There were just three changes to the top 10 following the conclusion of Friday morning’s dressage at the Mars Badminton Horse Trials, none of which affected the leaders, Tom McEwen and the former Nicola Wilson ride JL Dublin.
Day one leaders, Tom and ‘Dubs’ are still out in front on 22.4 ahead of Paris 2024 teammates Ros Canter and Lordships Graffalo whose test early on Friday left them on a score of 25.3.
Ros and Walter, who won here two years ago, produced a stylish test which included a 10 for their halt but was marred by mistakes in two flying changes, worth double marks, which attracted several 4s from the judges.
“I was really pleased with it actually,” said Ros of their test. “I got a little bit distracted at the beginning because he started sneezing, which isn’t always a good sign, but he then settled and he was great.
“The changes have always been something he’s struggled with and I probably didn’t help him quite enough in those. I think I thought he was more established than he is, so that’s my fault, hands in the air for that one — he was amazing.”
First timers still in the hunt
Ros and Walter’s result has pushed Emily King and Valmy Biats down to third. First-timers Tom Woodward and Low Moor Lucky, who enjoyed a dream debut yesterday afternoon, are now in fourth while another debutante, Yasmin Ingham and Rehy DJ, sit fifth.
Badminton veterans Oliver Townend and Gemma Tattersall occupy sixth and seventh aboard Ballaghmor Class and Chilli Knight respectively.
Georgie Goss and Feloupe were the second pair to disrupt the top 10 on Friday morning, slotting into eighth on a score of 29.6.
“I’m absolutely delighted, she was amazing. I just made one error in the third change which is so frustrating because the changes are a good bit, but overall I’m over the moon. She was so good,” said Georgie, who represents Ireland.
“Last year she got [a mark of] 30 as I entered the arena one second too late, so I got an error of course otherwise I would have been in the 20s so I wanted [a mark in] the 20s this year.
“I’m really proud of her. She’s very, very rideable. She’s been quite hot since she’s been here, which is not normally her. She goes in and she knows her job. She loves this bit because she’s quite good at it so she’s rideable and easy in there.”
Swiss rider in the mix
The only other competitors to make their mark on the top 10 on Friday morning were Felix Vogg and Cartania, a 14-year-old Holsteiner mare, who occupy ninth position on 29.7.
“I think it was pretty good for her, it’s her second best mark at five-star level,” said the Swiss rider.
“I’m super happy with her, for myself I always feel I could have done more.”
Kylie Roddy rounds out the top 10 aboard SRS Kan Do with 17 combinations remaining.
Image by Tim Wilkinson
