Unusually, there are five 18-year-old horses in the field and Helen Martin’s chestnut gelding Andreas (pictured) certainly belied his veteran status when he played up to the crowd before settling eventually to produce some good work.

Helen admitted to frustration, but said: ‘He really doesn’t feel 18. I am disappointed that he didn’t get the scores he is capable of, but grateful to have a horse that feels so well.’

American first-timer Cosby Green, who is based with Tim and Jonelle Price in Dorset for the second year, was in ninth place after her dressage test on Copper Beach, a horse initially produced by leading US rider Buck Davidson. ‘It took a while, but we have formed our own unique partnership,’ said Cosby.

Fellow US rider Megan O’Donoghue was in equal 13th place after the first day on the thoroughbred Palm Crescent, a horse she has known since he was four and been riding since 2015; they completed Burghley in 2022 and this is their Badminton debut.

Georgie Bartlett, 23, is contesting her second Badminton on her dual Junior European team silver medallist Spana de Nazca, a French-bred Anglo Arab previously ridden by a working pupil of Andrew Nicholson’s.

India Wishart took over the ride on Richard and Cindy Onslow’s Diamond Sundance in 2022 when their daughter, Rosa, went to work in London, and has the confidence of knowing that the veteran has done 23 consecutive clear cross-country rounds at international events.

Meanwhile, the youngest horse in the field, CBI Aldo, ridden by seasoned New Zealander Caroline Powell is, at nine, half the age of this quintet of veterans.