Somerley horse trials 2012 results

Perhaps a certainty for the team although in our sport 'certainty' is never a wise word to use! Yet, we can never predict anything in Eventing so take any news at this point in the selection process very lightly.

Other likely combinations qualified for the Olympics include Nicola Wilson and everyone's favourite Opposition Buzz. Their pathfinder skills across country are invaluable for the British team and I'm sure everyone would love to see them skipping round Greenwich this July.

In addition, Blenheim winner Piggy French and her top horse Jakata are also in the running after a 2nd place at Badminton and 9th at the Europeans, yet it has often been noted that this horse's way of going isn't suited to the twisty course at Greenwich. After a devastating for Tina Cook's ride Miners Frolic their hopes for the Olympic team were perhaps dissolving rapidly, but after a fantastic recovery Miners Frolic is fully fit and raring to go for this season.

Part of the gold medal winning team at WEG in and Olympic medallists in , Miners Frolic and the experienced Tina Cook were perhaps in good contention for the Olympic team going into , but after being diagnosed with colitis shortly after Badminton Miners Frolic was in a critical condition and their season came to an abrupt end. It is up to them now to prove their place on the team in the few months of qualification we have left before the final selection takes place.

Another rider hoping to make Olympic qualification this year after injury in is Pippa Funnell and Redesigned. They were perhaps a surprise choice for the WEG team, with Pippa making her first team appearance since , but they proved their worth and finished on their dressage score for a very credible 5th place.

This result has most definitely put Redesigned as one to watch for future years, and a few good runs at the beginning of this season will put him and Pippa in good contention for Olympic selection. They aim for the one-day at Burnham Market in April to kick-start their quest for qualification.

Knowing Eventing and the horse world we simply cannot predict anything accurately though and the results of the spring events, namely Badminton, will be the deciding point for many.

The final five team members will be named on July 6th, 3 weeks before the Olympics will begin. Whoever manages to make the coveted places on Team GBR will I am sure do the country proud and we look forward to this season, one of the most exciting years of sport in recent history, with bated breath.

Good luck to all. Sunday, 29 May Is Equestrianism falling into the shadows? Is Equestrianism falling into the shadows? Is this an indication that our sport is falling into the shadows? The television coverage offered now on non-satellite television is minimal, and the recognition given to our top riders and horses is also trifling. So why is our sport getting so little acknowledgment from the outside world?

We can switch on the television at the weekend and see the likes of snooker, golf and darts — sports which probably have a similar following than equestrian - yet we rarely see footage from our top events and competitions.

Obviously not everyone brands us with this mark, and certainly not all of us oppose this image, yet this particular stereotype pushes the distance. Yet, for some this cannot be further from the truth. Many of us are not rich because we have horses, not the other way round! This image given to us will instantly put others off the sport. According to the BBC, the reason they dropped the likes of the Hickstead Derby in was due to low viewing figures and the fact that they wanted to cover a wider range of sports.

Now, call me wrong but I am yet to see any change in the range of televised sports on the BBC. Perhaps the low viewing figures can also be blamed on the lack of advertising and information given to us about when our events are going to be televised. Other sports around the world get quick adverts and media coverage to inform us, yet equestrian sports get none of this. Badminton was not once advertised on television, despite being on the red button all day and on BBC2 for hours.

Perhaps the low viewing figures can be blamed on this. The less televised coverage and media coverage equestrian sports get, the less people are likely to want to know more and get involved. I know for a fact many of my close non-horsey friends have no interest whatsoever in watching an equine sport on television, yet will happily watch tennis or football — neither of which they personally take part in. Yet this was disappointingly not acknowledged by our national papers or news teams.

In my opinion they deserve so much more credit for what they do, and I hope that the current media state will improve in the future. Labels: Badminton horse trials , bbc , equestrian , horse , horse and country , horse riding , sport , television. Friday, 13 May The big hat debate.

Recently the whole debate about whether or not a helmet should be compulsory to wear in the dressage arena has arisen, as I am sure you are all aware.

Whilst schooling her horse at home he slipped and fell, knocking her unconscious, fracturing her skull and leaving her in a coma for almost a month. Courtney was not wearing a hat. So clearly, the introduction of this new safety top hat is nothing but a good thing.

But will it catch on? Proof that possibly the message is yet to really catch on — and that this new hat may take some getting used to. Will riders really sacrifice appearance for safety? I certainly hope so. The debate continued when a photo of the Queen was published earlier this week. It showed the Queen riding along with two of her grandchildren. Queen Elizabeth was not wearing a hat — sparking outcry from the safety-conscious of the equestrian world.

It is well known that she very rarely rides with a hat, and instead chooses to replace it with a headscarf. At the age of 85 it is wonderful that our Queen is still riding I certainly hope to still be in the saddle at that age! I am not in any place to tell our Queen what to do, and I am certainly not going to judge! In this photo I believe what you have to focus on is the fact that the two children are wearing helmets, one even in a body protector.

I hope that with hard work I can achieve this goal. Laura Collett Laura is one of or most talented young riders, she has a great future ahead of her. Laura Collett Eventing I am based at The Membury Estate in the beautiful Wiltshire countryside where I have access to some fantastic facilities in which to produce and train event horses.

Leonard Goerens International Event Rider, Leonard Goerens offers a wealth of experience to potential owners, sponsors and those looking to enjoy the sport of Eventing. She may have one of you!! Polly Jackson Find out what Polly's been up to!! Snowball Farm Equestrian Centre We are a family-run Equestrian Centre where all ages and all levels of experience are welcome. We are able to teach almost anyone to ride. A full range of Livery services are available and we hold a number of shows throughout the year.

Snowball farm is situated on the border of the beautiful surroundings of Burnham Beeches, just 5 minutes from the M4 J7 and M40 J2. We are only 30 minutes from West London. She is based near Bridgewater, Somerset. Teem Bleekman Eventing and competition is the Bleekman passion! We have been involved in all the aspects of producing top combinations since the seventies — from breeding through to World Championships.

Our aim is to carry on producing world class horses and their riders — and have a team that is successful and fun to be with all the way. Whittington Eventing Francis Whittington is fast gaining a reputation as being a strong medal contender in the world of British Eventing.

Bournemouth Air Festival Garden Wildlife 08AUG Beijing E-mail this to a friend Printable version. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Discuss the action at Badminton and other equestrian events. Glos in control thanks to Gidman. Baldwin leads Badminton challenge. Jones quizzes Rabeni move wisdom. Badminton 60 years on 06 May 09 Olympics.

Equestrian UK results 24 May 06 Equestrian.