Badminton 2018 Cross Country Live Updates: Jonelle’s Speed Gives Her the Lead

By on May 5, 2018 6:21 am -

Fence one.

Good morning, EN! We are ready to dive straight in to an very exciting day of cross country at the 2018 Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy!

Keep refreshing this page for all the latest from Badminton!

Here are the North American entires/ride times:

  • Selena O’Hanlon & Foxwood High: 12:58 BST / 7:58 a.m. EST CLEAR with 16.4 time penalties
  • Lauren Kieffer & Veronica: 13:38 BST / 8:38 a.m. EST CLEAR with 9.6 time penalties
  • Madeline Backus & P.S. Ariana: 15:34 BST / 10:34 a.m. EST Rider Fall at The Lake
  • Will Coleman & Obos O’Reilly: 15:50 BST / 10:50 a.m. EST Retired on course

Badminton Links: Website, Entries, XC Start Times, Form Guide, Course Map, EN’s

Coverage, Live Stream, Course Preview

12:38 p.m.

12:06 p.m. Here’s the top 10 as it stands:

12:05 p.m. Tom currently does not have 20 pen for his re-route at the corner. Might be a conversation by the Ground Jury, but looks good from the view of the camera.

12:04 p.m. Tom gives all the credit to Strike Smartly even before they’ve crossed the finish.

12:03 p.m. Strike Smartly looking a little tired, but Tom McEwen doing a great job of showing him the way home.

12:00 p.m. 7.2 time penalties for Oliver puts him equal with Jonelle. Because she was closer to the optimum time, she goes into the lead.

11:58 a.m. At this point, Oliver will be over the time, but he has some breathing room. Horse looking tired, but they push on.

11:58 a.m. Little sticky at the last combination. The horse seems to be looking tired.

11:57 a.m. Oliver is riding very boldly through the Joules corners, and looking good on the time so far.

11:56 a.m. Georgia Spence home on 56.9 penalties.

11:56 a.m. Positive riding by Oliver gets them through the hollow!

11:55 a.m. Tom McEwen at the Lake adding loads of strides through for a careful ride.

11:53 a.m. Oliver living dangerously through the Eclipse water, but he’s clear!

11:51 a.m. Oliver plays it safe with the long route at the Lake.

11:49 a.m. Georgie Spence takes the long route at the Mound after popping up over the B element.

11:47 a.m. Oliver Townend now on course with Ballaghmor Class. Despite Ollie’s suggestion, the crowds cheer him off.

11:46 a.m. We can now confirm that Alexander Bragg was eliminated with Redpath Ransom

11:45 a.m. Ireland’s Ciaran Glynn has a few fliers around, but kicking on toward the Eclipse pond.

11:43 a.m.

11:39 a.m. Mark Todd has restarted after a hold.

11:38 a.m. We are hearing that Alexander Bragg has possibly been eliminated on course.

11:36 a.m. Caroline Powell trotting through the lake. Whatever works!

11:35 a.m. We have an anxious eye on Mark Todd. Have not seen him on the stream lately, and we have heard there is a hold on course. Not sure the reason.

11:34 a.m. Alexander Bragg seems to have retired on course. We’ve stopped seeing him on the stream.

11:32 a.m. Harry Dzenis with a wild ride in the Eclipse Pond. Good on Dromgurrihy Blue!

11:27 a.m. Alexander Bragg has the frangible pin down at the Eclipse Pond. He also had the pin down with his first horse.

11:26 a.m. 11 seconds over for Gemma and Spike but she’s thrilled and so is the crowd.

11:25 a.m. Gemma kicking much more than we’ve ever seen her do with Arctic Soul. Headed to the finish.

11:25 a.m. Mark Todd keeps his line as the horse doesn’t quite see the last element of the Huntsman’s Close. Kick on!

11:24 a.m. Fingers crossed for Mark Todd who is out with his second ride, Kiltubrid Rhapsody.

11:23 a.m. 30 seconds over for Paulank Brockagh and Sam Griffiths!

11:21 a.m. Gemma is better on the time even than Jonelle was a fence 20. Can she keep it up?

11:20 a.m. Harry Meade says the OTTB is a petrol engine, rather a than a diesel engine — for all those #horsehubby types tuning in.

11:19 a.m. 

11:18 a.m. Arctic Soul slides in to the Lake and gets strong ahead, so Gemma re-routes to the longer route. Smart move.

11:15 a.m. Arctic Soul out on course! He’s another fast one that could do the time.

11:14 a.m. Sam Griffiths neatly through the Lake taking the long route to C.

11:13 a.m. Harry Meade reports that he turned his watch off halfway around!

