Laura with a big pat for Rayef, courtesy of the great Nico Morgan
One of Great Britain’s most talented young riders, the 21 year old Laura Collett leads Badminton after Friday’s dressage. Laura is competing in just her second 4*, having placed 30th at Burghey last year aboard Ginger May Killinghurst. Laura and Rayeff have a winning history and the pair has won both the Junior and Young Rider European Championships. Laura’s impressive performance today is yet another reminder of the strength of Great Britain’s rider development system. But, there is a long way to go this weekend and, even though Laura is accustomed to leading big events, there’s nothing in eventing like the pressure of being the overnight Badminton leader. Laura doesn’t have a second horse to ride tomorrow so hopefully she can use the day to focus and be ready for a big cross-country performance. Scroll down for video of Laura that Samantha took this morning. [Audio interview with Laura]
Friday Dressage Results:
1. Laura Collett and Rayef 36.5
2. Marina Kohncke and Calma Schelly (GER) 39.8
3. Susanna Bordone and Carrera (ITA) 43.0
4. Ingrid Klimke and FRH Butts Abraxxas (GER) 43.3
5. Kai Ruder and Le Prince Des Bois (GER) 44.8
…
12. Hawley Bennet-Awad and Ginny (CAN) 50.2
—Germany flexed its muscle today, finishing 3 riders in the top 5. Those impressive results come even without having Michael Jung in the competition, who I think is Germany’s best rider right now. Germany has yet to take home a Badminton trophy and I’m not sure they will get a better chance than this year.
–I also have to give a quick shout-out to the lady riders, who hold the top 4 spots at Badminton. Lucinda Fredericks was the last lady winner, and she took home the trophy in 2007.
–The only North American pair competing today was Canada’s Hawley Bennet and “Gin and Juice”, as the Badminton website says. Ginny had a great test and sits in 12th place going into the cross-country. 12th is an excellent position–close enough to be able to move up big time but not too close to be feeling major pressure about the placings, so all Hawley has to worry about is the pressure of riding around Badminton…no big deal.
–Just behind Hawley sits James Robinson and Comanche, competing in their 9th Badminton together. Yes, 9. They have competed in every single Badminton since I was a freshman in high school. The two most important things in a horse for the long term in my opinion are soundness and the will to try and Comanche has had both for a long time. What an impressive record.
–Other than Laura’s performance, team Great Britain can’t be all that pleased with today, although I am sure they would tell me to just wait for Monday to see how many British riders are in the top 10. The over-under is 6, which would you take?
That’s all for now. Much more from Badminton including lots of links later.
