Classic Eventing Nation

Rosalind Canter and Lordships Graffalo. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

And that’s a wrap on dressage here at the 2023 Badminton Horse Trials — a memorably soggy one, mind you, but a day of sport in which the cream really rose to the top. This morning’s leaders, Kitty King and Vendredi Biats, now find themselves in overnight second place on their score of 22.3, thanks to a narrow usurping by last year’s runners up, Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, after the long lunch break.

They put a score of 22.1 on the board, which thoroughly trounces their 26 here last year – but though first ride Pencos Crown Jewel, who sits 17th on a 29.2 going into cross-country, has been on best behaviour this week, ‘Walter’ has been a bit of a different story. We caught up with delighted groom Sarah Charnley just after his test, who confessed that it had taken an hour and a half to get plaits into him for the trot up, while Ros herself told us yesterday that he has “rocked up and thinks he knows his job a little bit better than me — so there’s some work to be done!” Today, though, all that hard work from the whole team paid dividends, and he delivered a performance that belied his scant eleven years.

“He’s just an immense horse,” says Ros. “He came out the start of this week extremely fresh and excited, very jolly, and giving way too much all of the time — and I didn’t know whether I’d get it in there, but he started to settle this morning and then he goes in and he loves it — he absolutely loves it. I mean, the crowd could stand up and start stamping their feet and the horse would just give a little bit more, and just enjoy it a bit more. He’s never had any fear, and that’s what makes him so great.”

Though the continual rain lead to some inevitable deterioration of the dressage ring, Walter made light work of the going, which Ros attributes to his light build — even if he does stand at over 17.1hh.

“He danced his way through it,” she says with a smile. “He’s a slight horse and he’s light on his feet, and I suppose he’s lucky that he’s only carrying me as well, which is hopefully going to help tomorrow! He’s a beautiful horse to ride, and I just think the world of him.”

Though the horse’s score has improved, Ros tells us that the process of getting to that even more competitive state with her World Championships partner has just been a case of refining what was already there.

“It’s just consolidating. He’s always been very steady in his trot work, but there’s even more medium and extended to come, I think, and more expression in the half passes, and then the changes — I still have to get everything absolutely right.”

One thing that’s still on the ‘to do’ list, though is solidifying the flying changes, which Ros explains are still slightly fragile in their execution. Today, the latter two snuck up into the 8s, while the first two dipped down to the 6s.

“I was out there [in the warm-up] with Ian [Woodhead], and every time I did a change, he told me to do something different,” Ros says. “He’s just a little inconsistent in the feeling he gives me running up to a change, so it would be great if I could get them really steady. But I try stay very relaxed with him because he’s a giver of a horse, and he is only still eleven. Hopefully in five years time there’s going to be more, but I’m certainly not going to come out next year and try and change anything.”

Now, Ros has the perhaps unenviable task of mentally preparing for two runs across the (very wet) country on two different horses — and though the 2018 World Champion has no shortage of experience, it’s going to be a test of skills she’s not yet had to use at five-star.

“I’ll hold my hands up and say I’ve never ridden in conditions like this above two- or three-star level,” says Ros. “I’ve actually only been at this level for four or five years, and we’ve been blessed with sunny and  hard conditions most of the time, so it’ll be a new experience for me, definitely. I think it’s a serious question. And I think tomorrow’s going to be a case of reacting and looking after the horses, but being attacking so that they have the best ride possible.”

Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Kitty King and Vendredi Biats remain in second place going into tomorrow’s cross-country on their score of 22.3, while day one leaders Oliver Townend and Swallow Springs now sit third on 23.2, followed by Gemma Stevens and Jalapeno on 23.3 and this morning’s Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser in fifth on 23.6. Although Oliver had hoped that the only horse who might beat his day one ride would be his second day ride, the hugely experienced Ballaghmor Class didn’t quite get there: his first and final flying changes earned him 4s and 5s, pulling his overall mark to a still very competitive 24.7, good enough for sixth overnight.

“I’m pleased enough,” says Oliver. “Honestly, if it carries on like this, I don’t think dressage is going to matter too much, so he’s close enough, and I was happy with his mind in there. The conditions are horrible, and the ground in there isn’t easy — it’s very, very patchy, but I’m happy with where we are, and on to the next bit.”

For Oliver, today’s very wet conditions may be something of an exciting challenge: both his horses are in their mid-teens with plenty of experience — particularly Ballaghmor Class, who has won at both Badminton and Kentucky, and has never finished outside the top five in any of his seven previous five-stars. Nevertheless, he plans to set out of the start box with his horses’ individual needs at the forefront of his mind.

“It’s obviously going to be very, very tricky, and we’re just going to have to be sensible. It’s going to be one of those Badmintons — it doesn’t happen very often, but we’re just going to have to go out and ride the horse, ride the course, look after them, and see where we get to.”

Laura Collett and Dacapo. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Though it was a disappointing blow to see the withdrawal of Laura Collett‘s 2022 Badminton champion London 52 from the entry list a couple of weeks ago, she still duly logged an excellent starting score with ‘second string’ Dacapo, with whom she sits seventh overnight on 25.2 — a level personal best at the 14-year-old gelding’s second five-star. Though ‘Cal’ hasn’t always been the easiest character, this is the latest in a now quite considerable string of mature and polished performances from the reformed bad boy.

“He hasn’t been in an atmosphere like that before, but he held it together, which I was quite pleased with,” says Laura. “He had every excuse to have one of his moments and not give it his all, but he really tried in there, even though obviously it’s a bit muddy and a bit gluey.”

Of course, it’s not over until it’s over — and as the weather’s worsened, the reigning champion, like so many of her fellow competitors, is shelving some of her original plans for tomorrow’s cross-country in favour of a fence by fence, line by line, minute by minute approach.

“When we walked it I thought it was a great track and a proper 5* course in all the dimensions and everything, but to be honest, now it’s just about feeling what you’ve got underneath you,” she says. “I don’t think you’ll be really riding to the minute markers. It’ll just be a case of looking after the horses, and especially with Dacapo, trying to just keep him thinking that it’s easy, when it’s not going to be easy.”

Tim Price and Coup de Coeur Dudevin. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

William Fox-Pitt, who delivered one of the last tests before the lunch break, now sits eighth with Grafennacht on a 25.8, while Maryland 5* winners Tim Price and Coup de Coeur Dudevin slot into ninth overnight on a 25.9 — an improvement of 1.5 marks on his Maryland test of last year, even with mistakes in two of the changes and a divisive final centre line.

“Even though he’s won a five star, he’s an up-and-coming horse, and it’s a new thing for him to to get lower on the flat,” says Tim. “So this is by far the best quality he’s shown in the ring. There’s a couple of mistakes, but he’s just got so much action in his hind end, and it’s quite hard to get his bum down and just get him through in that moment. We’ve been getting better and better outside, but inside [the ring] he was almost too overreactive, just from a bit of nerves, I guess.”

The tough French horse, who was campaigned previously by Australia’s Chris Burton and, briefly, by Tim’s wife, Jonelle, is the type that Tim hopes will cope well with the muddying ground tomorrow: “He’s a great scrambler,” says Tim, “and he’s got the action where it’s a bit of a sufferance in here in terms of a flying change, but for the ground, he’s brilliant. He just battles and runs, and so I’m really looking forward to him in these conditions — which isn’t to say it’ll go totally to plan, but he doesn’t really pay attention to the ground in the way he goes and who he is.”

As he heads to the startbox, he’ll carry with him a bit of wisdom inherited from another great Kiwi.

“He’s the last to go, so [the ground] isn’t going to get any worse than it is with him — but the rain’s moving, actually, so at least the ground isn’t holding,” Tim philosophises. “They’ll be slopping through it instead, and we do get to practice in it out here. I remember Andrew Nicholson saying to me once that when the ground’s like this, go and put them in it: part of your training and preparation is to let them experience that kind of ground and grow in confidence.”

Harry Meade and Tenareze. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Harry Meade rounds out the top ten after the first phase with his second ride, the former Tom Carlile ride Tenareze, who delivered a 26.9 — his best international score since his earliest two-stars.

