Ruth and Mayhem are halftime leaders

Ruth Edge and Mayhem are the current leaders at the halfway stage of cross-country day at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. Mayhem certainly lived up to his name on the first part of the course and Ruth, 29, who first rode here when she was just 18, sat tight to bring the Mayhill 12-year-old gelding home clear adding just 1.4 time penalties to their dressage score. “He is never usually a strong horse and wasn’t his normal self at the start and I certainly had to work quite hard but he got easier the further we went. He was however as honest as the day and I am really pleased with him,” said Ruth.

Trailblazers William Fox-Pitt and Macchiato certainly showed how to do it cruising home inside time. Macchiato belied his four-star inexperience to produce a masterclass Badminton round. “He was foot-perfect and gave me one of the best four-star rides I have ever had which is very exciting for his future,” said William. “And the track preparation was just formidable.”

Young Irish rider Elizabeth Power and Kilpatrick River – an 11-year-old Thoroughbred by Petardia – also came home clear at their first Badminton to be placed fourth at the halfway stage. “It was almost surreal – he was just phenomenal,” said Elizabeth. “It was nice to have my first Badminton experience on a blood horse – I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I’d had time penalties on him.”

Harry Meade also came home clear inside the time with 19-year-old Midnight Dazzler – his fourth round at Badminton with the Catherston Dazzler veteran. “Each ride becomes more and more special and he felt awesome and just cruised round,” said 25-year-old Harry.” “He has been prepared specifically for this, almost since last Badminton and for him to still be full of running at the end, and at that age has made it all really rewarding.”

So far 8 of the 30 completions have been clear inside the time including Daisy Dick and Springalong. “Hugh (Thomas) has built a beautiful track but it is a shame the time was not 20 seconds tighter – and therefore less favourable to the dressage horses,” said Daisy.

Several riders have gone home disappointed. Rodney Powell retired Zin Zan after a refusal at the second of the Hexagon Hedges, Dan Jocelyn was eliminated after falling off Special Advocate and Zara Phillips retired her first horse, Ardfield Magic Star halfway round the course.  There are, however seven more riders yet to go who could still take the lead.