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Badminton 2019 was once again another incredible event for the HTSG, especially as our fundraising events raised over £3000, more than doubling the total from 2018. These funds will go directly to supporting the British team heading to the Tokyo Olympics. A big thank you to all those members and guests who came to the marquee and brought raffle tickets and bid in our auction.  Amazing collection of raffle prizes As you’ll know the British riders had a successful event with Piggy French winning her first 5* and making it the 100th British 5* winner ever. In total 6 of the top 10 placed riders were British which is fantastic news for our teams going forward towards the Europeans this year and Olympics next year.  Piggy French & Vanir Kamira - 2019 Badminton Winners Our marquee was the usual epicentre of activity at Badminton with riders, trainers, world class teams and of course our members coming in to have refreshments all week and of course our infamous pre-cross country breakfast. We organised two events this year, our now traditional cross country preview evening on the Friday and an evening of comedy with Rory Bremner following the cross country. Our cross country preview evening panel The cross country preview proved to be very popular again this year with the marquee full with members and guests. On the panel were HTSG Ambassador Laura Collett, former Badminton winner Pippa Funnell, Team GBR Performance Manager Dickie Waygood and Badminton course designer Eric Winter. In addition to this we had Diarm Byrne of EquiRatings picking out the ones to watch and where he thought the event could be won and lost. As usual, committee member Spencer Sturmey did a great job of compering the evening. Following the cross country on Saturday evening, members and guests joined us for a very entertaining evening of comedy with Rory Bremner, who also acted as auctioneer for our fund-raising auction. Rory is a big equestrian fan with his daughter competing regularly and he brought us some very topical and hilarious impressions, including President Trump and Oliver Townend. Rory Bremner and his impressions... Throughout the event we ran a series of cross country course walks with Yogi Breisner, Ginny Elliot, Spencer Sturmey and Irish rider Joseph Murphy, all of which were very popular and well supported. About the Sunday course walk HTSG Chair, Ginny Elliot said:    Both HTSG Ambassadors, Alex Bragg and Laura Collett were competing at Badminton but neither had the best of times unfortunately. Alex was disappointed with Zagreb’s dressage score of 31.7 and on Saturday morning he made the decision to withdraw and reroute to another event and now heads to Chatsworth in the Event Rider Masters this weekend.    Alex Bragg and Zagreb Laura and Mr Bass started Badminton as one of the favourites and didn’t disappoint in the first phase with a dressage score of 27.6 to be in eighth place before cross country. On the cross country Laura and Mr Bass had a brilliant round, jumping clear with 17.2 time faults. Everyone in the HTSG marquee was thrilled to have witnessed this success. Sadly, as members arrived for the trot up on Sunday morning, they learned that Mr Bass had been withdrawn. Laura said: “I can’t quite believe I’m having to write this. Mr Bass was totally awesome jumping clear round the toughest track he’s ever seen but sadly he has sustained an injury. My special boy will be given all the love and care in the world to nurse him better. He’s my horse of a lifetime and my best friend. We will be back fighting.”       Laura Collett and Mr Bass All at the HTSG wish a speedy recovery to Mr Bass. Laura will be joining Alex in the Event Rider Masters this weekend on hot favourite London 52 so we wish them both the best of luck. Members who can’t be there can tune in to eventridermasters.tv to watch the livestream. The next big event is Burghley and members are now able claim their members passes. You should have all received an email from The Ticket Factory detailing how to claim yours online. Any problems let us know. If you came to see us at Badminton and would like to give us some feedback, positive or not please do contact us via social media (links below) or via our contact details. Don't forget to keep an eye on the website and social media channels for all the latest eventing updates and news. All photos taken by HTSG Committee Member, Michael Rogers © MDR Photo
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Following on from the successes of our 2018 Training Scholars, Alex Bragg and Laura Collett, we are delighted to announce they will continue their involvement with HTSG as Ambassadors for 2019. Please listen to the recent Eventing Podcast HTSG special edition which reviewed the 2018 results for Alex and Laura, and highlighted the impressive statistics achieved by both riders, thanks in part to the training scholarships from HTSG. We wish our HTSG Ambassadors every success for the 2019 season, and we look forward to working with them to provide our members with unique opportunities to get to know Alex and Laura better.
