It’s a tight finish

Just 0.2 of a penalty mark separates the top two horses at the end of cross-country day at the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials. 

Lucinda Fredericks (AUS) and Headley Britannia sit in pole position. If she stays there the 15.3hh mare will be the first mare to win Badminton since Bambi in 1954 ridden by Margaret Hough 53 years ago. “She is such a feisty mare. She was much stronger than at Burghley – we didn’t have the hills to slow her down and she is so fit. I did a few slow routes as I had to as she would have got too strong but towards the end she was jumping so well I was able to angle the Rolex table and save some time. You don’t get a horse like this very often,” said Lucinda. 

American Kim Severson and Winsome Adante on their first visit to Badminton remain on their dressage score and in second place. “I am very happy with my horse and myself,” said Kim who could be the first American to win Badminton since David O’Connor and Custom Made in 1997. “Dan is a truly amazing horse and I am fortunate to have him. I just aimed to get into a rhythm and it all went pretty much to plan and it feels really cool to have done it.” 

If however third placed Hinrich Romeike and his lovely grey Holstein registered gelding Marius Voight-Logistik, who are just four penalties – one show jump down – behind the leaders, pull it off tomorrow they would be the first mainland European to win Badminton since Capt Hans Schwarzenbach in 1951 – 56 years ago. Hinrich, who is a dentist by profession, had one heart-stopping moment on the course when he lost his reins going into the bounce at The Colt Pond. “I saw him attacking this hedge infront of me. I directed him like a lawnmower and he got over it but I have no idea how he did it,” said Hinrich. 

A fast clear round brought Sarah Cohen and Hide and Seek II (no. 82) up from 16th to 7th place and the combination is the best of the British contingent. “I had a fantastic ride. You have to allow him to gallop but he jumps out of it. He is very honest and has the scope,” said Sarah who is also in 28th place with The Wexford Lady. 

Contrary to anxiety before the cross-country about the ground, the great effort put in by the Badminton management produced an excellent track. From the 56 starters cross country 43 completed of those 33 went clear – 18 within the time. 

“I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to the team led by the Willis Bros and Mike Etherington-Smith and all the tractor drivers and farmers on the estate who worked so hard to make the improvements to the course,” said Event Director Hugh Thomas.