“It’s his best test, at his first big five-star,” says Harry, who also sits 16th on a 29 with the experienced Away Cruising. “He hasn’t been in this kind of atmosphere, so you always learn something about them. I was thrilled with how he went;  he goes over the top very easily, so I did very little with him beforehand, and he was very cool in there.”

Though the weather has changed dramatically since Harry completed his first test yesterday, his aim for the day to come hasn’t, particularly, even with the rapidly changing ground and the changes it has effected to the course.

“I don’t think it changes the plan; usually, you ride on the feel the horse gives you and when the conditions are like, this we ride accordingly,” says Harry. “I just hope they don’t change the course any more, because horses go in this going. I think the worst conditions are when it’s been dry all week off the back of a wet period and it’s really holding. In this, they should go well, and I think it probably makes people ride better because they don’t chase the clock so much — they ride the horse underneath them. I think there’s a danger, if you if you make too many adjustments to the course, that it encourages people to just ride like they’re machines, whereas the greatest benefits to horses from their riders is when there’s an element of forecast fatigue, because you make sure you hold some back in the tank. If you change the course too much more, people won’t hold it back.”

Tomorrow’s cross-country challenge is set to begin at 11.30 a.m. BST (6.30 a.m. EST), and has already seen some changes to the track, including two removed fences and a number of take-off and landing treatments from the hardworking ground crew here at Badminton. Keep it locked onto EN this evening for further information, plus thoughts from the riders on the tricky track to come — and as always, Go Eventing.

The top ten at the culmination of dressage.

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Kitty King and Vendredi Biats. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Day two of Badminton started extra early today in order to ensure a two-hour midday break for the Coronation of King Charles — and so it all feels rather serendipitous that our new leader from the morning’s efforts should be a King in her own right. But to consider Kitty King and Vendredi Biats‘s 22.3 simply an act of kismet would be a discredit to them as athletes: the pair led the first phase at Burghley last year, too, and have consistently gotten better and better over the years between the boards. Today, the Selle Français, who was once prone to the odd naughty moment, danced sweetly despite the deepening mud and worsening rain — or perhaps, because of it.

“I know he’s great in sloppy ground — he led at Burgham in similar weather,” says Kitty. “Although he’s lovely and white and pristine because of my amazing groom, Chloe Fry, he loves to slop around and be a dirty, muddy Frenchman so he was having a great time splashing about!”

That reformed inclination to lose focus is something that’s always been easier to manage at long format events: “He’s just got so consistent in this phase, and he really comes into his own at the three days. At the one days he’s a bit normal, and then you go into a big arena and he’s just so with you. He couldn’t have gone any better.”

Kitty King and Vendredi Biats. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Though ‘Froggy’ always looks a consummate first-phase specialist, with his round, uphill build and big movement, Kitty explains that it actually takes rather a lot of quite basic work to encourage him to use himself correctly.

“We basically spend our entire life working on trying to keep him round and through, because he likes to fall in against the leg and stick his head up in the air most of the time,” she says. “How he came out of the arena, with his head in the air and his ears up my nose, that’s how he’d like to go all the time. That’s his natural way. So he spends most of his life living on a serpentine with a ten meter circle in the top of every loop — he spends his entire life during that in trot and canter, basically!”

Now, there’s plenty to focus on for Kitty as she prepares to better her Burghley result with the gelding, where she finished sixth after activating a frangible pin — but like many of the riders we’ve spoken to today, her first priority in the tough conditions tomorrow will be listening to her horse and giving him the ride he needs, whatever that may be.

“There’s lots to jump out there,” she says. “It’s big all the way, and the ground’s obviously going to play a massive part, so we’ve just got to go out and ride our horses as we find them;  just use our feel and give them a good experience.”

Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Some slightly stuffy flying changes precluded a leading score for Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser, but nevertheless, the perennial favourites shone in the gloom of this morning’s session to put a 23.6 on the board, earning them a provisional seat in fourth place, just 1.3 penalties — or three and a bit seconds — behind the leaders.

Despite his thorough soaking, Tom was delighted with the circumstances of his test, in large part because he’d expected empty stands for his early morning start time.

“Toledo’s not one for early mornings and smaller crowds — but it’s amazing to see, even at eight o’clock, how dedicated everyone is. They’re all up in the rafters under cover,” laughs Tom. “He loves performing and if people weren’t there, I was actually a bit worried — for him, an empty stadium is the worst thing that could possibly happen. So I was really hoping for a Friday afternoon test for him.”

All’s well that ends well, though, and even without his preferred draw, he was able to pull a very respectable test out of the bag with the enormously consistent French-bred gelding.

“I’m delighted with him — the way he went about it was fantastic,” says Tom, who gave the walk work — typically Toledo’s weakest pace — a nod as being a personal best effort. “It’s a little bit of a balancing act between having all power to get the real high marks, to then actually getting the walk and the stretch and the balancing in between.”

Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

And while the lead may have eluded him, Tom remains wholly pragmatic about what that might mean for the two days yet to come.

“To be honest, all you’ve got to be is there or thereabouts to get into the top mix — the rain is coming down and it’s forecast across the day, so I think it could be very influential on the course tomorrow.”

Furthering that pragmatism is the memory of last year’s Badminton, where he and Toledo came in as firm favourites, but took a hugely uncharacteristic tumble at the solar panel bounce in the latter stages of the course. This time, he’s taking his week one stride at a time.

“I came last year with the mindset all about winning and this year, for me, it’s more about actually just enjoying the horse I’ve got,” says Tom. “This year, I’ll be riding the horse I’ve got underneath me, enjoying the situation. He’s been in most situations more than most [horses], so definitely with his enthusiasm I think I’d prefer to be on him than any other.”

Also on his side? That little trip to Kentucky last week, where he finished second with the former Nicola Wilson ride JL Dublin, and gave himself some valuable pipe-opening mileage that’s knocked off rust in a way other riders have struggled to do in this fractured spring season, plagued as it’s been by cancellations.

“I didn’t quite realise how much of an advantage Oliver has had for so many years,” jokes Tom. “Going away and seeing an amazing course and amazing ground and an amazing place, it fills you with confidence. It’s actually great to go and see a big track considering how hard everyone’s tried this year to put on any shows. They’ve done an amazing job all round, but most of these horses haven’t seen as much cross country as they usually have.”

William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

William Fox-Pitt makes a decisive move into fifth place with the five-star debutant Grafennacht, who was initially intended for a Kentucky run but was rerouted here after the loss of so many of the spring’s prep events. The eleven-year-old mare continued her 2023 run of sub-30 scores with an impressive — and rather better than projected — 25.8.

“I’m dead chuffed with that,” says William. “She is quite good on the flat; she’s always had it in her to be to be good, but she’s inexperienced. She had last year off, pretty much, so she’s been a bit raw this year and looking everywhere — so to go in there and behave like that, I was dead chuffed with that, actually.  I’ve always thought she could do a good test one day, but to do a 25 today — good girl!”

While it’s a heartening start for the horse, who was second at Boekelo in 2021 before her year out, the enormously experienced rider doesn’t think the first phase will have any bearing on the competition once tomorrow’s competition begins — especially as the rain continues to fall.

“I think we forget the dressage, I mean — what a complete waste of time,” laughs William. “It’ll be a good old Badminton [in this weather]!”

Where rain — and shelving doubts — is concerned, he has some quantifiably excellent experience in his back pocket: “Tamarillo won it in the rain [in 2004]. I nearly didn’t run him: I remember the ten minute hold and Yogi Breisner going ‘do you, don’t you? It’s awful, but why don’t you just go and see how it goes and jump the first few?’ Oh god, the steeplechase was horrendous — I mean, literally, plastered in mud wasn’t the word. I was at the end of the day, I was just going to jump the first few, and he just flew round — so we all must stop faffing around and get on with it.”

