Sister bloggers Abigail Brocks and Kate Smith have made it to their big goal with Just Todd, a 16hh 11yr old bay gelding from unknown origins – the Badminton Grassroots! First Kate’s daughter Eleanor (Nellie) fills us in on the final preparations, then it’s off the ‘big gymkhana in Gloucestershire’ for all the team and a great dressage score to knick it all off!
Nellie and Mike get Noddy the horsebox ready
The countdown to the Big B has started finally!! Gosh who would have known a 16hh thug that trampled you through a beech hedge would arrive at Britain's Grassroots Championships! Noddy ( the horse box)had a major spring clean ,inside and out as it will be Abi and Mike’s home for the few nights in Gloucestershire. The final jumping session was completed with Abi and Todd going for a jump at our friend Lara's; it was a beautiful park with a great oak tree and lovely ground. Todd went brilliantly and jumped 1.05m out of a double.
After that we all arranged to go to the pub for lunch but a slight malfunction occurred as there was no room in the car park, so we dropped into the local groceries and had our picnic in the field. Todd had some new trainers put on by our very own farrier, Mike!!
Kate takes up the story:
Then it was all go to get every thing packed and ready for the 2.5 hour journey to Gloucestershire. But before we left we had the pre-Badminton picnic with all the team
L-R: David (Kate’s husband), Mike (Abi’s husband), Mum, Lara (Charlie's wife), Charlie the vet, Amelia - with Eleanor and Abi at the front
Wagons roll!
Todd enjoying his home for the next few days
Camp all set and we have our home for the next few days. There is an amazing buzz here, with everyone being very friendly but Abi was starting to feel the nerves!! As was I!
Day one of competition started bright and breezy with none of us having much sleep due to very heavy and noisy rain for most of the night. Gemma arrived to ride Abi in, Todd seemed very relaxed and happy working in calm and not too affected by the buzzy atmosphere, scoring a pleasing 29.5. This leaves them just inside the top 20 at the end of day one, mind you there are another 40 horses to go tomorrow!
A very happy and relieved Abi after the dressage
Then it was hot dogs for all for lunch - seemed that we cooked for the fan club that had arrived to cheer us on – and we set off to walk the cross country. The going is about as perfect as it could be - old parkland turf that has absorbed the recent downpours leaving almost bouncy ground.
The fences are built to true Badminton tradition - beautiful in detail and, although somewhat smaller than the international course, still big and solid!
Abi choosing her lines for cross country
Who knows what tomorrow will bring? The forecast is good - so fingers crossed they have a good run and come home safe and sound.
Follow the Badminton Grassroots results here
