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. The introduction of a safety top hat has turned the world of dressage upside down, turning everyone’s attention to perhaps valuing safety over looks. The development of this hat, which meets EN1384 safety standards, was spurred on somewhat by the Olympic dressage rider Courtney King-Dye’s accident back in March 2010. 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. Now if this isn’t reason enough to wear a hat every single time you ride then I don’t know what is. Courtney now cannot stress enough how important it is to wear a helmet that meets the current safety standards – quoting from her website;

‘When I first wrote on my website after the coma. I said I was all for wearing helmets, but I didn't want helmets to be all my accident means. Now I think it should be. What else could it mean? It's exactly that that helps save people from injury. It saved a few people we all know from having to go through what I went through. Guenter Seidel, Liz Austen, Debbie McDonald. They're three great riders who have had recent falls and didn't always wear a helmet before my accident. I've said before that if my accident saves ONE person from going through what I went through, it's worth it. That's THREE that everyone knows... Definitely worth it. I can tell myself that my accident is definitely beneficial because of that. Without it, like Lauren Sammis said, it's
just a simple tragedy. This gives it meaning.’

Courtney now no longer plans to wears a top hat to compete in, and calls herself ‘silly’ back when she used to wear one. So clearly, the introduction of this new safety top hat is nothing but a good thing. But will it catch on? Courtney’s accident may have provoked other riders to wear hats more frequently temporarily, but a year on we are still seeing riders both competing and riding generally without helmets 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!), and although yes it is a risk of safety to be on a horse without a hat, if anyone is allowed it surely is the Queen. 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. This is what is important.

I may have somewhat contradicted myself here, yet my message I hope is still clear. Wearing a safety-approved hat whilst riding is perhaps one of the most important pieces of advice for any rider to listen to. There is no technical understanding about it, no complicated nonsense to get your head round, just simple pure facts – they save your lives. I can give many examples of riders who have had their lives saved by simply wearing a hat; Oliver Townend at Kentucky 2010 and Elizabeth Power at Badminton 2011 are among the recent. If Courtney King-Dye had have been wearing a hat she wouldn’t have had to go through the trauma and life-changing experience that her accident brought upon her. A year later she still isn’t back to normal – do you really want to risk that happening to you? Can you afford to ruin your life in that way, or possibly even sacrifice it? I believe the answer to that is no. No more lives should need to be affected or ruined by the lack of a hat whilst riding. They save lives – it’s a fact.

Badminton: Saturday

The second day of the dressage at Badminton Horse Trials turned out to be a fantastic day of competition. Sadly though, before the dressage had even begun two horses were withdrawn, hot favourites Redesigned (Pippa Funnell) and Miners Frolic (Tina Cook). Both riders are obviously extremely disappointed, and we spectators are too - but I suppose that's the world of horses for you!

First to go was Vicky Brake with Looks Like Fun, scoring a perhaps disappointin 63.2, landing them in 76th place going into the cross country tomorrow. Also in the first section was 2010 winner Paul Tapner with his ride Kilfinnie II. They delivered an average score of 51.3, leaving them in equal 36th - perhaps not a score ready to defend his title. Other rides in the first section include first-timer Lucie McNicholl with Zeus of Rushall, scoring 55.8.

After the first break came Emily Baldwin with Drivetime, who gave a very impressive test scoring them 39.7 and into 5th place. Canadian rider Selena O'Hanlon gave a nice test on Colombo, leaving them in equal 10th with 43.3. Also to go in the second section was Andreas Ostholt (GER) with Franco Jeas, achieving a score of 44.5 to go in equal 15th.

After lunch came perhaps the most interesting of competition. Karen O'Conner arrived in the arena first with Mandiba, scoring a very respectable 44.5, in equal 15th with Andreas Ostholt. Then came the most outstanding ride of the day, belonging to Ruth Edge and Two Thyme. The pair gave an extremely impressive test that was a pleasure to watch, scoring them 33.3. This then put them into the lead above Laura Collett. Then came 2007 winner Lucinda Fredericks on her young - but very promising - Prada. They achieved a score of 46.2 to fit nicely into 20th place, a score no doubt Lucinda will be pleased with.

After the last break came perhaps the creme de la creme of competition. William Fox-Pitt was first up, with his second ride of Cool Mountain. With high expectations for the pair though, they achieved a somewhat disappointing score of 48.5, putting them into 31st position. Soon after came Nicola Wilson on the XC-machine Opposition Buzz. Not renowned for his dressage, Buzz often struggles to achieve marks better than 50, yet today exceeded all expectations by giving a beautiful test, scoring an impressive 44 and leaving them in 12th. Sure contenders for the top spot. Then came 2009 winner Oliver Townend on Ashdale Cruise Master. They too delivered an impressive test, with a score of 40.5 and 7th place going into the cross country. Next up was Piggy French on her relatively new ride, Jakata. They gave a fluent and extremely impressive test, which was reflected in the marks after they were awarded a 10 for the halt (the only 10 of the competition!). They achieved 36 and just nipped Laura Collett (36.5) into 2nd place. Then came Burghley 2010 winner Caroline Powell and Lenamore. Lenamore, despite being a veteran in the sport at 18, showed absolutely no signs of ageing and was rather too keen at times! Despite accidental changes and a few cheeky moments Caroline rode well to compose the test and they achieved 47.2 and into equal 24th. After Caroline came everyone's favourite - Mary King. Mary rode her second horse of the competition, Imperial Cavalier, and was clearly hoping for a better score than one given to Apache Sauce yesterday. And of course, she delivered, achieving a nice impressive test (despite a couple of mistakes), scoring 44.2 and into 13th. Last to go was the popular Mark Todd and NZB Land Vision. Toddy disappointed nobody by giving an impressive last test of the day and scoring 36.8 and into 4th - leaving the second day of dressage with a smile.

