Christopher Burton and and Holstein Park Leilani have taken the lead at Badminton on a 43.
We’re getting closer and closer to cracking the 30s here on Day 1 of dressage at Badminton, as Christopher Burton and Holstein Park Leilani have just taken the lead on a 43. It’s turning out to be a bang up day for Australia, as Sam Griffiths and Happy Times are currently sitting in second place on a 43.4. Burto and Leilani’s test looked very accurate, relaxed and correct. It always interests me to see how riders handle the first halt and salute, and Chris really took his time there, perhaps using some mental tenacity to visualize a stellar test. Whatever his strategy, it worked, and he’s sitting in a very good position for the rest of the weekend. Vittoria Panizzon and Borough Pennyz put in a lovely test for Italy, and particularly had some lovely moments in the trot work. They struggled a bit in the changes and lost some marks in the canter work overall, but this is a very talented pair with a bright future ahead. They are sitting tied for sixth place on a 47.3.
Vittoria Panizzon and Borough Pennyz are tied for sixth place on a 47.3.
Lucy Wiegersma and Simon Porloe scored the same marks, 47.3, to also sit tied for sixth place. The horse spooked at the judge’s box while circling the arena, but Lucy settled him well and got some really nice work out of him. I thought they had one of the best canter departs of the day — bested perhaps only by EN’s own Charlotte Agnew and Out of Africa Two — and she really went for it in the extended canter. She lost marks in the flying changes, but should be very pleased with this test. Lucy has completed Badminton six times and is no stranger to this course; look for her to have a good showing on Sunday. Ludwig Svennerstal — who stole the show yesterday in the jog while wearing a full tuxedo and bow tie — is competing in his first Badminton and had some really lovely moments with Alexander in his test. Ludwig and Alexander are sitting tied for 13th on a 54.2.
Lucy Wiegersma and Simon Porloe are tied for sixth on a 47.3.
Ben Hobday and Gun A B Good put in a really lovely, obedient test for 53.8, which puts them in 12th place — another great showing for one of the local riders. Sarah Bullimore gets a shoutout for the coolest quarter mark I’ve seen thus far — her initials in a monogram style. Her test with My Last One was very nice, aside from some naughty moments in the changes when the horse bucked a bit. Sarah and My Last One are sitting in 18th on a 58.8. Local favorite Beanie Stergis and Lebowski received the loudest cheer of the day thus far. Beanie’s family is heavily involved in Badminton and the local eventing scene, and it’s lovely to see the hometown crowd here cheering on the Brits. Beanie had a break to the canter during the first extended trot, but she had a lovely extended walk with Lebowski. This pair is sitting tied for 19th on a 59.7.
Local favorites Beanie Sturgis and Lebowski.
It’s fun to see so many up-and-coming British riders contesting Badminton, many for the first-time. Badminton is to these British riders what Rolex is to our U.S. riders — a lifelong goal you work very hard toward. Well done to all the Brits — and riders from other nationalities — who are contesting their first four-star this weekend. And while I’m giving kudos, the volunteers working in the dressage stadium run a very tight ship, making sure that all spectators are seated during the tests, or holding them back until a break between rides. Kai Ruder and Leprince Des Bois kick off our fourth and final group of rides at 3:30 local time. We still have Nicola Wilson and Opposition Buzz to go, as well as Aoife Clark and Master Crusoe.
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Dressage Videos:
Video: Christopher Burton and Holstein Park Leilani
Video: Vittoria Panizzon and Borough Pennyz
Video: Ludwig Svennerstal and Alexander
