Eighty-one riders from six nations set out on the long road to glory over the four days of the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials, but few would have any inkling how treacherous that road would be.
This was a great Badminton; the standard of dressage was widely regarded as the best ever, and you could throw a blanket over the first dozen riders after the first phase with 2006 winners Andrew Hoy (AUS) and the now 17 year old Moon Fleet leading the way.
The dramas though were yet to come over Hugh Thomas’ 6,374 meter cross country course. After the problems in 2007 with the ground, a great deal of work had been done during the year to ensure the best possible going and the competitors could not have been more complimentary. One by one the great riders emerged as they went around the course.
One by one the favored horse and rider combinations were eliminated by the relentlessly demanding nature of the course, but not the reining European champion, Nicolas Touzaint who showed why he is a champion as he repelled all comers both across country and in the thrilling show jumping finale.
This DVD shows the leading dressage test in full plus other dressage highlights, comprehensive cross country coverage and the best of show jumping.
100 mins.
RESULTS
1 Hidago de Lile Nicolar Touzaint (FRA) 48.4
2 Shaabrak Lucy Wiegersma (GER) 49.8
3 Ballincoola William Fox-Pitt (GBR) 52.1
4 Lenamore Caroline Powell (NZL) 52.8
5 Tankers Town Sharon Hunt (GBR) 54.9
6 Tom Quigley Polly Stockton (GBR) 59.7
7 Opposition Buzz Nicola Wilson (GBR) 59.8
8 Bonza Puzzle Matt Ryan (AUS) 60.3
9 Hope Street Daisy Dick (GBR) 61.3
10 Fachoudette Georgie Davies (GBR) 61.6