Aaron Millar and KEC Deakon. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

The first rider of the morning session, who entered the ring at a rather unsociable 8.00 a.m., was one who had rather slipped under the radar among the big name horses and riders here — but Aaron Millar and KEC Deakon roundly thrust themselves into the spotlight with their smart test, which earned them a 28.8 and put them into ninth place at the halfway point of today’s action.

“It’s a very good start, and I’m really pleased with the horse — he went in there and knuckled down and really tried,” says Aaron of the thirteen-year-old son of Chacoa. Though the Irish Sport Horse has always done a respectable enough test, he’s tended to be a low-30s scorer, both with previous rider Millie Dumas and with Aaron — but a new trainer in the Millar camp has helped him to peak at the perfect moment.

“He’s a bit of an introvert, so he can come a bit inwards sometimes, but we work with [dressage rider] Dannie Morgan, and he’s just amazing in the way he trains them,” says Aaron. “Even outside here, it’s like I’m at home having a lesson rather than at Badminton, and I think that massively helps, because he knows me and the horse inside and out and can get me to be brave outside and say ‘come on, get on with it’. Whereas if I was by myself, I think I’d play it a bit more safe. Dannie’s definitely been the key to this horse.”

Though the rain’s been coming thick and fast, Aaron was the first of a number of riders today to find himself pleasantly surprised by the conditions in the arena, which still allowed horses to show themselves well.

“The ground’s actually, surprisingly, really good in there. He felt like he was cutting in, but he’s got big studs in, so he wasn’t slipping, and it wasn’t holding ground — I always worry more when they get sort of stuck in the mud. But it rode really well in there.”

Now, he joins the ranks of riders who have completed the first part of their week and now have to focus their attentions on planning how to tackle tomorrow’s tough track and tricky conditions.

“This horse has done Pau before, but it’s a big test for him, and a big ask — but this is why we have horses,” he muses. While it’s a Badminton debut for the horse, it’s a welcome return for the rider, who competed here in 2009 with Stormsay.

“It’s been a long time — I’ve got a few more wrinkles since then,” laughs Aaron. “It’s really good to be back; the first horse I had here was a bit tricky on the flat but an absolute machine across the country; he was clear inside the time and things, whereas Deakon is a very good jumper, but I just want to look after him a bit out there and make sure he’s got enough energy to get home.”

Michael Winter and El Mundo. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Canada’s Mike Winter slotted into provisional equal 25th with the extravagant El Mundo after posting a 32.2, though he was frustrated to lose two marks for an error of course after forgetting the stretchy canter circle at the tail end of the test.

“I’m always pleased with him, but I don’t know what I was thinking,” says Mike. “I think I’ve been saying it that way all morning to myself about the stretch circle, and then I did it without the stretch circle, so I feel like I let him down a little bit. But I love riding the horse, and I love being here.”

Lillian Heard Wood and LCC Barnaby. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

The second of our US competitors, Lillian Heard Wood and the very experienced LCC Barnaby, sit 45th on a 39.5 in their twelfth five-star together.

“He’s not very good at this bit,” laughs Lillian. “He’s done a lot worse — the score is actually the worst I’ve ever gotten, but he has been much more crazy in there before, so  walking out I was happy — and the qualities that make him not very good in there are what make him very good on cross-country, so I’ll be happy to be on him tomorrow!”

Barnaby’s expansive US fanbase will have been disappointed not to cheer the pair on around their home five-star this year, but, as Lillian explains, she was keen to come back and tick the Badminton box before the end of the gelding’s career after an early end to their week last year.

“I’ve done Kentucky lots of times, but if I had been successful here last year, I probably would have left the money in my bank account and not come,” she says. “But I thought, I’ve got one more year, and I want to give  a try.  Also, because he’s not very good at this phase, Badminton and Burghley  actually suit him better, because they’re such cross country competitions.”

We’ve got a long break now as the Coronation of King Charles plays out on big screens across the venue, but we’ll be back in action from 13.00 BST (8.00 a.m. EST) with the last 15 horses and riders, which include last year’s runners-up Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo, Burghley and Kentucky victors Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class, and Maryland winners Tim Price and Coup de Coeur Dudevin. Our first rider after the break will be Emily King — quite fittingly, all things considered — with her recent Grantham Cup winner Valmy Biats. We’ll be back with a full report from the culmination of dressage this afternoon. Until then: Go Eventing!

The top ten at Badminton after the Saturday morning dressage session.

Badminton Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Live Stream – Badminton TV] [Radio Badminton] [Tickets] [EN’s Coverage]

Oliver Townend and Swallow Springs. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Rise and shine ENers! We’re back with the competition at the 2023 Badminton Horse Trials!

We’ll be kicking off with the first competitor – Aaron Millar and KEC Deakon – at around 8am BST / 3am EDT / Midnight PDT.

The second US competitor here this weekend – Lillian Heard Wood with LCC Barnaby will be second into the arena – so heads up crazy American eventing superfans if you’re up and watching!

It’s a funny, fractured sort of schedule today, due to the late morning break for the coronation of King Charles. Canadian Mike Winters with El Mundo will be last to go before the break for the Coronation – he’s up at 10:07am BST / 5:07am EDT / 2:07am PDT.

We’ll resume proceedings at 1:00pm BST / 8:00am EDT / 5:00am PDT with Emily King and Valmy Biats, before closing play after the final test – that of Maryland 5* winners Tim Price and Coup de Couer Dudevin, at 3.26pm BST / 10:06am EDT / 7:06am PDT.

Who will be leading the field as we go into cross country tomorrow? We can’t wait to see! Keep this live thread bookmarked and refreshed, and watch this space!

Let’s go eventing!

Want to follow along with the form of all the horses and riders cantering down the center line at Badminton? Check out EN’s Form Guide for all the inside info.

Badminton Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Form Guide] [Live Stream – Badminton TV] [Radio Badminton] [Tickets] [EN’s Coverage]

Here’s a look at how the leaderboard stands as we break for lunch, and the Coronation:

10:36 What a day! What a two days! Wow!

After the dressage at Badminton 2023, top of the leaderboard going into the cross country we have Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo on a score of 22.1. Kitty King is in 2nd with Vendredi Biats on 22.3. And Oliver Townend hangs on in 3rd with Swallow Springs on 23.2. Gemma Stevens is just 0.1 behind with Jalapeno on a score of 23.3, and Tom McEwen and Toldeo de Kerser round off the top 5 on 23.6.

Will they stay there? How much shuffling will take place? Will it stop raining?
It’s all to play for at Badminton!

Thanks to everyone who’s followed along – it’s been a blast!

If you’re reading this after the event, scroll to the bottom and read up!

We’ll be back with live updates from the cross country tomorrow at around 11:30am BST / 6:30am EDT / 3:30am PDT. Keep it locked onto EN for the full dressage report – coming soon!

Go Eventing!

10:35 And that’s a wrap! (For the first phase at least!)

10:34 Tim Price and Coup de Coeur Dudevin score 26 and go into the top 10.

10:33 And we have the final halt of the dressage at Badminton – a 9 sums things up nicely.

10:32 Another difficult change and Joker looks a bit muddled. Tim’s got him working nicely again for him though and the scores are back up to 7s and 8s.

10:31 Another 9 for the half circle in walk, although a sticky change sees them score 4, 5 and 6.

10:29 Their halt at X gets three 9s. That’s a bit of a marker of the quality we’re seeing here.

10:29 Lots more 8s coming in as Joker works fluently and shows off his suppleness.

10:28 A very smart entrance and super square halt gets them off to a great start – 8s across the board.

10:27 They scored a 27.4 in the first phase at Maryland 5*, which they went on to win. Will they improve on that today?

10:26 Rounding off our two days of dressage is World No.1, New Zealand’s Tim Price and Coup de Coeur Dudevin.

A former Chris Burton and then Jonelle Price ride, ‘Joker’ and Tim have only been together a year and have already got a 5* win under their girth.

Tim’s aiming for his sixth 5* win here this week – and his first Badminton victory.

Will this be his year? It all starts here!

10:25 Pippa Funnell and Billy Walk On score 27.1. He looks very happy with himself and so he should. Lots of nice work on show there.

