“I was generally pleased but there were costly mistakes due to the horse opening his mouth. We have been trying a new noseband which has generally been working well but, of course, a big event like this is the litmus test and we won’t be using it again. But is still a youngish horse and has a cool head on him.
‘The two horses to come are better at this phase. And I am looking forward to the cross-country. It should be a great day’s sport.”
Harry Meade (Et Hop du Matz, 36.5)
“I’m very pleased with him, he tried his very best. He stayed with me throughout. I think I lucked out going early on Thursday morning – I got the chills trotting in to the arena, it’s so special.”
Cosby Green (USA) (Jos UFO de Quidam 34.9)
“It’s his first five star and he’s naturally quite a spooky horse so to do quite a solid test like that is really pleasing. Hopefully there is plenty to build on over the next few years.”
Tom Jackson (United 36 32.2)
“This is the first time she has been in a big environment for a while – she is back from an injury in 2023. She moves a bit like a sewing machine – she’s not really built to do dressage and stuck her head in the door. There wasn’t a lot I could do but she loves her jumping and will be looking forward to Saturday. It’s not a dressage competition, and that is the joy of five-star. Her owner lives just down the road and this is a dream of hers to have a horse at Badminton”
David Doel (Ferro Point, 41.9)
“That was rubbish! It’s really frustrating. He was feeling the best ever and everything was going to plan and then it all went wrong at the halt, which he must have done 150 times without fault this year. And then he changed in the canter – I was, like, what are you doing? But he feels blooming well and Saturday will be a matter of keeping the lid on him”
Gemma Stevens (Chilli Knight, 34.0)
“I am a little bit disappointed as he can be quite flashy, but he got rather lit up. But both my horses are big, bold cross-country horses; they’re pretty cool.”
Holly Richardson (Ballyneety Silver Service, 41.2)
“You always want a slightly better mark, don’t you, but he tried really hard and is green at this level. I’m always on catch up because dressage is my weakest phase, but we’re getting there.”
Simon Grieve (Autograf, 36.4)
“He was a little on his toes, to be honest, but I’m really pleased with him. It wasn’t a perfect, polished test, but he’s established at the level now, and he’s such a beautiful horse.”
Bubby Upton (Cola, 29.8)
“I’m a little bit disappointed really, I feel I let him down. The trot work was lovely but the changes, which are usually on point but weren’t quite on the button. But he is only 10, and it’s a bit atmosphere in there.”
Sarah Bullimore (Corimiro, 32.1)
“Every time here is more and more exciting, especially when you can’t predict what is going to happen. He is improving daily, but when he’s out he can be any way”
Aistis Vitkauskas (Commander VG, 50.5)
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Rider