So, after the first phase of competition who seem to be in the running for the title?
Most definitely, Ruth Edge and Two Thyme. An experienced combination who are sure to prove themselves over the next couple of days. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if they gained the top spot on Monday. Others include Piggy French, currently in 2nd and Mark Todd in 4th. Oliver Townend too has a decent chance, as well as Nicola Wilson and Mary King. The top 20 competitors is sure to change over the next day. Many of the combinations are inexperienced, of which may show across the challenging 4* course. But of course, only time will tell!

Badminton: Updates

We're getting ever closer to the event, with the wait list being cut off at 6pm last night and the first Trot Up tomorrow. So, with the final list of accepted entries up, what changes are we looking at to the original plan?

Firstly, 2009 winner Oliver Townend is no longer the pathfinder after withdrawing Carousel Quest, ODT Master Rose and ODT Sonas Rovatio. This leaves him with the one ride, Ashdale Cruise Master. Instead, the job is given to Andrew Nicholson on a choice of three rides (one of which is yet to be withdrawn); Armada, Avebury and Nereo.

Seventeen horses have been accepted from the wait list in total after withdrawals, these include Aoife Clark and Vaguely North, 2007 winner Lucinda Fredericks and Prada, Lauren Shannon (Badminton first timer) with a second ride of Quixotic, Georgie Spence riding Birthday Night, Nick Gauntlett and Elektron and last to be accepted Swedish rider Dag Albert with Tubber Rebel, to name but a few.

Yet, there are still a number of riders in the competition with more than the allowed two horses entered. It will be tomorrow at the first trot up when we find out who the riders are presenting. These include the ever-favourite, Mary King, who has entered Imperial Cavalier, Apache Sauce and King's Temptress. It is thought Mary will ride the former two horses and leave King's Temptress, yet this is yet to be confirmed. As well as Mary, the famous Mark Todd still has three entered into the competition, leaving him pick of Major Milestone, NZB Grass Valley and NZB Land Vision.

Other rider updates include William Fox-Pitt's withdrawal of Seacookie, leaving him with Navigator and Cool Mountain. In addition, Polly Stockton has withdrawn both Regulus and Westwood Mariner - leaving her with just Westwood Poser for the competition. Caroline Powell (2010 Burghley winner) has taken Mac Macdonald out of the event, leaving her with the popular grey Lenamore and Boston Two Tip.

This certainly changes things in the run up to the competition, but firm favourites for the title still stay more or less the same. Will it be everyone's favourite, Mary King, who takes the title for her third time? Will Caroline Powell have another 4* win after Burghley last year? Or will the break have done Pippa Funnell well and she be holding up the trophy on Monday afternoon? Only time will tell!

One week until Badminton: Contenders for the top spot.

With one week until everyone's favourite event, who should we all be looking out for?

The entries for this year's event are possibly one of the best we've ever had. With Pippa Funnell making her Badminton comeback - six years after her 3rd win on Primmore's Pride and three years since her last Badminton run - she'll surely be in hot contention with her up and coming 10 year old, Redesigned, not to mention the mare Mirage d'Elle, who appears to be full of potential. Pippa is popular within the Eventing fans and all will be hoping for her to do well this year.

We've also got the ever-popular Mary King originally entering three horses into the competition; Apache Sauce, Imperial Cavalier and King's Temptress. All three are proven 4* horses and will all be in top contention for the number one spot. Mary hasn't won Badminton for eleven years, despite riding near enough every year - so we are all expecting her to come back even more competitive this year, no doubt still with her famous smile across her face.

When regarding contention for the top spot we of course cannot rule out the almightily successful William Fox-Pitt. William originally entered five horses this year, but since has withdrawn Idalgo and Macchiato to leave him with Seacookie (2nd at Burghley 2010), Cool Mountain (2nd at Kentucky 2010) and Navigator (2nd at Pau 2010). With these three horses William is surely in top contention for the 2011 title, and the crowd will definitely be supporting him the whole way.

Other riders tipped for the title include New Zealand's Caroline Powell on Burghley 2010 winner Lenamore. The 17-year old grey may be a veteran in the sport now, but is showing no signs of ageing. With a flawless jumping technique the popular horse is always a contender for the Badminton title, yet could this year be his year?

And of course we cannot forget our reigning champion Paul Tapner, returning this year with Kilfinnie II. Perhaps not one of the most well-known of horses at Badminton, yet gave a smooth clear round the Cross Country last year and if they can improve on last year's dressage score could easily climb up the scoreboard to a top spot.

I couldn't possibly predict any sort of result, as we often do get surprised! (Let me give the example of 2008; Clayton Fredericks coming a cropper at the Hexagon Hedge, Ruth Edge in the lake and both Pippa Funnell and Andrew Hoy falling at the Huntsman's Close). Yet other names up for contention could include 2009 winner Oliver Townend, Tina Cook, Ruth Edge, Nicola Wilson and Andrew Nicholson.

It is certainly looking to be another fantastic few days of Eventing at this year's Badminton.