10:24 Billy Walk On doesn’t want to stretch in the stretch circle and their scores dip a bit.

10:23 It’s 8s across the board for the first flying change – super!

10:22 Pippa’s sitting quiet in the walk and Billy Walk On shows purpose in his medium work. They score two 8s in the half circle.

10:21 Billy Walk On looks supple and happy in the early part of the test. The trot work shows off some of his elegance and Pippa’s riding positively.

10:20 Pippa shushes the crowd as she canters under the arch. Her fans listen and are waiting with baited breath to see this test.

10:19 We can surely look forward to a dressage in the 20s, potentially the low 20s – watch this space!

10:18 Our penultimate combination is Pippa Funnell with her homebred Billy Walk On.

Billy Walk On returns to Badminton to put right his previous two outings – he was retired on the cross country after picking up a 20 both last year and in 2019.

Billy Walk On is a big, long horse who’s a lot to keep together.

This pair have had 24 top 10 results from 37 FEI starts.

Billy Walk On looked beautifully bouncy in the Horse Inspection yesterday.

10:17 It’s 30.3 for Dan Jocelyn and Blackthorn Cruise.

10:15 The canter continues in the same kind of way. The horse is listening and performing the movements but there’s a little bit of tension in the neck which is keeping their scores to around 7 or so.

10:14 Blackthorn Cruise looks to be working well for Dan. He’s obedient and steady and their marks are trending around 7.

10:12 Dan’s right on the time as he enters the arena – goodness, he cut that fine! Blackthorn Cruise had a spook by the judges on his way there which slowed him down a bit. But he’s in and they’re performing their trot work very nicely.

10:11 We’re expecting a mid to low-30s mark here, although they have been known to sneak into the 20s.

10:10 New Zealand’s Dan Jocelyn returns to the ring with his second ride this year, Blackthorn Cruise.

Dan has brought Blackthorn Cruise all the way through the levels – from BE100 to their first 5* at Burghley in 2021.

The pair were part of the silver medal winning Nations Cup team at Boekelo in 2021.

10:09 Fiona Kashel and Creevagh Silver De Haar score 34.1.

10:07 The gelding is showing what he thinks of the mud by swishing his tail round as he goes. He really is trying hard for Fiona and their relationship with one another is clear. They’re doing a good job in tough conditions.

10:05 Silver De Haar looks to not be enjoying the ground conditions. He’s trying for Fiona and performing everything asked of him, but he’s not really settled in and showing off what it looks like he could do.

10:04 Another one to slip slightly into the halt on the very muddy center line. A bit of a wobble scores them 7s and a 6 to start their test.

10:03 They’re generally pretty consistent in this phase, trending around the low to mid-30s.

10:02 Our second rider to go yesterday, Fiona Kashel is back with Creevagh Silver De Haar.

Like her first ride, Fiona has brought Creevagh Silver De Haar through the levels from 1*.

Their first 5* came at Badminton last year. They’ve also completed at Pau.

10:01 Izzy Taylor and Graf Cavalier score 31.5. Izzy’s got to be pleased with that for this mare. Good work.

10:00 Ah, the change didn’t really happen when it was meant to and they score 2s. But Izzy doesn’t let it bother her and they continue in the positive way that they’ve approached the test as a whole.

9:59 Graf Cavalier is ready for the canter to start, although she worked nicely in the walk for Izzy. This test is looking very steady and positive.

9:58 It’s 8s across the board for an expressive extended trot.

9:57 Once she gets settled, Graf Cavalier is relaxing nicely into her work. They look positive and are delivering a solid test so far.

9:55 Expect mid to high-30s here, although the mare did produce some sub-30s at earlier on in her career.

9:54 Izzy Taylor joins us once more, with her second ride Graf Cavalier.

Did you know? Graf Cavalier is a former Piggy March ride.

This is one of the least experienced horses in the field – despite being 13. In 2020 and 2021 she had just one FEI run per year, and in 2022 she only ran two internationals.

9:53 Laura Collett and Decapo are in the mix! They score 25.2 and go into 7th.

9:52 There’s lots of pats for Cal and a big round of applause from a very wet looking crowd. It was a really smart test.

9:51 More 8s are popping up in their canter work now. Cal is really trying hard and it’s nice to see such a lovely partnership working together.

9:50 So far everything’s happening as it should for this pair and they’re pulling in 7s and a few 8s. There’s a 9 for their collected canter which is elegant and flowing.

9:49 Cal looks a picture this afternoon – he’s bouncy and soft and he looks like he’s working very hard for Laura.

9:48 This pair are capable of a very low-20s score in this first phase – they creep higher sometimes though so we’ll have to see how they get on today!

9:47 Next up we have reigning champion Laura Collett who comes forward with Decapo, who’s known as ‘Cal’ at home.

This is Cal’s second attempt at 5* and Laura’ll be hoping for their first completion.

They’ve had a strong lead up, with a win in the 4*-S at Burnham Market and not finishing outside the top 5 at any event they’ve completed since September 2021.

9:46 It’s 24.7 and 6th place for Oliver Townend and Ballaghmor Class. Oliver looks a little disappointed, but this is not going to be a dressage test, that’s for sure!

9:45 A couple of bobbles, but overall, a smart test in difficult ground conditions.

9:44 After a sticky first change, he nails the second one for yet more 8s.

9:42 There’s real purpose in their walk work – they average around 8 for those movements. They set off meaning business in the canter – more 8s and 8.5s coming in.

9:41 So far this is a steady, accurate test. They’re perhaps not showing off all of their sparkle just yet, but Thomas looks very happy in his work.

9:40 The mud splashed up Thomas’ legs says it all about the ground conditions. He opts to halt just off the track and gets a 9 and an 8 for a very square halt.

9:39 We’re expecting sub-25 here – he’s had a 20.8 and 21.1 here before. How low will he be this time?

9:38 Next into the arena is Oliver Townend with Olympic team gold medal winning horse Ballaghmor Class.

This is the second of Oliver’s rides here this week. He was third to go yesterday and sits in 3rd – how will he do today?

‘Thomas’ has an impressive record on his form card – seven 5* completions, two wins, never out of the top 5, as well as Olympic and World Championships call-ups.

As a combination they’ve won at Burghley and Kentucky, can they add Badminton to the list?

He may look easy when he’s floating round the arena with Oliver, but he’s very sharp and has had everyone on the floor at home. Oliver’s always liked him though and their relationship is evident in the success they’ve had together.

9:37 It’s 26.9 for Harry Meade and Tenareze, who go into 7th.

9:36 There’s a bit of a bunny hop on the changes but overall the canter is as nice as the rest of their work. Tenareze stretches right down in the stretch circle and gets a 9 and an 8.

9:34 The excellent quality continues into their walk work. More 8s for them. What a lovely picture they’re showing of a horse and rider working as one.

9:33 Everything’s looking harmonious and effortless and they’re being rewarded with lots of 7.5s and 8s – there’s an 8.5 for the extended trot.

9:32 Harry and Tenareze get their test underway was a beautiful square halt for an 8.5 and an 8. A great start for the pair.

9:31 They are capable of a sub-30 score in this phase – his 5* debut at Pau saw them on a 29.3. Will they better that here?

9:30 Getting us back underway is Harry Meade with his second ride, Tenareze.

Tenareze won the World Championship for Young Horses at Le Lion D’Angers as both a 6 and 7-year-old with previous rider, Tom Carlile.

The horse was a bit ‘ditchy’, so Harry walked 1000 ditches a month with him to build his confidence and prove to him that there were no trolls lurking in the depths.

9:06 Here’s the link to the cross country update.

8:56 We’re off for the final break break now.

As we go into the break, we have new leaders – Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo lead the pack, Kitty King and Vendredi Biats are 2nd and Oliver Townend and Swallow Springs are 3rd.

We’ll be back at 2:30pm BST / 9:30am EDT / 6:30am PDT for the final session. Then we’ll know who our leaders will be going into tomorrow’s cross country! See you soon!

8:55 What a test! It’s 9, 8.5 and 8 for the collectives and into the lead for Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo – 22.1 for them!

