All Quiet on the Blogging Front

I'm currently in New Zealand enjoying a lovely autumn. There won't be much news on my blog for a while. I will post some scenic photos of the various places I am visiting at some stage - perhaps when I get a faster connection than I have at the moment. I'm back in London on the 12th of June, hopefully by then the weather will be lovely!
You can always email me if you want any specific news or photos - jane.thompsonuk@gmail.com
Regards
Jane

"Badders" All over for 2008

The presentations are currently still going on, but the result is through. Nicolas Touzaint held on to his lead from last night to take out the trophy. Emotional isn't a strong enough word to describe his reaction on completion of the showjumping. He was absolutely overcome, sobbing loudly, barely able to support himself. It took at least ten minutes before he was able to respond to the press. Amazing scenes, and I managed to get in a few good photos which will soon be uploaded for you to view.

Nicolas really is an exceptional rider. Well done to him, he rode brilliantly.

Caroline Powell did herself proud. She ended up fourth overall, a superb effort. Lenamore jumped clear in the showjumping and looked full of running. Out of all the horses I saw finish after yesterday's cross country, he finished the best and he certainly looked it today.

I had the chance to have a great chat with Andrew Nicholson and yes, I am still a BIG fan. He's a top bloke. Andrew has quite a reputation amongst the members of the press, some of them are downright scared of him. I've always found him to be amazing and that view hasn't changed. He had a bad day yesterday and his horse, Silbury Hill, did a tendon and will be out for at least a year. That's horses for you.

Im now going to get on and write those articles for www.horsetalk.co.nz. Then its back to London.

Badminton Update

All the horses are through the vet check.
Some more news from yesterday on Andrew Nicholson on Silbury Hill. Unfortunately the horse has broken down, and the last news was that the horse was being evaluated and under veterinary treatment. What a shame, he's a lovely horse but hopefully his injury isn't severe and we will see him back again soon.

The first part of the showjumping has just completed. Im sure you can all view the results on the Badminton website rather than have me repeat them here verbatim. So far, however, there have been only two clear rounds, none of them by the kiwi riders.

The top 20 riders go at 2pm, after the parade. Joe Meyer, Annabel Wigley and Caroline Powell are the three kiwi riders still to ride.

I've taken a heap more photos including the vet check and these will be downloaded tonight when I get back to London.

I've just seen Vicki Glynn coming back into the media centre with about ten bags under her arm, so we can tell where she has been for the last hour or so!!!

Chris Barclay, from NZPA, has thoroughly enjoyed his first ever equestrian event. We've given him a good lesson in all things horsey but have not yet been able to convince him to buy any tweeds or those gumboots with tulips or daisies.

J

Badminton Horse Trials Photos

Stories will go up eventually, and I will get around to editing of the 500+ photos I have taken! In the meantime, if you want to see the photos in their "raw" state, check out the link here. http://picasaweb.google.com/jane.thompsonuk/BadmintonDressage

There are also photos of the cross country. Check out my photos of Rodney Powell on the NZ bred ZinZan. It was one of the best recoveries I have ever seen and I managed to capture it quite well!
http://picasaweb.google.com/jane.thompsonuk/BadmintonHorseTrialsCrossCountryDay
I'll put some more up today after the trot up and the showjumping.

Articles that cover the comments from the kiwi riders can be viewed on the NZ Horse Talk site (http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/) - Robin has been doing a great job of editing the rushed quotes I send through to her from the kiwi riders.

We are here at the grounds early on the Sunday, about to go out to the trot up. Its threatening rain. Update: It is raining but hopefully only a shower. If it keeps raining at this rate, we are going to get very very wet. There's been lightening and thunder as well.

One of the saddest sights I saw yesterday was as we were driving out, quite late after filing stories and sorting photos. As we were driving out, we passed Andrew Nicholson, also driving out, as his event is over and he was heading home. His face said it all. His day must have been one of the worst he has ever had over his long and successful career. The event is also over for other fantastic riders, including Pippa Funnell and Andrew Hoy.

We'll hopefully get a chance to do a bit of shopping in between the trot up and the start of the showjumping, we have only just scratched the surface of the many shops here, but already I am the proud owner of a scottish scarf and a winter jacket.

Had a brief catch up with Toddy. His return to competing is being very well received here. Everyone is delighted to see him, he certainly is a legend here - and rightly so! He's off to a one day event today as is Jonelle Richards and Tim Price who were also here yesterday.

There's quite a kiwi contingent. It was good to see Vicki Latta here yesterday, on hand to support the young kiwi riders and giving them encouraging words after the cross country.