Oliver Townend and his Olympic team gold medal-winning mount Ballaghmor Class lead the way after the first morning of dressage at Mars Badminton Horse Trials.
They earned a penalty score of 29.3 from the judges this morning and sit just ahead of another British combination, Gemma Stevens and Chilli Knight.
“He’s unreal. I know it’s the same for everyone, but if we could produce the work that he’s doing at home, he’s somehow getting better and better and still improving,” said Oliver of the 18-year-old grey Irish Sport Horse on whom he finished second here in 2023 and 2019.
“It just shows that if you stay doing the same things as you’ve done all their lives and they don’t have a change in the system it feels better than ever and it looks better than ever.”
Harsh marking
Ballaghmor Class is one of the most successful event horses in the world. Since joining Oliver’s string in 2012 they have won Burghley twice (in 2017 and 2023), won the Rolex Kentucky 5* in 2021, as well as that team gold medal in Tokyo.
The general consensus is that the judges are being harsh with their marks.
“It doesn’t matter as we just get consistent judging,” said Oliver. “There’s plenty on the cross-country to sort us out. 11 minutes 40 [seconds] is a long way, so I’m happy with the horse [today].
“A couple of things that could have been better but he’s getting quite clever. You know, he’s wild at the trot up and wild everywhere and then goes in [to the dressage arena] and says, ‘I’ve done enough now’,” continued Oliver.
“So he got a little bit quiet maybe but I’m still happy enough.”
‘Such good shuffling’
Gemma Stevens said it was “an absolute dream” to get a sub 30 score after 15 year-old Chilli Knight did “the best shuffling ever”.
“When I heard the first few scores I thought, well, there’s no chance — I’m going to be on a 38,” she said.
“But that horse just honestly did his best shuffling ever. We rode every blade of grass and he tried his best.”
This horse is owned by Christopher Stone and was sired by William Fox-Pitt’s Badminton winner Chilli Morning, who became the first stallion to win here in 2015.
“He did such good shuffling,” added Gemma of Chilli Knight. “He is what he is. You can’t make him into London 52 or Lordships Graffalo — he’s not that, but he tries his best.”
Ones to watch
In the current standings, it’s an all-British top four at this early stage with Kylie Roddy (SRS Kan Do) in third, ahead of Bubby Upton and Cola.
China’s Alex Hua Tian is currently in fifth and Harry Meade lies sixth with Superstition, ahead of New Zealand’s Tim Price (Viscount Viktor).
There are another 17 riders due into the arena this afternoon, including several ones to watch: Tom McEwen and JL Dublin will go their test at 3.45pm, followed by Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ at 3.52pm.
Emily King and Valmy Biats will go at 4.13pm.
Ireland’s Austin O’Connor is set to round off the day when he enters at A on his Maryland CCI5* winner, Colarado Blue, at 4.27pm.
Main image by Tim Wilkinson