8:53 There’s a little bit of tension in the changes, but everything else is spot on. What an exciting young horse this is.

8:52 Some lovely relaxed walk brings in more lovely scores. And it continues into the canter – a 9 and two 8s for the medium.

8:51 Lots of 8s coming in, also 8.5s and 9s. Serious scores are coming in here!

8:49 Walter looks an absolute picture as he canters down the center line. They look relaxed and confident and score a 9, 8.5 and 8 for the halt. What a start!

8:48 We can expect to see this pair near the top of the leaderboard after dressage, and they’re very capable of staying there.

8:47 Next into the ring we have last year’s runners up – current World No. 3 Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo.

As a 5* debutant last year, Walter loved his first Badminton – Will he go one better this year?

This pair were 4th individually at the World Championships in Pratoni.

Walter’s known for being the yard clown and a bit of an entertainer – something which helps him shine in this phase.

Breeding info! Walter is half-brother the Ros’ other ride, Pencos Crown Jewel.

8:46 They walk out looking very relaxed. Luc looks happy with his horse. It’s 37 for Luc Chateau and Arklow Puissance.

8:45 The tension is showing in the changes now. Luc is sitting quiet but can’t really let the reins go in the stretch circle. They’re nearly at the end now. It started off as a very relaxed test but the tension’s mounted as they’ve gone on.

8:44 Viens du Mont looks a bit tense in the walk and Luc rides very tactically to keep him from jogging. He’ll be glad to get into canter.

8:42 It’s a nice relaxed picture so far for this pair. Everything’s accurate and they look like a happy partnership.

8:41 We’re expecting a score in the 30s here, but it’s hard to predict whereabouts as they swing a bit from one end to the other.

They’ll be climbing the leaderboard come Sunday though, with no cross country penalties in their 18 FEI runs.

8:40 French rider Luc Chateau is next up with Viens du Mont for the horse’s second 5* start.

Luc and his wife run a breeding program at home in France and have just welcomed a foal out of Michael Jung’s superstar mare, FischerRocana.

8:39 Wills Oakden and Arklow Puissance score 34.

8:39 Oh no! After so much lovely work, Arklow gets upset in the final change. Wills has to work very hard to keep him together, but he manages it and they pull it all back for an 8 for the halt at the end. Such a shame in what was overall a very nice performance.

8:38 The scores have crept up a bit as they do their canter work. Lots of 7.5s coming in.

8:36 Arklow shows what he thinks of standing in the mud as he side steps off the track in the halt. He did it in the first halt too. It didn’t affect his scores though. He continues looking relaxed in the walk.

8:35 Arklow Puissance is in a very nice frame as he trots round the arena. He looks soft and supple and very rideable and happy.

8:34 This pairing have scored everything from 32.1 to 42.6 in this phase – let’s see how they get on this time out.

8:33 He was out first yesterday and now he’s back for another go – next up it’s Wills Oakden and Arklow Puissance.

Arklow Puissance is a former Oliver Townend ride.

Wills brings him to Badminton for the horse’s first 5*.

Family connection! Wills’ dad and aunt both competed at Badminton.

Fun fact! Wills’ loves to do the laundry and won’t let his wife near the washing machine at home!

8:32 Helen Martin and Andreas score 32.8.

8:31 Helen finishes with the same big grin she started. There are huge cheers in the crowd and massive pats for Alfie, who’s sure everyone has shown up just to watch him.

8:30 The scores are a bit lower for the canter work than for the trot, but it’s all accurate enough and horse and rider look like a great team.

8:29 In the commentary box they’ve spotted the crown quarter marks! Alfie’s walk is very, very good – two 8s for the half circle.

8:28 Alfie’s showing off all his elegance and lift in the trot work. He’s showing a lot of ability and is pulling in lots of 7s.

8:27 Helen looks thrilled to be riding at Badminton. She’s got a huge smile on her face and it’s great to see!

8:26 They’re aiming for a solid dressage – low-30s if possible.

8:25 First time 5* alert! Helen Martin and Andreas come forward for their first 5* together.

Based just 30 minutes down the road, ‘Alfie’ can smell the turf on the Badminton cross country course when the wind’s blowing the right way.

Family connection! Helen’s farrier husband has done Alfie’s shoes for the occasion, etching them with ‘Badminton’.

Alfie was spotted sporting some very smart home-crafted crown shaped quarter marks in the Horse Inspection – which sadly got washed off in the downpour. He got big cheers from the crowd.

Fun fact! Alfie’s known as the King at home so it’s fitting he’s making his 5* debut on Coronation day.

8:24 Bubby Upton and Cola score 31.4.

8:23 8s across the board to wrap up an overall, very nice test.

8:21 Cola got his tension out in time for the walk – they score an 8 and 9 for the half circle. It’s back for the first change though. There are lots of highlights happening, and a couple of wobbles.

8:20 Bubby is working on the inside track to avoid the mud. Lots of clever riding happening here. Cola shows the tension Bubby’s trying to keep at bay in the rein back, which scores 4s.

8:18 Cola looks a little bit on his toes as they canter up the center line. Bubby’s sitting quiet and encouraging him to relax – it works – they get a 9 and an 8 for the halt and salute.

8:17 They’ve scored everything from mid-20s to low-30s. Can they put down a competitive score here? Let’s see.

8:16 Next we have Bubby Upton and Cola.

Bubby’s back at Badminton for another go after a heartbreaking run out at the final fence on cross country day last year.

They were 14th at Burghley last year.

Bubby is a former British under-25 champion.

8:15 Georgia Bartlett and Spano de Nazca score 31.2.

8:14 Overall there have been some excellent moments in this test and it’s great to see a horse and rider pair working so well together.

8:13 There’s another 8 for the half circle in walk. This is a very impressive performance for such a young rider – she’s 22.

8:12 Nono looks very relaxed and happy to be in the Main Arena at Badminton. He’s working really well for Georgia and does a beautiful rein back for an 8.

8:11 Nono shows off a very nice floaty medium trot and they’re pulling in lots of 7.5s in the early part of their test.

8:10 Their scores in this phase tend to vary from the high-20s to the mid-30s but with a wealth of experience coming up the levels together, a clear on Sunday is possible, and with it a jump up the leaderboard.

8:09 First-time 5* alert! 22-year-old Georgia Bartlett and her ‘best friend’ Spano de Nazca are next into the ring.

This partnership has been together for seven years and Nono has been with Georgia from BE100 all the way to 5*.

8:08 It’s 31.3 for Emily King and Valmy Biats.

8:07 Gemma Stevens in the commentary box is commenting on the ground in the arena, which is really quite squelchy now after a full morning of rain. Emily ends with two 8s in the halt in what has been a lovely test with some very good moments.

8:06 It’s more of the same in the canter work – lovely and rhythmical, accurately ridden by Emily and a nice picture overall.

8:04 Valmy Biats looks very relaxed and rideable and is really working with Emily. The stretch circle is lovely and scores 7s across the board.

8:03 It’s a great start for Emily with an 8 and 8.5 in the halt.

8:02 There’s news of changes to the cross country course due to the weather – we’ll bring you more info on that as we know it.

8:01 This pair could potentially give us another dressage in the 20s. Let’s see how they show up today.

8:00 Welcome back! We have a King at the top of the leaderboard and now it’s time for another one. Getting us back underway this afternoon is, appropriately, Emily King and Valmy Biats.

They come here fresh off a win at Thoresby Park in the 4*-S.

Emily had a fall here last year so she’ll be hoping to put that right this year.

Fun fact! Valmy Biats is part owned by the Event Horse Owners Syndicate – You can buy a tiny part of him for £95!

Behind the scenes! Last weekend Emily King ran the London Marathon so she’s certainly fit enough for a ride round the cross country here.

5:17 And now we’ll be taking a break for the Coronation. If you’re celebrating – enjoy! If you’re going for a long lunch – enjoy! If you’re in the US and sleeping through all the royal shenanigans – enjoy!

We’ll be back at 1pm BST / 8am EDT / 5am PDT to continue with the dressage.

