Southern Horse Magazine June / July 2016 | Page 12

3 Andreas Ostholt jumped in his military uniform and in fine German style jumped a calm collected clear, he was over the moon and hugged his horse nearly all the way round to the exit. Michael Jung had a 9 point lead and could afford two fences and time penalties to land him both the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials trophy £80,000 and the Rolex Grand Slam of Eventing trophy with a prize fund of $350,000 which equates to over £240,00 only ever achieved in 2003 by Pippa Funnell. Michael showed no pressure at all, jumped Sam around as if it were no effort and landed over the last fence clear producing an extraordinary climax to the event. The crowd showed their appreciation and stood up as he cantered Sam around the arena towards the exit. What a Badminton! The other British riders who featured in the top ten were Tina Cook who rode Star Witness who was catapulted up the leader board to seventh after her jumping round, Izzy Taylor riding Allercombe Ellie who finished eighth. Beanie Sturgis finished in 11th place [email protected] riding Lebowski ahead of Ben Way in 12th riding Galley Knight. Francis Whittington and Hasty Imp had 8 faults in the jumping that put him down to 21st followed by Laura Collett in 22nd and Zara Tindall in 23rd and after five fences down in the jumping Oliver Townend and Armada finished 25th It’s not all about the competiton though, over 500 outlets are on site from the day of the BE90 and BE100 competition to the final day selling everything you can imagine, from head collars and saddles to Strawberry’s and wine, sausages and candy floss. A real showcase of the country along with exhibitors from abroad offering what can only be describes as a shopping bonanza. If you haven’t visited the event before, mark the 2017 date in your diary, take the family and enjoy the best Eventing experience in the World. The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. Pictured are: 1 Michael Jung with the Mitsubishi Motors Trophy 2 Michael Jung on course riding LA Biosthetique Sam 3 Andreas Ostholt riding So Is ET 4 Gemma Tattersall jumping Artic Soul 5 Emily King riding Brookleigh 6 Tina Cook riding Star Witness 7 Izzy Taylor Riding Allercombe Ellie 8 Francis Whittington riding Hasty Imp 9 Oliver Townend riding Armada Images by Sebastian Oakley/ FEI Page 12