Watson’s full focus remains on Badminton
The Carlow man’s objective at the Cork event was to set himself up for this weekend’s Badminton Horse Trials on Horseware Bushman. This he achieved, only to discover he had lost out to the eventing machine that is Ollie Townend by a mere seven-hundredths of a second and a tilt at the autumn prize.
Time for Watson to dig into his reserves of stoicism.
“Bringing Bushman to Ballindenisk was just a preparation run for Badminton. If we had been in the lead with a nice cushion going into the cross-country, we would have given it a go to win the class. As it was, I was never thinking about the win, I was only thinking about Badminton and I crossed the finish line giving the horse a pat, saying that was the perfect spin and then, when the scores went up and I realised I was second by only 0.7. I was kicking myself, because €50,000 is not to be sniffed at.”
If there is one thing he is sure of, though, it is that he is as primed as he could be to gain compensation at Badminton for his Cork loss and he is not without form at the Gloucestershire fixture.
“I’ve been 12th in Badminton in the past and Bushman likes it there. He has a serious engine and was one of only four to make the time the last time he was there.
“The goal is to do the best dressage test I can. I would love to break into the 30s in a four-star test; I’ve done it in a three-star a couple of times with him,” said Watson, who begins his challenge tomorrow as the last of the eight-strong Irish contingent: Michael Ryan (Ballylynch Skyport), Joseph Murphy (Electric Cruise), Aoife Clark (Master Crusoe), Sarah Ennis (Sugar Brown Babe), Elizabeth Power (September Bliss), Peter Hannigan (First Mate) and Jim Newsam (Magennnis).
“The ground is on the quick side, so the drop of rain that is forecast for Saturday would be a great help for us.
“I can’t say the goal is a top five or a top 10, as I can’t control what the others will do. My goal is to put a personal best out there and leave the others to it.”
Watson, 27, also feels he has maturity on his side.
“I’m a little bit older now, I have done four-stars at WEG in Kentucky, Badminton twice, and Burghley.
“Also, I got married late last year and we are expecting our first child in July. The prospect of family life means I am a lot more settled.
“I was not in a good place last year, my focus was too much on London. I’m a lot more relaxed this year. I’m not on the horse and putting pressure on myself.”
The TCD graduate also says the mood in the Irish camp is good.
“We have been on an upward curve and that is still the case. Yes, there is a change in manager, but that brings in a fresh enthusiasm. Everyone is very positive and the momentum has not stalled,” he said, enthusing about this year’s Badminton.
“This is the most exciting and competitive Badminton in history. Michael Jung, the first man to hold individual European, World and Olympic titles at the same time is here. William Fox-Pitt and Andrew Nicholson are going for a grand slam. To have an Irish rider up there with that talent would be fantastic and hopes are high.”
*Denis Lynch is in Madrid this weekend for the Global Champions Tour opener, as he puts his 14th place in the World Cup finals behind him.
Concentrating his attention will be the more than €400,000 on offer, of which €285,000 is up for grabs in tomorrow’s grand prix.
Lynch’s efforts over last year’s GCT season saw him finish fifth and earn over €165,000.
Mark McAuley also tries his luck in the Spanish capital.
Meanwhile, Aachen, Geneva and Spruce Meadows in Canada have teamed up to launch the Rolex Grand Prix of Show Jumping. It offers a €1m bonus to any rider that wins the feature contest at the three shows in succession.
The organisers concede the hat-trick is a difficult ask, so, if a rider wins at two shows in succession, he/she will pocket a €500,000 bonus, while if the two wins occur at shows that are not consecutive, the bonus will be €250,000.
*Teenager Bertram Allen’s recent European success has earned him a call-up for his first senior Nations Cup today in Linz, Austria.
The German-based Wexford native will ride Romanov on the team that also includes Billy Twomey (Je t’Aime Flamenco), Anthony Condon (Special Lux) and Capt Michael Kelly (Annestown), in the Europe Division 2 of the Furusiyya Series.
Capt Kelly and Condon are making only their second Nations Cup appearances.