There are changes at the top of the leaderboard after this morning’s action:
Kitty King is in 1st on 22.3 with Oliver Townend in 2nd on Swallow Springs on 23.2.
Snapping at Oliver’s heels in 3rd is Gemma Stevens and Jalapeno on 23.3.
Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser have gone into 4th this morning with a score of 23.6.
And William Fox-Pitt rounds off the top five with Grafennacht on 25.8.

5:16 It’s 32.2 for Mike Winter and El Mundo.

5:15 Well Mike did a great job keeping that together to finish their test on a positive note. He looks so upset with himself. Roberto decides to have some grass to try and make Mike smile.

5:13 Oh no! Mike’s forgotten the stretch circle. What a total shame. Everything was going so well for them. He’s goes back to complete the movement.

5:12 Roberto’s being very obedient and is trying hard for Mike. They look like a happy pair as they deliver a clean test.

5:11 Everything is clean and solid in the first part of this test. Lots of 7s, some 7.5s coming in for them.

5:10 They get off to a solid start with 7s across the board for their halt.

5:09 We can probably expect a mid to low 30s score here, although they have been as low as 29.6 – at Roberto’s first 5* at Bicton in 2021.

5:08 Last up before the long break will be double Olympic and World Championship rider, Canada’s Mike Winter with El Mundo. This pair are back for another spin round Badminton.

The original plan was for Mike to produce ‘Roberto’ and sell him on, but when a major injury put the gelding on box rest and Mike took care of him round-the-clock, the bond they formed meant that selling him was not an option.

Mike is an outspoken advocate for diversity and anti-racism in the sport, as well as a range of equality issues.

Fun fact! Mike is a keen snowboarder.

5:07 William Fox-Pitt and Grafennacht score 25.8 – they’re into 5th.

5:06 A very relaxed stretch circle gets them an 8 and an 8.5.

5:04 Lillie does a great change even whilst going to the toilet!

5:03 Lots of 7.5s and some 8s coming in for this pair. William’s making it look easy, and we all know it’s not!

5:02 William elects to halt just slightly off the side to the soft spot that’s developed in the middle of the arena due to the rain. Lillie is relaxed and fluent in her movements – she looks happy to be out there this morning.

5:01 Lillie is well capable of a mid-20s dressage score so let’s see how she fares in her first 5* test.

5:00 Well, this will be a familiar figure to eventing fans – Here comes multi Olympic, Worlds and European medalist William Fox-Pitt with Grafennacht.

William already has four Armada dishes to his name, and he’s lifted the Badminton trophy twice before – Will he make it a third time this year?

William describes ‘Lillie’ as a ‘tough old wench’! Safe to say, that’s 100% a compliment when you’re talking about a Badminton horse.

4:59 It’s 46.4 for Lauren Innes and Flobal Fision M.

4:58 Not at all what Lauren would have hoped for, but a great display of compassionate riding. There’s lots of pats for Flipper as he’s still very upset as he leaves the ring.

4:56 Flipper’s a bit wibbily wobbily as they canter round the corners. Lauren is doing remarkably well in a difficult situation.

4:54 Lauren is doing a great job of just trying to ride the floor plan on a horse that is totally on his toes. She’s rubbing his withers to let him know that everything’s OK.

4:54 A nightmare start for Lauren – Flipper won’t go forwards and instead goes sideways and backwards. Lauren gets him going but then tracks the wrong way at C. They’re back on track now. What a shame.

4:53 Flipper can get incredibly hot in this phase – potential fireworks alert! Let’s hope he keeps it all under wraps and the atmosphere doesn’t get to him. Fingers crossed.

4:52 Next up it’s New Zealand rider Lauren Innes and Global Fision M.

Fun fact! Lauren is a full-time accountant.

‘Flipper’ is Lauren’s only upper-level horse.

This is Lauren and Flipper’s second visit to Badminton together.

She’s swapped the crown she was wearing for the Horse Inspection for her riding helmet today.

4:51 They’re sub-30! It’s 29.7 for Selina Milnes and Iron.

4:50 A very straight halt on the center line ends a test that had lots of nice highlights. It’s 8 across the board for the halt.

4:49 There’s some tail swishing going on as they set off in canter, but that could be because of the rain. Iron’s not looking quite as soft as he was and there are a couple of sticky changes.

4:48 They score a 10 for the halt and an 8 for the rein back. Very nice work.

4:47 Iron avoids the boggy patch where he’s meant to halt but goes on to show really nice expression in the trot work. It’s open and flowing and really quite lovely.

4:46 Their 5* scores in this phase hover between 30 and 31. Will they squeak into the 20s this time around?

4:44 Selina Milnes and Iron are our next to go.

This combination are looking for their second Badminton completion.

‘Bently’ brought Selina back up to the 5* level after a 10 year hiatus with an 8th place finish at Pau in 2021.

Family connection! Selina is married to an equine vet and her brother is farrier to Team GB.

4:43 It’s 38 for Arthur Duffort and Toronto D’Aurois, who is still looking around as he makes his way out of the arena.

4:42 It’s pouring with rain as they complete their final halt. Arthur’s done a great job on a horse that was a bit looky. Some lovely moments – and an 8 for the halt at the end – for them.

4:40 The walk is relaxed enough but Toronto’s still upset in the top corner of the ring and it affects his canter transition. They get going though and squelch their way through the canter work.

4:38 Toronto’s showing a really lovely rhythmical trot – he’s balanced and expressive and they’re a picture to watch together.

4:37 Toronto is another horse taking a wary look at the camera operator’s raincoat. He’s still looking over there as he halts in the arena.

4:36 Their scores are generally around the mid to high-30s in this phase, with their 5* tests trending towards the top of the scale.

4:35 Next up the center line will be British-based French combination Arthur Duffort and Toronto D’Aurois.

It’s a second Badminton for this pair who have four 5* starts under their girths already.

The original plan for ‘Toronto’ was for him to be sold on, but he had other plans – he was so difficult no one wanted him!

Toronto’s groom, Leonore Gignoux, told me she wishes she could turn off the giant screen in the dressage arena for Toronto’s test because he’s so shy.

4:34 It’s 36 for Tom Crisp and Liberty and Glory.

4:33 Lori nods to the judges in the final halt. That was well ridden by Tom – she’s been quite delicate in the ring this morning and he got some nice moments out of her in that test.

4:31 Lori’s not as happy in the walk but she’s picked up a nice rhythm in the canter.

4:30 There’s lots of solid work happening for this pair – lots of 7s coming in for them.

4:29 Lori takes a look round as she halts for the salute but she’s working happily in trot and looks to be lovely and rideable at the beginning of their test.

4:28 Expect high-30s here for this tempestuous mare – and a mammoth climb hereafter.

4:27 Next up we have Tom Crisp and Liberty and Glory.

At Pau in 2018, this feisty mare climbed 54 places on the leaderboard to finish 6th.

The pair were 9th at Burghley last year.

Family connection! ‘Lori’ is out of a Thoroughbred mare who Tom’s wife, Sophie, competed. She was bred by Sophie’s parents.

Fun fact! ‘Lori’ was born on the 4th of July – hence her name – Liberty and Glory.

4:26 A great job for Kristina Hall-Jackson and CMS Google – it’s 30.9 for them.

4:25 Everything’s looking even and rhythmical in the canter work and Google’s relaxation in the stretch circle awards her two 8s. There’s some really lovely work happening here.

4:23 The first change comes a bit early but it’s good and clean.

4:22 The arena’s looking – and sounding – a bit squelchy as the rain continues to fall at Badminton. Google doesn’t look too bothered by it though – she’s working really nicely for Kristina and everything is very neat, tidy and careful.

4:21 This combination have squeaked sub-30 a couple of times, but they’re more likely to hover around the mid-30s mark. Let’s see what they can do here.

4:20 Badminton rookie alert! Kristina Hall-Jackson is getting us back underway with her lovely mare CMS Google.

Did you know? Kristina has been riding since she was 18 months old!

