US rider Tiana Coudray is the overnight leader at the end of dressage day one at Mars Badminton Horse Trials with Cancara’s Girl. They scored the only nine of the day to edge ahead on 28.1 penalties.
This phase didn’t go their way last year — Tiana stating that that test didn’t suit the mare and so it was a case of “damage control” — but this time it really did.
“I can’t put words to it. Two years ago, when she went into third overnight on Thursday, I was in floods of tears because I couldn’t believe that this little horse had done that — and I’m going to cry again!
“To go into the lead at Badminton is a pipe dream; just to be at Badminton is a dream. I had a little tear putting her on the lorry for her third Badminton, thinking it was pretty darn special, seeing as she was only supposed to be a project we were going to sell on.
“It’s the sort of stuff you dream of as a kid.”
‘We call her Nana’
Tiana is from California and has partnered the mare for 10 years, bringing her through the grades from one-star level.
“We call her Nana, because she’s a demure, sweet little girl. She doesn’t need another horse in the world. She barely needs her people — and that’s only to serve her. She’s very happy in herself and nothing’s a fuss; nothing’s a drama.
“She’s a pleasure to have. She shows up here and she’s the same horse in the stable as she is at home.
“But she’s as fussy as you like! We have to really work to keep feed she likes and to tend to her every need, but she doesn’t do drama. She’s just a really good girl.”
‘She got me back here’
Tiana, who represented the USA at the London Olympics and who previously competed in Irish dancing at world championship level, became emotional when talking about how Cancara’s Girl has got her back to the top level.
“I’ve had some very special horses, and I hope further in my career I’ll continue to have some really special horses, but I had a long period of not having a top horse and having to sell all my good horses.
“I resigned myself that I might not get back to top level again — she’s the one that got me back here.”
Nine for the changes
Tiana scored the only nine of the day in the flying changes, a movement she says has always been the mare’s strong point.
“It was a real positive when we got her to advanced and then to five-star, where she’s got four in a test. Dare I say we actually sort of messed up our first one a bit today — she locked on to the cross-country jump and came off the aids.
“So that’s one of the places where potentially she could have another nine. It’s really exciting and I’m really glad that they [the judges] rewarded what we felt was was happening at home.”
British riders in second and third
Two British riders lie second and third at this stage — Will Rawlin and Ballycoog Breaker Boy ahead of Bubby Upton and Cola.
Georgie Goss, who rides for Ireland, is in fourth aboard Feloupe, with fellow Irish pair Lucy Latta and RCA Patron Saint in fifth.
The second day of dressage kicks off tomorrow, with Harry Meade first into the arena at 10am on his second ride, Annaghmore Valoner.
Images by Tim Wilkinson