11:12 a.m. James O’Haire and China Doll came in a little too quick and both took a bath in The Lake. The horse just didn’t have a chance to get his knees out of the way. Both OK.

11:09 a.m. Previous winners Sam Griffiths and Paulank Brockagh are off and away! Looking determined through the Quarry.

11:08 a.m. Hang on tight, Michael Owen! Bradeley Law flying through the lake, they jump the rope on the way.

11:04 a.m. Will has pulled up and opted to retire.

11:03 a.m. Will Coleman and Obos O’Reilly will a runout at The Lake. Will is going to be kicking himself.

11:03 a.m. Huge cheers for Harry Meade as he finishes.

11:02 a.m. Amazing save for Dani Evans and Smart Time at the Hildon Water. Quick thinking from both horse and rider.

10:59 a.m. “She’s so un-special that’s she’s incredibly special. She makes me look good.” – Jonelle on Classic Moet.

10:57 a.m. At the Hildon Water Harry Meade is currently bang on the time.

10:56 a.m. Smooth sailing for Harry Meade and Away Cruising! Clear through the Eclipse Water.

10:52 a.m. Save of the day goes to Emilie Chandler! She nearly comes off at the Eclipse Cross Pond after hanging a leg, but Coopers Law stayed dead straight on task and jumped them out safely.

10:47 a.m. Oh rats! Just didn’t quite get the line to the C element of the Lake, and Madeline comes off. Sad, early ending for her today.

10:46 a.m. We haven’t seen her yet, but Madeline Backus is on course somewhere!

10:46 a.m. Nana Dalton clear so far with her homebred Absolut Opposition!

10:44 a.m. She’s not just the fastest — she’s the fastest by nearly 5 seconds! And she even took a long route. So impressive for these two. #JumpLikeJonelle

10:42 a.m. Jonelle is just one second over to take the lead!!!

10:41 a.m. Oh no! Piggy French and Vanir Kmira both take a swim at the Hildon water. Looks like the horse misread the fence — taking off and then coming back down on it.

10:41 a.m. Definitely! They are having a super day so far.

10:39 a.m. Just 16 seconds over for Ireland’s Joseph Murphy! That puts him in the top 10.

10:36 a.m. Expert riding through the Mound for Jonelle!

10:34 a.m. A little too quick through the lake for Jonelle. She was at the buckle and forced to take the long route at C.

10:31 a.m. Jonelle Price has the pedal down with Classic Moet! These two are ones who could make the time.

10:30 a.m. Another leg left for Silva has both horse and rider on the ground at the Eclipse Water. Both up quickly looking OK.

10:29 a.m. Warren Lamperd steers Silva to the less-used right-handed route at The Mound, but unfortunately have a runout.

10:25 a.m. Cooley Rorkes Drift jumped himself into the open oxer at the Eclipse Water, and Jonty hops off to help the horse out. What looked scary for a moment was quickly resolved. Both walking away looking OK.

10:23 a.m. Becky Wolven and Charlton Down Riverdance take a bit of a flyer at the Vicarage Vee, which has the both on the ground up on landing. Both are up quickly.

10:22 a.m. Jonty in the back seat but he makes it happen at The Lake!

10:20 a.m. 

10:19 a.m. The People’s Horse — Cooly Rorkes Drift — is off with Jonty Evans.

10:16 a.m. Tom Crisp takes the long route after a huge jump over the B element of the Mound.

10:15 a.m. Junco CP gets a few words of encouragement from Carlos after the Vicarage Vee.

10:13 a.m. Good job for Tom Crisp as he opts for the longer route through the Lake with Coolys Luxury.

10:11 a.m. Well done for Ashley Edmond and Triple Chance in their first four-star. Coming through the finish with a clear round, but 83 time penalties added. The horse looks thrilled with himself at the finish!

10:10 a.m. Carlos Diaz Fernandez, the only Spanish rider here this weekend, is clear so far with Junco CP

10:07 a.m. Lissa Green finishing with 31.2 time penalties.

10:06 a.m.

10:05 a.m. Dee Hankey has pulled up and retired with Chequers Playboy  at fence 3.

10:00 a.m. Regis Prud’hon home with Kaiser HDB 4175. They carry 20 penalties from the Huntsman’s Close.

9:58 a.m. Lissa Green, who is now riding for Australia, is on a very enthusiastic horse today. They’re clear through the Lake.

9:56 a.m. Qatar du Puetch Rouget ran out of steam at the lake. He stopped at the c element.

9:55 a.m. Paul Tapner gives a scare at the penultimate fence, but they are ok and heading toward the finish.

9:53 a.m. Cedric hangs on tight as his horse jumps boldly through the Eclipse Water.

