Three New Zealanders are in the top 10 after an exciting first day of dressage at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton International Horse Trails in the United Kingdom.
Sir Mark Todd led for a while with his 40.5 penalty point efforts aboard NZB Campino (owned by New Zealand Bloodstock and Todd), but now sits in fourth spot, just 4.5 points behind leader Paul Tapner (Aus) on Kilronan who scored 36.
Neil Spratt and Upleadon (owned by Sharon Robbins, Anita Engel and Spratt) will be rapt with their 44.2 penalty point test, which sees them in sixth spot, with Andrew Nicholson and Quimbo (owned by Deborah Sellar) right on his heals on 44..7.
Todd said Campino “felt amazing out there”.
“It was nearly very well done,” he said. “In the trot he was working really well. Normally his canter work is the best part but we made a couple of big mistakes which were expensive.”
However, he was chuffed to finish the day on 40.5.
“When things like that happen, you have to put them behind you and get on with it. You can’t let that spoil the rest of the test. Overall I was very pleased with him.”
Nicholson too was very happy with his horse.
“He’s a very calm horse and went into the arena just like he does at a small one day event,” he said.
Both Todd and Nicholson have high hopes for both their mounts. Nicholson, who holds a record 33 completes at Badminton, is hoping this year to capture the title that has eluded him for so long.
There were three other Kiwis in action overnight. Tim Price sits just outside of the top 10, on 50 penalty points aboard Ringwood Sky Boy (owned by Robert Taylor and Selwood.com), with Caroline Powell also in the top 20 on Onwards and Upwards (owned by Cameron and Mary Crawford).
Annabel Wigley was the only other Kiwi in the first day of competition, and she and Badminton débutante Frog Rock (owned by John, Sally and Annabel Wigley) are in 34th of the 40-strong field.
Tonight, the rest will complete their dressage phase, including Todd with Leonidas II (owned by Diane Brundsden, Peter Cattell and Todd), Nicholson with Nereo (owned by Deborah Sellar), Price and Wesko (the Wesko Syndicate), Jonelle Price (nee Richards) on The Deputy (owned by Lucy Sangster, Tim and Jan Morice and Selwood.com), Megan Heath and her own St Daniel, and Lucy Jackson aboard Willy Do (owned by Gillian Greenlees and Jackson).
It’s an extremely tough field this year with riders from 15 countries competing, including eight former Badminton winners. More than 130 entries were received for the 85 places available.
The dressage will be followed by the cross country on Saturday (UK time) and showjumping on Sunday.
The full score board can be found here http://www.badminton-horse.co.uk/index.php/dressage-results-2014/ .
The fact file:
• The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is considered the world’s “most prestigious” three day event and runs May 7-11.
• For more information head to www.badminton-horse.co.uk
• The event is part of the FEI Classics Series includes the six CCI4* events – Pau (FRA), Australian International 3DE (AUS), Kentucky (USA), Badminton (GBR), Luhmuhlen (GER) and Burghley (GBR).
