Final session
Tom McEwen/JL Dublin (22.4): “He was amazing, so relaxed and to show all that power – he got the mark he deserved. He’s unbelievably talented and a showman – he knows he’s here. And a huge positive to Badminton for the ground, which looks great.”
Yasmin Ingham/Rehy DJ (29.1): “He is not the most naturally moving horse and going in behind Tom wasn’t ideal! But I am delighted with him; he’s on good form and we’ve had a good start. It’s my first Badminton and such a great atmosphere. I have been walking the cross-country with Chris Bartle and it’s massive, a classic Badminton.
Lizzie Baugh/B Exclusive (39.2): “It has been a huge dream to come here and so special to be here [for the first time] with a horse we bred and my sister backed. I have been riding him for 11 years, since I was 16 and at school.”
Third session
Ryuzo Kitajima/Feroza Nieuwmoed (33.5): “I’m pleased, he can be very spooky, and he didn’t like the camera near A. Obviously it is a smaller arena than at Burghley, but I think it was not too bad today.”
Lara de Liederkerke-Meier/Hooney d’Arville (31.7): “She’s not the queen of dressage and I didn’t ride a couple of my flying changes well – it can be difficult to keep her nerves under control but she tried really hard. It’s good to be back at Badminton, it’s a really special atmosphere. The cross-country will be big for her but I’m here to take the experience and I hope she will enjoy it.
Seppe Vilain/Kawa de la Cour Z (33.9): “He was focussed and calm in there – I think I played it a bit safe, but he was good. I’m looking forward to Saturday.
Tom Woodward/Low Moor Lucky (27.9): “I’ll take that,” the local rider said after taking the lead. “It feels pretty surreal. He loves a crowd, nothing phases him.”
Gaspard Maksud/Zaragoza (30.7): “She can do a bit better but it was pretty mistake free, so I am delighted with her.”
Jack Mantel/Jack Daniels (41.2): “I’m glad that’s over! We are both inexperienced at this level – it’s our first five-star, and he really tried for me. The cross-country is big and bold, but we’ll give it a shot.”
Felicity Collins/RSH Contend Or (37.1): “He was such a good boy – he finds it all a bit exciting, but it was fun to ride in there.”
Will Rawlin/Ballycoog Breaker Boy (30.6): “Happy with that. He was a bit tense in the walk but otherwise really rideable today.”
Second session
Bubby Upton/Cola (30.2): “I am thrilled with Cola. He is really consistent and has come out fit and well. I’m not one to dwell on my dressage mark and I’m really excited for the challenge of the cross-country.”
Alice Casburn/Topspin (37.9): “The crowds were cheering and when Topspin saw the cross-country fence in the arena, I thought ‘Oh no’, but as long as we are not too far off the mark at the end of dressage I will be happy. I’m very mindful that there are two ‘coffin’ fences on the cross-country and I’ve been very busy building at home to practise. I’ve been to B & Q and got my hammer and nails out!”
David Doel/Gaileo Nieuwmoed (38.8): “He did some great trot and walk work and then was an idiot in the canter, but there’s plenty to jump out there on Saturday so we’ll put the dressage behind us and give it a go. He got a bit too fresh this morning – as they get older, they get more cunning – but he’s a lovely experienced cross-country horse.”
Tiana Coudray/Cancaras Girl (34.0): “I am happy enough, although it’s not a test to remember. This dressage test doesn’t really suit my mare. She’s a dainty little mover so you spend the first five movements showing the judges that she can’t trot!”
Dan Jocelyn/Blackthorn Cruise (34.8): “He’s a good old boy and knows all the movements now. He’s 16 and I produced him as a five-year-old; he used to be quite a handful, but now he has matured. I rode Silence [first Badminton horse] for 12 years, so I’m lucky to have had two horses that have taken me around the world.”
Jérôme Robiné/Black Ice (35.2): “It’s not the mark I wanted, but it is my Badminton debut so I am quite excited. We’ve [the German riders] been walking the course and that made us go a bit quiet – we’re making less jokes now! This is such an iconic event; it’s a different sport here.”
First session
Kirsty Chabert, pathfinder on Classic Vl (33.7): “She is such a beautiful horse to ride on the flat. For her, a ‘clear round’ in the dressage means no spookiness – that’s what I’m looking for, and she did spook at the camera. But having her in the show jumping on Sunday is my plan.”
Tim Price/Viscount Vikto (33.2): “He is an edgy horse who gets a bit nervous so I have to ride him instinctively rather than according to plan. He is a class horse, a good one to go out on first across country.”
Joseph Murphy/Belline Fighting Spirit (39.2): “He’s a beautiful horse but he is highly strung. He’s still a baby (10) and has a low mileage. The deciding factor for bringing him here is that he is a super jumper. It will be a good education and should show me what he’s made of.”
Gemma Stevens/Chilli Knight (29.5): “We rode every blade of grass. He is never going to be a London 52 or a Lordships Graffalo – he tends to shuffle – but he will gallop for 11 minutes 40 seconds and I’m glad I’ve got two blood horses. The cross-country distances are really great, which pleases me with my show jumping background. Eric [Winter, course-designer] has really nailed it.”
Tom Rowland/Quintillus (37.6): “It was a bit of a disaster when he just cantered off after the halt. He’s never done that before and I had to try not to think about it and put it behind me. It was a shame as he can do a really nice test.”