9:51 a.m. Cedric Lyard and Qatar du Puetch Rouget are off and away. Good through 4 so far.

9:49 a.m.

9:48 a.m. 22-year-old Will Furlong finishes his first cross country course. Congrats!

9:46 a.m. Paul Tapner puts some demons to rest at the Lake. A much better ride here than last year!

9:44 a.m. Awkward start through the Quarry for Paul Tapner and Bonza King of Rouges. They kick on.

9:41 a.m. Kirsty Short comes to grief at the Huntsman’s Close after a runout at the last tree trunk.

9:39 a.m. Collien P 2 hangs a leg into the Lake, but Will Furlong gets his reins back to take the long route.

9:38 a.m. Confirming now that Izzy Taylor did retire on course with Perfect Stranger.

9:36 a.m. A very bold ride through the Eclipse Water for Imogen Murray and Ivar Gooden.

9:35 a.m. Will Furlong, the youngest competitor today, is on course now.

9:34 a.m. The Troll through the hollow:

Shogun Hollow #eventing #mmbht #badmintonhorsetrials

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9:31 a.m. James Sommerville takes the pin down after a wild ride at the Eclipse Water.

9:29 a.m. The Huntsman’s Close is becoming the most influential fence today as it gives William Fox-Pitt 20 penalties. He pulls up after a second successful go.

9:27 a.m. William Fox-Pitt is off and away with Fernhill Pimms

9:26 a.m.

9:25 a.m. Georgie jumped the A element of the Eclipse water twice. That is allowed, but a huge time and energy waster. She continues.

9:24 a.m. 

9:22 a.m. A runout for Georgie Strang at The Lake.

9:20 a.m. Georgie Strang kicking four-star debutant Cooley Earl on after a sticky ride through the Quarry.

9:18 a.m. Ros home clear with 6.4 time penalties! She stays ahead of Michael Jung.

9:17 a.m. oh no! Another victim at the Huntsman’s Close. This time it’s Izzy Taylor and Perfect Stranger.

9:16 a.m. Ros growls her way through the Joules Corners, but she’s looking good on the time now!

9:14 a.m. A flyby for Japan’s Yoshiaki Oiwa at the Huntsman’s Close. This fence has brought quite a few riders to grief.

9:14 a.m. Ros Canter about 10 seconds over the time at fence 20. She motors on.

9:13 a.m. 

9:10 a.m. Clear through The Lake for Ros Canter. She’s a pleasure to watch today.

9:07 a.m. Bayano says “no thank you” at the Vicarage Vee, despite Flora Harris’ stick behind the saddle. They take the long route and carry on.

9:06 a.m. Overnight leader Ros Canter about to head out on course.

9:04 a.m. Flora Harris digs deep at The Mound after an airy jump. She gets it done!

9:02 a.m. Virginia Thompson is living dangerously today. She activates the frangible device at the Eclipse Cross Pond (18A)

9:02 a.m. Virginia Thompson hugs that white flag, but clear through the Mound!

9:01 a.m.

9:01 a.m. 

9:00 a.m.

8:59 a.m. Pippa pulls up with Billy Beware. Not their day unfortunately.

8:59 a.m. Lauren is 24 seconds over the time! So exciting to watch her and Veronica go fast for it.

8:57 a.m. Lauren kicks away from Savills Escalator. Just three to go!

8:56 a.m. 1 minute 11 seconds over for Simon Grieve

8:55 a.m. A runout for Pippa and Billy Beware at the C element at The Lake. So far the jump judging isn’t penalizing her. She might have gotten lucky for now.

8:53 a.m. Billy Beware is making Pippa Funnel work hard, but they’re clear so far.

8:53 a.m. Lauren and Veronica clear through the Hildon Water, they’re just about 8 seconds above the time currently.

8:52 a.m. Lauren and Veronica are going very quickly around today. Good through fence 18.

8:51 a.m. A miscommunication has Danielle Dunn out of the tack at fence 27, the BHS Table.

8:50 a.m. Lauren was nearly at the buckle after a big jump into the lake, but they stayed dead on through the direct route. It does look like they’re going for speed.

8:49 a.m. Super quick ride for Lauren and Troll through the Huntsman’s Close.

8:47 a.m. Lauren Kieffer and Veronica are on course!

8:46 a.m. Simon Grieve also takes the long route at the Lake. Smartly done.

8:44 a.m. Super, positive ride for Danielle Dunn and Zocarla BHL through the Mound (14/15/16ab)

8:43 a.m. A minute and a half over the time but a huge smile for Lydia Hannon at the finish.

