BRITISH LADIES PROVE ON FORM

An all-British female trio heads the leader board at the end of the first day of dressage at The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials.

Emily Baldwin and Drivetime retained pole position with a score of 42.3 penalties.  “I was thrilled with the way he went – he loves a crowd,” said Emily whose Badminton preparation has resulted in two recent and impressive wins with Drivetime, including the CIC three-star at Belton last month. The 28-year-old is aiming for a clear-round on Saturday. “He went the distance last year and coped with the atmosphere which gives me confidence – although it is a different course not least because it goes in the opposite direction and there are some big and technical fences towards the end.”

British Open and National Champion Ruth Edge finished the day in second place with Mayhem III, with who she won the Open title at Gatcombe last August and was fifth at Pau last October – which was the first four-star event for Carina Campbell’s homebred 12-year-old by Mark Todd’s former three-star ride Mayhill. “He has not been in this sort of atmosphere before and is quite green at the level but he really tried his best today,” said Ruth who has completed here before on three occasions. “It is a really well presented course – the ground is fantastic – and there are some clever fences out there,” said Ruth, “You can really start to see how Hugh Thomas (course designer) wants you to ride the course.”

Somerset-based instructor Jo May ended the day in third place with her own Faere Vision. The 15-year-old is by the Thoroughbred sire Ben Faerie sire of Ginny Leng’s Badminton winners Priceless and Nightcap while former Badminton winner Rodney Powell is fourth with the well-fancied Zin Zan.

Dressage continues tomorrow at 9.30am. Swedish rider Anna Hilton will be first into the arena while Badminton and British favourites Oliver Townend and the grey Flint Curtis will end the day at 5.00pm.