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Category: Welsh Borders

Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials

Friday’s report from Kath Rhodes

After last year’s cancellation it was a huge delight today to find sunshine, although at times, a chilly wind. Delight continues with Mitsubishi Motors long running sponsorship now in its 22^nd year. The riders, their owners, supporters, the public and media are really in the mood to watch Badminton at its very best and the competition could not be keener. William Fox-Pitt, Mary King, Pippa Funnell, Ollie Townend and Tina Cook are just a few British riders looking for top form this weekend whilst Germany’s Michael Jung, despite being Olympic Champion is riding at Badminton for the first time this year and winner in 2011 New Zealand’s Mark Todd will be all out for a good result. With William Fox-Pitt and New Zealander Andrew Nicholson both on target for the Rolex Grand Slam, even by Badminton’s high standards, this year’s competition must rate as one of the very best.   

Chatting to Andrew at the end of the day, ever the professional he said he’s focusing on Badminton and if that goes well then so will the Rolex. He’s a second ride tomorrow on Nereo and he’s hopeful that horse will perform an even better test! Sam Griffiths, another rider obviously delighted being placed second so far and hopeful that he’ll not be too far down the leader board after tomorrow’s riders Dressage runs over two days on Friday and Saturday, the crucial cross-country is on Sunday and the final show jumping phase on Monday. But the leader at the close of day one was Australian Chris Burton riding Holstein Park Leilani. He doesn’t rate this mare as a ‘dressage’ horse, but of course thrilled with her performance today. The mare is 17 years old now, and is so pleased to be riding her here at Badminton but does think the course is big and scary. The second part of the course Chris feels is particularly daunting.

The Duchess of Cornwall will be in attendance to present the Mitsubishi Motors Trophy to a worthy winner after the show jumping on Monday afternoon.

  

DAY ONE - Dressage Leaders

1.       Christopher Burton                Holstein Park Leilani             43.0

2.       Sam Griffiths                                            Happy Times   43.3        

3.       Andrew Nicholson                                    Avebury           45.0    

 

 

Car Hunting?

Then the best t’s available as a seven seater with an incredibly efficient diesel engine, but later this year there will be available a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle. The PHEV features not just one electric motors, but two, one at the front and one at the back, to provide selectable 4 wheel drive, and also a conventional engine to give a range of up to 550 miles. It can do up to 148mpg, with emissions of less than 50g/km. This will really give the car market a jolt and be welcomed by so many families that are fed-up of paying so heavily to fuel their cars. But I must also remind you of my own favourite amongst the superb MM car range, the ASZ. It’s their crossover vehicle and it not only does this with economy, it does it with huge style too. It has low CO2 and fuel economy of up to 55mpg. I have to say though when I test drove an ASX 4, I was averaging 60mpg with ease and when you think of our winding Welsh roads, up hill and down dale, it’s no wonder I was seriously impressed with this vehicle. These vehicles are the reason that Mitsubishi Motors have become the UK’s fastest growing car brand.

We have some excellent dealerships in Wales so if you’re not able to join us at Badminton visitmitsubishi-cars.co.uk to find your nearest dealer and take a test drive of the car of your choice, I’m sure you’ll agree with me