8:42 a.m. Danielle Dunn takes the long route at The Lake, but looks very confident.

8:40 a.m.

8:39 a.m. So disappointing to see Imogen have a flyby at the Huntsman’s Close.

8:38 a.m. Ah! Lydia is the second rider to take the wrong path away from the Hildon water.

8:37 a.m. 

8:36 a.m. Lydia keeping to the “safe seat” as My Royal Touch looks very keen.

8:35 a.m. Imogen Gloag is out on course!

8:34 a.m.  Sticky ride in, so Lydia chooses to take the long way out of the Lake!

8:31 a.m. Risky ride coming out of the quarry for Lydia Hannon but she gets away with it!

8:30 a.m. Here’s the scores as the stand currently:

8:25 a.m. 

8:28 a.m. Only 12.4 time penalties for Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy!

8:24 a.m.

8:23 a.m. Giovanni home 58 seconds over the time.

8:21 a.m. Tim and Ringwood Sky Boy  take the quick route through the Hildon Water Pond, climbing out of the brush at C. They’re moving a little slower than usual today.

8:21 a.m.

8:20 a.m. Giovanni Ugolotti has a determined ride through the coffin with Cult Rewind.

8:19 a.m.

8:18 a.m. Michael Jung and Sam come home 15 seconds over the time for a score of 30.7.

8:17 a.m. Tim Price and Ringwood Sky Boy slip in a quick third chip stride at the Huntsmans Close.

8:16 a.m. 

8:15 a.m. Andy Daines goes to add a stride, but doesn’t quite work as he and Spring Panorama have a slightly slow motion roll/fall away from the Joules Corners. They are both up quickly and looking ok.

8:14 a.m.

8:13 a.m. Michael takes the long route at the Hildon Pond.

8:12 a.m. Michael Jung gets lucky at the Outlander PHEV Mound (14) as Sam gets a little twisted over the first corner. They stick it and carry on.

8:11 a.m. Fist pump for Selena as she and Wood finish 39 seconds over the time. Well done! John and Judy Rumble must be pleased.

8:10 a.m. Super sam through the water beautifully!

8:09 a.m.

8:08 a.m. Not a lot to say about Selena and Woody because they doing such a masterful job. Each view on the stream is pretty perfect for these two!

8:07 a.m. Ack! Andy Daines  looses balance as he slips over the log into the Lake before taking a wild ride at the b element. They scamper over the ropes trying to get to the alternate — the Ground Jury may review that as dangerous riding.

8:07 a.m. Michael Jung and Sam are out of the box!

8:05 a.m. Selena goes the quick route through the Hildon Water Pond. She really is making this course look easy.

8:04 a.m. Tom Jackson and Waltham Fiddler’s Find add one in the Joules Corners, but still smooth and clear!

8:03 a.m. Finally seeing Selena on the live stream! She’s super through the Lake. She and Woody made it look like a novice combination.

8:02 a.m.

8:00 a.m. Kate Honey home with 68.6 time penalties.

7:57 a.m. The Irish are feeling proud this morning!

#mmbht

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7:55 a.m. Ireland’s Alan Nolan joins the growing list of riders to take the long route at The Lake.

7:54 a.m. Kate Honey gives Fernhill Now or Never a few taps of encouragement as they head to the Vicarage Vee — they clear it easily

7:51 a.m. After a second runout at The Eclipse water, Louise Harwood makes the smart decision to retire. Mr. Potts not looking his usual self today.

7:50 a.m. Quite a few horses looking tired at the finish, but not Mr. Chunky for Ireland! He finishes 16 seconds over.

7:48 a.m. 

7:47 a.m. Disappointing flyby for Louise Harwood and Mr. Potts at the Huntsmans Close. Looks like they didn’t even register on the B element.

7:46 a.m. Padraig McCarthy looking super around so far with Mr. Chunky.

7:45 a.m. Ben Hobday reports from the finish that Mulry’s Error may be directed toward a career shift to lower level eventing after this. Ben saying, “I can’t thank the horse enough.” Legend.

7:44 a.m.

7:43 a.m. Hold on! Dag Albert takes a flyer at the Vicarage Vee.

7:42 a.m. Ireland’s Claire Abbott and Euro Prince fall at the Bullfinch. Looks like he got a bit close and his boldness sent them down on the back side. Both up and look ok at the moment.

7:41 a.m. I think we can practically hear the cheering for Ben and Mulry’s Error on the east coast as they finish the course.

7:38 a.m. Whoa! A huge jump nearly unseats Ben Hobday at the Joules Corners, but he sticks it! Unfortunately picking up 20 pen as he crosses his tracks to represent to the second.