This weeks Eventing Podcast episode is a special interview with the 2018 Horse Trials Support Group Scholars Laura Collett & Alex Bragg. Talking stats, stable superstars & plans for 2019 it’s a great insight into two of the most talked about riders on the British circuit.  Recently we held an exclusive yard visit for HTSG members at Laura Collett - here's a few clips from the day which was hosted by Laura and her mentor Yogi Breisner. Photos © Fiona Scott-Maxwell. Video © Michael Rogers  HTSG scholar Laura Collett has kindly offered to host a yard visit for HTSG members and guests on Saturday 27 October 2018.
Laura is based near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The visit will start at 10:00 and last approximately two hours. Tea, coffee, cake and biscuits will be provided. The morning will include a session with Yogi Breisner who is Laura's long-time mentor and trainer. Please email Margie on mgibb@live.co.uk to reserve a place. Members are free of charge, guests £10. Numbers will be limited. Laura Collett wins CIC3* 8/9 year old classHTSG scholar Laura Collett had an incredibly successful weekend when she finished first and third in the prestigious CIC3* for eight- and nine-year-old horses at the Ssangyong Blenheim Palace Horse Trials. Previous winners of this class have gone on to win 4* events and championship medals and Laura looks to have two stars in winner London 52, owned by our own committee member Karen Bartlett with Keith Scott, and Diana Chappell’s Dacapo (3rd). “London 52 finds it so easy it’s scary,” Laura said of the nine-year-old she bought two years ago out of a showjumping yard. “He’s pure class. It’s some feeling riding a horse with a long stride like that. Yet again, I’ve bought a horse I don’t want to sell – I really don’t have much of a business head!” Photos © Fiona Scott-Maxwell and MDR Photo Watch Laura's winning interview with Blenheim commentator (& HTSG committee member) Spencer Sturmey... Alex Bragg makes up for fall at Burghley with 3rd place in the CCI3*HTSG Scholar Alex Bragg and his top horse Zagreb made up for an unlucky fall across country at Burghley a couple of weeks ago with a very close third place at the SsangYong Blenheim Horse Trials in the CCI3*. They show jumped clear to finish on their dressage score of 29.6, just 1.2 penalities behind the winner. Alex said: “Our aim was the top three – job done!” As well as Zagreb in the top 10, Alex finished an impressive 9th onboard one of his new rides for 2018 Barrichello, with whom he is building an impressive partnership. Alex was also competing in the 8/9 year old class with Shannondale Percy. Photos © Fiona Scott-Maxwell and MDR Photo As well as competing on three horses Alex hosted a master class in the main arena on Sunday morning and you can read more and watch a video right here on the website.
August was another very busy month for HTSG Scholar Laura Collett and it got off to the perfect start with two wins in the Novice at Smiths Lawn...
Straight after Laura headed back over to France for the CIC*** at Haras Du Pin on British number one ranked horse Mr Bass and also Finduss PFB. It was another great ride for Laura and Mr Bass finishing 3rd!!
This result was even more impressive when we later found out Laura and Mr Bass had not been selected for the World Equestrian Games and Laura received that news during the event.
After such disappointing news Laura headed to Somerford Park with 7 horses and had another very successful few days with 3 wins and 2 more top 10 places...
After such a successful event Laura headed to Scotland for Blair Horse Trials and the Event Rider Masters finale and Laura was in contention for the series win. During the event ERM filmed this tongue in cheek video of Laura and Chris Burton who was leading the series (and went onto win).
Laura had a very strong performance with London 52 who is still a young horse new to 3* and finished 8th and finished second in the series which is a fantastic result after such a consistent season.
Laura finished off the month with a 9 hour drive home from Blair and headed straight to Wellington Horse Trials on Bank Holiday Monday with 3 more horses!
After the big disappointment of not being selected for the WEG team Laura had hoped to run Mr Bass at Burghley (where our members get full event access) but unfortunately he didn't feel a 100% right so just before the event he was withdrawn. But don't worry as they will be back out next season aiming for the win at Badminton!
