Andrew Nicholson, winner of two Olympic group bronze medals plus a group silver, on the build-up to Paris, plus a surfeit of four-stars this spring
We’re six weeks away from the Paris Olympics, and the ultimate choice battle is effectively underway. The CCI4*-S at Bramham, and the identical class this week at Luhmühlen, are proving hotter than the respective CCI4*-L and CCI5* competitions because of this.
Properly completed to Kitty King for being first off the blocks and successful at Bramham using Vendredi Biats. I shall be in Luhmühlen watching with curiosity because the likes of Laura Collett, Tom McEwen and Yasmin Ingham face the highest Germans, New Zealanders, Italians, Dutch and so forth.
As I write this, I’m on my approach again residence from Avenches the place the Swiss group, for whom I’m the cross-country coach, gained their residence Nations Cup. Robin Godel scored his second four-star win of the 12 months, and Felix Vogg, who gained the CCI4*-S in Wiesbaden final month, completed runner-up. This was their fundamental Olympic trial and the outcomes have been pleasing.
It’s fascinating to see the totally different nations constructing as much as the eventing on the Olympics. The usual there can be a lot larger than the common British-based particular person will assume; there are numerous nations wanting excellent.
I believe when it comes right down to it, there’ll nonetheless be a restricted quantity of those that can do all three phases very effectively and go quick sufficient throughout nation round a nine-minute monitor – that depth is sort of tougher than doing so spherical an 11-minute one – so there might effectively be a shock winner.
“There isn’t any excuse”
The knock-on impact of those ultra-competitive CCI4*-Ss have to be one of many causes that the long-format courses at Bramham, Luhmühlen and others have suffered by way of numbers of entries.
There have been too many four-stars this spring. I do know that riders wished them, as they have been eager to get certified for the Olympics as quickly as they may and with as many choices as they may, in order that they began campaigning early on the likes of Montelibretti, Kronenberg, Strzegom and so forth, however that meant that the likes of Bramham have been left with slim pickings.
It does, I believe, display the extent to which British occasions have been supported by riders of different nationalities previously. Maybe British Eventing has spent an excessive amount of time worrying concerning the grassroots degree of the game and brought its eye off the ball as regards the highest finish.
Riders are mountaineering off overseas to occasions with flatter floor and all-weather surfaces, hoping for – however not at all times getting – higher climate situations, however that isn’t typical “British” cross-country as we all know it, and I do assume the results are being seen on the main occasions.
Disappointing using at Badminton
I assumed a few of the using at Badminton was very disappointing. Horses appeared extra like present horses than top-level occasion horses; too fats and never match and streamlined sufficient to do the job. I don’t perceive why.
Badminton on the finish of a moist spring wasn’t ever going to be concerning the dressage – riders had loads of warning. There isn’t any excuse for not having horses sufficiently match – we have now tons of gallops within the UK and plenty of racehorse trainers eager to assist.
Lucy Latta, who completed second for Eire, was a breath of recent air, using evenly and positively. Alexander Bragg, third, appeared very safe in what he was doing, and naturally my compatriot Caroline Powell was an amazing advert for what she does – she rode her horse her approach at her velocity, caught to her recreation plan and gained.
Ideas and sympathies
We’re all deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic demise of Georgie Campbell at Bicton. Our ideas and sympathies are along with her household and her husband Jesse. They’ll know, nonetheless, that sadly nothing can ever make our sport completely secure. All we are able to do is put together ourselves and horses in one of the best ways attainable, as Georgie did.
● Which riders do you assume can have a great probability of succeeding in Paris? Tell us at hhletters@futurenet.com, together with your identify, nearest city and nation, for the prospect on your letter to seem in a forthcoming problem of the journal
This unique column may even be accessible to learn in Horse & Hound journal, on sale Thursday 13 June
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Kitty King and Vendredi Biats win Bramham’s CCI4*-S, which obtained bumper entries in comparison with the lengthy format four-star on the similar venue.
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