7:36 a.m. I would imagine riding Euro Prince is akin to holding onto a runaway train. He knows the job!

7:34 a.m. Euro Prince gives Claire Abbott a hugely enthusiastic ride through The Lake.

7:33 a.m. Fan favorites Ben Hobday and Mulry’s Error taking the long route through The Lake to a big cheer from the crowd.

7:32 a.m. Alexander Whewall pops off at the Vicarage Vee. The stride wasn’t quite right and and Chakiris Star opts to step down in the ditch and around. Alexander’s left leg felt a hard smash against the Vee as he fell off, but he walked off course. Will update as we get more info!

7:31 a.m. Dan Jocelyn home with the 20 penalties and over a minute over the time.

7:30 a.m.

7:28 a.m. Alexander Whewall taking the very long route at The Lake, but clear

7:27 a.m. Alicia is home finishing her first four-star! She looked like a seasoned pro.

7:26 a.m. What will Ollie do between now and his next ride? He’s going “back to the wagon to have a sleep!”

7:25 a.m.

7:23 a.m. Dassett Cool Touch puts the breaks on at The Lake (9c) to pick up 20 pen with Dan Jocelyn

7:21 a.m. Super ride for 23-year-old Badminton first-timer Alicia Hawker through the Mound.

7:19 a.m. Richard Jones and Alfies Clover have a stop at the hollow (24c) and he puts a hand up to retire.

7:17 a.m. Whoops! Richard Jones takes the wrong path away from the Hildon Water. Definitely some time wasted.

7:17 a.m.

7:15 a.m. “Its nice ground to gallop on, but when you do it for 12 minutes it’s hard work,” Andrew Nicholson explains that this ground is leading to horses looking a little tired.

7:15 a.m. Cooley SRS comes home 18 over the time. He and Oliver sit on 33.1 penalties.

7:13 a.m. Easy ride through the Huntsmans Close (6abc) for Richards Jones and Alfies Clover

7:10 a.m. 

7:08 a.m. Oliver and Cooley also take the direct route at The Hildon Water Pond.

7:07 a.m. 

7:06 a.m. Oliver shouts to take the long route at The Lake (9c)

7:05 a.m. “Oliver is like a man possessed!” Ian Stark has it right — Oliver Townend flying with Cooley SRS

7:03 a.m. Scary horse fall for Harry Dzenis as Xam hangs a leg at The Pond (9A). Both horse and rider quickly up on their feet.

7:02 a.m. Mark Todd and Leonidas are home with 8.4 time penalties.

7:01 a.m. Gemma is the first to take the long route at The Hildon Water, so it’s possible!

6:57 a.m. Mark Todd starts on the alternate route at The Hildon Water, but does a quick turnaround to exit via the direct route! Masterful riding as always.

6:56 a.m. Leonidas also dragging his feet slightly at the Eclipse Cross Pond, but doesn’t take the pin down.

6:55 a.m. SO love Pamero 4, ridden by Gemma Tattersall. Super keen!

6:54 a.m. 18 over the time for Andrew and Nereo

6:52 a.m. Alexander Bragg’s Zagreb takes the frangible pin down on The Eclipse Cross Pond (18A)

6:51 a.m. Leonidas II and Mark Tood have smooth sailing through the first of the course.

6:51 a.m. Same

6:50 a.m. A wild jump over the Vicarage Vee for Andrew and Nereo.

6:49 a.m. Andrew also goes the long route at the Hildon Water Pond. So far no one has taken the direct route. He’s about 4 seconds slow at the moment.

6:47 a.m. Halltown Harley looking a little tired over the last fence, but is home with rider Georgie Spence.

6:46 a.m. Held my breath for a second as Nereo scraped over the log into The Lake (9abc), but he made the out look easy.

6:45 a.m. Andrew Nicholson and Nereo zooming around the first half of the course, making easy work of the fences.

6:43 a.m. First rider home! Good, safe clear for Caroline Powell. She’s well over a minute over the time, but smiling from ear to ear.

6:43 a.m. Great riding through the Hildon Water Pond and over the Vicarage Vee for Georgie Spence and Halltown Harley

6:40 a.m. Huge jump out of the quarry for Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser

6:39 a.m. Vicarage Vee looking much “softer and friendlier” today according to Ian Stark.

6:38 a.m. Caroline Powell taking the long route at the Hildon Water Pond (fence 20), but looking very confident around.

6:30 a.m. A huge cheer for the crowds as Caroline Powell heads off on course aboard Up Up and Away

6:23 a.m.

6:20 a.m. (11:20 a.m. BST) We’re expecting first horse on course at 11:30 a.m. BST (6:30 EST)