This is Kristina and Google’s second 5* outing – their first was Burghley last year where they finished 35th.

Kristina describes Google as ‘the biggest chicken’ at home and ‘brave as a lion’ at events.

Fun fact! Google is scared of the dark!

3:56 At the break, Kitty King and Vendredi Biats lead the field, followed by Oliver Townend and Swallow Springs in 2nd. 3rd is Gemma Stevens and Jalapeno. We’re off for a short break now. We’ll be back at 9:19am BST / 4:19am EDT / 1:19am PDT. Back soon!

3:55 There’s been lots to like in this test, and a couple of wobbly moments. Bill Levett and Huberthus AC score 32.5.

3:53 More accurate work in the canter, until the counter canter upsets things and they get 3s and a 2 for the flying change.

3:51 Bill’s riding a really accurate test so far. Everything’s solid and they’re rewarded with 8s for a lovely square halt at C.

3:50 Bart’s scores can be a bit inconsistent in this phase – from the very low-30s to the very low-40s. Being his first 5*, it’ll all depend on how he enjoys the atmosphere at a big event like Badminton.

3:49 Here’s a name eventing fans will be familiar with – Australia’s Bill Levett brings forward Huberthus AC for the horse’s first 5*. They’re last to go before the break.

At 60, Bill’s one of the most experienced riders in the field.

Bill first competed at Badminton 23 years ago and represented Australia at the 2014 and 2018 World Championships.

3:48 Alex looks absolutely soaking after completing his test in the very soggy conditions. Diva’s checking out the crowd and looks excited to be at Badminton. It’s 34.3 for Alex Bragg and Quindiva.

3:45 Diva’s still not forgotten about that camera, but she’s listening to Alex and working nicely in the canter work.

3:44 Diva’s settling as she gets into her test. A very deliberate rein back is rewarded with 7.5s.

3:42 There’s a spook on the outside of the arena from Diva – she’s spotted the camera. Alex is taking his time to settle her before going in. They’re on the center line now and Diva’s keeping a bit of an eye on that camera.

3:41 This little mare trends sub-30 in the first phase – can she keep up that record here?

3:40 Next up we have Alex Bragg and Quindiver for the mare’s first 5*, and Alex’s ninth.

Alex started out as a farrier and shoes all of the Team Bragg horses.

3:39 A huge smile from Kitty as they halt at the end of their test. Kitty King and Vendredi Biats go into the lead! 22.3 for them.

3:38 It’s 8s and 8.5s for the change. Kitty’s really going for everything. They’ve now had a 9 for a flying change!

3:37 A very secure halt at C is rewarded with a 10!

3:36 Well they’ve started off in the right way – 8s and 8.5s for the first halt. Froggy looks supple and rideable and, despite the mud, beautifully turned out this morning. Great job by the grooms!

3:35 John Kyle in the commentary box says we could be looking at our winner with this pair. I hope so – they’re in my Eventing Manager team!

3:34 At Burghley last year they delivered a 21.2 in this phase. They’re consistently mid-20s or below. What will it be here?

3:33 Kitty King and Vendredi Biats will be next down the center line.

Fun fact! Vendredi Biats is known as ‘Froggy’ at home!

Last year they were 7th here, with a 6th place at Burghley later in the season. Can they get closer to the top of the leaderboard here? I think so – they’re in my Eventing Manager team!

Froggy has the best 5* dressage average in the field.

3:32 It’s into 3rd for Tom McEwen and Toledo de Kerser – 23.6 for them.

3:31 8s across the board for the final halt. Nicola’s clapping in the commentary box. Toledo looks pleased with himself.

3:29 It really does look very wet at Badminton right now. Toledo’s canter work isn’t necessarily happening as easily as we’re perhaps used to seeing it, but it’s all happening as it’s meant to.

3:28 Lots of 8s coming in for this pair. There’s super harmony between horse and rider, it’s accurate and relaxed and they make a gorgeous picture.

3:27 A very expressive medium trot gets them an 8.5 and 9 from the judges.

3:26 Tom’s come in looking extremely confident and positive. Nicola Wilson in the commentary box says there’s an air of ‘Look at me’ about them.

3:25 Consistent and flashy, they reliably score mid-20s – or better. Watch this space.

3:24 Next into the arena will be Olympic team gold and individual silver medalists Tom McEwen and Toledo De Kerser.

Tom came here last year fired up after their Olympic success but it wasn’t to be. Will this year be their year?

The pair have been to two World Championships (winning team gold in Tryon) as well as the Tokyo Olympics.

Tom comes here fresh off the plane from Kentucky, where he came 2nd on JL Dublin.

Behind the scenes! Toledo is a bit of a quirky character and doesn’t do any jumping at home.

3:23 It’s big pats and a bite of arena grass for Church’lle – Arthur Marx and Church’lle score 34.7.

3:22 They’re picking up some nice marks now – 7s across the board for their flying change.

3:20 Arthur’s riding the test really accurately to make sure he gets all the marks he can. Church’lle seems to have settled during the walk and they set off into canter looking a lot more relaxed.

3:19 Church’lle looks like he thinks it should be cross country day. Arthur’s doing really well to keep him settled.

3:18 This pair typically score in the mid to high-30s in this phase.

3:17 Next we have French rider Arthur Marx and Church’lle.

This is their second 5* together.

Family connection! Church’lle is a family homebred – Arthur’s dad rode both his dam and grand-dam.

More family ties! He’s one of five horses in the field by Grafenstolz – so it’s a bit of a family reunion for the half-siblings here, who include Ros Canter’s Lordships Graffalo and William Fox-Pitt’s Grafennacht.

3:15 They finish a very safe test. It’s 39.5 for Lillian Heard Wood and LCC Barnaby.

3:13 The canter work is steady, but it’s in a nice rhythm. It’s all a bit conservative and contained – so no big scores.

3:12 A little stumble doesn’t bother this experienced campaigner – Barnaby keeps going and seems to be doing his best for Lillian right now.

3:10 Lots of reassuring pats for Barnaby as they trot round the outside of the arena. They’re up the center line and looking steady and solid so far.

3:09 We’re hoping for low-30s for Barnaby between the boards today. Let’s see how this long-time partnership get on.

3:08 Now it’s the turn of our second US pairing – Lillian Heard Wood and LCC Barnaby.

Barnaby is the most experienced horse in the field with 12 5* starts under his girth. He’s one of five 17-year-olds in the field.

This is their second Badminton. They didn’t complete last year, so here’s hoping this time they’ll add another 5* completion to their record.

Barnaby started out as a bit of a rogue gelding who no one enjoyed riding – and then he met Lillian and they’ve become familiar faces at the top events all over the world.

3:07 It’s 28.8 for Aaron Millar and KEC Deakon – what a fabulous start for them – into 6th.

3:06 A couple of sticky changes in there but Aaron’s got to be pleased with Deakon this morning – lots of lovely quality work on show.

3:05 They’re showing more of the same quality through the canter work – overall a lovely picture of horse and rider working together.

3:04 It looks to be a wet start to the day at Badminton but it’s not bothering Deakon who’s working nicely despite the early start we’ve had this morning. Everything’s sound and clean and he’s just done a lovely halt at C for a 9.

3:03 We can expect the combination to sit in the low-30s after the first phase. Let’s see how they do.

3:02 First up the center line this morning will be Aaron Millar and KEC Deakon.

This is Aaron’s first trip to Badminton since 2009.

Fun fact! At home, Aaron also rides Tomatillo, who is a clone of William Fox-Pitt’s 2004 Badminton winner Tamarillo.

3:01 Aaaannnnd we’re back!!! Does anyone else feel like we never went away?! It’s day two of dressage, which is weird, because it’s Saturday, and we all know what Saturday is. But not today. We’ve got that to look forward to tomorrow!
Let’s get to it!

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Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Though we saw a hot line-up of horses and riders after the lunch break today at Badminton, no one could quite topple those lofty morning scores – and as a result, our top three remains exactly as it was as we went into the lunch break, with Oliver Townend holding onto the top spot with Swallow Springs (23.2), Gemma Stevens sitting second with Jalapeno (23.3), and Tim Price rounding out the top three with Vitali (27.1).

