his say on an extraordinary situation at Royal Jump and who impressed at Bramham
A number of Brits travelled to France for Royal Jump, with courses designed by Eric Winter, two weeks before Defender Bramham Horse Trials. Little did they know what surprises lay ahead.
The CCI4*-L was a middle of the road track, but many were able to slow down early and finish 20 seconds under the time, so those that went for a minimum eligibility result for the World Championships at Aachen got a cheap qualification.
In the CCI4*-S, after rider complaints the course was re-measured and came up 247m shorter than published, so the time was altered, but not all the riders got the message. Storm Straker was expected to be the winner, only to be demoted to fifth when the time was put back to that originally listed.
In the end, the FEI reversed the decision, something I’ve never heard of before, and Storm was deservedly reinstated as the winner.
The FEI determined that it was the riders’ responsibility to have attended the riders’ meeting and understood the revised timings and so favoured the results with the re-measured time from the two sets signed off by officials onsite. Well done to eventing director Molly Day and the FEI.
But how could this fiasco have happened with so many senior officials present?
At Bramham, the course-designer and technical delegate measured the course and came out 4m different on the short and 11m on the long. In over 40 years as a designer, I’ve never been 100m apart from my technical delegate, never mind north of 200m.
The FEI make much in their seminars of teamwork among officials. At Royal Jump, that must have broken down in a catastrophic way. Someone did not do their job as an official, with unacceptable consequences for the riders.
Impressed by Andrew Heffernan
After some years away from Bramham, I was impressed by the welcome from the Lane Fox family, the organisation and the wonderful atmosphere.
I was there as a selector for the Brits and also to work with course-designer Andrew Heffernan, who showed courage, passion and empathy for the horse. He has a great future as a designer and as he becomes “flavour of the month”, he must be careful not to spread himself too thin.
I thought that Bubby Upton rode with a discretion and a maturity that seems to have taken a long time coming. Selina Milnes was impressive and Yasmin Ingham continues to show promise with Gypsie Du Loir.
And on to Germany
Having worked as the five-star course-designer at Longines Luhmühlen for more than 10 years, it’s always good to return. On arrival I was greatly saddened to hear German coach Peter Thomsen had suffered a fall while riding at home and was in hospital. His many friends will wish him a speedy recovery.
The five-star had only 20 horses, with only two from Germany. It needs more support from the home team. But when the date falls so close to an August championship, numbers are always likely to be down.
The firm footing after last year’s drought was a factor in many Brits staying away. What an irony that this year they worked harder than ever on the ground and with thunderstorms after the Verti-Drain on Thursday and Friday evenings, the going was the best ever.
As always, Mike Etherington-Smith was kind with his angles and the jumpable width at the skinnies, but there were enough questions to warrant five-star status, if “five-star minus”. Much of the riding was definitely below par for a five-star.
Caroline Harris, though, was foot perfect across the country. With this confidence, hopefully next time she will leave a little more petrol in the tank for the final day as she finished 18 seconds under the time. But she had what she needed in reserve to jump clear and win her second five-star with D. Day, with Emily King taking second place.
The Brits travelled home from Germany with smiles on their faces. Let’s hope we can repeat the process in Aachen in August!
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