Sam Griffiths wins his first Badminton title

In a year filled with ups and downs, dramatic moves and endless twists, it was somewhat apt that the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials ended in a surprise win for Australia’s Sam Griffiths today (Sunday 11 May).

Poles falling

After the drama of cross-country, some tired horses came forward for the final phase this afternoon. Of the 32 to showjump, only Wendy Schaeffer and Koyuna Sun Dancer left all the poles standing, albeit with 3 time penalties to add to their score.

Sam Griffiths, riding the 11-year-oldIrish Sport Horse mare Paulank Brockagh, had moved into contention following a strong cross-country performance that lifted them into fifth place. They had just one pole down in the showjumping, but finished within the time.

When Oliver Townend (GBR) and Pascal Leroy (FRA) then picked up eight faults and 10 faults respectively, Sam found himself creeping steadily up the scoreboard.

Paul taps too many

Overnight leader Paul Tapner rode into the arena on the grey Kilronan with two fences and some time penalties to spare. The horse has a consistent record in the showjumping, but today things did not go their way. Four poles down denied the 2010 winner a chance of a second Badminton victory, with the win going to fellow Australian Griffiths instead.

With Paul relegated to fourth, Oliver Townend finished second on Armada, with fellow Brit Harry Meade (Wild Lone) moved up to third.

Play it again

Sam Griffiths has regularly been in the top 15 placings at four star, with the best of these being fourth place on Happy Times here at Badminton in 2011.

Paulank Brockagh made her four-star debut at Badminton a year ago, where she finished 43rd. Twelve months on, an improved dressage score of 46.3pen on Friday saw them finish the first phase in 25th equal, and at that point Sam couldn’t have forseen himself lifting the famous Mitsubishi Motors trophy.

“I thought if I did well in the cross-country, I’d move up, but I had no expectation of being on top of the podium,” said Sam. “She jumped beautifully and to my surprise, here I am.”

Girl power

Paulank Brockagh is only the fourth mare to win Badminton, and the first since Lucinda Fredericks and Headley Britannia in 2007.

“She’s one tough nut,” said Sam, who bought the mare in 2010 from her breeder, Paula Cullen, who had evented her up to Novice level in Ireland. “She’s so careful and tries her hardest. She’s got a massive heart,” he added.

British grit

Second placed Oliver Townend, who won the event in 2009 on Flint Curtis, had to settle for runner up place today with Armada.

“I told Sam to enjoy every minute as it still hasn’t sunk in properly for me that I’ve won here,” said Oliver. “It’s a very special place and you need an exceptional horse to win.”

Oliver believes that this year’s event has been a step in the right direction for the sport. “It’s been a proper four-star competition, and this is how Badminton should be.”

Harry Meade, who had a terrible riding accident last August, was delighted to move up into third with Wild Lone, having been in 46th equal after dressage.

“Everything that’s gone on has put things in perspective for me,” said Harry. “This week was always going to be a question mark of how my elbows would stand up, but they’ve felt great.”