The star of the afternoon sessions, though, slotted neatly into fourth: New Zealand’s Caroline Powell has, perhaps, been lacking in truly competitive five-star horses since the glory days of Lenamore, with whom she won Burghley in 2010, but it’s been impossible to ignore the upward trajectory of young upstart Greenacres Special Cavalier over the last couple of years. From her days in the young horse classes at Le Lion d’Angers, which hosts the Six- and Seven-Year-Old World Championships, she’s been pipped as a Paris prospect — and since she made her step up to five-star at Pau last year, finishing fifth as just a nine-year-old, there’s been no denying that she’s the real deal. The Irish-bred mare is a tough little tank of a horse, but where those types can sometimes find themselves having to climb through the rankings over a weekend, ‘Cavvy’ is just as proficient on the flat as she is over fences. She roundly proved that today, delivering a smart and professional test to post a 27.4 — three-tenths of a point better than her single previous five-star start.

“It’s all always been there with her, but it’s taken a while to connect her because she’s so long — she’s in different counties sometimes,” laughs Caroline. “But she’s got a really good head, and the main thing we’ve tried not to do is change the length of her — we tried that once and she got a bit fiery, so we’ve learned to leave her where she’s comfortable. That’s actually the way you need to produce her — whether that’s right or wrong, I don’t know!”

Caroline Powell and Greenacres Special Cavalier. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Though a big horse like Cavvy isn’t always the quickest to produce — “there’s certainly room for everyone on her,” jokes Caroline — it’s that brain that sets her apart, and even with their excellent Pau result behind them, Caroline is treating Badminton as another rung in the ladder for the horse’s long-term career.

“We just went [to Pau] to sort of see what we’ve got and to be honest, we’re here to see what we’ve got as well,” she says. “She’s been an absolute joy to produce right the way through; I got her as a four year old and here she is. She just loves it, and she’s really enjoying the work, so long may it continue! She’s done a really nice test, so that’s one box ticked — and who knows what’s going to happen on Sunday. It’s a big course, and there’s a lot to jump out there, and if she goes out and does well, that’s great.”

Tom Jackson, fourth at the lunch break, now moves to fifth overnight with Capels Hollow Drift (28), while Harry Meade slips down a notch to sixth with Away Cruising (29).

Rosalind Canter and Pencos Crown Jewel. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Ros Canter, who rode her test this morning with Pencos Crown Jewel, now sits seventh overnight on a good score of 29.2 in the mare’s third five-star — though with prior scores of 24.2 at last year’s Burghley and 27.1 at Bicton in 2021, she was disappointed to lose marks in the flying changes and miss out on the kind of score the mare ordinarily produces.

“The quality of work that she’s doing this year is by far superior to what she’s done before,” she says. “She’s struggled a bit with her balance — she’s quite croup-high, so most of the time we’ve done dressage tests she’s been quite heavy on the hand, and the last couple of times out she’s felt amazing. She did today, but unfortunately, every single change didn’t come for us today, which has always been a little bit of a bugbear — but recently we’ve been quite good at them, so that was a little bit frustrating.”

Those changes, which earned scores between 4s and 6.5s, were the only low point in an otherwise polished performance.

“I didn’t really get any how I wanted them in there, but her brain was great, and her quality of work was, I think, exceptional,” says Ros. “So if we’d nailed the changes, I think we wouldn’t have been that  far off the low 20s — so there’s lots of exciting things to come.”

Kirsty Chabert and Opposition Loire. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

Another two morning riders follow her on the leaderboard: Kirsty Chabert, looking no worse for wear after catching the Monday night red-eye back from Kentucky, delivered a 29.3 with Opposition Loire in the 12-year-old mare’s five-star debut, besting many of her four-star performances, while Izzy Taylor put a 29.6 on the board with five-star sophomore Happy Days, eclipsing the eleven-year-old’s previous five-star mark of 31.7, earned at Pau last year.

“It’s her first time doing a test in any sort of atmosphere, so I’m pretty chuffed,” says Kirsty, who, like many British riders, has found herself short of runs this year — and so that trip to Kentucky, where she finished 21st with Classic VI, has been a welcome pipe-opener. “I think come Sunday morning, it’ll all feel familiar, because that was just a week ago. I’m not sure it would have been a pleasant experience with all the nerves, having just run at a couple of Open Intermediates! But with this horse in particular, I’ll do as I feel is correct for her on the day, and take it step by step, really.”

Izzy Taylor and Happy Days. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

For Izzy, keeping her horse’s focus on the task at hand was her primary job for today — and that box was one she was delighted to have ticked between the boards this morning.

“It’s his second five-star, but it’s actually only his fourth three-day event, so for him to come here and keep his brain as well as he did, I was really pleased,” she says. “He’s a lovely horse, and he tries so hard — a little too hard, sometimes, as he demonstrated with his second change! He’s got loads more to come: he’s not old, he hasn’t done a lot, and [he got a score like that] without a ‘clear round’, so that’s really exciting.”

Gireg le Coz and Aisprit de la Loge. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

France’s Gireg le Coz rounds out the top ten overnight with Aisprit de la Loge, with whom he finished in the top twenty here last spring. They didn’t quite catch the 26.7 they posted on that occasion, but their 29.7 will put them well in the mix come Sunday’s cross-country — something Gireg is particularly grateful for after a tricky start to the week.

“He was very good, I think — he’s been very tense since he arrived here; maybe he knows where he is,” says Gireg with a smile. “But he was very professional today. I missed a change at the end, and normally he’s very good at them, and we didn’t get great marks in the trot — just average — but the horse, I’m pleased with. He’s a big mover with a lot of energy, but it’s not about dressage only — it’s very big out there [on cross-country]. But I do feel confident, because now I know we can do it, and I couldn’t be on a better horse.”

Katherine Coleman and Monbeg Senna. Photo by Nico Morgan Media.

We’ve got just two US entrants this year, and the first of them — Katherine Coleman with her five-star debutant Monbeg Senna — delivered a test near the end of proceedings today, earning themselves a 31 and provisional fourteenth place in Katherine’s first Badminton since 2017. Their score, notably, is also the horse’s second best ever international score — the best, a 29.8 at Gatcombe Park, came when he was still at two-star level.

“I’m over the moon with him,” beams Katherine. “With the lack of runs and practice, and being as fit as they are, he’s been a mentalist. So coming into this test, I was like, ‘oh my god, I just hope I stay between the boards!’ He’s been bucking in his changes and flying around — but he went in there and did super changes. I couldn’t be more proud of him!”

Even just before entering at A, Katherine wasn’t totally convinced it was all going to come off: “I wasn’t sure what to expect, because usually he’s one of those horses who comes out really hot like a dragon, and then ten minutes in he’s like, ‘I’m exhausted — carry me!’ But I haven’t gotten to the exhausted point yet; he’s just been getting hotter and hotter, and there were a lot of pre-rides involved!”

Tomorrow takes us into day two of the dressage here at Badminton, though it’s a funny, fractured sort of schedule, due to the late morning break for the coronation of King Charles: dressage will begin an hour earlier, at 8 a.m. BST (3.00 a.m. EST), starting with Aaron Millar and KEC Deakon, and will wrap up for the morning after the test of Canada’s Mike Winter and El Mundo, which will begin at 10.07 a.m. BST (5.07 a.m. EST). We’ll then resume proceedings from 13.00 BST (8.00 a.m. EST) with Emily King and Valmy Biats, before closing play after the final test, that of Maryland 5* winners Tim Price and Coup de Coeur Dudevin, at 15.26 BST (10.26 a.m. EST). As always, keep it locked on to EN for all the news and updates; tune in on Badminton TV to follow the action live; and stay tuned for much more from Badminton! Until next time: Go Eventing!

The top ten at the end of the first day of dressage.

Badminton Horse Trials: [Website] [Entries] [Schedule] [Live Stream – Badminton TV] [Radio Badminton] [Tickets] [EN’s Coverage]