Both of our HTSG Training Scholars, Alex Bragg and Laura Collett, are in action at the SsangYong Blenheim Palace Horse Trials next week, and we are putting them to work! CoursewalkAlex and Laura will be hosting a course walk (CIC course) on Thursday 13th September at approximately 11:30am. This will be a fantastic opportunity for HTSG members and their guests to get a detailed insight of the course and ask our scholars any questions. The course walk is free of charge to members, and £10 for guests (including a donation to the event's nominated charity). We would like to thank the organiser's of Blenheim for allowing this to happen. Please email mgibb@live.co.uk to reserve your place. Numbers will be limited.  Photo © Frog & Field Alex Bragg Master Class Photo © MDR Photo We are very excited to announce that Alex has kindly agreed to present a Master Class on behalf of HTSG on Sunday 16th September in the Marlborough (Main) Arena at 10:00am. Alex will ride one of his horses and be joined on the ground by Spencer Sturmey. Please do join us for what promises to be an educational and entertaining session. WEG SupperTickets are available for the WEG supper being held on Saturday 15th September. All of the action from the cross-country at Tryon will be shown live on the big screen, as well as some exclusive behind the scenes footage from Team GBR. Please see the attached flyer for more information. Owners, Athletes and Trainers Facility at Blenheim The organiser's of the SsangYong Blenheim Palace Horse Trials have secured support for a dedicated Owners, Athletes and Trainers (OATs) facility for this year’s event, and as well as the owners of horses who are competing, they are very kindly offering members of HTSG to use the facility.
The facility will be supported by Theraplate UK whose wave vortex stimulation therapy products are aimed at equine, dog and human rehabilitation and are used by vets, rehab centres and several riders. The Owners, Athletes and Trainers marquee will be located adjacent to the main arena collecting ring allowing owners and HTSG members to watch the horses prepare for CCI3* dressage and the show jumping phases of the 8&9-year-old CIC3* and the CCI3* as well as a great place to see the ‘south lawn’ loop of the CCI3* cross-country on Saturday. There will be tables and chairs inside, a garden area with patio furniture, complimentary refreshments, daily papers and lifestyle magazines and from the sponsors complimentary tea and coffee and a welcome glass of fizz! Please ensure that you wear your HTSG badge to gain access to this facility. Finally, we would like to wish Alex and Laura, as well as any HTSG members with horses competing, the very best of luck for a safe and successful Blenheim. We look forward to seeing you. With best wishes, HTSG Committee
Barbury International Horse Trials was first up for Laura in July with 5 horses in action. Two top 10 results in the CIC2* and an excellent 9th in the Event Rider Master CIC3*.
After Barbury Laura had a quick trip to Tweseldown and then onto Jardy in France with three horses, one in CIC1*, 2* and 3*. Star of the three was London 52, finishing in 11th place in the Event Rider Masters CIC3* class.
Back on home soil Laura had a successful visit to Dauntsey Park with two young horses both winning their classes...
dAston Le Walls was the next event for Laura and again another busy one with 5 horses competing, 3 in the Advanced, 1 Open Intermediate and 1 Novice. Laura's successful month continued with another double win, with Hanson DHI in the Novice and Dacapo in the Advanced 8/9 yr old class.
Sadly after this successful weekend Laura had some sad news to announce, which was that her recently retired four star campaigner Grand Manoeuvre (Milo) had been put down aged 14, just a few months after being retired.
Laura said she was “totally devastated” by the loss of “Milo”.
The month was rounded out with British Eventing updating their leading horse and rider tables and we were very pleased to see that Laura had moved up to 5th in the rider standings and Mr Bass continued to hold onto his number one position.
Following Laura's brilliant second place at Luhmuhlen earlier this month she has continued to have a very successful few weeks with a 2nd place in the Event Rider Masters CIC3* at Arville on London 52.
The following weekend Laura headed to Great Witchingham Horse Trials where she had 3 top finishes. To round up a very successful month Laura was very excited to announce that she had been added to the Team GB long list for the World Equestrian Games on Mr Bass.
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