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in 1949, the first year of the event. There he had an impressive cross-country run, cleared the Irish Bank in a single jump, and went on to win. He returned the next year, only to finish fifth, although it is believed by some that poor time keeping robbed the horse of his second win. Kidston then
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Golden Willow was imported from
America in 1948. He began running in hunter trials, winning four his first autumn in England. The horse was very hot and quirky, but his experienced rider managed to do quite well on him. However, Shedden did take several precautions with the very strong horse: he
128:, and tied a piece of string from the saddle to his belt so that if he fell off he might still have control of the horse. Despite this Golden Willow was very talented, with tremendous scope and a great jump.
144:, and did not stop for fourteen miles, after his tendons broke down. After eighteen months of recovery, he was again sent back to train, but he simply ran away and broke down again.
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116:. Today, horses must be a minimum of seven years old to compete in the difficult competition, and most horses that compete are no younger than 10.
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112:. The then-five-year-old won the first year of the event, in 1949, with rider
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155:Badminton Horse Trials: The Triumphs and the Tears
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131:Golden Willow competed in the prestigious
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124:while on cross-country, used a tight
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153:Sly, Debbie and Hugh Thomas.
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157:. David & Charles. 1999.
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99:Mrs. Eleanor Home Kidston
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133:Badminton Horse Trials
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120:always rode him in a
31:American Thoroughbred
126:standing martingale
176:1943 animal births
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56:Pussy Willow
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165:Categories
148:References
138:racehorse
72:1943, USA
45:Grandsire
122:gag bit
77:Country
64:Gelding
142:jockey
88:Light
85:Colour
69:Foaled
96:Owner
27:Breed
37:Sire
90:Bay
61:Sex
53:Dam
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80:UK
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