Sunny with a cool breeze today at Badminton and with the weather set fair for the rest of the week it is actually a delight to not have to pack everything from waterproof clothing to sturdy boots. It’s trainers and sun glasses and everyone is happy with that even if the ground is definitely going to be “top of” for sure. It has been the driest spring since records began so it is what is is, even if it is bemusing that last year was in danger of not running due to the amount of rain we had in March and April.
Tim was given permission to trot Vitali out of order as first to go which is a move Tim has perfected with quirky Vitali. He also has permission to not stop for the ground jury to look at Vitali in halt as Vitali simply engages reverse gear at that point which he has well sussed. Tim was pretty confident that Vitali was going to be more relaxed this year and he certainly headed straight through the arch looking confident and then did a drunken display as he zig zagged down the strip with his intent to trip Tim up pretty obvious. Tim got to the end still on his feet so Vitali abandoned Plan A and came back looking amazing.
Viscount Viktor went a few horses later and was pretty over awed with the sight of the crowds as he has been ridden though the arch and has walked through to hand graze allot in the last few days and they certainly were not there then! Viktor decided that the best plan for defence was to come back as fast as possible and Tim described it ” as a sprint as I had to keep up with his rhythm and it was a huge trot stride he threw up there”.
Jonelle and Grappa Nera (Grape) were also up fairly early and Grape looked the total princess as her gleaming black coat complimented Jonelle’s pretty https://www.meandem.com summer dress. They both looked like proper athletes and it was a lovely display.
You can watch the action on https://www.clipmyhorse.tv/en_GB/ ( you can buy a Badminton ‘pass’ and not have to pay the full sub for all of the CMP content) and follow live results for free on https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk
Dressage start times all here : https://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/dressage-start-lists-2025/
