Somerley Park CIC** - The Drinks Are On Kitty

It was definitely warmer yesterday, and there did seem to be a bigger crowd at Somerley Park for the Chesterton Humberts CIC**. Unfortunately a combination of the day job and needing to get home for my kids prevented me from spending more than a few hours to watch the main event. The international class didn't start cross country until late afternoon, and with the sun getting low I had expected to see more than just Andrew Nicholson wearing sun glasses.

Sunshine & Somerley Park Horse Trials

Somerley Park Horse Trials | Another Great UK Eventing Venue

I love my day job, but after two weeks in the US trawling back and forth to San Francisco airport more times than I care to remember, the unseasonably good weather and Somerley Park Horse Trials was an opportunity not to be missed, so I downed tools for an afternoon and headed off.

Situated in the northern reaches of the New Forest, one of the most picturesque parts of southern England, Somerley Park is a truly great eventing venue, with acre upon acre of relatively level park land, which means good going and plenty of space, complete with the requisite stately home back drop.

Running Pre-Novice (BE100) up to Intermediate plus a CIC** over two days there were plenty of entries and a surprising amount of Tradestands around the show jumping arena. I seem to have chosen the best year to make my first visit. Apparently the last years have been a complete disaster weather wise, and judging by the size of the sponsor's tent, plenty of others were making the most of a mid-week break too.

UK Eventing's elite had an outbreak of short sleeves, and a cluster of course designers descended on Somerley , amongst which were Mike Etherington-Smith, Eric Winter & even London Olympic Course Designer, Sue Benson, who had a horse in one of the Novice classes ridden by David Doel.

Badminton 2012 – Just Who Is "Leading The Field"?

Andrew Nicholson & Mr. Cruise Control | My Favourite For Badminton 2012

The entry list for the 2012 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials was released a few days ago, and ever since almost every headline I’ve read has gone with “So-And-So Leads A Strong Field For Badminton, or words to that effect.

Michael Jung | Current World Champion

Personally, I think it would be very hard to call who is leading the field. Is it last year’s winner Toddy with Grass Valley, Former World Champion & Paparazzi favourite Zara Phillips, or current World Champion and Badminton virgin, Michael Jung?

So many on the entry list have a rightful claim to ‘lead’, and no doubt Hugh Thomas will once again tell us this is the strongest field he’s ever seen at Badminton – actually this year, he wouldn’t be far wrong.

Although this is something of a jinx event for Andrew Nicholson I think he really could have a live chance of grabbing the Mitsubishi Motors Trophy for the first time. Mr. Cruise Control is a horse I have followed closely ever since I saw the him stood in his stable at Andrew’s yard in February last year. This horse just oozes presence, has lovely paces and sailed around Pau CCI**** like a feather in a breeze. I go as far as saying this horse is as good as any on the circuit.



Here’s a quick run down of combinations I’ll be watching closely:

iPad - At last in Glorious HD

Horse & Hound | Now in Glorious HD

OK, a slight deviation from eventing, but the all new iPad is worthy of a little diversion particularly for eventers & eventing followers forever on the road. Usually I am an 'early adopter' of technology - I love tinkering with new technology, but I have resisted buying an iPad until now as there was so much more I felt it needed, like a high definition screen, and meaty processor, both of which have now been delivered in the latest version that launched in stores yesterday.

This model really does live up to the hype, the screen resolution is phenomenal! 16 megapixel photos from my camera look stunning, and reveal even more detail that you thought possible. It really does have to be seen to be believed, and the richness of colours is truly life like, makes other devices look fussy in comparison. New photo & video editing apps make it really useful for quick uploads from the field. Plenty of apps are, understandably, lagging behind fully supporting the high definition screen, but I'm pleased to report the digital version of the Horse & Hound scales up nicely - no more paper version for me. If I can persuade IPC Media to release Eventing Magazine into the ether now I'll be all set.