"I had a great night’s sleep and woke up feeling good. Sometimes you wake up with serious nerves on cross country day, but I didn't this time. I was very happy with the course and didn't feel the need to walk it again.

I went shopping as a kind of therapy, but I usually hate shopping. I didn't feel nervous until the first horse set out, as I always do. William (Fox-Pitt) made it look as easy as ever, and the first few riders were riders running two horses and generally make it look easy too. After these have run, the faults start to come, although this time they didn't; the course was perhaps easier or softer than in previous years and the time was not so tight, sadly. Those of us with good XC horses like a challenge! The ground was also very good – a little firm, so this helped the time too.

I felt very relaxed going up to the start box as my warm up had gone well, and Tankers Town really is one of the best XC horses in the sport and was as fit as he could be.

But 'things' happen for a reason as they say, and I guess that was the case this year. As I was about to enter the start box from the front (as it can be difficult from the back) a finisher came just at the wrong moment – with five seconds to go, I had to go through the back and this was my downfall. Jasper (Tankers Town) panicked and wouldn't go into the box and the rest is history – 2009 Badminton was not meant to be. I can't describe how devastated I am especially as with a usual double clear I'd have been very well placed. That’s life – it happens. I had a nice afternoon watching the XC with my family afterwards – there was some very good riding and good results."

Note from the Editor: Those watching Badminton's cross country phase will have seen Jasper (Tankers Town) refusing to enter the starting box. Unfortunately, this resulted in Sharon's elimination from Badminton 2009.