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Badminton - the final day

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Zara Phillips

Well it's been another classic Badminton - another brilliant display of horsemanship and a shining example of why this is still the greatest sport on earth.

Football fans may scoff, rugby lovers will probably laugh at such a suggestion but for me, this is where it's at. Mind you I still enjoy all those other sports, hopefully I'm not a total horse bore - yet!

Anyway, this year's Badminton has been great. There might not have been quite the same number of top horses and riders as some years; around a third of the field were first timers and there weren't as many Beijing Olympians as I'd expected.

But this is still the toughest three-day event in the world and that was backed-up by an exciting day's cross country on Saturday.

Course designer Hugh Thomas judged it to perfection catching out plenty of experienced combinations including none other than the world champion Zara Phillips – twice.

Her retirement on top horse Toytown was doubly disappointing for the Queen's grand-daughter as it may well have ruined her chances of making the British team for the European Championships this September. The pair will have to do something pretty remarkable to push either Oliver Townend, Lucy Wiegersma, William Fox-Pitt, Mary King or Kristina Cook out of contention.

I was so upset for poor Sharon Hunt whose wonderful Olympic horse - Tankers Town - refused to even start the cross country. She eventually got him going but was immediately eliminated because by then she'd had outside assistance.

That's not the kind of thing that's going to impress the selectors who obviously need reliable horses for team competitions. It just reminds us once again – horses are not machines.

I am so pleased for Oliver, his first Badminton victory and something to inspire young riders who maybe haven’t got backing from a rich mum and dad. He shows that you can make it in this sport, it just takes hard work. If there wasn't already a Flint Curtis fan club – there will be now!

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comment by anotherMellow (U13958218)

posted May 11, 2009

Greatest sport on earth? Yep, I'd say so. Had a great day on Saturday walking round the cross-country course with quarter of a million like-minded souls, I only wish I could have been one of the thousands packing the stands on Sunday.

I was surprised to find the Badminton results listed on BBC digital teletex listed under a headline beginning "Basketball:". BBC, do you really care anything about our sport?

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comment by rohansrider (U8478392)

posted May 11, 2009

Yes, there are some very rich people in the sport but also there are others who by sheer hard work and determination do well. Sound, fit event horses come at a premium that is why so many riders do not own their horses have to be sponsored. This argument has been around since Princess Anne started competing in the late sixties and as her daughter Zara Phillips took up the mantle.
I am not going to say that anyone can afford to event because that is sheer nonsense. William Fox -Pitt has over twenty horses at his disposal but he does not own them all. One things is for sure - it is not a sport for the faint- hearted

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comment by MerlinHC (U6630152)

posted May 11, 2009

I was on of the quarter of a million souls on Saturday, but I only go as I know how to get in for free via the numerous footpaths on the Badminton Estate, & I do enjoy it. I do however still think it is a sport for the rich, whichever way you you look at it.
I might try to get to the Beaufort Polo Club in June to see what that is all about.

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comment by dixon993 (U10060504)

posted May 11, 2009

As your previous article showed, this is a sport for those with money.

I feel no sympathy for Sharon Hunt. If you notice, the horse went through once she got off and told the other 4 people hitting it, running at it and pulling it to go away. Why did she try to scare her horse through? if she had just gotten off and back on in the first place!

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comment by oldsquashmonkey (U7896077)

posted May 13, 2009

Whose been the best at Badminton?
who were the best singles players ever - hartano, kops, morten frost or one of the chinese, or hashman for the females. What about the doubles ? does robertson and emms rank higher than archer and goode ? is baddeley and hallam the greatest british singles players ?

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comment by Dr Seven Grater (U9883004)

posted May 14, 2009

Hello jro.

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comment by Shabba (U10985904)

posted May 18, 2009

yes

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comment by fifa09king (U13970904)

posted May 18, 2009

Very exciting day!

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comment by rocklaura123 (U14132675)

posted Sep 10, 2009

i was planning to go this Year but i was on holiday , watched it , it was brilliant , Zara you did very well for your try. love our horse , what is his name? smiley

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