Kirsty Chabert, pathfinder: “Classic was absolutely fab. I think Eric [Winter, course-designer] has built the most rider-thinking course and the ground rode superbly. Badminton is the one five-star we haven’t cracked, so I just want to be back tomorrow show jumping. And now I’m going for a sleep!”

Tim Price: “It was a good round, despite the 20 penalties [at fence 19]. Viscount Viktor was fighting a bit at the start and that was our comeuppance – the brush came up too fast. But he relaxed after that. He is a class horse.”

Oliver Townend: “There were a couple of places where Ballaghmor Class wasn’t too impressed with the size of the fence – if he sees a fence he doesn’t think is big enough, he can get out of my hands, but the old-fashioned fences he respects and his galloping is fantastic. Looking back, I think I enjoyed every minute! And, fair dos to Badminton, as the organisers must have been under pressure with the lack of rain but the ground is very consistent and they couldn’t have done more. And it’s great to be back here in the sunshine!”

Joseph Murphy: “I had a really nice ride on Belline Fighting Spirit. It was frustrating to have a 20 penalties [at fence 12] – he jumped too far off the steps and showed his greenness, but it was 50% my fault. He will gain a lot from this.”

Gemma Stevens: “What a round! I’m not going to lie – that was cool! Last year I had no control, but I have changed the bit and felt much more confident this year. Chilli Knight doesn’t like to ‘whoa’ but he knows now when I ask him to whoa that it is for a jump. At Huntsman’s Close he was unreal. I knew I didn’t have enough seconds in hand to go long.”

Harry Meade: “I am absolutely thrilled. It is Superstition’s first run since coming through the finish lines at Burghley. I just jumped two 90cm show jumps this morning which kept him relaxed and he felt great. I loved jumping into the Lake. That is a proper Badminton fence, really cool.”

Bubby Upton: “Cola was sensational. What a horse – he is a fighter through and through. I know him inside out after riding him for nine years.”

Lara de Liederkerke-Meier: “When you breed a horse [Hooney d’Arville], you never believe you will win a five-star [Luhmuhlen last year] or get to Badminton, but today she has shown me that she is a world-class.”

Tiana Coudray: “There were some really, really good bits – she [Cancara’s Girl] is amazing, a little firecracker. I’m really pleased with parts of it. She was getting tired approaching the quarry and didn’t make the distance from the wall to the skinny. I’m so mad at myself because I held her together and she’s honest as the day is long, but couldn’t jump it fromwhere she was. I can’t blame her in the slightest.”

Jerome Robine: “He [Black Ice] is just a perfect cross-country horse, it was amazing. It’s quite long round here and you have time to think about everything. Everything was on Plan A; he hesitated at the top of the stairs – he does that at drops, and the lake was good for me as he always lands quite early so good for the short four strides.”

Tom Crisp: “That was so close. I’m gutted for him [Dassett Rock Star] and the owners. But was his first time here, and he was quite struck by the venue, as many are. I’ve just got to learn to manage him. We had a super-educational round, still lots to learn, but that’s what this level is all about. It was nothing but a great experience and a clear round will come, I’m excited for his future.”

Ryuzo (Sabu) Kitajima: “I’m now hot, hot, hot! Feroza Nieuwmoed was great, an amazing horse.”

Yasmin Ingham: “It has been a dream Badminton debut. Rehy DJ – ‘Piglet’ – was incredible. He grew in confidence. It was a really strong track and I couldn’t be more proud of him. I went around the tree at Huntsman’s Close as he was a little tired near the end and I wanted him to have time to see the question.”

Lizzie Baugh: “My horse [B Exclusive] was really good, so honest and genuine. I made quite a few changes of plan – A, B and sometimes C!”

Tom McEwen: “Our earlier blip had taken the wind out of his [JL Dublin’s] sails so when we got to Huntsman’s Close it was easier to go direct and then the pin came down with his hindlegs. It’s one of those things and that’s what pins are there for, but he tried his heart out.”

Rafael Losano: “I had the most amazing round. It was our first five-star – we’ve only done two long 4-stars – and there was a lot to do out there.”

Austin O’Connor: “Colorado Blue – ‘Salty’ – is in the form of his life and he is all heart. He’s more mature now and I am lucky to have him. There has been a lot of rubbish talked – which I didn’t listen to – about the course being softer, but Eric Winter is a damn good designer. It’s all a lot easier on a horse like this.”

Emily King: “You’ve really got to be on your game. I am so grateful for my owners, who got the horse [Valmy Biats] back for me last year. I adore him so much. I’ve seen the finish line so many times and not made it, that this feels wonderful – I rarely make it to Sunday, I’m just so grateful.”

Christoph Wahler [pictured]: “It was hard work out there – we never really got the rhythm – the size of the fences made him more careful than usual – but my horse [D’Accord FRH] is bold and fast. He helped me out a lot. It is an amazing atmosphere here with all the people screaming in excitement.”

Ian Cassells: “I am really happy with my horse [Master Point]. He is a blood horse with a big stride. He can get a bit hollow in the combinations and I need to be aware of that, so we played him straight and honest and let him see the fences. It’s my first Badminton and I am really happy – it’s a show like nothing else. I hadn’t even walked the course before and it’s above and beyond what people say.”

Ros Canter: “I am so lucky to have this horse. I backed Lordships Graffalo – ‘Walter’ – as a three-year-old and I am so privileged to have a horse that is so calm, although he was shaking in the stable beforehand and shis eyes were out on stalks. He knows his job so well. He’s got a turn of foot but he is also rideable.”

Oliver Townend on being given a flag penalty at fence 26: “As far as I am concerned, there was no incident. My foot took the flag out but Cooley Rosalent jumped the fence. It’s been a good day. I couldn’t be prouder of both horses who are from different ends of the spectrum in experience.”